Packaging Outlook 2020: Flexible Plastic Packaging
The outlook for flexible packaging in the U.S. remains positive, despite the continued pressure that persists around packaging waste in general, and single-use plastic packaging specifically. The industry was estimated at approximately $31.8 billion in annual sales in the U.S. for 2018 with a steady growth rate of 2.7%.
2019 presented the industry with the most challenging year yet concerning anti-plastic sentiment and packaging legislation that could negatively impact the industry. As usual, the industry rose to the occasion and brought forth concrete alternatives that provide real solutions to the knee-jerk reaction legislation we saw introduced at both the state and federal levels. While we were successful in ensuring that no legislation was passed in 2019, 2020 will see the return of many of the same bills as well as new ones.