By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Environment-friendly or green packaging with smarter but simplistic designs will continue to dominate the market as Filipino consumers become more aware of the ecological impact plastic packaging brings.
This would be the theme at the next ProPak Philippines 2020 slated on Feb. 5 to 7, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. ProPak Philippines is an international processing and packaging exhibition that connects leading local and international suppliers to local and regional businesses, stakeholders, and other industry players.
Philippine Institute of Packaging (PIP) President Stefano Paolo Buñag noted that the Philippine manufacturing sector has enjoyed consistent growth in the past few years, especially for food, chemical products, and electronics.
Accompanying this growth is the emergence of new packaging technologies.
There is also the shifting global sentiment favoring sustainable packaging,
with rising environmental and ethical awareness among consumers, Buñag said.
As the world ushers in a new decade, Buñag added that Philippine businesses now step up their packaging game. Stiff competition fuels them to apply technological advancements to remain relevant and be ahead of the curve.
Some of the packaging trends to watch out for in 2020, most of which will be unveiled at the ProPak show, is the move towards reduction on the use of plastics at the industrial level.
Manufacturers now constantly seek ways to reduce carbon footprint and find greener solutions for packaging.
According to Produce Blueprints in Sustainable Packaging Evolves with Consumer Demand, collaboration between stakeholders is the key to the implementation of sustainable packaging practices. “The packaging industry is rising to the challenge as collaboration between packaging companies, recyclers, and retailers is escalating to meet the increasing demand for sustainability from customers. The key question is no longer, ‘is it recycled?’ but ‘how is it recycled?"
Some prominent methods that have emerged include plant-based packaging, bioplastics, and repurposed carton and paper. Many brands have now turned to bamboo, even leaves.
Other packaging trends include Bare Bones, Smart, Retort Pouches, Pack of Hope, Edible, Portioned, among others.