XIAMEN SUNBOO PACKAGING

Popular Materials and Packaging Styles

Folding carton (cardboard) packaging

       In 2020, the use of folding carton or paperboard packaging continued to grow due to its versatility and biodegradable and recyclable nature. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global folding carton market was valued at USD 123.84 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 4.4% over the next five years to 2025.

       For simplicity, we have also put in use particleboard packaging (also known as clay-coated natural backing (CCNB) and coated natural kraft (CNK)) commonly used to package cereal and tissue boxes. Folding cartons and packaging are usually made from a percentage of recycled material, and kraft paperboard is usually composed of 50-100% post-consumer materials.

       Despite this, cardboard packaging remains one of the most versatile forms of packaging, accounting for a large portion of retail packaging. Paperboard is easy to print, inexpensive, consumer-friendly and is largely seen as a sustainable form of recyclable packaging.

       corrugated packaging

       You don't need anyone to tell you that corrugated packaging and boxes are still one of the most widely used types of protective packaging on the market. Just look over your shoulder - do you see the Amazon box? Yes, that's made of corrugated cardboard. The global corrugated packaging market was valued at USD 262.61 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2020 to 2025 and will continue to grow as demand for consumer goods delivery surges.

       Corrugated boxes are recyclable, biodegradable, and typically consist of a very high concentration of post-consumer content (between 40% and 80%). In the U.S. alone, 49 million tons of cargo worth over $53 billion are moved every day (source: U.S. Department of Transportation). You can bet that 50-60% of these products come in corrugated boxes or packaging.

       As one of the most popular and resilient types of shipping packaging, coupled with a large portion of the public isolating at home (or avoiding shopping trips), the use and necessity of corrugated packaging is on the rise. Online business is booming and corrugated boxes such as custom mailers and cardboard inserts have become the most requested type of packaging, creating an amazing product unboxing experience.

       hard packaging

       According to Allied Market Research, there does not appear to be enough demand for rigid boxes and packaging, an industry worth $496.72 billion in 2016 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% through 2023. The rigid packaging market includes rigid plastics, metals, paper, glass, and other materials, and as degradable bioplastics continue to grow globally, rigid plastics were the most dominant material type in 2016. This remains a controversial topic because the production of bioplastics also releases methane, a greenhouse gas, which is actually responsible for global warming.

       Rigid paper packaging remains the pinnacle of the custom packaging genre, with an ultra-high-end look and feel that consumers don’t want to throw away, even after unboxing the product. Need proof? Ask a friend if they kept the smartphone box.

       Although more durable packaging types exist (such as wooden and aluminum tin boxes), these options are considered less environmentally friendly and less common, making these options more exclusive, more expensive and therefore less viable.

       Today, hard cases are still most commonly used for electronics and technology packaging for smartphones, tablets and other premium product markets such as fashion luxury, cosmetics, jewelry and wine.

       Plastic Packaging

       According to Mordor Intelligence, although the plastic packaging market is not growing as fast as the aforementioned markets, it was worth $345.91 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.47% from 2020 to 2025.

       Contrary to popular belief, plastic packaging can have many environmental advantages. Packaging companies like Berry Global sustainably use very little resources and energy to produce plastic packaging to produce their packaging, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. The graph below illustrates how efficient its plastic packaging is compared to alternatives:

       Many plastic packaging types can break down when placed in the wrong environment, such as in a body of water. With plastic waste ending up in our oceans and landfills, companies are becoming more cautious about using plastic as a packaging choice. Still, plastic can be cheap, protective, moldable into any shape and biodegradable. Certain plastic bottles are plant-based (such as Daisani's) and are capable of fully degrading in as little as a year. Even if those bottles end up in the sea, it may take longer.

       Remember that many plastic packaging types are also recyclable and can be recycled to save energy, resources and reduce environmental impact.

       pouch

       The global pouch market is worth USD 36.4 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2020 to 2027, becoming hotter in the food packaging industry. Like it or not, the pouches are here and they are here to stay.

       Lightweight, flexible, durable and economical pouches have also become a desirable choice for consumers when making purchasing decisions. The pouch is self-contained, resealable, freezer friendly, and does a lot of other things, making it super dynamic and useful for a wide variety of products.

       Pouches are now available in plastic, paper, and aluminum, each with its own use case. Many products traditionally housed in glass jars or cans are now finding their way into bags, such as soups, beverages and sauces, due to lower costs and flexible sizes. Their flexibility allows more volume to be packaged in the same form factor, reducing supply chain costs.

       Paper and Plastic Bags

       While paper bag and plastic bag packaging can be seen as two very different packaging options, we are keeping them together for this transition.

       Paper bags are a great sustainable packaging option due to their properties. Most paper bags are made from post-consumer materials and are 100% recyclable and biodegradable. According to Zion Market Research, the global market was valued at USD 4.7 billion in 2018, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2019 to 2025. Paper bags are a fast-growing sustainable packaging option.