Green packaging is corrugated cardboard, chosen by 68% of consumers

Packaging for the luxury segment is built and designed to convey brand values ​​by focusing on elegance and innovation. Nowadays, a new sensitivity regarding pollution and waste production, as well as the changed purchasing habits of consumers and the greater use of online stores, have given the sector new stimuli, offering the possibility for designers to experiment new solutions. So Packaging Première has promoted research aimed at understanding the evolution of qualitative trends that are emerging in the packaging user sectors. With the advent of the pandemic, there was a renewed interest in Made in Italy, both in terms of domestic consumption and in terms of the foreign market. In this sense, the packaging had the task of transferring those values ​​that are iconically linked to the excellent products of our country, such as elegance and tradition, but also innovation and originality. What are the characteristics of luxury packaging? The packaging used by brands operating in the luxury sector has always been strongly identifying the brand. The customer, therefore, recognizes himself in that specific product starting right from the packaging. Thinking of packaging variations different from the usual one can be harmful in terms of recognizing the distinctive features of the product. This strategy, therefore, can only be used for celebratory purposes, for example on the occasion of an anniversary or a limited edition. However, not all products are suitable for this type of operation. In addition to the desire to obtain a personalized and recognizable packaging, at the same time companies require the realization of projects that aim to protect the environment, combining the use of recycled materials with savings in the input phase and with the consumption of themselves. Furthermore, with regard to the use of the product by the final consumer, we can see that in Europe the sensory interaction between packaging and the consumer is privileged. This aspect is also evident in the difference in approach to colour, preferring a range of shades that bears the concept of naturalness in its essence, as happens, for example, for products in the food chain. What are the prospects that influence the production of luxury packaging? With the advent of the pandemic, the number of users who have turned to online commerce to satisfy their needs has increased. This trend could stabilize over the next few years. If in the past the tactile sensations regarding the composition material of the packaging could be an additional attraction, now it is necessary to conceive the packaging with an aesthetic capable of involving the potential buyer through the screen. The search for a new aesthetic will go hand in hand with the need to preserve functional characteristics. In this sense, also given the greater sensitivity of consumers towards issues concerning the environment, it will be the designers' responsibility to propose solutions that come to life from recycled materials, easily disposed of once they are placed in the circuit of use. The packaging of the future will be user-friendly, suitable for containing costs, thanks to the lightening of the raw material and the consequent lowering of transport costs. The new trends in luxury packaging As we have mentioned, the packaging is also designed on the consumer's habits. If at one time glossy finishes were synonymous with prestige, now they are mainly intended for foreign markets such as Russia and the Emirates. We tend to preserve processes that have important details that can give back pleasant tactile sensations. At the same time, attempts are made to limit or eliminate the use of multi-material packaging, to avoid integrating paper and plastic. As for printing, there is talk of a reduction in costs through the use of nanotechnologies, which have not yet found use in Italy. Finally, technological advances make it possible to obtain paper and cardboard packaging made from renewable sources or from processing waste, which undergo processes capable of making the packaging robust. For the creation of customized corrugated cardboard packaging obtained through sustainable processes, discover the proposals of CART-ONE.

