NATURALLY DONE: A DEEP DIVE INTO BIOBASED PACKAGING INNOVATIONS FOR 2021 Paul Jenkins
ThePackHub’s latest report tackles packaging innovation trends with a global view. The recently published Global Packaging Trends Compendium 2021 details more than 550 packaging innovations and is grouped into nine trend sections. The first to be tackled in the report is ‘Naturally Done’. Paul Jenkins, Managing Director, ThePackHub, looks at some of the highlights.
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he Naturally Done trend covers the drive for the use of more natural substrates. These new material developments aim to find potential alternatives to plastic or discover ways to utilize naturally-based byproducts for packaging use. There are many compostable, biodegradable and bio-based packaging initiatives coming to market worldwide. Many of the initiatives listed are still in development and not yet on supermarket shelves. The R&D projects may be two or three years away or may not even reach the end consumer due to lack of funding or not finding a workable commercial solution. Many bio-based materials are being used. Sugar cane continues to be the most popular, but we’re also tracking tomato fibre, whey, chitin, bamboo, mushroom, cacao beans, straw, seaweed, pasta waste and many more. Without established industrial composting systems in place in most markets, the compostable sector is at a turning point. Mass adoption will only really occur when the infrastructure to deal with the packaging is fully in place. Home compostability is still relatively niche with most consumers not having the space or the will to participate. There are also concerns about compostable and biodegradable packaging contaminating existing recycling waste streams.
Cost may also be a significant barrier, with bio-based packaging often costing a lot more to supply than the price of conventional plastic-based products. It requires a substantial investment for any brand or retailer to employ. We have yet to see many larger company examples introduced. The majority are small challenger brands and startups looking to stand out in the market for what is perceived as a more sustainable point of difference.
The latest in bio-based packaging innovation Typical of the innovations featured is dual-ovenable moulded fibre bowls made from sugarcane. Health brand Primal Kitchen is reported to be the first to commercialize a new, dual-ovenable moulded fibre tray based on US-grown sugarcane. Now part of Kraft Heinz, Primal Kitchen’s new line of bowls and skillets is available through retailers such as Thrive Market, Walmart, Whole Foods and Wegmans. The dual-ovenable bowls from Sonoco-owned Natrellis Packaging are made using raw materials sourced from within the US. Another use of by-products is discarded palm fibres converted into compostable food packaging material. A UAE startup is turning unwanted palm fibres into compostable food packaging materials. The country has a widely abundant Packaging Europe | 27 |
