In recent years, with people's attention to sustainable development issues, the market has gradually tended to choose packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard, folding cartons, pulp molding, soft paper and specialty paper . According to data, the global fiber packaging market will reach US$425.4 billion in 2022 , and innovative R&D is driving new breakthroughs in the sustainable packaging market.
According to the report "The Future of Fiber Packaging in 2027" by Smithers Research Institute, by 2027, the global fiber packaging market is expected to reach US$503.4 billion , with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2022 to 2027. During the same period, the total weight of fiber packaging will increase from 264.4 million tons (2022) to 316.3 million tons (2027), at a CAGR of 3.7%.
Currently, many well-known retailers and FMCG companies around the world have signed up to make their packaging more sustainable. Fibrous packaging materials such as cardboard are generally considered recyclable by consumers, so they are becoming more and more popular in the market. Most European and American countries have issued relevant policies to eliminate the use of single-use plastics.
The report "The Future of Fiber Packaging in 2027" studies the latest technologies in the fiber packaging market and finds that many fiber packaging manufacturers are committed to increasing investment in technological innovation to overcome the shortcomings of fiber packaging and promote fiber packaging to further replace food, beverages, and personal care products Disposable plastic packaging for industrial transportation items mainly has the following aspects:
food packaging
Develop high-quality barrier coatings that protect fibrous materials from oil and water while protecting perishable foods. At present, many packaging paper companies have launched new special barrier papers, mainly used in small pouch packaging and food service, and these paper grades have already attracted attention in the fields of fresh produce and confectionery. It is believed that with the further improvement of coating performance, more diversified products will appear.
For example, Mondi, a British paper company, is developing medium, high and extremely high barrier properties of paper-based packaging . By applying different barrier technologies, such as extrusion coating, water-based coating and other extremely high barrier coatings, etc., Provide personalized products for customers with different needs. Among them, high barrier functional paper provides high oxygen and water vapor barrier, as well as high fat and mineral oil barrier for frozen food and chocolate; extremely high barrier functional paper is used for consumer food, such as coffee, cereal and candy, providing products with Excellent water vapor and oxygen protection and ensures a long shelf life.
beverage packaging
At present, many well-known international brands have begun to try fiber-based beverage bottles, such as Absolut, Carlsberg and Unilever (Lenor). However, most fiber-based beverage bottles still rely on disposable polymer barriers. Therefore, many liquid cardboard manufacturers are trying to remove the aluminum barrier layer. By improving the recycling technology, the barrier layer is removed without damaging the recycled fiber , so as to realize the efficient recycling and utilization of fiber-based beverage bottles.
personal care products
In the field of personal care product packaging, paperboard manufacturers have developed many fiber-based packaging materials that not only look good and feel comfortable, but also improve the quality of product packaging.
Industrial and Transport Packaging
In addition, many industrial and transportation packages are also using more fiber-based packaging materials, especially in recent years, the use of packaging paper bags and cartons in e-commerce is gradually increasing .
All in all, the research and development of innovative technologies in the next five years will greatly increase the utilization rate of fiber-based packaging materials and packaging products (such as folding cartons, pulp molding, liquid cardboard, etc.), bringing greater benefits. Among them, the pulp/fiber molding market will witness the strongest growth in size . At present, a number of internationally renowned paper companies are expanding multiple production lines to meet the packaging market's demand for more sustainable thermoformed plastic alternatives.
It is foreseeable that innovative technologies related to fiber packaging will continue to emerge in the future. Packaging cardboard manufacturers should focus on technological innovation and develop more personalized and diverse products according to differences in market demand.
