Core packaging industry developments in 2026 (as of late August)

1. Implementation of policies, regulations and mandatory standards

New rules on excessive express packaging take effect

: Mandatory national standard

GB 45186-2024 Requirements for Limiting Excessive Express Packaging

July 1, 2026

formally took effect, specifying three quantitative indicators:

Box fit: divided into three tiers by inner item size, with allowable box diagonal multiples of 2.5/2.0/1.5 respectively;

Layer control: non-fragile items ≤2 layers, fragile items ≤3 layers, fresh/temperature-sensitive items ≤4 layers;

Tape limit: width ≤45mm, length tiered by box circumference (upper limit of 3-5 times).

One month after implementation, "using large boxes for small items" and "nesting-doll style packaging" have decreased significantly, but enforcement difficulties remain, such as the vague definition of fragile items and consumers actively requesting extra packaging.

Local governments lead the way on green takeaway packaging

: Beijing released the country's first

Guidelines for the Use of Green Packaging by Food Delivery Merchants (DB11/T 2510-2026)

September 1, 2026

implemented, promoting "one meal, one strategy" categorized packaging (simple/sealed) and emphasizing the principles of reduction, recyclability and reuse.

Top-level design strengthened

: the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with multiple departments, released the

Guidelines for Green Design of Industrial Products (2026 Edition)

, incorporating green design into the 15th Five-Year Plan and the Ecological Environment Code, and establishing

harmlessness, material saving, space saving, easy recycling and reusability

as five major dimensions that the industry must address.

1. Market trends and technological evolution

Material innovation accelerates

"Bamboo instead of plastic", "mono-material flexible packaging (such as all-PE systems)" and "food-grade recycled PP" see rising penetration rates;

The cost of bio-based materials (PLA, starch-based) has fallen, and they are already used at scale in takeaway food containers;

The EU PPWR regulation (fully effective on August 12, 2026) is forcing export companies to adjust formulations and strictly control PFAS and heavy metal content.

Intelligence and the efficiency revolution

Express delivery companies are promoting intelligent carton-packing systems (for example, ZTO covers 300+ warehouses), automatically recommending suitable packaging materials;

Takeaway packaging breakthroughs: for example, the "Koukou'an" ultra-leak-proof paper bowl (no tipping for 24 hours, packed in 3 seconds), which solves the pain point of spillage-related negative reviews and reduces merchants' operating losses.

Consumer and design trends

Premiumization of small packages, tactile, object-like feel, and AI-assisted design that still values a "human touch" have become new trends in food packaging in 2026;

Consumers are shifting from passive acceptance to active participation (green points, simple-packaging discounts), but balancing cost and experience remains a concern for merchants.

1. Challenges and outlook

: insufficient refinement of fragile-item standards, high cost of green materials and an incomplete recycling system constrain large-scale application;

Global compliance pressure

: European and American regulations are landing in quick succession, and export-oriented packaging companies face a transition with "no buffer period";

: a full-chain governance mechanism of "government standards + platform incentives + enterprise innovation + consumer collaboration" needs to be built, pushing packaging from "redundant-function competition" back to "quality and service competition".

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-379882.html