From:Packaging News

Corrugated packaging is the preferred choice for protecting and promoting goods, according to a recent survey by the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI).

The research involved contacting 1,000 senior decision makers in multiple retailers and food and beverage companies in the UK, seeking their views of corrugated and its role in the packaging industry.

The majority of those who responded recognised corrugated’s strong environmental credentials, with 80% either strongly agreeing or agreeing that corrugated is a sustainable, functional and effective packaging solution.

Companies also acknowledged the importance of corrugated packaging in the battle against food waste – nearly three-quarters thought that effective use of corrugated protects food items – while less than five percent disagreed with the statement that the material is important to the future of their business.

This latest survey confirms corrugated packaging’s continuing importance in supply chains following research by Smithers Pira, which says that demand for the material worldwide is expected to increase by an average of more than four percent annually over the next five years, partially driven by innovative designs.

It also follows a nationwide poll by YouGov for CPI last year, which revealed that over half of the UK’s consumers visiting their local supermarket or food retailer would prefer their groceries and fresh produce packaged in paper-based material.

CPI director of packaging affairs, Andy Barnetson, said: “This latest CPI survey demonstrates that businesses see the key advantages for using corrugated packaging. However, to remain at the forefront of the packaging industry we must continue to listen to our customers and meet their expectations for innovative products.

“The corrugated packaging sector in the UK is pioneering packaging solutions that bring both improved efficiency and increased sustainability to the supply chain. Recent indicators suggest that the industry appears to be getting the balance right between functionality and product presentation.”

In addition to its high quality presentational characteristics and the protection corrugated offers for goods in transit, the industry is proud to use and promote a sustainable and renewable material, more than 80% of which is recycled.