A Heavyweight Argument for Cost-Effective Lightweight Packaging

According to a recent report, the Middle East packaging materials industry posted a demand gain of about 10 percent last year, fuelled by the pandemic-induced large-scale switch in consumption patterns and a steep rise in e-commerce sales, an industry insider said. The increased number of online shoppers has also led to a new and important element, Packaging in design. According to some reports, sustainable packaging requires designs that communicate the purpose and social conscious messaging of the brand. Creating light-hearted, eco-friendly, and classy abstract designs needs for it to be teamed up with natural and sustainable materials. To bring out the sustainable intention, investing in lightweight packaging is a clear indication that producers and co-packers are adapting to ecological demands.

According to Assemblies Unlimited, “it’s a distinct strategy, which should not be lumped-in with other environmental campaigns. Though it shares a common goal with practices like source reduction and waste consciousness, lightweight specifically refers to the ability to create lighter, more efficient versions of a particular package, whereby the end result is a lighter version of the original – rather than an entirely new form of packaging.”

The biggest advantage of this type of packaging is that it easily breaks down in landfills and can be recycled. Taking a cue from this the UAE-based Daamudi, with minimum printing, recycled material, and zero lamination, chose well-thought designs which have led to even something as simple as tags to be eco-friendly.

Should one look at the Middle East competitive, cost-conscious markets, economical packaging alternatives, and containers that are capable of scaling down costs throughout the supply chain are in demand. This is further challenging industry innovators to step-up with effective low-cost solutions. Lightweight packaging has gained favor for economic reasons, in addition to the ecological values which is the hallmark of this responsible packaging. Reduced costs are made possible by lower material consumption and greater shipping efficiency, which both benefit the environment and increase profitability.

When it comes to, lightweighting this is neither a novel or a revolutionary concept. This owing to the fact that since packaging solutions came into being they have traditionally been based on cost-effectiveness without compromising quality and effectiveness. A lot has changed since the pandemic. The current consumer concern for doing what is right for the environment and their growing commitment to sustainability has given packagers further impetus and additional reasons to embrace efficiently produced, lightweight packaging alternatives, which ultimately leads to lower costs.

Should one look at the numbers, according to the latest by Mordor Intelligence, The Middle East and Africa protective packaging market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period 2020 - 2025. It is interesting to note here that the same report records that, the e-commerce penetration as a percentage of total retail sales in the MENA region accounted for 1.9 %, in GCC countries 3%, in UAE 4%, in Saudi Arabia 3.8%, and Egypt 2.5%.

When it comes to efficacy, striking the right balance between packaging effectiveness, durability, and consumer experience is always at the top of the ‘concerns’ list. Championing a cause while partnering with an experienced contract packager could allow for more stability within the supply chain,and is profitable for companies seeking cost-effective, lightweighting innovation.

Lesser numbers of raw materials may help alleviate environmental concerns, but eco-friendly packaging must not come at the expense of durability, ease of use, and product protection. It is of utmost importance that the packaging serve its primary function, which is to protect the product and remain resilient.

In many companies especially those indulging in greenwashing, jerry-built methods could well lead to fragile packages and PET bottles, but they do not furnish workable cost-savings when consumer confidence is at stake. The very fact that there is an increased demand for portable containerst thanks to the comfort and convenience, it becomes essential to note the demand for sturdy packaging is only growing. With good quality barriers and films now available, including agricultural resins packaging sustainability has become a reality. Using these bio-based materials can result in as much as a 70% reduction in fuel consumption when compared to other production methods. The durable options are less expensive to transport than heavier counterparts, and breakage during shipment can be mitigated by incorporating the right barriers.

Amortization of weights in terms of packaging and the employment of eco-friendly materials represent sustainable strategies capable of reducing costs for producers and progressive packagers.

In order to reduce carbon footprints, it is essential for consumer-oriented companies to fully comprehend the impact of the ingredients and the packaging through various stages of its life cycle. In addition to reducing overall package mass, big-picture analysts are expected to adopt and endorse a holistic approach, measuring packaging’s impact throughout its life cycle.

One packaging efficiency model looks at five specific concerns, assessing particular packaging features to measure overall efficacy which includes raw materials used to create the package, degree of product protection provided, the exterior display and internal efficiency making it easy to transport, customer satisfaction and end of life impact.

The most ideal lightweight package would be at the intersection of all these elements and properties. Successful lightweight packages would look at product protection and merchandising requirements, while simultaneously elevating the consumer experience, with convenient, affordable, flexible, and portable packaging alternatives.

According to Middle East Packaging trends, Other than the factors which have a direct impact on the packaging industry through related stakeholders, two majors game-changers of the Middle East – NEOM and Dubai Expo 2020 – have given a great boost to the overall outlook and are impacting the industries in a big way. The ongoing NEOM project in Saudi Arabia is the futuristic $500billion megacity development to be built in the north of the Kingdom, intending to create 380,000 jobs and contribute $38bn to domestic GDP by 2030. NEOM is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a crucial part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and play a leading role in global development.

Ecological values need to drive an eco-modern industry trend, so today’s successful contract packaging companies must be aligned with modern shoppers’ values, including their ecological concerns. Lightweighting is one reasonable approach used by packagers to reduce the environmental impact of consumer packaging, but it is only one aspect of a larger campaign toward sustainability. Applied correctly, the practice effectively reduces the mass of packages, while trimming costs for producers.

Successful lightweight packaging looks at outperforming its predecessors, using less material to get the same job done. As the packaging industry advances in technology, improved production practices, and ongoing research ensure ongoing lightweighting gains it is no small feat that the surge in demand for sustained packaging in the region has companies scrambling for research and development teams that are able to process better standards of safety and packaging for their customers.

Alina Wheeler, a design coach is famous to have stated, “Considering clean packaging in the context of enabling clean food, it’s an opportunity for all brands large and small to tell better stories and demonstrate that the well-being of their customers is a top priority. That all depends on a brand’s customer base though, and how much it values clean packaging. For example, Panera’s website features a section called “food as it should be,” which has a link to information about clean food, therefore Panera customers are more likely to respond to clean packaging messaging because they’re aware of the clean food movement.”

At an individual level, I believe Packaging is just ‘design with a determination’ and that is something we can all invest in for now.