Five Major Trends Driving Change in Plastic Packaging

It’s time to work with plastic manufacturers instead of confronting them with bans.

By Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony Environmental

The plastics industry has for many years been at the forefront of innovation as the sector has become a lightning rod in the debate over our environment. However, it could be that it is the plastics sector itself that is leading the charge when it comes to a transformative shift towards sustainability.

There can be no doubt that this industry is being driven by huge change, and in 2025, we can expect to see an even greater focus on innovation. This is partly driven by regulation and legislation but also by changing consumer buying patterns. In this article, we explore the five major trends driving change and make the case that plastic is here to stay.

Circularity

The rise of the circular economy is one of the biggest trends impacting the plastics sector. When a business adopts a circular economy approach, it contributes to reducing the environmental impact of plastics and fosters a more sustainable and resource-efficient model.

Central to this is the goal of minimizing waste and promoting the recycling and reuse of plastics. Companies are now designing products with recycling in mind, opting for materials that can be efficiently processed through recycling systems or biodegrading.  However, for the foreseeable future, a significant amount of plastic will still get into the open environment, where it can lie or float for decades, and this is why we are seeing more emphasis on biodegradable plastic.

Biodegradable Plastics

Biodegradable plastics are becoming central to the efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional plastic materials. Ordinary polyethene and polypropylene products can be made to biodegrade much more quickly if they get into the environment, leaving no microplastics behind, simply by making them with a d2w masterbatch at little or no extra cost. At the same time, if they do get collected, they can be recycled.

This concerted push toward a more sustainable and environmentally-aware approach to plastic manufacturing reflects a commitment to balancing plastics’ functional advantages with a conscientious approach to ecological sustainability.

Smart Plastics

Masterbatch designers are providing a range of smart plastics today that can protect against insects, rodents, and fire, and reduce the deterioration of food. From insect-repellent plastic, which protects water irrigation systems in arid environments, to smart plastics that deter rodents, these products are available today and illustrate the supermaterial potential of plastics.

 Anti-Microbial Plastics

The development of anti-microbial plastics which can kill bacteria and viruses, has emerged since COVID as a significant and timely trend. As a direct result of heightened emphasis on hygiene, particularly within healthcare environments, this innovative approach involves the integration of substances with anti-microbial or anti-viral qualities into the plastic manufacturing process. Using anti-microbial plastics such as Symphony’s d2p underscores a commitment to advancing public health measures through innovative material solutions.

Regulatory Frameworks

Plastic products are immensely useful, they are often the best material for the job and have an excellent LCA. They are typically made from a by-product of oil refining, and as long as oil is required for fuels, it makes sense to use the by-product.

That said, the plastics market is driven by several environmental concerns and regulatory pressures that plastics manufacturers and the industry in general need to be aware of. Many governments and international organizations are driving significant regulatory changes to strengthen and enforce responsible plastic management. A central part of this has been increased restrictions on single-use plastics, but restrictions on plastic can steer people toward less sustainable materials. In the Middle East, governments have instead required a wide range of packaging and other products to be made with d2w or equivalent biodegradable technology.

Conclusion

The plastics industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation, marked by a convergence of innovative trends that lead to a more sustainable and responsible future. From developing biodegradable and sustainable plastics to integrating intelligent technologies, the sector is adapting to address pressing environmental concerns and societal needs. Add to the mix innovations in manufacturing and recycling, and the industry’s commitment to efficiency, waste reduction, and enhanced material properties becomes clear.

But it is also clear that by restricting single-use plastics and passing other restrictive regulations, albeit focused on promoting an eco-conscious plastics economy, governments are engaging in virtue-signaling instead of working with innovators in the sector to bring about real change.

About the Author

Michael Laurier is the CEO of Symphony Environmental, a company at the forefront of environmental packaging technology. He co-founded Symphony Environmental Technologies Group in 1995, which developed and owns the brands d2w, d2p and d2t. Michael’s career began with his long-established family packaging business. He took over responsibility for sales and production in the mid-1970s and changed the emphasis of the company’s business from jute products to polythene packaging, introducing the then-innovative high-density and medium-density polythene bags into the UK market in 1975.  Visit: www.symphonyenvironmental.com