All-rounder corrugated board
Corrugated board is the most used transport packaging in Germany with a share of two thirds. As secondary packaging, it profits like no other material from the growing online trade. However, their important role in retail outlets is often underestimated. There it is a logistical aid and advertising medium at the same time - whether as a delineation to the neighboring product and for quick clearing on the shelves, as stackable boxes and trays, as display boxes or entire display concepts and displays.
The contribution that corrugated board can make to future-proof stationary trade has been examined by the GfK study commissioned by the German Association for Corrugated Board (VDW) entitled "Handel in Wandel". The study was presented at Forum Corrugated Board during the FachPack 2019. The analysts identified three key issues: sustainability, convenience and the special shopping experience for consumers.
Sustainability - A trend that has come to stay
As FachPack impressively demonstrated, sustainability in the packaging industry has reached a broad front. This also meets an important consumer demand. The study "Trade in Transition" comes to this conclusion: 93 percent of respondents state that sustainability is "personally important" to them. Asked which properties of packaging will become increasingly important in the future, nine out of ten respondents named their recyclability, avoidance of plastic waste and environmentally compatible materials.
A great opportunity for corrugated board lies in their perception as environmentally friendly packaging material. According to the study, consumers perceive paperboard packaging as particularly natural and sustainable.
Around 90 percent of customers are interested in buying plastic-free. 93 percent want plastic packaging to be increasingly replaced by packaging made from renewable raw materials.
In reality, the demand for sustainable products often comes after the convenience. But this aspect is also a plus for corrugated board: it can convince with its ideal recyclability and as a renewable raw material with sustainability. In addition, it contributes to the important aspect of convenience.
