Revolutionizing Packaging: Adapting to a Post-Pandemic World

Pre-Pandemic Packaging Trends 

Before the pandemic, the packaging trends slowly evolved towards sustainability and minimalism. However, the pandemic brought a growing demand for recycled packaging amidst the rising concern for curbing 3.4 MT of plastic waste yearly. Packaging trends post-pandemic are majorly driven towards:  

• Hygiene and Safety: The need for safe, virus-free packaging led to a surge in ban of single-use plastics 
• Materials for sustainable packaging innovations: Aimed towards developing hygienic yet eco-friendly packaging solutions 

Sustainability Amidst Safety Concerns  

Despite the heavy demand for single-use plastics, there is still a trend for sustainability. The packaging industry is exploring various eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental impact. This is because of customer demand. As per the research, 69% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products. These statistics underscore a strong market demand for eco-friendly packaging.  

Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials and Practices 

With a notable CAGR of 15.06%, India’s biodegradable packaging market is on the rise. In this regard, there is a notable trend in sustainable packaging, achieving lightweight. The aim is to reduce material weight to conserve resources and cut down on energy consumption with ease. The list of eco-friendly materials in demand are:  

• Paper with recycled content 
• Jute 
• Sugarcane fiber (Bagasse) 
• Corn and starch 
• Wood – FSC certified 

E-commerce packaging Boom  

There has been a significant increase in the need for eco-friendly e-commerce packaging strategies post-pandemic. According to recent data, 2.3 billion consumers did online shopping at least once in 2022. While consumers are intending to spend double on online grocery stores, e-commerce industries are using smart packaging tactics using customer psychology. For instance, companies are using color psychology: blue for cleanliness, red for pleasure, and green for health-related packaging. 

Consumer behavior and packaging preference 

Consumer preferences in packaging have shifted significantly towards sustainability and minimalist packaging. 60% of Indians are willing to pay a premium price for sustainable products. Consumers increasingly want to understand the environmental impact of packaging materials. In this regard, packaging industries are exploring every type of recycled material, from recycled materials to biodegradable alternatives.  

Also, there is a growing trend towards minimalistic packaging. It aligns with customers’ sustainability goals while simplifying recycling processes for industries.  

Regulatory Changes in Packaging and Industry Responses  

Governments worldwide have been revising regulations on the use of single-use plastics. For instance, India imposed a ban on 19 single-use plastic items on 1 July 2022 to push the industry towards sustainable solutions. On the other hand, the industry response to packaging challenges is also incentivized to adopt sustainable packaging practices.  

Future Trends in Packaging  

The packaging industry is witnessing several trends that are going to shape the future of packaging, such as:  

• Smart packaging: With 20% environment-conscious Indian consumers, the packaging industry aims at enhanced consumer engagement and product tracking using smart packaging technologies. 
• Circular economy models: A shift towards reuse and recycling of packaging materials to reach the circular economy of Rs 14 lakh crores by 2030. 
• Customization and consumer experience: Shifting focus towards creating an engaging unboxing experience as 60%-80% consumers want a “Wow” factor.  

End Thoughts 

The pandemic has transformed the packaging industry as a beacon of innovation and growth. The industry is more focused towards creating customized packaging solutions to promise protection and deliver higher customer satisfaction. In this regard, Moglix is redefining packaging for a wide range of industries with its end-to-end sustainable packaging solutions to clients across India.