Future Trends in Packaging? Innovation, Sustainability, Convenience and Intelligence

According to "The Future of Packaging: Long-Term Strategic Forecasts to 2028" released by the US consulting firm Smithers, four major trends will emerge in packaging by 2028: innovation, sustainability, convenience and intelligence. At this edition of the Shanghai International Luxury Packaging Exhibition, the author also found many innovative packaging solutions with sustainable and smart concepts on site.

01 The Concept of Sustainable Packaging Development

So what is sustainable packaging? Simply put, sustainable packaging uses materials throughout the entire production and disposal process that take into account both the energy used to make these materials and what happens to them when they are used and discarded. Since it is sustainable packaging, easier recycling, reuse and recovery-based protection are among the standards.

Sustainability requires greater use of biodegradable or compostable materials. Over time, these materials break down into their basic components. However, there may be conceptual confusion caused by marketing - compostable materials are biodegradable, but biodegradable materials are not always compostable.

Biodegradable refers to any substance that can be broken down by microorganisms and absorbed into the natural environment; biodegradation is a naturally occurring process. When an object decomposes, its original components break down into simple components such as water and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is not a necessary condition for this process, but in the presence of oxygen the time required for biodegradation is shorter.

Compostable refers to a product or material that can biodegrade under specific, human-driven conditions. Unlike a fully natural biodegradation process, composting requires the intervention of specific, artificial conditions. During composting, microorganisms break down organic matter with human help, and humans provide the water, oxygen and organic matter needed to optimize the conditions.

Shenzhen Dechangyu New Material Technology Co., Ltd. showed the author its eco-friendly packaging material process for plastic tubes. The tube head and the outer tube body that holds the contents can be used separately, with quantities matched according to the product's own function, so that one roller-ball head of a roller-ball tube can be paired with multiple tube bodies, or multiple replaceable sponge heads can be paired with a single tube body, enabling the replacement and reuse of packaging components and thereby reducing discards.

02 Diversified and Upgraded Anti-Counterfeiting Technology

Curbing counterfeit goods and protecting genuine products has long been the demand of all parties in enterprises. Packaging anti-counterfeiting technology can verify the authenticity of goods and make them difficult to imitate and copy; it is a technology aimed at preventing forgery and counterfeiting, protecting corporate brands, maintaining market order and safeguarding consumer rights.

Judging from the site, the anti-counterfeiting technologies of the various exhibitors show diversified characteristics.

Keweibao Anti-Counterfeiting uses industry-leading equipment and systems and adopts lithography technology to produce anti-counterfeiting labels. Elements such as numbers can be added to the anti-counterfeiting code to create an encrypted QR code that cannot be copied.

The person in charge of Quantum Cloud Code (Fujian) Technology Co., Ltd. introduced that in tracing counterfeit goods, the quantum cloud code has more advantages than QR codes.

A single code dot on a quantum cloud code anti-counterfeiting label is about 30-40 µm in diameter, about 1/2 the diameter of a hair. The fine dots are densely distributed, making copying more difficult. Even if damaged, as long as 3*3 mm remains, it can still be efficiently read and recognized by instruments. The code pattern can also be made into any figure and shape as needed. In addition, the information stored in the quantum cloud code is more abundant, and it can also identify the source of goods, better preventing counterfeit goods and product diversion.

It can be said that the quantum cloud code makes up for the application shortcomings of QR codes from every angle while not affecting the product's appearance, providing anti-counterfeiting services for many well-known enterprises.

The latest anti-counterfeiting technologies of Wuhan Huagong Image Technology Development Co., Ltd. include image tracking technology, which gives patterns on packaging a strong dynamic effect and distinct visual characteristics; and precision etching technology, which allows observation by transmitted light directly with the aid of a point light source, revealing clear hidden encrypted information such as text, images or logos.

It can be seen that anti-counterfeiting and traceability technology can not only upgrade anti-counterfeiting strength and traceability systems and more effectively combat counterfeit and shoddy products, but also pursue environmental protection and creativity in the process.

03 One-Stop Creative Services

On site, the author found that most exhibitors mainly focus on packaging production, but some companies can also be seen providing one-stop packaging solution services.

Take Shenzhen Baixinglong as an example: it has created more than 30,000 products, provided full-case planning for more than 200 brands, and offered unique packaging design solutions. It is said that Baixinglong has been engaged in brand design for 23 years, with 20 brand specialists, 70 designers and sales staff, as well as 4 production plants.

General Manager Ye Amin said: "From the brand's initial stage, we start planning for them, then do the design, then the production, all completed one-stop on our side. Some brand owners worry that what the designer designs cannot meet their needs, or they need to find a third-party designer and the result still does not quite match. Our strength is designing according to the actual product, which usually exceeds the effect of the design."

Based on sustainable development, packaging is constantly iterating with innovative designs, and consumers' attention to eco-friendly packaging is also increasing day by day. Regarding future market demand for packaging, Ye Amin holds a positive attitude; she believes that in the past consumers may not have paid so much attention to packaging, but now it is an era of appearance, and young people need both products that work and products with high aesthetic appeal.

In 2023, we saw that this International Luxury Packaging Exhibition brought together many industry professionals. Exhibiting brands with outstanding packaging creativity and professional technology, through in-depth exchanges, provided more packaging inspiration from multiple sides and explored solutions for the future of packaging, which can be said to be driving the sustainable development of the beauty industry while also gaining insight into the future demand trends of consumers.

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-379372.html