‘Five Trends in Flexible Packaging Industry through 2025’

Packaging is everywhere and is fueled by a relentlessly increasing population and globally

escalating consumption patterns. In fact, Packaging strikes the very first pact between a brand
owner and the customer. Over the years the role of packaging has evolved much beyond just
containing and preserving the product.

Before I discuss the specific trends let’s take a quick glimpse at the Industry both domestically(India
region) as well as globally. While the Global Flexible Packaging Industry is pegged at around USD 200
Billion and growing anywhere between 4.5-5.5% annually, the Industry in India which is largely
fragmented in the unorganized sector is growing at around 20% per annum.

With continuous development and innovation taking place, these certainly are stirring times for the
packaging industry. Following trends will govern the global flexible packaging industry through 2025.

It’s all about the experience: I cannot emphasize upon this enough. Millennials will comprise three-
quarters of the global workforce by 2025 and how they experience any respective product is the
driving force behind what they demand from their purchasing options. Packaging will have to serve
as an extension of the overall product experience as it cannot be separated from the overall product
experience. Any business no matter what the size, from a start-up to an established enterprise, B2B
or B2C that does not keep in mind the needs, wants and desires of the millennial generation will end
up executing a flawed strategy, which will set up them for either failure or a painfully long learning
curve. It is essential to note that 70% of millennials have the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

Story Telling Ability / Connection with Customers’ Lifestyle: Every product has a story and how
beautifully that story is told in whatever way a Brand or Product can communicate with its
customers is the disruptive element that all brands aim for. Packaging is the most direct and relevant
form of reaching new levels of differentiation in your product category. To be able to materialize the
first sale the packaging should be able to establish a connection that is of value to the customer by
embodying character and personality traits that the customer can relate with directly.

Higher Barrier and Protective Properties: One of the key properties that packaging has to achieve an
inescapable destiny is providing a superior barrier. By the term “barrier” I mean the ability to protect
the product packed inside from any kind of external visible (logistics or transit) or invisible (moisture
and oxygen) damage. Customer’s patience level for products being dysfunctional at any stage of its
lifecycle is close to zero. The basic and most primitive role of packaging is to protect the product and
this shall always be the priority. The trend will clearly move towards monolayer (single layer)
packaging that offers immense ease of recyclability. Further coated / corona treated films that
enhance the surface properties of packaging films while also impacting barrier will also be a trend to
be closely observed. Transparent barrier films with very high oxygen and moisture permeability that
can replace Aluminum Foil are already seeing an uptrend and are likely to proliferate further.

With the advent of E-commerce, and online retail becoming an essential part of people’s life,
protective packaging that can withstand logistic shocks during transit and storage is a significant
source of growth.

Brand Differentiation and Product Differentiation: Today’s customer has an essential question in
mind and that question is – “What can this brand do for me that no other brand can?” The answer to
this question will decide whether the customer will purchase a product or not. How straightforward
a way in which a brand can make this connection will decide the success of the product!
Go Green at the right value: Going Green is no longer a trend but an actual behavioral trait
displayed by 30% of consumers who decide to purchase anything in the modern retail environment…