2024 packaging trends by the numbers

These are some of the stats illustrating key storylines this year in policy and regulation, M&A activity, manufacturing, pricing, recycling, sustainability goals and more.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Dec. 20, 2024

Packaging innovations: KFC’s record-making lid, Greif’s mod containers

Plus, Ahlstrom launches paper tape and American Packaging Corp. adds a fiber-based material solution for pouches.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 20, 2024

Packaging companies invest in design, training centers during November

UFP Packaging, TriMas, TransPak, Nefab and others announced openings and investments in innovation or training centers, touting benefits for design collaboration and upskilling.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 27, 2024

Stories from Pack Expo International 2024

At the largest Pack Expo event ever held, Packaging Dive connected with manufacturers, brands and trade groups for insight on the latest industry trends.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 14, 2024

Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions

Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Nov. 8, 2024

Automation, labor shortage discussions permeate largest-ever Pack Expo

Sustainability also sat among the top themes at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, including a focus on reusable and flexible packaging. PMMI says the event broke records for attendance and the number of exhibitors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2024

Packaging suppliers and CPGs increasingly zip up flexible packaging

Experts from Fresh-Lock, the U.S. Plastics Pact and Clemson University say that functionality testing covering closure durability and accessibility is critical among a range of consumers. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 6, 2024

Southwest Airlines brings bamboo on board for new cups

The airline recently stirred up change when it began stocking the bamboo-based cold beverage cups and wooden stir sticks, following a yearlong R&D process stemming from plastic reduction goals. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 29, 2024

‘Everybody benefits’: Why the beauty industry needs to get serious about accessible packaging

Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design, but the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 15, 2024

How2Recycle doesn’t want to abandon the chasing arrows

Consumer comprehension data played a central role in how How2Recycle redesigned its instructional label, leaders of the process explained. But potential restrictions in California pose a challenge.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Oct. 14, 2024

Packaging innovations: United Airlines’ canned wine, Chivas Regal’s light spirits

Plus, RXDco puts cannabis in a cocoon, Novolex flags product tampering and KYSU switches from plastic to paper. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 11, 2024

Brands make packaging design changes for e-commerce compatibility

Pandemic-related and sustainability trends, along with Amazon's requirements, are among the factors prompting Clorox, Mars Wrigley and Nestlé to tweak product packaging designs they use for e-commerce.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 10, 2024

How2Recycle Plus ready to take dynamic labels mainstream

The new offering features a QR code so consumers can access localized recycling information. It will come at a higher price to brands than the more traditional How2Recycle Pro label. Danone will be the first to adopt it.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2024

Packaging innovations: Hot Pockets go sleeveless, Henkel’s coating lightens dry food packaging

Plus, hair care brand Overtone joins a Target sustainability initiative as it launches tubes with a new look and PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 4, 2024

The How2Recycle label is getting a new look

The campaign to transform the instructional label program involves a refreshed design, enhanced data sources and partners handling different aspects of the system, and planning for greater investment in consumer education.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 1, 2024

Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024

What’s next for product certification amid concerns about PFAS and toxics in plastic

Lagging regulation and a potential “toxic treadmill” with recycled content are viewed as just some of today’s pressing challenges. Clean Production Action Executive Director Mark Rossi reflects on two decades of change in the field.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 30, 2024

Nespresso spotlights aluminum in marketing campaign

The Nestlé coffee brand timed the campaign to New York's Climate Week as it seeks to position itself as a more sustainable format than other single-use coffee products.

By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 27, 2024

Packaging innovations: Bottle material changes from Albertsons and Johnnie Walker

Plus, Cambio Roasters and Glatfelter debut new coffee pod packaging, while Sleever partners with Carbios for a biodegradable shrink sleeve.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 27, 2024

Home Depot phases out EPS, PVC in fiber packaging overhaul

The process required ample testing and collaboration. “We sell light bulbs, we sell appliances, we sell toilets. These are products that are prone to damage if they are not secured with the right packaging,” said one sustainability leader.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2024

Breaking out of the mold: Innovations in molded fiber drive growth

Speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event detailed advancements in the energy efficiency of manufacturing equipment, dry molded fiber and R&D to expand into new end-use markets.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2024

Packaging innovations: Johnnie Walker’s lightest bottle design, Seda’s double-walled compostable cold cups

Plus, Sonoco scales its paper-based cans, Braskem touts packaging material made from used cooking oil and Sealed Air details its work with Best Buy on protective packaging.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Sept. 17, 2024

Ready-to-drink cocktail brands seek ‘bar cart worthy’ premium glass packaging

“Ready-to-drink” products, many of which come in cans, account for an estimated 12% of the U.S. beverage alcohol market by volume. As glass bottle makers look to diversify, they’re pitching their packaging as premium.

By Hollie Stephens • Sept. 16, 2024

Molded fiber’s growth as a plastic replacement isn’t pulp fiction

While the market is expanding, speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event said it still faces an entrenched competitor in plastic and hurdles with feedstock availability, energy use and other factors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2024

Sparkling water craze meets reuse with Aerflo’s launch

Investor Closed Loop Partners hailed the convenience of the startup’s refillable bottle system. Aerflo estimates its reusable capsules, which carbonate water on the go, could each displace more than 330 beverage cans.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 12, 2024