26 Jul Trends in flexible packaging. How we do it at Rieusset
New buying habits, new packaging
Over the years, consumer buying habits change and new consumer trends are being created. For instance, this past year, shopping habits have been affected by the situation of the Covid pandemic.
These changes also affect the way product packaging is designed and manufactured. Thanks to the 2021 Trends Report carried out by Connociam and Packaging Cluster, we can see the most relevant and impactful trends in the packaging sector.
From these trends, we extract those that we are already applying at Rieusset in flexible packaging.
Trends in flexible packaging
The most impactful trends in the sector of flexible packaging are the following:
- Sustainability: Consumers are more and more aware of the environment, so companies are, too. For this reason, they are looking for new more sustainable materials, reduction of plastics, designs that reduce wasted spaces, etc.
- New Covid world reality: The situation of the pandemic has created new concerns and needs for consumers, wherefore brands require packaging that guarantees the hygiene and safety of their products and customers. Especially in sectors such as food and hospitality.
- Consumer experience: Beyond the product, the consumer seeks to live an experience with the product. Brands seek to provide that added value and thus create an emotional connection with the consumer in their packaging
What do we at Rieusset offer so that our customers may adapt to these market trends?
Sustainability: more sustainable flexible packaging
We can print on more sustainable materials in flexible packaging, such as these:
- Paper for flexible packaging: reduction of plastics
In recent years, substituting plastic with paper in packaging, mainly in the food sector, has been encouraged.
We offer our customers the possibility of using paper for flexible packaging. One of the main advantages is that it is biodegradable and recyclable, and right now both brands and consumers are committed to reducing the environmental impact. For example, by using FSC certified paper.
We rely on paper suppliers that allow us to offer a wide range of possibilities that are adapted to the needs of each client. We have a portfolio of solutions for this type of flexible packaging, with which we can offer the best solutions to customers who want to evaluate and make the change.
- Thickness reduction in all types of materials (plastic and paper)
We can print on thinner flexible plastic or paper packaging. Our experience shows us that in many cases it is possible to reduce the thickness of the flexible packaging material, thus improving its sustainability, practically without diminishing its protection qualities or product presentation.
- Mono material
Another trend we offer is printing on flexible packaging made with a single plastic material, instead of combining different types.
One of the most important benefits of this is that it facilitates recycling since its composition eliminates the need for prior separation. In addition, mono materials are more sustainable because they require less energy and resources in their manufacturing process.
- Bioriented polyethylene
We can print on flexible packaging created with bioriented polyethylene films. This type of plastic is increasingly used in recyclable flexible packaging. Its main characteristics include its high rigidity, good sealing qualities, product protection and the creation of hermetic flexible packaging.
New reality: the COVID world
- Refillable pouches to save on packaging
A growing trend, which we also offer, is the use of large pouches that contain a greater amount of product but with less packaging material.
They are normally used in cosmetics and food as a solution to refill other more resistant and durable containers such as cans or dispensers.
This alternative, in addition to adapting itself better to the situation caused by Covid, is more sustainable.
Via Sephora
- To Go format
Consumers are increasingly looking for food products that can be consumed quickly and conveniently but without compromising the quality and freshness of the product.
This requires flexible packaging that is easy to open and handle, but at the same time resistant.
We are aware of this change in consumer preferences, which is why we offer printing solutions for flexible To Go format packaging.
Via Behance
- Single dose
The new hygiene and safety measures stemming from Covid generate new needs in the individual packaging of consumer products.
For this reason, single-dose formats in flexible packaging are increasingly present in supermarkets since they are ideal for protecting consumers by avoiding the spread of infection.
We offer different flexible packaging printing solutions for the single-dose format that adapt to your company and consumer needs.
Via Kellogg’s
Experience: flexible experiential packaging
Thanks to rotogravure printing, digital printing, or by combining both technologies, we can print flexible packaging with different effects and creativities to generate an experience for the consumer.
- Theming – digital printing
Theming consists of making special launches or linking the product to a specific time of the year, such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc. In this case, the flexible packaging is given a different design with a theme related to that moment.
In this case, we can use digital printing, as it allows for shorter runs and customizations.
- Textures: soft touch and paper touch
Going beyond the visual part in flexible packaging design is something ingenious and appropriate if the goal is to achieve packaging that is different and eye-catching.
We offer two techniques to achieve an original texture: soft touch and paper touch. First of all, soft touch lamination provides a soft and velvety finish to flexible packaging, which gives it a luxurious and very elegant aesthetic.
Secondly, paper touch gives flexible packaging the feel of paper due to the application of a special varnish. If you want to continue to stay with the properties of plastic (impermeability, non-transpiration, etc.) but with a more natural and ecological appearance, paper touch is a good option that we can apply.
Via Moderno Mundo
- Matte and glossy varnishes in flexible packaging
We can achieve a different visual finish by applying varnishes inline to achieve a matte or glossy effect. The matte/gloss effect combination can be applied in our conventional rotogravure printing process or through hybrid printing: combining digital printing and rotogravure printing.
Applying varnish inline is a process that is done in mixed printing, in which we are specialists. It is printed digitally, reserving a register so that the varnish can be applied later on in rotogravure.
Via Medium
- Transparency:
Progressively more consumers demand transparency and honesty from brands about their products. This trend also carries over to flexible packaging, which is why we are increasingly seeing more partially or totally transparent flexible packaging that reveals the product inside.
At Rieusset we offer flexible packaging solutions that combine transparency with creativity and quality in printing.
Via Scoutmob
In short, we know about and apply all these new trends in flexible packaging and we work to be at the forefront of all the new developments in the sector. In this way, we can offer our customers the best solutions and apply them in a pioneering way to make their product stand out.
Don’t miss our latest article on innovation in quality and sustainability for sleeves, where we talk about the new applications, materials and quality and sustainability solutions for sleeve labels that our R&D+I department has been working on in recent months.
Do you want your products to stand out? Contact us to incorporate the flexible packaging solutions that best adapt themselves to the needs of your brand.
| We Manufacture: | Meet Rieusset: |
