2020 packaging trends need to be reviewed

E-commerce, minimalism, 100% recyclable materials, smart packaging and edible packaging were the top five packaging trends announced in January by the World Packaging Organisation for 2020.

But will these trends remain valid in the post-lockdown period?

The WPO has sought to answer this question by promoting a debate among leading international players across five continents. The brainstorming initiative revealed that it will be imperative to reduce development costs and budgets, for example by switching from expensive Pantone to cheaper CMYK print solutions for brand colours.

The shift in sales towards the online channel suggests that it would be worth promoting minimalist primary packaging, thereby saving on investments in innovation and design. In addition to recyclable materials, it is also necessary to focus on reducing materials and thicknesses, thereby combining environmental concerns with the need to reduce production costs.