It has been exactly two years since the Alliance and its members were FFP certified. A lot has changed in that time. More than a year on from the start of the pandemic, there has been a seismic shift in ecommerce packaging that no-one could have predicted. Here, we will look at the key trends and impacts that were released at the last E-pack Europe event. Ecommerce business – adding complexity in the customer journey Before addressing the current situation, it is important to look at the background and evolution of ecommerce business and examine the key features. Digitisation has led to more complexity during the customer journey, multiplying potential touchpoints and creating a new distribution channel – ecommerce. The Internet has changed how we decide what to buy. In a physical shop, we are more governed by impulse and visual stimulation. Online, there are more variables, and research plays a much bigger role in purchase decisions. Google coined the term Zero Moment of Truth, or ZMOT, to describe the part of the buying process when the consumer researches a product prior to purchase. After that, there are multiple further “moments of truth” that move a consumer closer to buying: In this journey, ecommerce packaging plays a substantial role, since it is replacing the First Moment of Truth where a consumer sees a product for the first time. As such, it becomes one of the key brand assets, and box design is one of the success factors that we will explore later in this piece.  Ecommerce packaging  the challenges in supply and value chains  Every manufactured product can travel across many paths. The challenge is to understand and tackle where the value is.  The way a product is transported is very different for online channels than for standard ‘bricks & mortar’ distribution channels. For ecommerce purchases, each parcel can be handled up to 20 times more often! This means box design for ecommerce packaging solutions is considerably more complicated than the traditional retail model: Ecommerce business – the pandemic and the forecast of the “next normal” On 21st Jan 2021, at the all-digital CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2021, a study revealed that COVID-19 increased ecommerce business by the equivalent of 10 years in just 8 weeks. The global ecommerce packaging market is currently estimated at $43.1 billion. With a 12% CAGR projected value, it could reach $75.1 billion by 2025 (Source Smithers Pira). All consumer packaged goods (PCG) segments were significantly impacted by the changes in consumer habits brought by COVID-19: At the E-pack Europe event in December, Google’s Miguel M. Avalos (Head of Commerce Product Marketing & Digital Acceleration Program), discussed some of the major search trends of the last year: ecommerce vs. physical – huge acceleration of ecommerce but we can expect a move back to “brick & mortar” retail as the effects of the pandemic recede   brand vs. marketplace – increase in owned ecommerce to allow better brand experience  curation vs. endless aisle – ‘endless aisle’ refers to the concept of enabling customers in the stores to virtually browse or order a wide range of products that are either out of stock or not sold in-store and have them shipped to the store or their home. During the pandemic, curation increased which allowed niche offering more than mass-offers   privacy vs. personalisation – while personalisation was a key trend and brought value to the customer, it has shifted to more “local” search in order to support business continuity close to people’s location  Nowadays, we can raise the following question: will this unprecedented growth in ecommerce sectors continue beyond the pandemic? Predictions of what the “next normal” will look like show some megatrends for the future. These will have to be integrated into the next ecommerce packaging and box design initiatives.  Ecommerce business –main stakeholder profiles and expectations  At the E-pack Europe event, moderator Jim Chrzan (VP Content and Brand Strategy at PMMI Media Group) made some interesting observations in his opening remarks: 75% of brand manufacturers are making changes to the secondary packaging   40% of brand manufacturers are considering changes to the primary pack  We also need to consider that the term ‘ecommerce packaging’ has different meaning for the three profiles in the value chain: E-consumer  Focus on unboxing and Ultimate Moment Of Truth as “wow” effect  Re–think secondary packaging as primary packaging  E-retailer/Logistician  Increase fulfilment efficiency  Reduce incidence of shipment damage  Minimise waste  Brand owner  Meet e-consumer and e-retailer requirements  Include smart packaging solutions  Increase omnichannel solutions  The trigger is to align interest on primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging so that brands are not affected and customers are not disappointed. As well as the logistics functionalities (containing, preserving and protecting) and information vehicle (branding, usage and promotion), box design should integrate new “must-have” attributes: Sustainability first  All around Europe, studies are aligned. As an example, a recent French study revealed: 98% of the population wants ecommerce packaging that will protect the product(s) from any damage  92% is concerned that the right volume of packaging should be used to reduce waste  89% demand recyclable packaging – knowing that mono-material box designs help to increase the recycle rate  85% wish to have reusable packaging options These figures can be extrapolated to any European country. Design for ecommerce business The success factors for a smooth, homogenous and omnichannel experience have to be identified and implemented according to the needs of all the various stakeholders. There are many factors to consider when it comes to ecommerce packaging. Optimising packaging design for brand owners, e-retailers and end consumers is now more important than ever. They can be sum-up in 8 criteria: Protection and security of your product(s): Ecommerce packaging has to be fit to size, securely closed and tested with dedicated methods. It will prevent damage and also thefts thanks to temper evidence. Easiness to erect and fill: To optimise efficiency and speed at the e-retailers Reclosing and reducing the environmental impact: box design should include “easy to return” features that allow reuse of the box – therefore enhancing its life cycle Optimisation: The entire ecommerce supply chain should be rethought and optimised to minimise void shipment – it is about moving from a palletisation logic to a “parcel” logic Ship-ready branded opportunity: Omnichannel options help merging primary and secondary ecommerce packaging, allowing brands to have a new territory to express their assets Increasing and facilitating the unboxing experience: For brand owners and brands born on the Internet – so called Digital Native Vertical Brands (DNVB) – the differentiating criteria will be in a box design with a great consumer experience Even though most of these elements are not new, tomorrow’s ecommerce packaging winners will be the ones that have identified these opportunities, with the upcoming increase of track and trace / smart ecommerce solutions. The success factors will be in working with a holistic approach to meet the demands of each stakeholders.

