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Unbox these 4 tenets to boost sustainable performance

As consumers and brands shape emerging packaging requirements, Graphic Packaging International must source and design novel materials, streamline processes, and continue to meet these needs. Here are four tenets to help Graphic Packaging International navigate a stronger, more sustainable future.

Infographic image 1, envelope

$69.8 B

Massive and growing globally from USD 69.8 billion in 2023 with a 10% CAGR through 2028.1)

If e-commerce represented the GDP of a country, it would rank #80 out of 195 countries in size.2)

1) https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/e-commerce-packaging-market-103363504.html
2) https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/

Driving new packaging and shipping requirements.
Revitalizing the use of paper and paperboard packaging materials.

Mandating material innovations in packaging. Creating “opposing” performance needs such as durability, lightweight, and environmentally counscious.

01 eCommerce

Graphic Packaging International should deepen collaborations with key suppliers (like Henkel). The goal is to further the co-creation of innovative material solutions (like IntegraFlute, Boardio, and KeelClip) that must often meet conflicting performance requirements in eCommerce packaging. A powerful Henkel example is the EPIX® technology portfolio.

IntegraFlute hybrid barrier packaging that protects dry food and replaces plastic bags, and KeelClip paperboard that replaces plastic rings and shrink film.

02 Sustainability

Graphic Packaging International can extend its strong sustainability stance by leveraging its new recycled paperboard mill and reevaluating packaging materials to maximize circular recycling, reusable packaging, and renewable materials. For example, corrugated has a 93% recycling rate in the US1). The average box is recycled 7 times and contains nearly 52% recycled material.2)

Boxed Water has eliminated plastic bottles by providing water in sustainable packaging—a 92% plant-based carton that is 100% recyclable.3)

Infographic image 2, drink carton

92%

Swaying consumer purchase decisions of shoppers say sustainability is important when choosing a brand.
~By comparison, 90% of consumers in the U.S. like chocolate.1)

Brands are adopting environmentally conscious packaging and mandating it from converters, encompassing all elements of packaging: base material, adhesives, and inks (i.e., soy-based inks).

The PVH apparel company, a global fashion group (i.e., Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger), converted 74% of its packaging to fully recyclable and aims to reach 100% by 2025.2)

2) https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/small-business-statistics/

Regulated by legislation such as

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

The U.S. Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 (BFFPPA)

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Driving packaging trends for brands, eCommerce companies, and Graphic Packaging International

Lighter-weight packaging materials help reduce shipping costs.

Primary and secondary packaging are becoming one packaging solution.

Graphic Packaging International focuses on evergreen efficiency improvements.

56%

of retailers name shipping costs as their biggest fulfillment challenge.1)

1) https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet- insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#sources_section

70%

62%

of shoppers won't buy from a retailer that doesn't offer free shipping.3)

3) https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/

03 Cost reduction and optimization

Graphic Packaging International can continually optimize packaging designs and source lightweight material solutions that elevate packaging performance, increase manufacturing efficiencies, combine primary and secondary packaging when feasible (such as Graphic Packaging International’s SIOC), and ultimately reduce shipping costs.

04 Emerging packaging trends

Graphic Packaging International can gain agility to stay on top of changing preferences and requirements, allowing the integration of new capabilities and dynamic developments. That’s how Graphic Packaging International can double down on efforts to craft a future-focused organization, embracing smart packaging, digitization, and packaging automation.

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Smart packaging

Uses barcodes, quick-response (QR) codes, or sensors with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Provides product tracking and product-specific information in real-time, such as spoilage, temperature tracking, and tamper-evidence.

62%

of online shoppers consider trustworthiness the most important brand feature.1)

1) https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332294/trustworthiness-transparency-in-marketing/

56%

of online shoppers in the U.S. 
are willing to spend more with
a trusted retailer.” 2)

2) https://www.marketingcharts.com/industries/retail-and-e-commerce-231020

$38.3 B

is the projected value of the smart packaging market by 2033.3)

3) https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/smart-packaging-market

Packaging automation

Streamlines processes, improves decision-making, and elevates manufacturing output.

Brings challenges such as new skills, technology integration, traceability, accountability and reporting compliance, and supply chain compatibility issues.

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Proven partnership

Deeper relationships drive innovative, collaborative solutions and technologies that answer emerging packaging challenges. We're your A-to-Z partner. From reducing waste and supporting recyclability to streamlining applications - one production line at a time. The whole package.

 

In our white paper 'Navigating packaging, profits, and precision', we explore how converters like Graphic Packaging International can drive next-generation packaging ideas and solutions. It's an 8-minute read. It's packed with insights. And it's only one click away.

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I'm Matthew Crane, your personal contact at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. Do you need help choosing the right adhesive for a monomaterial spec? Or advice on how to scale across sites? We do it all.

Matthew Crane GPI