52% of consumers make repeat purchases from brands with unique packaging. Brands are finding new ways to make their product packaging match what customers want. They use cool designs made of recycled materials that match the seasons, like Christmas or summer. Let’s understand what new seasonal packaging trends you might see in stores this year.  

Understanding what consumers like in Packaging 

Did you know that 72% of people are more likely to buy items in a cool package? There are many things to consider to make a package look great. For instance, lots of folks love packages with bright colors and fun pictures, which makes them want to choose that item more than others. Besides making it look fun, companies also consider who will buy their stuff, like how old they are or if they live in the city or the countryside, and consumer behavior to make their packages look super appealing. 

Top 2024 Packaging Innovations and Seasonal Market Trends 

Sustainable Packaging 

Nearly 69% of consumers are ready to bear extra costs for sustainable products. That is why sustainable packaging is the trend. In this regard, brands use eco-friendly materials to align with customer values. This also helps companies meet sustainability demands while maintaining packaging quality per consumer preferences.   

Minimalism in Design  

The demand for minimalist package design is also accelerating. As per the latest survey, around 76% of consumers like product packages with clean lines, simple color palettes, and uncluttered designs. All it takes is to bring sophistication and authenticity to stand out on those crowded shelves in that minimalist packaging aesthetics.  

Interactive packaging 

Big e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon also use interactive technologies (e.g., QR codes) in the packaging to increase consumer engagement. For instance, the QR code allows access to additional product information through the mobile device that brands find hard to fit into the package design.

Custom packaging 

Big brands like Birchbox, L’Oreal Color & Co hair dye, Concrete Jungle, and Le Petit Trou have nailed custom packaging. Custom packaging means making packages that match special times of the year or big events. When companies put pictures or words that customers choose on the package, the product feels special and exciting. This also helps people recognize and love the brand more while meeting consumer preferences. 

Limited edition (seasonal) product packaging 

Limited edition packaging is when companies make special packages for certain times of the year, like Christmas or Halloween. They use colors, symbols, and pictures that remind people of that holiday or season. This makes customers feel happy and remember good times, which makes them more interested in buying the product and helps the company sell more. 

End Thoughts  

The packaging industry is seeing new packaging market trends based on consumer behavior. Brands are now paying more attention to personalized packaging to increase customer satisfaction. Focusing on completely sustainable packaging solutions is the best approach to staying ahead in the market. 

Looking for ideal future-proof packaging solutions? Partner with the right packaging solution provider.  

Choose Moglix to leverage the latest packaging innovations for long-term relevancy and impact. Visit our website to learn more.  

Corrugated packaging boasts a recycling rate of about 30% in India, one of the highest among packaging materials. This high recyclability indicates the degree of responsibility we have in managing its life cycle effectively. Understanding this cycle is the key to realizing why recycling isn’t just beneficial but essential for our planet. In this regard, this article covers the life cycle of corrugated packaging and highlights the vital role of corrugated recycling in fostering a sustainable future.  

The Life Cycle of Corrugated Packaging 

Corrugated packaging has a fascinating life cycle. It goes as follows.  

• Creating the board: Corrugator, a key machine in this process, brings together three to seven sheets of paper to form a single, double, or triple wall board. This is a continuous process where sheets are corrugated, glued and cut to size.  
• Corrugation: The process involves giving a v-shape to the medium sheet of paper (fluting) under heat and pressure, then applying starch and gluing it with inner and outer liners to form a rigid board.  
• Converting: Post corrugation, the board undergoes various transformations like printing, die-cutting, folding, and gluing, as per custom requirements.  

Recycling Significance and Process from Bin to New Packaging 

Recycling cardboard is important for environment conservation and resource management. In this regard, recycling corrugated material reduces the volume of waste and landfill. This reduces the amount of methane emission to the environment which is 28 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. The cardboard reuse process is a fascinating cycle as described below.  

• Collection and Transportation: Collection of recycled materials from different sources and transporting them to recycling centers. 
• Sorting and Cleaning: Sorting collections using infra-red or air jets followed by cleaning them to remove contaminants. 
• Shredding and Pulping: Shredding and mixing the collections with water to create a pulp to remove impurities before breaking them down into smaller pieces. 
• Processing into raw material: Processing the output into raw forms, for instance, processing paper pulp into new paper rolls. 

• Manufacturing new products: Sending raw materials to various manufacturers to be made into new materials. 
• Distribution and usage: Distributing manufactured products into stores and businesses to be used by consumers. 
• Consumer participation: Consumers choosing to recycle the product thereby completing the recycling life cycle. 

Reduction achieved 

The environmental impact of packaging is noteworthy. Between 2006 and 2020, the corrugated industry reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit by 50%. This is a tremendous achievement towards tackling climate change. There was also a significant reduction in:  

• Ozone depletion (13%) 
• Energy usage (13%)  
• Water usage (18%) 
• Acid rain (41%) 
• Smog (44%) 
• Respiratory effect (54%) 
• Eutrophication (30%) 

Recycling rate 

In 2022, the recycling rate of cardboard, including corrugated packaging, reached a remarkable 93.6% in the US, an increase from 91.4% in 2021. This makes corrugated packaging one of the most recycled materials in the country.  

