Innovation and sustainability: the future of packaging

Crucial changes are taking place in the packaging industry. The demand for packaged goods has risen and consumers are increasingly focusing on sustainability; so much so, in fact, that it has become an additional factor in the consumer decision-making process. In view of this, leading companies are spending more and more on developing packaging that is increasingly kinder to the planet. Given the importance of achieving this goal, innovation and sustainability are undoubtedly here to stay. In this article, SP Group shares some of the keys to the future of the sector.

THE ROLE OF MONO-MATERIAL PACKAGING IN INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

Mono-material packaging is manufactured using just one polymer. The key feature of this packaging is that, unlike multi-material packaging, its components do not need to be separated before they are sent for recycling. When it comes to innovation and sustainability, the importance of this type of packaging simply cannot be overlooked because it boosts the efficiency of recycling processes. Plus, with mono-material designs, it is possible to maintain the excellent quality and appearance of packaging solutions. From a recycling point of view, mono-material packaging can help to create a much swifter and efficient system for consumers and companies.

Two great examples of these kinds of products are PE and PP-based materials, which can be used across many industries, including the food industry. The fact that it is manufactured using virgin polymers makes it suitable for food contact applications and, since its quality is not affected by recycling processes, it can be reused by other companies in other sectors. Mono-materials are, without a shadow of a doubt, the future of packaging and the circular economy.

ECODESIGN: THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION

Innovation and sustainability need to go hand in hand but without compromising the quality standards that already exist in the industry. Eco-design, which is a creative process that focuses on generating the minimum amount of waste possible, is an excellent way of doing this.

The minimum waste objective is an integral part of eco-design, right from the minute an idea for packaging is conceived. It is part of the decision-making process behind determining what the packaging will be used for, what it will contain and even who will use it. The outcome is packaging that is customised to suit the product and that combines materials and design features to optimise usage and minimise environmental impact.

Eco-design has become so popular among the general public that there has been a huge increase in demand for packaging of this kind. In Spain alone, 2,193 companies have already implemented up to 9,380 eco-design measures to decrease the impact of their packaging on the planet. This is underpinned by increasingly sustainable consumer habits and the challenge of complying with the legislation introduced to decrease our carbon footprint. Eco-design is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of innovation and sustainability and the future of packaging.

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY NECESSITATE POST-CONSUMER RECYCLING

Increasing sustainability and decreasing the carbon footprint is one of the packaging sector’s key challenges. With regards to carbon footprints, the innovation and sustainability processes – toward which the market is moving – include creating materials with fewer components and that consume less energy during manufacture. Nonetheless, in a truly circular economy, the end goal must be to increase post-consumer recycling because it is the portion of the process that contaminates the most.

We are currently taking huge strides forward in the packaging world and materials such as rPET are already being presented as solutions. rPET meets all the criteria and objectives stipulated by the European Union, including the requirement for all materials to be recyclable and reusable by 2030.

In addition to pursuing sustainability, this material gives packaging a more environmentally-friendly image. In short, swapping traditional packaging for others that are more recyclable is a simple way of shrinking our carbon footprint.

At SP Group we are committed to making the world of packaging a more sustainable one.