The packaging industry is adopting smart and sustainable solutions to make product packaging more consumer-, brand-, and environmentally friendly. The major packaging industry trends that enable smart packaging are the internet of packaging, active packaging, and nanotechnology. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic has kept people in their homes, packaging from online shopping creates the serious challenge of waste production.
Hence, startups and scaleups accelerate innovations around biodegradable, recyclable, and edible packaging. At the same time, the deployment of 3D printing and robotic packaging simplifies packaging processes and reduces costs for consumer companies. This report was published in June 2021 and updated in August 2023.
Top 10 Trends & Innovations in Packaging
- Internet of Packaging
- Biodegradable Packaging
- Digital Printing
- Packaging Automation
- Active Packaging
- Custom Packaging
- Recyclable Packaging
- Edible Packaging
- 3D Printing
- Nanotechnology
Innovation Map outlines the Top 10 Packaging Industry Trends & 20 Promising Startups
For this in-depth research on the Top 10 Packaging Trends and startups, we analyzed a sample of 2907 global startups & scaleups. This data-driven research provides innovation intelligence that helps you improve strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies in the packaging industry. In the Packaging Industry Innovation Map below, you get a comprehensive overview of the innovation trends & startups that impact your company.
These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively.
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Tree Map reveals the Impact of the Top 10 Packaging Trends
Based on the Packaging Innovation Map, the tree map below illustrates the impact of the top 10 packaging industry trends. Startups innovate to make the packaging more smart, connected, and interactive. This is done through QR codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, augmented reality (AR), and the internet of things (IoT)-based food spoilage detection sensors.
Increasing consumer awareness encourages companies to adopt circular packaging solutions by using biodegradable and recyclable materials such as post-consumer resins, bagasse, hemp, and polylactic acid (PLA). Digital printing on the packaging is another big trend impacting packaging supply chains. With AI-assisted robots carrying out the monotonous packaging processes of picking, placing, palletizing, and inspection, packaging automation is also disrupting the industry.
Food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharma industries incorporate active packaging to tackle the challenge of product spoilage. Further, 3D printing and customized packaging enable brands to stand out and attract more consumers.
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Global Startup Heat Map covers 2907 Packaging Startups & Scaleups
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 2 907 exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals that the United States is home to most of these companies while we also observe increased activity in Europe, particularly the UK, as well as India.
Below, you get to meet 20 out of these 2000+ promising startups & scaleups as well as the solutions they develop. These 20 packaging innovations were hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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Interested to explore all 2500+ packaging startups & scaleups?
Top 10 Trends in the Packaging Industry (2024)
1. Internet of Packaging
Internet of packaging brings technological disruption to traditional packaging and allows consumers to better connect with brands. Smart packaging leverages technology such as QR codes, smart labels, RFID, and near-field communication (NFC) chips. These cutting-edge solutions offer value-added benefits of security, authentication, and connectivity, making the product packaging a data carrier and digital tool.
AR packaging provides companies an opportunity to better engage with customers by introducing them to a range of product content, discount codes, and video tutorials. Further, IoT devices allow brands to integrate diagnostic and indicator functionalities in their packaging, providing customers with real-time product conditions.
Langgeng Sukses Abadi Technology offers Anti-Counterfeit Solutions
Indonesian startup Langgeng Sukses Abadi Technology offers QTRUST, an anti-counterfeit solution. The startup integrates QR codes and cloud computing to allow brand owners and customers to verify product authenticity. The startup installs unique security codes on each product that allow brand owners and retailers to track items throughout the supply chain.
This is done through its web-based portal and applications. QTRUST enables brands to interact with customers, deliver the correct brand story, and run customer survey campaigns. The startup’s mobile app enables users to check the product information, location of shops, and transaction history, and get reward points.
RelnPack facilitates Reusable Packaging Options for Last-Mile Deliveries
Italian startup ReInPack facilitates reusable packaging through its smart packaging service. It allows for the delivery and collection of empty packages at the same time by employing AI-powered routing. The smart packaging is monitored via an app to track product levels and place automatic reorders. The collected packages are then sanitized and reused multiple times before being recycled. This solution creates sustainable alternatives to existing last-mile delivery practices.
2. Biodegradable Packaging
Plastic is the most commonly used packaging material since the early 20th century. However, its slow decomposition rate causes widespread environmental problems. As consumers become more aware of the negative consequences of single-use plastic packaging, they demand eco-friendly alternatives. Biodegradable packaging and films gain traction and are suitable replacements for traditional plastic packaging.
