
In a recent article industry veteran Veijo Korkalainen explained why this material is in such high demand.
“I might be biased” he explained, “but I’ve always seen the corrugated package as a simply brilliant construction. And with sustainability and circular economy thinking at the top of the agenda for both brands and consumers today, this lightweight, sustainable and recyclable material is more relevant than ever.”
Korkalainen then went on to explain his reasoning…
“The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the already high demand for e-commerce packaging that is not only strong, lightweight and recyclable but which also offers excellent printability to help brands connect with consumers and make a powerful visual impact. Whether we’re talking about fast-moving consumer goods, food and beverages or even pharmaceuticals, corrugated packaging ticks all the boxes: strength, printability, safety and hygiene, resource efficiency and recyclability.
Circular economy drivers are at the core of everything, and the corrugated industry has been very active in promoting the benefits of its products in this respect. The industry has long been focused on resource efficiency, reducing waste to a minimum and promoting recycling. As well as being a powerful visual tool for promoting a brand’s image, in this way corrugated packaging is also a compelling way to demonstrate a company’s commitment to being a responsible operator.”

What we found most interesting about Korkalainen’s observations was this – “Modern packaging is about experience as much as it is about functionality – it’s a way to connect with consumers by enabling satisfying, memorable brand interactions, whether in store in the form of attractive shelf-ready packaging or at home as visually impactful e-commerce packaging.
A great example of this is the wines and spirits industry, which has been forced to become even more creative with its packaging solutions because of the massive drop-off in tax-free sales owing to pandemic-related travel restrictions. The result has been some fantastic examples of beautifully inventive, visually impactful spirits packaging for e-commerce applications using corrugated materials.”He rounded up by saying “Going forward, the blurring of the line between primary and secondary packaging will continue. Excess, wasteful packaging will become a thing of the past as designers and brands work together to create resource-efficient, visually appealing solutions that do both jobs. The attributes of corrugated packaging I’ve already mentioned also make it an excellent choice to replace plastics in many applications – another important consideration for socially responsible brands as regulations tighten and pressure from consumers continues to increase. You can find out more information here