08/05/2025
The future of flexible paper-based packaging is bright, with flexible packaging papers predicted to enjoy annual average growth of over 4.5 percent by the end of the decade. This is primarily thanks to their sustainable properties, especially when compared with plastic packaging. An expert survey entitled “The future of packaging 2030”, which was conducted by Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Heilbronn in collaboration with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), has now corroborated this development. The results indicate that paper-based packaging solutions will increasingly play a dominant role in Europe by 2030, as long as key technological and economic challenges relating to coated paper packaging can be resolved. The study is based on expert interviews with trade and industry decision-makers, who are underpinning the ongoing trend toward paperization – the substitution of plastic with paper – in the packaging industry. According to Professor Carsten Kortum, who led the study and is also in charge of DHBW’s Business Administration – Management in Commerce degree program: “It’s not just a trend, it’s a systemic change driven by new regulatory pressure, rising environmental awareness and associated changes in consumer behavior, and technological innovations.”
New EU packaging regulation (PPWR) acting as catalyst
The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which sets ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030, is a key driving force and something of a catalyst, especially for flexible paper and cardboard packaging. Besides harmonized standards, it places a clear focus on sustainability, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. This includes banning certain single-use formats, making recycled content mandatory in packaging, and using standardized recycling symbols. “The PPWR is putting trade and industry under significant pressure to act,” emphasizes Kortum. “There’s also a lack of clarity, though, so businesses are asking for transparent standards and economic incentives,” he continues. Moreover, the regulation is speeding up the process of consumers coming to see packaging as a symbol of sustainability and brand responsibility.
Challenges associated with coated packaging
According to the study, although paper packaging scores highly in terms of sustainability, consumer image, and recyclability, it also involves major challenges. Plastic packaging is cheaper than fiber-based solutions in many cases, and consumers are often unwilling to pay the additional cost. What’s more, the need to fulfill important barrier functions for food products, beverages, cosmetics, and certain non-food items is stretching paper packaging to its technical limits. Paper does not act as a barrier to moisture, oxygen, or grease. Consequently, either hybrid paper-plastic solutions or functional coatings for monomaterials are required, and such options still often result in limited sustainability. This makes it clear that further technological innovations are needed if paper packaging is to be a competitive alternative to plastic in all areas of application.
HEIDELBERG driving technological and sustainable innovations for coated packaging solutions
The cost-effective application of barrier coatings on an industrial scale plays a key role when it comes to the quality, reliability, and cost-efficiency of paper packaging. HEIDELBERG is therefore working with Solenis, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals, on developing a cost-effective process to integrate coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing web flexo printing process using the Boardmaster press from HEIDELBERG. This will enable barrier coatings to be applied and combined inline with register accuracy. The purpose of the collaboration between HEIDELBERG and Solenis is therefore to optimally coordinate the individual components of the Boardmaster, the chemical composition of the Solenis barrier coatings, and all the associated process technology for the benefit of packaging producers.
“Cost-effective technology innovations are vital if paper packaging is to replace plastic equivalents on a widespread basis. The inline production of coated paper packaging and the cooperation with Solenis to develop innovative varnishes and coatings therefore mean HEIDELBERG is a driver of paperization,” says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “That also makes us a systems integrator in the attractive growth market of mass-producing folding cartons,” he adds.
HEIDELBERG publishes white paper on position of fiber-based options in packaging mix
HEIDELBERG has also published a white paper on the current position of fiber-based solutions in the packaging mix. This can be downloaded for free from the HEIDELBERG website. The white paper provides information about various aspects relating to the sustainability of paper packaging, including recycling rates, biodegradability, carbon footprints, and an effective circular economy. The advantages over plastic packaging are set out clearly, while other topics include markets that are growing especially strongly, such as India, and the significance of the new EU packaging regulation.
Link to study and white paper: heidelberg.com/paperization
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Image 1: Flexible packaging paper is regarded as much more sustainable than solutions made of plastic. Where an efficient circular economy is already in place, recycling rates of well over 80 percent are being achieved.
Image 2: HEIDELBERG is driving forward cost-efficient innovations in the area of coated paper packaging with the Boardmaster, making the company a paperization enabler.
