After a Decade’s Worth of Growth in 2020 Due to COVID-19, E-Commerce Faces Packaging Issues

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) packaging has long played a critical role in the experience and utility of consumer products – but now, packaging and materials companies must meet a broader set of requirements as consumers demand sustainability and adopt new e-commerce business models. It’s crucial to examine this now for two main reasons, according to new data from Lux Research, a leading provider of tech-enabled research and innovation advisory services. First, the packaging sector is under an unprecedented level of scrutiny. Issues of sustainability – particularly plastic waste, but also greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use – are now major pain points as new regulations and consumer pressure force change. Second, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a transition toward e-commerce that was already underway for many goods, achieving a decade’s worth of growth in 2020 alone.