London Packaging Week Unveils Key Trends Transforming the $1.4 Trillion Global Packaging Market

Marking its 15th anniversary, London Packaging Week has highlighted critical market trends shaping the future of the global packaging industry, valued at $1.4 trillion. New research from Smithers reveals how e-commerce, sustainability, and innovation are driving growth across all major packaging substrates. Paper and board remain the largest segment, while moulded fibre and mono-material plastics gain ground. E-commerce, accounting for over 20% of retail sales in 2025, fuels demand for corrugated, flexible, and specialty food packaging. Consumer preferences for convenience, shaped by urbanization and demographic shifts, are raising demand for smaller pack sizes and features like resealability. Sustainability has become mainstream, driven by regulatory mandates such as the EU’s 2025 Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. The global market is projected to grow to $1.43 trillion by 2028, with high-income countries leading in innovation and emerging markets focusing on affordability. London Packaging Week showcases these dynamics via innovations and industry collaborations.