Covid-19 has impacted a multitude of industries around the world, especially the packaging industry. Despite being one of the first to adapt to the new normality, it has faced challenges responding in a timely manner to the pandemic. Taking into account the impact of Covid, we present some permanent changes that the packaging industry has had to face, such as: supplying for consumer industries, an increasing demand for bio-safe packaging, the growing need for single-use plastics and keeping their commitment to sustainability.
Supply for consumer industries.
The pandemic represents great challenges for consumer industries. Among them, adapting to the new normal and the demands of a consumer who seeks to feel safe. This has resulted in the packaging industry playing a strategic role in product protection and safety. Being a key player in the supply chain of consumer industries, it must permanently adjust to the demands of companies and brands. The packaging industry has had to increase the supply of materials, prioritizing operations and manufacturing times. This period of crisis has shown how the industry is one of the primary and strategic entities in the supply chain for consumer industries, in order to meet demand and face the pandemic.
Demand for safe packaging.
The new changes in consumer behavior have caused a strong acceleration in the packaging industry. The demand for products with safe and hygienic packaging systems is increasing. As a consequence, companies are reinforcing the commitment by ensuring health and integrity of the product through packaging. Therefore, providing the reassurance consumers demand. Likewise, they look for accessibility and distribution alternatives, implementing digital channels such as e-commerce so that the product has as little contact as possible with other people and reducing the risk of contagion.
Demand for single-use plastics
The impact of Covid has increased the concerns of a consumer who is looking for alternatives to avoid the virus. This has allowed single-use plastic to become relevant to decrease propagation. Despite restrictions and bans on this material in some countries or companies whose objectives were aimed at reducing dependence on plastic packaging, the world’s consumer and industries prioritized hygiene and safety advantages that plastic can offer. This was the immediate safety response that industry sectors took for safety and health around the world. Thus, single-use plastic packaging demonstrates its crucial role in ensuring health and integrity of consumers.
Commitment to sustainability
After the growing acceptance of single-use plastic, concerns about its final disposal also have increased. The industry knows that if the consumer does not dispose of them properly, they will go to the landfill causing more pollution; therefore, the commitment by the actors involved is to provide safe consumption and limit the environmental impact of waste. To move towards this goal, the industry continues to work promoting education, commitment and innovation in environmental initiatives such as: using biodegradable or ecological materials, with possibilities for recycling and reuse. As well as, a continued strive for innovation in packaging that can be implemented. However, this involves the active participation of consumers in the correct final disposal.
The packaging industry has been a forth front sector to face the pandemic, consolidating itself as a primary and strategic entity in the supply chain of the consumer industry. Increasingly challenging itself in safe packaging systems, promoting the use of single-use plastic, while maintaining an environmental commitment to the world.