For example, starch, cellulose, PLA, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and other biopolymers. Apart from this, plant-based packaging from sugarcane, coconut, hemp, and cornstarch also replaces plastic packaging. These innovations are economical for businesses to adopt and reduce the environmental impacts of the packaging sector.
OCEANIUM develops Compostable Seaweed Packaging
OCEANIUM is a UK-based startup that manufactures products from sustainably farmed seaweed. The startup procures seaweed and then utilizes refinery technology and marine science to extract maximum value out of the plant. It produces a bio-packaging material, OCEAN WARE, an all-natural, home-compostable bio-packaging that replaces traditional use-and-throw packaging. The earliest version of its packaging is made to be composted for soil health or for anaerobic digestion to generate energy.
LAM’ON produces Corn-based Foil Packaging
Bulgarian startup LAM’ON produces 100% compostable and biodegradable lamination film and foil packaging. The startup produces a packaging foil made of polylactic acid (PLA), PACK’ON, derived from corn. The use of silver nanoparticles as antibacterial additives in the foil and its oxygen barrier properties make the solution suitable for food packaging.
The film and foil break down into natural materials such as water, carbon dioxide, and composite. The polymer threads of the product are biaxially oriented and, hence, make it durable and less prone to tearing. Moreover, PACK’ON indicates no migration of oils and other elements, making the product safe for food and cosmetics packing.
3. Digital Printing
The process of printing on packaging comes with many challenges, some of which are accuracy, low color quality, and high labor costs. This offers the opportunity to innovate the process with digital printing, making it one of the top packaging industry trends. Unlike traditional offset or flexo printing techniques, it does not require separate plates for different prints. All the content is printed in a single pass in digital printing, making it less laborious.
Modern digital printing has a limited impact on the environment as it eliminates the need for prepress procedures or additional labeling, reducing waste and inventory requirements. With less turnaround time and more flexibility, digital printing enables customized packaging for brands to cater to different subgroups of consumers. Direct thermal printing is another printing technique that uses thermal imaging and is used to print labels and flexible packaging, without the use of inks.
Flexible Pack offers Digital Printing for Flexible Packaging
Flexible Pack is a US-based startup that offers digital printing for flexible packaging. It uses an HP Indigo digital press for printing on flexible packages, pouches, shrink sleeves, and labels. The startup’s technology offers gravure-matching quality along with a wide color scale, increased productivity, and high-quality automated finishing. The technique also makes it easier to print variable data such as barcodes or QR codes. The startup also supports printing on heat-sensitive materials as well.
Copy4LessNY provides Package & Label Printing Services
US-based startup Copy4LessNY provides printing services for packaged products and labels. It offers digital printing for corrugated boxes, cartons, and films with fast turnaround times. Further, the startup offers custom-printed labels for products.
4. Packaging Automation
The major challenges associated with packaging are productivity, precision, and quality control. Automating the packaging processes, such as depanning, filling, packing, and palletizing, is a big packaging industry trend. Packaging automation with the use of robotic arms and grippers not only eliminates human errors but also ensures the safe handling of delicate products.
Finally, startups also develop AI-powered vision systems that take pictures of the finished goods to analyze the package quality. These vision-assisted robots automate processes such as product sorting, quality control, and inspection to increase overall efficiency.
Wootzano makes Dexterous Robotic Systems for Food & Vegetable Packaging
Wootzano is a UK-based startup that makes robotic systems to handle extremely delicate objects. The startup’s robotic system is capable of performing functions like trimming, picking, and packing fresh produce including tomatoes and grapes. The robots use machine learning algorithms to execute their tasks and adapt to changing environments.
Further, LiDAR is used for inspection automation and weight estimation. The robot’s hand covered with electronic skin has high sensing capabilities, allowing it to handle delicate products without squeezing them. It also predicts product shelf life, which, in turn, allows manufacturers to reduce wastage.
CoRobotics provides Co-bots for Packaging and Palletization
Polish startup CoRobotics builds packing robots to perform a wide range of repetitive packaging tasks. Their SmartPalletizer is an easy-to-program robotic solution that automates the entire palletizing and depalletizing process. The configuration is done through user-friendly software with palletizing parameters. It is also possible to replicate layers or set up different palletizing schemes.
Additionally, the user has to enter the size and number of pallets, as well as the position of the robot and the use of spacers, on the touch screen. Additionally, the SmartPalletizer configures and executes the palletization or depalletization of one or two pallets. Other features of the robot include sensors to detect the pallet and cardboard presence at the end of the line.
5. Active Packaging
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one-third of all the food produced for consumption is wasted globally. Food waste is a big challenge to be addressed as companies often incur huge losses because of the same. Active packaging increases the shelf life of the product and is a growing packaging industry trend, finding applications in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
For example, modified atmospheric packaging uses oxygen or ethylene absorbers and moisture regulators to keep food fresh. Another example of active packaging releases antimicrobial agents to prevent bacterial growth in the product.
