Better Packaging Better World

Flexible packaging: the fastest growing packaging market in the world is the subject of the new book by Instituto de Embalagens. In Brazil, the performance of the flexible packaging industry also continues to expand. In 2021, gross sales reached BRL 43.6 billion, according to a Maxiquim study carried out for ABIEF (Brazilian Association of the Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry). The result represents growth of more than 55% in relation to the previous year. The food industry remains the main market for flexible plastic packaging in Brazil (42% share) and globally (75.5%) in 2021. The fastest-growing end-use markets include meat, fish and poultry, and frozen foods, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9% globally. Flexibility, as the name implies, is one of the great differentials of flexible packaging that is present in various categories of consumer products, addressing convenience, practicality, safety, and environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The growth of stand-up pouches around the world and in Brazil is notable, adding lids and accessories, and gaining market share in new segments. "Innovation brings an avenue of opportunities to develop better flexible packaging for a better world", highlights Assunta Napolitano Camilo, director of the Packaging Institute. Sustainability-The Smithers study also points out that revisiting various stages of the packaging journey, from design to recycling, will be important for the circularity of plastic and will also be one of the subjects addressed in the new bilingual book on Flexible Packaging by the Instituto de Embalagens. In Western Europe, there is increasing pressure to replace difficult-to-recycle plastics in many important applications. This is already driving the evolution of flexible paper packaging and, in particular, structures that can provide adequate barrier protection. Alternatives under development within plastics include: • Use of more recycled plastic content without compromising material performance; • Improve the recyclability of current packaging options with more mono-material constructions; • Identification of suitable markets for flexible biopolymers. An emerging trend in the post-Covid world has been the use of refill packs for household and personal care products. This has unlocked new potential for flexible plastic refill packaging that minimizes size and weight in transit. The new bilingual book on Flexible Packaging brings updated content, covering, market information, trends, design, innovations, processes, equipment, and sustainability.

Following the path of the previous publications of the Better Packaging Better World collection, we aim, with this new book, to shed light on paper and paperboard packaging, covering the entire chain, from conception to final disposal. All of the authors dedicated their time to explain the latest developments in this area while Instituto de Embalagens' content curation team was attentive to coherently organize the information. We understand that we must raise awareness among the population and packaging developers, professionals that make choices about packaging in different companies. They must understand the possibilities and applications of paper and paperboard packaging. This book provides information that guides the decision-making process and allows to reach its full potential. We need to have an unbiased and impartial bibliography and a speech to guide the durable goods, consumer, and packaging industries. The coauthors understood the challenge and sought updated information to reach the expected result. We aimed to explain the benefits of paper and paperboard packaging and how we should work to use them in a new world. Better Paper and Paperboard Packaging Better World!

At a time when society started to naturally value the circular economy, many people began to rethink the use of glass packaging. This is an interesting return to concepts once lost in the process of popularization of ready-to-drink products. Because it is inert (it does not change the flavor, smell, or color of the packaged product, thus contributing to consumers' health), glass packaging has gained prominence along with the wellness trend. In addition, flint containers also have the benefit of being transparent while the amber ones provide a barrier to light. In the perfumery segment, more than smell, the success of new fragrances depends on the design of the glass bottle. Some say that it is necessary to design the bottle with emotional ingredients, which encourage the consumer to see in the product an object of desire, before trying the fragrance. Glass packaging also delivers glamour and refinement to famous brands of spirits, premium mineral waters, and food. All types of packaging have their functions and applications and, of course, characteristics that differentiate them and make them more suitable for different moments of consumption. Glass packaging has a UNIQUE condition of reducing environmental impact: IT IS RETURNABLE. Glass has been present in packaging since the beginning. It is one of the oldest packaging materials in our history and, from the start, the fact that it is returnable, even before being reusable, makes it environmentally friendly. That is especially true when we can restrict the geographic area of supply. The reverse logistics process must be economically and environmentally sustainable, not to mention the social aspect. This solution democratizes consumption among people with lower available income because products are more competitive and, therefore, consumers can afford them. In addition, the sector continues to invest in the use of recycled content and to conduct studies on reducing the weight of bottles. Better Glass Packaging. Better World!