Contract Packaging, General, Innovation, Preformed Pouches, Sustainable Packaging / December 24, 2018
For manufacturers, staying competitive is about far more than just the product(s) they produce. It also comes down to packaging that catches the eye, protects during shipping, keeps products fresh until consumed, and leaves as little impact upon the environment as possible. It’s no wonder that flexible packaging has seen ever greater adoption from manufacturers to meet this logistical and consumer-driven needs. With demand exploding, and predictions beyond $99 billion this year, these are the flexible packaging trends to keep watch in 2019.
The fastest growing segment of flexible packaging is stand-up pouches—an ideal solution for a variety of product types and industries. These convenient and customizable pouches are on pace to grow 7-9% annually over the next 4-5 years, and for good reason. They are durable and travel very well, resealable zippers keep products fresh, they print well with a near endless array of design options, and they are cost effective to produce and transport. All these features add up to a win for manufacturers and a great user experience for consumers.
Consumer demand for responsible practices by manufacturers is at an all-time high, with more than 9 out of 10 consumers expecting it. And consumers are putting their money where their mouth is, as nearly 70% will pay more to support sustainability. Adopting flexible packaging makes immediate sense for manufacturers looking for a solution that already is more sustainable than many other formats. From materials to energy consumption, flexible packaging offers a better solution than traditional containers, but it gets better: recyclable and even biodegradable material options can further reduce the carbon footprint and in turn delight eco-conscious consumers.
Clearly the sustainability trend proves that for consumers “less is more.” But an additional trend is (once again) minimalism. It’s not new to favor reductionist design (everything old is new again), but it’s making another comeback this year in product design, packaging, and branding. The properties of flexible packaging make it an obvious fit for the minimalist aesthetic, both in the material makeup of the packaging and the ability to print simple yet profound branding and information on the finished package. The simple and increasingly popular pouch format still stands out as intentionally minimal on store shelves, even as adoption of the format increases.
While the stand-up pouch gets a lot of the publicity and visibility, we at Eagle Flexible Packaging offer a wide array of packaging solutions that please manufacturers and consumers alike. Give us a call or contact us to get started building your solution with us!