Benefits of Corrugated Packaging Recycling 

Corrugated packaging recycling offers several environmental benefits. Here are some key benefits:  

• Being sturdy, corrugated materials offer a higher weight capacity than traditional packaging. 

• Corrugated packaging offers high customization to reduce waste production. 
• They offer highly recycled material, aiding towards sustainable disposal and low carbon emission. 
•  A single corrugated box can be recycled and reused multiple times, making it affordable for companies.  
• The use of new and recycled fibers supports a circular economy in packaging, maximizing resource efficiency. 

Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Recycling Corrugated Packaging  

The corrugated packaging industry is facing two biggest challenges.  

• Supply-demand gap: There is a potential shortage of recycled paper products. With a growing demand for eco-friendly materials, there’s a risk of not meeting these sustainability goals.  
• Collection levels: Despite high recycling rates, collection levels of high-quality recycled materials are expected to remain almost flat.  

In this regard, the following innovative solutions can help.  

• Enhance PET recovery from collection to sorting and processing  
• Public-private partnership to boost local collection rates 
• Improving sustainable packaging design to enhance material recovery  

Global Perspectives on Corrugated Packaging Recycling 

Globally, corrugated packaging recycling holds significant importance in sustainable waste management and resource conservation. For instance, in Europe, the recycling rate of corrugated cardboard is 82%, aiding the region’s circular economy and cardboard sustainability. Similarly, in the US, more than 93% of old corrugated containers were recycled in 2022, a significant jump from 54% recycling rates in 1993.  

End Thoughts 

Adopting corrugated box packaging could be your crucial transformation to sustainable solutions. In this regard, Moglix offers end-to-end corrugated packaging procurement solutions. Our personalized sustainable packaging options aim to meet your enterprise needs while driving you towards the forefront of green packaging solutions. 

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.  

1. Color Speaks Volumes 

• Cultural Implications: Colors evoke powerful emotions. In the West, blue signifies cleanliness, leading to its use in toothpaste, cleaning solutions, and even toilet paper packaging. Red induces feelings of pleasure and is a favorite for snack packaging, while green screams health, making it ideal for natural foods. 
• Context Matters: While black might be an odd choice for cereals due to its association with death, its luxury and power undertones have been harnessed effectively, as seen when Apple switched to a black design for the iPhone. 

• Tailored for Target: Always remember color interpretations can vary based on culture, gender, and age. 

2. Feel It with Texture 

• Texture Tells Tales: Beyond just looks, the feel of a package speaks to its quality. While women’s cosmetics usually feel silky, men’s products have a rugged texture, enhancing the masculinity vibe. 
• Matte Vs. Shiny: Many natural crisps brands opted for matte bags to distance themselves from unhealthy crisps, contrasting the shiny ones associated with unhealthiness. 

3. The Magic of Imagery 

• Strategic Images: Using vertical stripes can create a luxurious feel. Showing a filled food bowl can entice consumers to eat more, and unrelated images, like a grain field on a grain-free product, can positively influence perception. 

4. Shape Matters 

• Shape Associations: Angular designs, like pentagon-shaped beer bottles, exude masculinity. In contrast, rounded shapes communicate gentleness and are suitable for family desserts. Also, square packaging can intensify food taste perceptions. 
• Unique Shapes: Packaging with unconventional shapes can make consumers think there’s more product inside than there is. 

5. Size Does Count 

• Bigger or Better: Large packaging can increase consumption—great for snacks and essentials, making customers feel they’re getting a good deal. However, smaller packaging can denote higher quality, appealing to brands wanting to convey luxury. 

How Packaging Shapes Brand Identity? 

Product packaging is not just a protective shell or a mere selling tool; it’s a brand’s visual voice. Here’s how packaging influences brand identity: 

1. Brand Expression: Quality design distinguishes leading brands, making them memorable. 

2. Relationship Building: User-friendly packaging fosters loyalty and can justify higher prices. 

3. Communication: Effective packaging clearly conveys essential product details. 

4. Selling: Beyond initial sales, the packaging ensures repeat business through positive user experiences. 

5. Protection & Aesthetics: While design attracts, functionality ensures trust. 

Conclusion: 

Packaging is more than just a protective barrier—it’s an intricate dance of psychology and branding. Every design element holds weight, from color choices influenced by cultural nuances to tactile experiences that resonate with target audiences. How a product is packaged can profoundly affect consumer perception, drive sales, and build lasting brand loyalty. The subtle language communicates a brand’s promise, quality, and identity, ensuring it stands out and remains memorable in a sea of choices. 

Packaging and E-Commerce: A Green Revolution for Online Shopping 

Packaging plays a pivotal role in a world where online shopping is the new norm. Did you know that over 2.14 billion people will buy online by 2021? (Source: Statista) But there’s a pressing issue we can’t ignore – the environmental impact of packaging. Let’s unravel the dynamic relationship between packaging and e-commerce while unveiling innovative strategies to meet the demands of online shopping sustainably. 

