Packaging’s Next Battle – Lighter, Smarter, Cleaner

The packaging section of Food for Thought: Summer 2025/26 positions packaging as a strategic battleground for food and beverage companies. What was once a back‑room cost is now a front‑line driver of shelf appeal, logistics efficiency, export access and brand credibility.

The report highlights three major forces reshaping the packaging landscape:

1. Regulation is accelerating redesign:  Governments and retailers are tightening rules around recyclability, recycled content and packaging efficiency.

• The EU is mandating fully recyclable packaging by 2030 and limiting empty space in packs.
• Australia is moving toward national design standards, clearer labels and minimum recycled content.
These shifts mean brands must redesign formats that work across multiple markets without raising costs.

2. Innovation is landing in everyday formats: The report showcases rapid advances that are already appearing on supermarket shelves:

• Lighter bottles and cans that cut freight emissions and reduce breakage.
• Smarter freshness systems like modified‑atmosphere packs, laser‑perforated salad bags, oxygen‑control bakery wraps and high‑pressure processing.
• Recyclable-by-design formats such as single‑material films, tethered caps, clear trays and simplified labels that improve sorting accuracy.

3. Packaging now shapes consumer choice: Shoppers still prioritise value and convenience, but sustainability and usability increasingly influence what goes into the basket.

• Clear bottles eligible for container refunds, easy‑open tabs, right‑sized boxes and simple recycling instructions all build trust.
• Overpackaging, hard‑to-peel seals and non‑recyclable colours can quickly push consumers toward competitors.

4. Export success depends on packaging compliance: For brands targeting global markets, packaging must meet the strictest international standards. Examples include crate‑friendly bottle shapes for Germany, vending‑machine‑compatible cans for Japan, and single‑material tubs with multilingual QR codes for Asia and the Middle East.

Overall, the report frames packaging as a strategic asset that influences cost, compliance, sustainability and consumer loyalty. Companies that invest in lighter, smarter and cleaner formats will be better positioned to win shelf space at home and unlock growth in export markets.

You can read the full report by following this link food_for_thought_2025-26_summer

Source: The Age,  January 11 2026