SoFresh manufactures Active Packaging Films & Containers
SoFresh is a US-based packaging startup that develops food-saving packaging. The startup develops techniques for infusing food-grade natural extracts into film or containers that release controlled active vapor in the food item. Mold spores absorb the vapor, slowing down their metabolism to the point that they struggle to survive.
SoFresh’s packaging products include bread and bakery packaging, over-wrap films, lid stock materials, and barrier laminations. Its active packaging solution enables companies to extend food travel life, shelf life, and consumption time so as to mitigate spoilage and wastage.
Impactful Health R&D develops Compostable Active Packaging for Fish
Canadian startup Impactful Health R&D develops a packaging solution to prolong the shelf life of fresh fish. The startup offers an active film-based technology with naturally derived anti-bacterial components. The film is biodegradable and is compliant with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oxygen transmission rate requirement.
Further, it is useful in vacuum packaging applications and preserves the texture of the fish. The startup’s solution is capable of increasing the shelf life of fish by a considerable amount of time. This allows fish sellers, re-sellers, and the aquaculture industry to minimize losses.
6. Custom Packaging
The appearance of a product plays a big role in attracting consumers to a product. Hence, the packaging holds as much importance as the product itself as a marketing tool for businesses. The challenge for the brands is to make the packaging eye-catching to boost sales. Making the unboxing experience more personalized and unique is the key to creating a lasting impact so that customers come back to the brand. A good example is Coca-Cola’s popular “Share a Coke” campaign which had names printed on the packaging to give it a personal touch.
PACKMOJO designs 3D Models for Custom Packaging
PACKMOJO is a Chinese startup that allows businesses to design their custom packaging on its online platform without hiring a designer. Also, the platform makes it possible for the brand to preview its design in 3D and get instant price quotes. The startup promotes sustainability by using packaging material made from 50% post-consumer waste. Further, they use eco-friendly inks like soy ink, for printing and water-based varnish instead of lamination to seal the ink.
HUIDE PACKAGING manufactures Kraft Paper Bags & Boxes
HUIDE PACKAGING is a Chinese startup that designs and manufactures custom paper packaging solutions. The startup’s in-house packaging engineers specialize in creating a structure that protects the item from damage. Also, the graphic team creates a design that aligns with the branding strategy of the company and showcases a 3D mock-up of the final design.
Before the mass production of custom packaging, the startup turns the packaging ideas into tangible prototypes. It also offers fast manufacturing of custom packaging with automated machinery and 8-color, water-based flexo press printing. Finally, designing and decorating the packaging are done with machines capable of foil-stamping, spot UV, debossing, and embossing, among others.
7. Recyclable Packaging
With countries banning single-use plastic, businesses now look for alternative materials for product packaging to comply with the regulations. The use of recyclable materials is one such packaging solution that enables businesses to integrate circular packaging practices. For example, post-consumer resins (PCR) are recyclable packaging materials derived from post-consumer waste. Other than this, startups develop easily recyclable mono-material packaging instead of multi-layer packaging.
LittleFeet Packaging innovates with Fully Recycled Paper
US-based startup LittleFeet Packaging offers Pubble Packaging, a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging using 100% recycled paper that finds uses across applications. For example, shipping cosmetics with Pubble Wrap or ensuring frozen food remains chill with Polar Pubble. The startup helps businesses achieve a balance between customer needs, environmental sustainability, and tangible returns on investment.
Ecoplasteam derives Raw Material from Waste
Ecoplasteam is an Italian startup that makes ecological raw materials from waste. The startup produces EcoAllen, a regenerated granule based on polyethylene and aluminum. It is derived by using proprietary technology to recycle tetra packs, which are made of layers of cellulose, plastic, and aluminum. EcoAllene is an infinitely recyclable material, it is colorable and has a glittery texture. The material has high moldability and, hence, is used to make packaging bottles. EcoAllene also finds applications in the fashion, construction, and consumer product industries.
8. Edible Packaging
Packaging follows the use-dispose model, and so largely contributes towards solid waste and ends up either in landfills or water bodies. This is why, over the last decade, businesses and consumers are moving towards sustainable packaging. The challenge for businesses is to opt for packaging that satisfies this basic functionality and also reduces or eliminates solid waste. Edible packaging is a revolutionary packaging industry trend that addresses these challenges and also enables a closed-loop for packaging.
A good example is packaging made from milk protein used as casein film around food products. These films are better at keeping food fresh, compared to plastic. Also, startups making edible spoons, straws, or other cutlery items provide restaurant chains, cafes, or ice cream parlors with plastic replacements.
