Green Bay Innovation Group (GBIG) brought professionals from across the 5P industries together at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison for Shaping the Future of Food Packaging: Technology, Sustainability & Market Trends. Throughout the day, speakers explored how changing consumer habits, sustainability goals, regulations and new technologies are shaping the future of food packaging.
Packaging is Being Asked to Do More
One message was clear: Packaging is being asked to do more than ever. Consumers want sustainable and recyclable options, but food safety, shelf life, quality and convenience remain essential. With snacking and on-the-go eating continuing to grow, packaging also needs to be easy to open, resealable and designed for increasingly busy lifestyles.
Sustainability was a major part of the conversation, but speakers emphasized that there is no single solution. PFAS, recyclability, EPR requirements, plastic reduction and alternative materials are all influencing how companies approach packaging. Moving toward paper, recyclable plastics and other alternatives creates exciting opportunities, but those materials still need to perform on production equipment, protect the product and make sense from a cost and manufacturing standpoint.
Speakers encouraged companies to look at sustainability as a full-system challenge rather than focusing on one material or one solution. Regulations and consumer expectations continue to evolve, making it increasingly important for companies to understand their packaging, test new ideas and plan ahead. As John Wilson of Rapids Paper + Packaging said, sometimes the best place to start is with one package, one idea and one trial.
Moving Forward Together
The day also highlighted the importance of collaboration across the entire 5P supply chain. Material suppliers, paper and plastic manufacturers, printers, converters, equipment companies, brands and retailers all have a role to play. The future of packaging will require companies to continue learning from one another, asking questions and finding solutions that balance sustainability with real-world performance.
Rebecca Higgins of AECOM captured the spirit of the seminar well: “The worst thing you can do today is walk away and not talk about some of these things again.”
That is exactly what GBIG is about, getting the industry together to share perspectives, learn from one another and keep important conversations moving forward.
Thank You
Thank you to Paul Ziemnisky (International Dairy Deli Bakery Association), Ben Weight and Mike Van Sickle (AMCOR), Kevin Meyer (Bardes Plastics), Mark Hunter (Hoffmaster), Graham Peaslee (University of Notre Dame), John Wilson (Rapids Paper + Packaging) and Rebecca Higgins (AECOM) for sharing their knowledge, and thank you to everyone who joined us in Madison. Together, we can continue moving the 5P industries forward.