Sustainable food packaging in 2045: the shape of things to come.

230+ global packaging professionals share their views on the future of food packaging

UPM Specialty Materials and consultancy firm Smithers have released their survey of over 230 packaging professionals across the value chain. A panel of industry experts then debate the findings and explain what they mean for your business.

Mapping the forces shaping sustainable food packaging to 2045, the study assesses the combined impact of consumer expectations, regulatory development, material innovation, and end-of-life scenarios.

Download the white paper for the complete findings, data, and expert commentary.

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By 2045, fibre-based packaging is projected to account for 42% of all food packaging materials – up from 37% today.

The four trends set to reshape food packaging

Sustainability becomes a mandate, not a choice

71% of respondents believe sustainability will become a strict government mandate. Materials that fail to meet environmental performance thresholds simply won’t be available for use.

Fibre leads with barrier innovation

71% of respondents expect fibre-based packaging as most sustainable, with barrier advances unlocking new food applications.

Recycling rates climb toward 60%

The industry forecasts a leap in recycling rates from 46% to 60% by 2045. Recyclability remains the preferred end-of-life pathway.

Balancing sustainability and convenience

By 2045, brands will need packaging that delivers strong environmental performance without compromising on protection, shelf life, or ease of use.

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Fibre already has a big head start over plastics due to existing and accepted certifications like FSC.
Asian supplier, survey respondent

Download the Sustainable Food Packaging to 2045 Report

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Meet the experts behind the insights

Leading voices in packaging, sustainability and recycling from across the value chain contributed their expertise to this study. Meet some of the panel members whose analysis shaped the report’s conclusions.

Filipe Vieira de Castro | Head of Recycling Intelligence, CIRCPACK® by Veolia

Filipe leads recycling intelligence operations at CIRCPACK, specializing in global collection, sorting, and recycling systems including EPR and DRS.

Marc Cox | Director for Stakeholder Relations, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines

Marc is responsible for Coca-Cola’s circular economy and sustainable packaging initiatives across the Philippines.

Miller Thornton | Senior Manager, Sustainability, Brook + Whittle

An expert in EPR policy and regulatory compliance across North America, Miller directs sustainability initiatives in recyclable labeling solutions.

Eric Yu, PhD | Senior Manager, Packaging Application, UPM (China)

Providing technical packaging solutions for converters and brand owners, Eric offers deep expertise in both pulp and paper R&D and fibre-based packaging development.

John Snow | Former Packaging Innovation Manager at Unilever, USA

A former Innovation manager for Smart Packaging at Unilever, John spent 26 years with the company working across Canada and USA in positions of packaging development, customer packaging, intelligent packaging

Arno Melchior | Former Global Packaging Director at Reckitt, UK

A packaging professional with over 37 years of international experience, Arno specializes in Sustainability, Quality, Consumer Experience, Innovation. He was also Member of the EPR PRO Steering Group at FDF (Food and Drink Federation).