Online retail will continue to grow in 2022. A reason to take a closer look at the most important packaging trends.
First of all, these are aimed primarily at the megatrend of sustainability. Because manufacturers, retailers and consumers expect a good climate balance - also in e-commerce. The Schumacher Packaging Group, one of Europe's leading suppliers of corrugated and solid board packaging, develops customised packaging for small and large companies in the online trade - with the aim of making it even more climate-friendly. The family-owned company wants to produce in a climate-neutral way by 2035. Schumacher Packaging has summarised the most important packaging trends for 2022 below:
Trend 1: Intralogistics – optimised and rethought!
Bar and QR codes on packaging are a central component of logistics. They ensure the clear labelling and identification of all types of packaging and enable the efficient control of logistics processes. Using innovative digital printing, packaging can already be printed with serial bar and QR codes during production - along all four sides of the package. The advantage: packages no longer have to be labelled in a time-consuming process. This saves time, resources and costs. Another plus point is that if a package turns on the conveyor belt in the packaging line, the scanners always detect the code.
Trend 2: Digital printing – more modern than ever!
The way to the product is through the packaging: the more valuable the wrapping, the more valuable the content appears to the customer. Because the packaging is the first and often the only physical point of contact between online retail and the consumer. A moment that can be decisive for brand perception. The demands on attractive, functional and sustainable packaging are higher than ever. Whether Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, Easter or Christmas: The almost limitless flexibility of modern digital printing technology makes it possible to design and "brand" packaging in many colours on the outside and inside. In this way, online retailers provide their customers with unique unwrapping experiences and convey their brand message at the same time. Digital printing combines high speed with first-class print images, almost in offset quality. What's more, digital printing technology is currently the most environmentally friendly printing process on the market, as it does not require any printing plates or clichés.
Trend 3: Green Packaging – now more than ever!
If you want to pack in an environmentally friendly way, you can't do without corrugated board and solid board. They consist of almost 100 per cent recycled materials such as used corrugated board, waste paper or cardboard - and the trend is rising. The fibres can be used up to 25 times in paper production and can be reused again and again to make new corrugated board or cardboard. In addition, FSC-certified papers with globally valid standards guarantee sustainable forest management. Climate balance: positive. Another factor that reduces the carbon footprint is the material used in corrugated board packaging, which is constantly being reduced. New types of paper combinations reduce the weight of the packaging and still offer sufficient stability for transport. In addition, large e-commerce providers are increasingly using scanners to determine the fill level of loaded shipping packages in order to crease and fold them at the appropriate point. This avoids empty volumes both in the packaging and on the transport vehicle and optimises transport.