The future of the packaging industry: digitalisation and sustainability

The packaging industry is in upheaval. Two major developments are driving the change: digitalisation and sustainability. Both are changing how packaging is developed, ordered, produced and disposed of. And they reinforce each other. Where is the journey heading?

Digitalisation: from ordering to production

Configuring and ordering online: packaging can now be put together online. Dimensions, material, printing and finishing are selected directly, and the price is calculated instantly. This saves time in the quotation phase and makes custom packaging accessible to smaller companies too. We offer our configurator for this purpose as well.

Connected production: ordering, prepress, presses and logistics are linked digitally. Jobs move through production faster and with fewer manual steps. Errors are spotted earlier.

Digital printing and production on demand: smaller runs and more variants become economical. Instead of large stocks, production follows demand. More in our article Innovative printing technologies and their future.

Digital prototypes: 3D visualisations show the packaging even before the first sample. This speeds up approvals.

Sustainability: from optional to mandatory

New regulation: with the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), recyclability, material minimisation and reuse are becoming mandatory step by step. More in our article PPWR 2026.

Circular economy: packaging is designed for the loop from the start: mono-material, easy to separate, easy to recycle. Paper and board are well placed here. More in our article Recyclable packaging.

Less material: well-fitting sizes, optimised constructions and less empty space are becoming the norm.

Credible communication: generic environmental promises are no longer allowed in the EU. Specific, verifiable claims are what count.

Where both developments meet

• Digital product information: codes on packaging can provide information on material, origin and disposal.
• Data-driven optimisation: digital data on material use and packaging sizes helps improve packaging in a targeted way.
• Less overproduction: digital ordering processes and digital printing make smaller, demand-driven quantities possible.
• Supply chain transparency: tracing materials becomes easier, for example for certified raw materials.

Further developments

• E-commerce is changing requirements. Shipping packaging is becoming the most important brand touchpoint.
• Reuse systems are gaining importance in certain areas, such as transport packaging.
• Skilled workers and automation: automated processes partly offset the shortage of skilled workers. But the know-how of experienced staff remains indispensable.

What companies should do now

• Review packaging for recyclability and material use
• Use digital ordering and planning processes
• Plan runs to match demand
• Communicate sustainability specifically and verifiably
• Work with a packaging partner who understands both developments

Read which trends are shaping the current year in our article Packaging trends 2026. We combine our own production with a digital ordering process. We use FSC®-certified raw materials and up to 100% recyclable materials. You will receive a binding quote within 24 hours.

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