How will the metal packaging industry develop and change in 2022

How will the metal packaging industry develop and change in 2022? Whether you are an end user, packaging consultant, or machinery supplier, understanding and preparing for these changes is vital. To maintain a competitive advantage in the metal packaging industry, the following are all you need to know.

  Changes in the metal packaging industry

  Many packaging experts predict that the demand for metal packaging will decrease. But due to the development of emerging technologies such as e-commerce, we are now seeing the opposite situation. Adapting to these growth is critical to the success of metal packaging companies in the next few years.

  Growth of the metal packaging industry: China, Japan, the United States, Brazil and other countries are expected to continue to promote growth. Products are becoming more diversified and delivery methods are more advanced, which means that unique packaging and materials are required to package and protect products. This demand has prompted people to choose more metal packaging. Although metal boxes are more expensive than cartons, the industry is still developing.

  The growth of online transactions: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased the demand for e-commerce packaging and transportation solutions. In the next three years, e-commerce sales are expected to exceed US$5.5 trillion, which is a considerable return on investment for brands that are smart enough to profit from e-commerce growth. This growth will greatly affect the demand for packaging.

  Three major trends in the development of the metal packaging industry

  Starting this year, the growth in demand for metal packaging and e-commerce packaging is not the only change facing CPG and SPA brands. Emerging trends including sustainable packaging and aesthetic packaging will continue to promote the development of the metal packaging industry.

  01. Sustainable packaging

  Increasingly, the shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging options has introduced fully recyclable packaging and vertical packaging of various designs. In addition to providing environmental advantages, sustainable packaging can also help companies increase profits, eliminate unnecessary manufacturing spare parts, improve the safety of production lines, and minimize disposal costs.

  In Europe, Mondi has launched its latest innovative product for e-commerce packaging, a recyclable metal packaging solution that can keep perishable foods cold during transportation. It is said that the solution uses insulation materials to refrigerate food at a temperature below 7 degrees Celsius for 24 hours without the need for refrigerated trucks. The material inside wraps the cargo in all aspects, thereby providing "enhanced thermal insulation." At the same time, the packaging is made of 100% recyclable materials, recyclable, and provides users with the ability to use different coolants.

  For reasons related to consumer safety, the epidemic has promoted the rapid development of e-commerce. PricewaterhouseCoopers reported that during the European lockdown in 2021, 28% of people in urban areas used online shopping as their main way to buy food, an increase of 10% compared to before the epidemic. In addition, 80% of European consumers have started to buy food online and will continue to do so.

  "We are proud to introduce a reliable solution that has been proven to meet all the challenges faced by online food retailers. BCoolBox means that refrigerated trucks are no longer needed to transport food, and we can play a role in reducing food waste. Own role.” said Sofia Bakerstrom, Mondi’s e-commerce product innovation manager.

  "Our approach is to listen to customers and evaluate the needs of the entire supply chain. Our goal is to design sustainable packaging for the e-commerce sector. This metal packaging solution expands our extensive online food shopping market Supply," added Tariq Aniba, Sales and Marketing Director of Mondi Corrugated Packaging Solutions.

02, exquisite metal packaging

  If it is possible to choose between two identical products (one in exquisite packaging and the other in ordinary packaging), which one will consumers buy?

  Aesthetics have always been important, but as attracting the attention of potential customers becomes more and more challenging, their value is increasing. Especially when it comes to visually driven products (such as exquisite subscription packaging), it is also important to consider the increasing impact of social media interactions. The Internet is about vision, and brands are working hard to turn secondary packaging into attractive brand materials.

 Packaging leader International Graphic Packaging Corporation announced the launch of ProducePack™, a sustainable cardboard packaging solution for fresh produce.

This innovative packaging box combines the 2025 vision to better protect the environment. It provides brands and retailers with an eco-friendly solution that can meet the needs of various applications. ProducePack has a variety of different configurations and structures, which can provide comfortable handles, beautiful brands and product differences in the originally monotonous agricultural aisle. And has stunning visual effects, attracting consumers' attention. The innovative metal box series can be manually packed or machine packed for small-scale or mass production, and is now available in the United States and Europe.

  03. Smarter equipment and smarter packaging

  Technological progress is guiding the metal packaging industry, as well as market changes and packaging trends. Do metal packaging companies have the ability to adapt to the ever-evolving packaging needs, or are willing to provide new services to seize this ever-evolving business?

  Smart packaging: From QR codes and temperature sensors to image recognition and augmented reality, connected packaging will be the forefront of changes in the packaging industry this year and beyond. More than 81% of Americans have some type of smartphone, so with just a few taps, smart packaging can be used to provide an instant connection between the user and the product. Many brands are using this new technology to easily bring consumers to recipes and articles, related products, and other brand information on the product.