Packaging, the first impression of a product, is rapidly transforming from a simple protective and decorative function to one that is green, intelligent, and personalized. Recently, at the 2025 China Packaging Industry Expo, a number of new biodegradable, recyclable, and multifunctional packaging products were unveiled, attracting attention from companies in the food, beauty, and electronics industries and reflecting new trends in industry development.
Environmentally friendly materials are becoming mainstream, and the penetration rate of biodegradable packaging continues to increase.
“This packaging box, made from corn starch, completely degrades in nature within three months, yet its load-bearing capacity is 20% higher than traditional plastic boxes. It is currently being used in takeout packaging for chain restaurant brands.” At the expo, Manager Wang, head of an environmentally friendly materials company, showcased their latest product to reporters. He explained that since 2024, the company’s orders for biodegradable packaging have increased by over 50% year-on-year, with demand from the food and fresh produce industries accounting for over 60%.
To meet this demand, many companies have introduced flexible production equipment, enabling “minimum order quantity of one piece and fast delivery.” At the same time, personalized design is increasingly emphasizing the integration of cultural connotations and brand identity. For example, one intangible cultural heritage brand has incorporated traditional paper-cutting elements into its packaging, enhancing product recognition while also promoting traditional culture. “Personalized packaging is more than just the outer layer of the product; it also conveys brand culture,” Li Na explained. With the rise of niche brands and startups, the small-batch personalized packaging market will become a new blue ocean for the industry.
Challenges and opportunities coexist; the industry needs to overcome cost and technological bottlenecks.
Degradable materials and smart packaging face significant costs. For example, degradable packaging is 30%-50% more expensive than traditional plastic boxes, and the cost of chips used in smart packaging needs to be reduced. Furthermore, the performance of some environmentally friendly materials still needs improvement. For example, some degradable packaging easily deforms in humid environments, impacting the user experience.
Industry insiders suggest that companies should strengthen technological research and development and reduce costs through large-scale production. Meanwhile, the government can increase support for environmentally friendly packaging companies, such as through subsidies and tax incentives, to promote the industry’s sustained and healthy development. “Greening, intelligentization, and personalization are inevitable trends in the packaging industry. Whoever can break through bottlenecks first will seize market opportunities,” said Zhang Lei.
