Publisher’s Opportunitiesand Threats to the Packaging Industry in 2021: A Global Executives Survey examines executives’ opinion about the key opportunities and biggest threats for the packaging industry over the next five years. The report identifies areas with significant cost rises by 2021 and evaluates the potential impact of new legislations and regulations on business operations and key markets. Additionally, the report highlights consumer trends likely to cause major disruption in business operations, indicates potentially important pack features for clients and analyzes change in demand for packaging types by 2021.

With new legislations and regulations expected to create an impact on business operations amidst growing environmental concerns, organizations are focusing efforts on restricting potential increases in the cost of machinery, and complying with legislative changes. As online retail and sales of unpacked goods will disrupt business operations, packaging features such as recyclability, light weighting, and premium look will be favored. By 2021, research & development is expected to benefit from increased investment by packaging organizations with demand increasing for flexible plastic packaging, pouches, and premium paper or board packaging.

Key Findings:

• Half of packaging industry executives expect a moderate impact of new legislations and regulations on business during the next five years
  
• Of respondents who operate in Europe, 42% expect growing environmental awareness to cause the biggest disruption
  
• Being recyclable and achieving a premium look will be the most important pack features in 2021
  
• Demand for pouches and flexible packaging will increase the most to 2021
  
• Research & development budgets will benefit from the most investment, but data analytics is not a priority for packaging companies
  
• Only 37% of packaging companies will employ a data analytic officer in the next five years