Technology and innovation have been the hallmarks of the flexible packaging industry over the last six decades. Industry growth was facilitated by the advancement in plastics production, which enabled packaging materials to include paper, plastic film and foil, providing greater barrier properties than had formerly been possible for flexible packaging.
These innovations were game changing for the packaging industry. They allowed packaging to evolve beyond protection to extending shelf life with the least amount of materials. Then technology enabled printing to become superior on these materials adding to the shelf impact. Then came consumer convenience. Some of the innovation is obvious and stunning, while others not as noticeable but embedded in the materials, or the processes.