The present shows us increasingly clearly that the endeavour to care for the environment is the only way to address the challenges of the future. Our planet demands new forms of consumption and production and it is our responsibility to act accordingly. While sustainability has been guiding our performance for years, 2025 will be no different. New legislation, coupled with increasingly conscious consumer habits and technological innovation, will shape the direction of industry and the packaging sector.
However, not everything that glitters on the horizon for the year ahead is green. Beyond best practices related to sustainability, trends such as artificial intelligence or e-commerce also promise to be a talking point. We’ll tell you all about it!
The circular economy is standing strong
The boom in waste reduction continues stronger than ever following the adoption of the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will bring the best practices of the famous three Rs into the legal framework with binding targets for companies by 2030.
In addition to promoting the reuse and refilling of packaging, the new legislation bans certain single-use packaging such as single-dose sachets or pre-packed fruit and vegetables – as long as they are distributed in quantities of less than 1.5kg.
On the other hand, the recyclability of packaging will be encouraged and facilitated by complying with critera such as the attachment of the cap to the bottle or the introduction of a uniform labelling system that clearly shows in which container it should be deposited depending on the material from which it is made.
Sustainable materials; the favourites
The use of more environmentally friendly materials will continue to increase in 2025 in line with legislative trends and consumer preferences. In fact, according to data from Mordor Intelligence, the carton packaging market is expected to continue to grow from a projected US$373 billion in 2024 to US$466 billion in 2029.
This trend goes hand in hand with consumer awareness, which is increasingly present on the supermarket shelf. This is according to the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard Manufacturers (Pro Carton), which indicates that 86% of Europeans opt for this type of packaging that balances cost with sustainability. In the ranking, Spaniards lead the way: 90% of those surveyed said they preferred cartons, highlighting the ease with which they can be recycled.
Reducing food waste through packaging innovation
According to the report presented by Too Good To Go in collaboration with the 21grammes consultancy, 73% of consumers consider tackling food waste a priority. Not surprisingly, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition, AESAN, states that around a third of the food that is produced is wasted worldwide.
In the face of growing consumer concern, the packaging industry is key. The development of packaging materials and technologies that extend the shelf life of food by controlling moisture and oxygen promise to transform the future of food preservation and distribution.
AI will also affect the packaging sector
Artificial intelligence is here to stay and, above all, to simplify processes efficiently. In the packaging sector also.
In addition to optimising the supply chain through predictive analytics that reduce lead times, the intelligence of algorithms promises to revolutionise packaging design. Through advanced simulations, companies will be able to anticipate events by reducing both costs and waste, and ultimately improving the quality of the final deliverables.
Similarly, AI is a major breakthrough for the development of smart packaging. This is a trend that was already very strong in 2024 and will continue to optimise the user experience in the year ahead.
E-commerce will continue to grow and improve
According to the consultancy firm Kantar Worldpanel, online FMCG sales will generate $170 billion globally by 2025. This figure demonstrates the fundamental role of e-commerce in the market and, at the same time, allows us to anticipate the needs of consumers.
In an increasingly digital landscape, the production of packaging adapted to new forms of consumption is essential. In particular, demand for practical, resilient and sustainable e-commerce solutions is expected to increase over the coming year.
Less is more: a commitment to minimalism and transparency
Sustainability is not the only consumer demand. It also requires transparency and simplicity. Good practices that are not only about attitude, but also about packaging.
In order to increase public confidence, the minimalist presentation of products to maximise their visibility will become more important over the next twelve months. This trend, especially relevant in industries such as food sector, will allow companies to minimise their carbon footprint by making resources more efficient through a cleaner and more modern aesthetic, in line with the environmental demands of the 21st century.
