Minimal package. Big solution.

At this very moment, over 3000 parcels are being shipped every second in the world's 13 biggest markets, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India and USA. In 2019, 100 billion packages were shipped around the globe. Maybe, there is a package waiting for you outside of your door, and probably out of a right sized box, or wrapped in an unsustainable packaging material. The speed with which we share goodies around the world, or inside the countries, has intensified since the 1970s. Like other sectors, sustainability became the number-one topic across the packaging value chain. And packaging optimization is part of the solution.?

All over the world, approximately 75% of organizations have made clear sustainable-packaging commitments, according to a Mckinsey global survey. Nevertheless, fewer than 30% of organizations have clear metrics concerning recycling, sustainability or recycled content. There is also a lack of upskilled employees to tackle the unsustainable packaging path we followed up to now. The adoption of packaging optimization offers new perspectives for market sustainability. It has positive impacts on supply chain costs, business performance and the environment.

Packaging optimization takes into account the delivered product condition, client's satisfaction and nature. To cover all these topics, the investments should focus on the:

1.right amount of packaging

2. the correct package design

3. product count optimization

4. efficient pack and transport

5. waste management based on circularity

6.reusable packaging system

New solutions are in need to change the game on packaging in general. In Europe, there is a growth in the so-called Zero Waste shops. The principle is to cut out unnecessary and wasteful packaging. The market can be worth €3.5 billion by 2030. Refill grocery stores have gained attention as well,? since more and more consumers are demanding eco-solutions from retailers. And a lot of that will come from investments in technology.?

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have helped industries to achieve their sustainable goals and financial metrics. Amazon is the largest publicly traded retail company in the world and it has been making efforts to leverage technology in packaging.?

For very clear reasons, decisions around packaging are critical for Amazon. It is part of the customer experience, with the extra pressure on being safe and sustainable. With investments in technology, new materials and processes, Amazon could reduce per-shipment packaging weight by 38% and eliminate over 1.5 million tons of packaging. In 2021, the so-called Amazon no packaging products corresponded by 8% of shipments, corrugated cardboards counted 43% and products delivered on flexible materials, 49%.?

Flexible packaging is a market valued at USD 221.7 Billion in 2019, and by 2025 it is projected to be worth USD 278,9 Billion. The new design is utilized across a vast range of sectors because of its capacity to meet different needs from industries. In addition, advantages count the reduction of waste, the energy used and the emission of greenhouse gas.?

Almost half of the plastic produced nowadays turns into packaging and it is usually discarded just after being used once. The movement to anticipate the adoption of more sustainable materials is a way to fit in the coming new regulations, around the globe. Some new materials have been tested and can bring new food for thought for the packaging optimization industry. The list includes: corrugated bubble wrap, made ?from up-cycled corrugated cardboard; cornstarch packaging; mushroom packaging; biodegradable packaging peanuts; and air pillows made of recyclable content.?

There is a run to eliminate additional packaging protection, to reduce packaging weight and for new circular materials. The packaging market's new mantra is: the minimal is the big solution. How to simplify processes, to cut unnecessary costs and to bring sustainability to the center of the decisions are the essential guidance questions for the next few years.