The world of fruit and vegetables is changing. In 2025, fruit and vegetable packaging will indeed become a true communication tool. Health and sustainability will be the two great drivers of change, guiding increasingly conscious consumption choices throughout the entire supply chain. Fruit and vegetable packaging: the trends of 2025. This is confirmed by the Bestack consortium, which brings together some of the main producers of corrugated cardboard packaging for the agri-food sector. According to the latest analyses, lifestyles are pushing towards innovative, natural, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Read also: “News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging” Food and well-being: the new dietary habits At the root of this evolution is a growing attention towards food as a source of health. According to the Flavor and Color Outlook 2024 report published by ADM, the idea of food as medicine is growing. Foods like citrus fruits, berries, and green leafy vegetables are increasingly chosen for their beneficial properties. Alongside health consciousness, a strong environmental awareness is also emerging. Plant-based, for instance, continues to spread thanks to the desire to reduce meat consumption and lower climate impact. At the same time, the search for value remains a determining factor. More and more people choose non-branded products capable of offering quality, taste, and an experience similar to that of premium brands. This behavior, known as “dare to dupe”, is one of the most interesting trends of the moment. Between colors, flavors, and identity: the consumer is changing Food choices have become a form of personal expression. Consumers want to live an authentic and engaging experience through food as well. Fermented, spiced, exotic, or intensely colored ingredients, such as kimchi, turmeric, or chili pepper, are in increasing demand. Not only for the taste, but for what they represent: energy, health, personality. This transformation also involves the concept of sustainable luxury. Eating well, choosing healthy and visually appealing foods, becomes a way to communicate one's lifestyle. In this context, packaging takes on a central role in enhancing the product and telling a story. The new role of fruit and vegetable packaging In a market that is increasingly sensitive to both form and content, fruit and vegetable packaging must serve multiple functions: protecting the product, informing, communicating values, but also evoking emotions. Sustainable materials, refined design, smart labels, and intelligent solutions make packaging a fundamental touchpoint between the brand and the consumer. Technologies like QR codes, RFID, or interactive labels allow access to additional content, improving transparency regarding: product origin nutritional values storage methods environmental impact All of this fits into a logic defined as "health without stealth", where the message of health and sustainability is clear, explicit, and always accessible. Corrugated cardboard as a winning choice In the landscape of sustainable packaging, corrugated cardboard confirms itself as one of the most suitable materials for fruit and vegetables. Besides being sustainable and resistant, it adapts perfectly to transport and distribution needs, protecting the product and reducing waste. According to Bestack, it is the ideal solution to combine functionality and aesthetics, while contributing to reducing environmental impact along the entire supply chain. Cart-One: packaging solutions for tomorrow's fruit and vegetables Cart-One supports companies in the fruit and vegetable sector with corrugated cardboard packaging solutions designed to be sustainable, high-performing, and communicative. We offer tailor-made packaging that respects the environment, protects the product, and enhances every detail of the brand. From customized design to the integration of information tools, our packaging accompanies fruit and vegetables all along the way: from production to the table. Want to make your fruit and vegetable packaging more modern, sustainable, and engaging? Tell us about your project: we will be happy to develop the most suitable solution together. To learn more: “Packaging Cost Optimization 2025: strategies for efficiency, sustainability, and savings”