Seven Food Packaging Trends for 2022

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging is hardly a new concept; it’s been trending steadily as increased knowledge and awareness of climate change have led to a worldwide green movement. More food brands than ever are questioning the sourcing of their packaging materials. They’re looking for processes that are sustainable and that will help them reduce their carbon footprint. Some have turned to cardboard while others have come to rely on recycled plastics like HDPE and rPET. Next year may even see a move towards edible packaging options made from rice paper, seaweed, or cornstarch.

Smart Packaging

With the prevalence of smart devices and the search for new ways to engage consumers, many brands have been searching for a way to let their customers interact with their packaging (other than simply opening it to get to the food). QR codes have been around for a while, but brands are looking for additional (and more engaging) ways to educate, inform, or entertain their customers.

Personalized Packaging

Consumers want to connect with the brands they purchase on a deeper level, and personalization is a great way to draw them in and drive their brand loyalty. This can be as simple as targeting specific lifestyle and dietary choices or as elaborate as Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” promotion, which generated buzz and boosted sales by adding names to its bottles and cans. More and more brands will be chasing the long tail in 2022, trying to appeal to niche customers in ways that are less superficial.

Transparent Packaging

What you see is what you get. Consumers have become increasingly concerned with the ingredients in their food products and the processes used to make them. That’s why a lot of food brands have taken the guesswork out of their packaging and opted to simply reveal what’s inside. To complement this transparency, many of these brands are moving away from fine print and instead opting for clear and concise labeling.

Protective Packaging

With the rise in food and supermarket deliveries over the past year, the need for protective packaging has been on the upswing. Consumers need the peace of mind of knowing their food is protected from tampering, from the weather, and from the risk of virus contamination. Expect this trend to continue through into 2022, with packaging that is durable and that covers as much of the actual goods as possible.

Vintage Packaging

There is something psychologically appealing about returning to a simpler time and savvy food packagers have been eager to jump on that trend by incorporating a retro aesthetic into their designs. For some, it’s simply a way to calm and soothe people in these troubled times. For others, it’s a clever reminder that they’ve been around for a long time and they aren’t going anywhere.

Simplified Packaging

Expect to see a lot of brands move away from complicated and intricate packaging designs to embrace a more simplistic aesthetic—streamlined graphics, geometrical themes, and solid all-over coloring. In addition to grabbing the buyer’s attention, this packaging style exudes boldness and confidence. Expect this trend to be huge in 2022 as brands try to find that sweet spot between utility and beauty in their packaging.

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