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
175 years of HEIDELBERG – Home of Print press kit | HEIDELBERG
This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
Matthias Hartung
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
Email: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
08/05/2025
The future of flexible paper-based packaging is bright, with flexible packaging papers predicted to enjoy annual average growth of over 4.5 percent by the end of the decade. This is primarily thanks to their sustainable properties, especially when compared with plastic packaging. An expert survey entitled “The future of packaging 2030”, which was conducted by Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Heilbronn in collaboration with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), has now corroborated this development. The results indicate that paper-based packaging solutions will increasingly play a dominant role in Europe by 2030, as long as key technological and economic challenges relating to coated paper packaging can be resolved. The study is based on expert interviews with trade and industry decision-makers, who are underpinning the ongoing trend toward paperization – the substitution of plastic with paper – in the packaging industry. According to Professor Carsten Kortum, who led the study and is also in charge of DHBW’s Business Administration – Management in Commerce degree program: “It’s not just a trend, it’s a systemic change driven by new regulatory pressure, rising environmental awareness and associated changes in consumer behavior, and technological innovations.”
New EU packaging regulation (PPWR) acting as catalyst
The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which sets ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030, is a key driving force and something of a catalyst, especially for flexible paper and cardboard packaging. Besides harmonized standards, it places a clear focus on sustainability, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. This includes banning certain single-use formats, making recycled content mandatory in packaging, and using standardized recycling symbols. “The PPWR is putting trade and industry under significant pressure to act,” emphasizes Kortum. “There’s also a lack of clarity, though, so businesses are asking for transparent standards and economic incentives,” he continues. Moreover, the regulation is speeding up the process of consumers coming to see packaging as a symbol of sustainability and brand responsibility.
Challenges associated with coated packaging
According to the study, although paper packaging scores highly in terms of sustainability, consumer image, and recyclability, it also involves major challenges. Plastic packaging is cheaper than fiber-based solutions in many cases, and consumers are often unwilling to pay the additional cost. What’s more, the need to fulfill important barrier functions for food products, beverages, cosmetics, and certain non-food items is stretching paper packaging to its technical limits. Paper does not act as a barrier to moisture, oxygen, or grease. Consequently, either hybrid paper-plastic solutions or functional coatings for monomaterials are required, and such options still often result in limited sustainability. This makes it clear that further technological innovations are needed if paper packaging is to be a competitive alternative to plastic in all areas of application.
HEIDELBERG driving technological and sustainable innovations for coated packaging solutions
The cost-effective application of barrier coatings on an industrial scale plays a key role when it comes to the quality, reliability, and cost-efficiency of paper packaging. HEIDELBERG is therefore working with Solenis, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals, on developing a cost-effective process to integrate coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing web flexo printing process using the Boardmaster press from HEIDELBERG. This will enable barrier coatings to be applied and combined inline with register accuracy. The purpose of the collaboration between HEIDELBERG and Solenis is therefore to optimally coordinate the individual components of the Boardmaster, the chemical composition of the Solenis barrier coatings, and all the associated process technology for the benefit of packaging producers.
“Cost-effective technology innovations are vital if paper packaging is to replace plastic equivalents on a widespread basis. The inline production of coated paper packaging and the cooperation with Solenis to develop innovative varnishes and coatings therefore mean HEIDELBERG is a driver of paperization,” says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “That also makes us a systems integrator in the attractive growth market of mass-producing folding cartons,” he adds.
HEIDELBERG publishes white paper on position of fiber-based options in packaging mix
HEIDELBERG has also published a white paper on the current position of fiber-based solutions in the packaging mix. This can be downloaded for free from the HEIDELBERG website. The white paper provides information about various aspects relating to the sustainability of paper packaging, including recycling rates, biodegradability, carbon footprints, and an effective circular economy. The advantages over plastic packaging are set out clearly, while other topics include markets that are growing especially strongly, such as India, and the significance of the new EU packaging regulation.
Link to study and white paper: heidelberg.com/paperization
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Image 1: Flexible packaging paper is regarded as much more sustainable than solutions made of plastic. Where an efficient circular economy is already in place, recycling rates of well over 80 percent are being achieved.
Image 2: HEIDELBERG is driving forward cost-efficient innovations in the area of coated paper packaging with the Boardmaster, making the company a paperization enabler.
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
175 years of HEIDELBERG – Home of Print press kit | HEIDELBERG
This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
