Vertical form, fill, seal machinery is dominating, while pouches grow in popularity.
And recyclable, environmentally friendly and compostable films are becoming resilient and competitive in the market.
David Roberge, from packaging machinery company Industrial Packaging, outlines three trends set to lead the way in 2017.
1. Vertical form-fill-seal machinery
Vertical form-fill-seal machines, from ultra-sanitary through to multi-axis servo varieties, have been popping up everywhere at trade shows.
Innovative new options are expected to help manufacturers do more to meet consumer demand in 2017.
2. Pouch packaging
Pouch packaging is continuing to become a dominating force on retail shelves, and consumers seem to love this format.
From the Seven Sundays cereal launch to the Bounce Bites launches, the momentum of pouches was strong in 2016 and continues to grow.
3. Recyclable, compostable, sustainable
There's no question flexibility is key to packaging in the coming years and the internet of things, but recyclable, sustainable, and compostable films are catching the eye of more consumers.
While they still cost more than plastics, the films are longer-lasting and becoming visually and physically more similar to their poly-competition.
Above all, the future of packaging is going to be flexible and earth-friendly, according to Roberge.
