Page 15 - Packaging News May-June 2021

May-June 2021 | www.packagingnews.com.au
INDUSTRY INSIGHT 15
post-Covid era
Ultimately, the goal is to create a paper bottle without a plastic liner, fully recyclable as paper. Biopolymer pioneer Avantium was brought on board to develop a thin PEF liner. PEF is widely considered a promis- ing, bio-based PET-replacement with superior performance.
Interestingly, 46 per cent of global consumers would accept decreased product shelf life if it meant more sus- tainable packaging. However, whether paper bottles boast superior net envi- ronmental benefits to recycled PET remains a point of contention.
Nonetheless, the appetite for fibre- based solutions is evident in the rapid uptake of alternatives to plastic shrink wrap and rings.
HYGIENE HEROICS
The Covid-19 pandemic has also heightened consumer hygiene con- cerns, giving rise to touch-free pack- aging design and antimicrobial tech- nologies. According to Innova’s consumer survey, 59 per cent of global consumers believe packaging’s protective function is more impor- tant since the virus outbreak.
Consumers mostly support the increased use of plastic for hygiene during the pandemic, including typi- cally unrecyclable films on fruit and vegetables. While 20 per cent of global consumers favour more plas- tics, 42 per cent see them as an unde- sirable necessity currently.
Antimicrobial solutions also demon- strate impressive shelf life-extending
capabilities, vital in maintaining prod- uct hygiene and avoiding food waste.
Consumers are evidently on board with the food waste fight, with global consumers regarding freshness indi- cators as the most critical packaging feature (44%), slightly more popular than minimal (43%), and flexible packaging (42%).
REUSABLE REVOLUTION
Reusable packaging is increasingly recognised as crucial to waste reduc- tion, with wide-ranging support from NGOs. Regulatory bodies and consum- ers. According to Innova, most global consumers (52%) believe reusable packaging is the most sustainable model, followed by recyclable (50%) and recycled (39%), biodegradable (31%) and compostable (24%).
In Australia, social enterprise Thankyou unexpectedly announced its flagship bottled water’s discontin- uation, encouraging consumers to embrace reusable alternatives.
Research supporting reusable packaging’s CO2 reduction benefits is also on the rise. Zero Waste Europe and Reloop found reusable bottles, crates, jars, and other solutions are up to 85 per cent more climate- friendly than single-use options.
Although many reusable packag- ing systems remain in trial stages, growing environmental conscious- ness and big player backing point to short and long-term growth. Prevalent here is TerraCycle’s net-zero waste, reusable packaging platform Loop,
active in Australia, the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and the UK. Loop’s rapidly expanding partner- ships include McDonald’s, Burger King, Tupperware, Tesco, and Open Farm pet food.
Meanwhile, Unilever has launched supermarket refill trials using touchscreen machines. QR codes enable Unilever to track refills, evaluate consumer engage- ment and expand the scheme. In Australia, Unilever’s refill trial has opened in Coles concept store in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne. ■
For the full article: packaginginsights. com/news/top-packaging-trends- 2021-home-delivery-haven-and-the- carbon-catalyst-dominate-covid- 19-age.html
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