Decomer Technology makes Edible Packaging Material
Decomer Technology is an Estonian BioTech startup that offers a plant-based edible and water-soluble packaging material. The startup’s material is tasteless, transparent, and hypoallergenic, and finds use in food, detergent, pharmaceutical, and agriculture packaging. Its product, HoneyDrop, is honey packaged in edible packaging material.
BlenDay is another product by the startup, a blendable plant-based superfood pillow pack, which is consumable by blending into smoothies. The outer layer of BlenDay is made of pectin and colorful superfood powders.
Kulero makes Edible Cutlery
Kulero is a German startup that produces edible cutlery. The startup meets the demand for disposable cutlery with its edible and sustainable cutlery alternatives. The edible cutlery is made from multi-grain flour, salt, and water. In addition, spices, herbs, or cocoa powder are used to add flavors.
Kulero’s vegan spoons are durable and last 30 minutes in hot liquids or soups and 60 minutes in cold meals. The startup has managed to replace 5 million plastic spoons already. It currently offers a range of products including edible spoons, edible straws, and cups, as well as compostable bowls and plates.
9. 3D Printing
3D printing is a growing packaging industry trend that allows companies to construct different prototypes and innovate their packaging line in near real-time. Brands often experiment with packaging designs, which are costly, time-consuming, and produce waste. 3D printing technology mitigates these issues and facilitates personalized packaging, with zero contribution toward plastic waste.
The technology offers greater design freedom to engineers and designers and empowers them to produce high-quality products. Additive manufacturing technology is also used by manufacturers to make prototypes of packaging machinery parts, for example, by printing robotic arms for a certain packaging line.
Sonali Bioplastics creates Bio-based Filaments for 3D Printing
Sonali Bioplastics is a US-based startup that creates bio-based and biodegradable plastic products as alternatives to reduce plastic pollution & emissions. Its portfolio includes flexible packaging film as well as composites for molding and 3D printing, among others. The startup uses plants as the raw material and also works with farmers to promote sustainable agriculture. Sonali Bioplastics serves various industries while catering to the growing 3D-printing industry with sustainable filaments.
Knurls creates 3D-Printed Packaging
Knurls is a US-based startup that produces 3D-printed packaging. The startup’s technology, KnurlPack, is used for packaging locally crafted or manufactured products in 3D printed packaging. The packaging can either be printed partly or fully around the product. The printing process uses materials like plastic, metal, or ceramic.
10. Nanotechnology
From packaging material to product safety, authentication, and tracking, nanotechnology has applications at various phases of the packaging supply chain. The use of nanoparticles mixed with polymer chains enhances package barrier properties and tensile strength. It also enables tracking and anti-counterfeiting for brands and packaging companies.
Additionally, nanotech has a big impact on the food packaging industry by addressing the rising concern of food safety. Applying nanocoatings on the packaging surface keeps it safe from dirt, dust, and stains. Lastly, several types of nanosensors are useful to monitor the freshness of the food and detect any chemical changes.
CelluloTech makes Cellulose-based Materials
CelluloTech is a Canadian nanotechnology startup that focuses on cellulose-based materials. The startup’s solution replaces plastic coatings for different types of packaging with a fully renewable mono-material alternative. Its proprietary technology replaces plastics, waxes, and other non-biodegradable materials used in packaging with cellulose. Additionally, CelluloTech’s green-chemistry process, CHROMATOGENY, makes any cellulose-based material, such as paper or cotton, permanently hydrophobic.
Arylla develops Invisible Inks for Connected Products
Canadian startup Arylla provides smartphone-readable invisible ink to make products traceable. Its proprietary ink uses nanotechnology and is completely undetectable by sight and touch. Label suppliers use the ink to print unique identifiers or tags with Arylla’s low-cost, small-footprint inkjet stations.
Its tag platform integrates with third-party software to offer personalized customer experiences, fight counterfeiting, and improve traceability. The ink is printable on different materials including woven labels, packaging, hand tags, and patches. Its use in luxury items facilitates product authentication and prevents counterfeiting.
Discover all Packaging Technologies & Startups
The innovations surrounding LED-embedded illuminating packaging, color-changing packaging, and oxygen and moisture scavengers will transform the packaging industry. Further, subscription-based models for refillable or returnable packaging will significantly reduce waste production and fight single-use plastics. The use of sustainable inks, such as soy-based, water-based, and UV inks, for printing will also become more widespread.
The Packaging Trends and startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation & startup scouting process. Identifying new opportunities & emerging technologies to implement into your business goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage.