The E-Commerce Wave: A Greener Path Ahead 

As the digital shopping realm expands, packaging finds itself at a crossroads. Striking a balance between convenience and eco-friendliness is the challenge we tackle today. 

The Packaging Puzzle: Unveiling the Dilemma 

Why should you delve into this? The answer is clear: our planet’s health is at stake. The heaps of packaging waste – from plastic to cardboard – contribute to a looming environmental crisis. As consumers, we hold the power to advocate for change and steer e-commerce in a greener direction. 

Innovative Packaging: Shaping Tomorrow, Today 

• Smart “Right-Size” Approach: Opting for packaging that fits products snugly minimizes waste and enhances shipping efficiency. 
• Eco-Materials Revolution: From recycled materials to biodegradable alternatives, businesses are embracing packaging materials that nurture, not harm, the environment. 
• Less is More Philosophy: Embracing minimalist packaging not only reduces waste but also simplifies recycling processes. 

The Time for Change: The Call to Action 

Change isn’t a distant concept; it’s urgent. With landfills overflowing and our oceans drowning in plastic, the time for change is now. Our urgency isn’t just for today’s convenience; it’s for preserving a thriving world for generations to come. 

The Data-Driven Path: Unmasking the Value 

Data speaks volumes about the value of sustainable packaging. Research shows that consumers are willing to pay extra for products housed in eco-friendly packaging. (Source: Forbes) This isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s a transformative shift in consumer behavior. 

Your Role: A Green Shopping Agenda 

Pick Smartly: Opt for products with minimal packaging to reduce waste. 

Champion Green Brands: Support businesses that prioritize eco-conscious packaging. 

Spread Awareness: Educate others about the impact of packaging on our planet and encourage eco-friendly choices. 

Conclusion: Packaging, E-Commerce, and a Greener Future 

As e-commerce reshapes our shopping habits, let’s reshape our planet’s destiny too. Sustainable packaging isn’t just a notion; it’s a revolution in responsible consumption. With every online purchase, we cast a vote for a more sustainable future. Let’s make our choices count, ensuring that convenience and environmental consciousness go hand in hand. 

Did you know that packaging accounts for 40% of the global plastic consumption? This is ironic, considering that over 70% of consumers are willing to pay for green packaging. In fact, more than one-third of people would buy additional green-packaged products if they could find them easily with clear labels. 

With consumer focus shifting rapidly, your brand image could be impacted if your business still hasn’t adopted eco-packaging solutions. Continue reading to find out which trends to adopt.  

Trends and Innovations in Eco-Friendly Packaging 

Eco-friendly packaging is a key component of a circular economy, which is a model of production and consumption geared towards waste reduction, recyclable materials, and regenerating nature.  

To achieve this, your eco-packaging solutions must consider the environmental aspects of the entire life cycle of a product or service — from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. This process is known as life-cycle assessment.   

However, not all green packaging claims are trustworthy. Greenwashing can occur when you promote one sustainable stage of the life cycle but ignore another harmful stage. For example, a company may use recycled plastic for packaging but ship products using harmful modes of transportation.  

So if you are a manufacturer or retailer, consider the following trends in packaging sustainability designed with the principles of circular economy and life cycle assessment. 

Packaging Trends 

You can achieve packaging sustainability by following these eco-packaging trends:  

• Upcycling: It transforms used products into new sustainable materials or products with more value than the original ones. For example, upcycling a tire into a coffee table.  

• Sustainable sourcing: It involves selecting environmentally-conscious suppliers and renewable or remanufactured materials. Begin implementing sustainable sourcing by communicating your sustainability goals to suppliers.   

• Green Logistics: Integrating environmental considerations into logistics minimizes their ecological impact and maximizes efficiency. Companies can implement green logistics using green transportation, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient factory practices. 

Packaging Material 

To keep up with changing consumer demands and environmental challenges, here are some packaging innovations you can adopt: 

• Convert fibers from fishing nets and ropes into high-grade plastic to package products or to make bottles.  
• Water soluble packaging for high-quality eco-friendly garment bags.  
• Seaweed is another sustainable packaging innovation for making food takeaway containers.  

Packaging Design 

Here are some sustainable design trends for packaging coveted by consumers:  

• Use plant-based dyes to create a safe and environmentally-friendly look for your package design.  

• Using reusable or refillable packaging — like fabric bags — promotes waste reduction and decreases carbon footprint.  
• Minimalist package design is a sustainable design option that reduces space during transportation, reducing your carbon footprint.  

 
Click here to learn more about how Moglix can help you implement sustainable packaging in the supply chain. 

Did you know the global packaging industry is estimated to grow over $80 billion by 2023? Packaging operations are essential to any industry and manufacturing or distribution process. Optimized packaging operations involve improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations by eliminating waste, reducing costs, increasing output, and improving quality.

But process optimization for packing operations is not just about ensuring proper packaging equipment and machinery. It is also about designing and implementing efficient packaging strategies and continuously optimizing them to reduce costs and increase efficiency and output. How? Continue reading to find out.