The packaging industry is seeing a surge of innovation, driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. New packaging companies are leading the way, not just by adapting to these trends but by being at the forefront of sustainable and smart packaging solutions. From biodegradable materials to intelligent packaging that enhances product life, these companies are key to a more sustainable and efficient future in packaging. This article will delve into:
- Innovative Trends in Packaging
- Profiles of 10 Promising Packaging Companies
- A Tip for Scouting New Packaging Innovators Efficiently
Key Takeaways
Drawing insights from the Discovery Platform that provides data on over 3.7+ million emerging companies globally, we explore the evolving landscape of the packaging industry. This sector is marked by key trends and a substantial workforce, shaping its future.
- Packaging Trends to Watch: The industry is innovating with smart packaging, package-free solutions, sustainable materials, Internet of Packaging as well as flexible and custom packaging designs.
- Industry Statistics: The packaging sector houses 285K companies, facing a dip of 0.027% annual growth rate, yet maintains a strong workforce of 20.1 million. 33K new companies joined the sector in the last 5 years with 2020 being the average founding year. The average employee number stands at 24, with the industry receiving USD 11.2 million in funding per round on average.
- 10 Packaging Companies to Watch:
- Better Packaging – Eco-friendly Poly Garment Bags
- TopPop Packaging – Flexible Beverage Packaging
- Legacy Packaging – Packaging Equipment & Services
- Hero Packaging – Compostable Packaging
- Packaging Cockpit – Packaging Recyclability Assessment
- VERITY – Customizable Sustainable Packaging
- Blue Lake Packaging – Renewable Fiber-based Packaging
- Magical Mushroom Company – Mycelium-based Packaging
- Circulate – Sustainable Packaging Marketplace
- EcoPackables Recycled & Compostable Packaging
Top Packaging Trends Reshaping the Industry
The packaging industry is undergoing significant transformation due to technological advancements and environmental concerns. These trends are enhancing packaging functionality and also promoting sustainability.
Smart Packaging
Incorporating technology like sensors and QR codes, smart packaging is changing how consumers interact with products, offering enhanced user experiences and product tracking.
Packaging Free
The rise of package-free solutions reflects growing environmental awareness, thereby reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
Sustainable Packaging
Eco-friendly materials and designs are becoming mainstream, driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressures for greener packaging solutions.
Internet of Packaging
Digital connectivity in packaging, such as QR codes and NFC tags, is enhancing product traceability and consumer engagement.
Flexible Packaging
This trend offers versatility and efficiency in packaging, with benefits like reduced material use and improved shelf life.
Custom Packaging
Tailor-made packaging solutions cater to specific brand and product needs, enhancing brand identity and customer experience.
Discover 10 Emerging Packaging Companies [Selection]
In this part, we explore 10 up-and-coming packaging companies that are leading the way in sustainable and innovative packaging solutions. These companies are not just adapting to environmental concerns and market demands; they are at the forefront, introducing eco-friendly materials, smart packaging technologies, and efficient designs. Their work is setting new standards in the packaging industry.
Note on Signal Strength
One of the unique metrics we feature for each company is Signal Strength, a proprietary data point generated by our Discovery Platform. Signal Strength gauges the extent to which a company’s influence has permeated the global ecosystem of startups, scaleups, and emerging companies. This proprietary metric serves as a valuable guidepost for understanding a company’s standing in the broader market landscape.
1. Better Packaging
Founding Year: 2018
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: New Zealand
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Better Packaging offers eco-friendly poly garment bags, custom branded for an enhanced customer experience. It offers sustainable packaging solutions to businesses needing efficient and personalized packaging.
2. TopPop Packaging
Founding Year: 2019
Employee Range: 51-200
Location: USA
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: TopPop Packaging specializes in flexible beverage packaging, including pouch and drink packaging, blending, and filling. It focuses on ready-to-freeze alcoholic beverages, offering innovative branding and sustainable packaging solutions to various industries.
3. Legacy Packaging
Founding Year: 2019
Employee Range: 1-10
Location: USA
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Legacy Packaging provides packaging equipment and services to diverse industries. It specializes in bagging, weighing, case sealing, and more, sourcing machinery from top manufacturers to meet client needs.
4. Hero Packaging
Founding Year: 2018
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: Australia
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Hero Packaging creates compostable mailers, tape, and labels to eliminate plastic waste. Its HEROPACK mailers, certified by the Australian Bioplastics Association, decompose within 9-12 months, offering a sustainable packaging alternative.
5. Packaging Cockpit
Founding Year: 2021
Employee Range: 2-10
Location: Austria
Signal Strength: Medium strong
What they do: Packaging Cockpit calculates the recyclability and life cycle assessment of packaging systems. This allows companies to analyze recyclability performance and make sustainable packaging decisions.
6. VERITY
Founding Year: 2019
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: USA
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: VERITY offers customizable, sustainable packaging design solutions, including a range of stock packaging options. It creates stylish, eco-friendly products and advances green packaging with each project.
7. Blue Lake Packaging
Founding Year: 2018
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: India
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Blue Lake Packaging produces sustainable packaging materials from renewable fibers, offering biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable solutions. It provides fine molded fiber, PSA film, ESD protective packaging, smart labels, and fiber foam for various applications.
8. Magical Mushroom Company
Founding Year: 2019
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: UK
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Magical Mushroom Packaging develops a biodegradable alternative to traditional packaging materials, compostable in around 45 days. It is water-resistant, competitively priced, and, thus, suitable for environmentally conscious customers.
9. Circulate
Founding Year: 2021
Employee Range: 2-10
Location: Sweden
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: Circulate builds a marketplace for sustainable packaging products, ensuring all suppliers meet its sustainability criteria. It makes sustainable options accessible and demonstrates companies’ commitments to environmental standards.
10. EcoPackables
Founding Year: 2020
Employee Range: 11-50
Location: USA
Signal Strength: Very strong
What they do: EcoPackables provides 100% compostable and recycled packaging solutions, including customizable options for businesses of all sizes. They offer affordable packaging, like home compostable stand-up pouches, focusing on sustainability.
In the packaging industry, new companies are playing a crucial role in transforming traditional practices. By focusing on sustainability and innovation, these companies are changing the way products are packaged and delivered, making the industry more eco-friendly and efficient.
Quick Tip to Find New Packaging Companies
Scouting for new packaging companies can be greatly streamlined by utilizing platforms like the Discovery Platform. Leveraging it offers numerous benefits:
- Efficiency: Automated tools simplify the research process, saving time, money, and effort.
- Near Real-time Data: Constant updates provide the latest on emerging packaging trends and companies.
- Customization: Tailor searches for specific interests in packaging, like sustainable materials or innovative design.
Preview: StartUs Insights’ Discovery Platform
Next Steps
For a deeper dive into the packaging industry, download our free Packaging Innovation Report or schedule a demo with the Discovery Platform for tailored insights into emerging packaging companies and trends.
