Constituting approximately 40% of the world’s consumption, the Indian subcontinent is one of the largest markets for the packaging industry. With India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as the major markets, the packaging industry is growing at the fastest rate and is predicted to continue doing so.
Major factors contributing to Growth!
One strong reason for this booming growth in the folding carton industry could be attributed to its indispensable presence in the fields of tobacco products, healthcare, household products, hardware, and electrical products. As a result, the demand for folding carton and other packaging options is ever-increasing, creating a sizeable market for the same.
Changing lifestyle and the rise of the middle-class has also led to a growth in the packaging industry. An increased purchasing power and relatively higher standards of living in the Indian Subcontinent, especially India and Bangladesh, have led to more shopping malls opening as well as an expansion in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
- Eco-Friendly Corrugated Packaging
Increasing awareness about environmental issues has led to another noticeable trend in the packaging industry. In an attempt to conserve our limited resources and to protect the environment against further degeneration, cellulose-based and other environment-friendly materials are coming in vogue and thus helping the corrugated board market in general.
Recycled fiber and paper are also suitable investments that could benefit the corrugated industry as they are ideal for energy optimization and have low environmental output. Accounting for the highest sales in low-carbon goods and services, Asia, especially South Asia and the Indian subcontinent, shows the booming trend of environment-friendly materials in demand within the corrugated packaging industry.
Packaging Trends – Industrial Uses
Electronics, food and beverages, healthcare industries are thriving more than ever. All these industries need lightweight packaging and are heavily dependent on the corrugating industry for their distribution.
Another important customer for the corrugated packaging industry is packaged food products and convenience food making companies.
The increased demand for these may be associated with the rise in online grocery shopping, but with the hectic and fast-paced lifestyle of today’s young adults, they tend to go for food that can be stored even when bought in person.
With the huge competition in the packaged and convenience food industry, companies are constantly trying to create a brand identity and make their products look unique- a lot of which can be done through innovative packaging.
Regardless of the cause for the boom in the packaged food industry, the demand for a folding carton is one of the major factors that contribute to a long-term growth in corrugated packaging.
- Online Retail & E-commerce Packaging
The corrugated packaging market in Indian subcontinent finds its largest prospect in the online retail market. Increased smartphone usage and the cheap high-speed internet have created a demand for things to be delivered to the doorstep through apps.
Whether it is your monthly grocery, makeup, gadgets or clothes, everything is now available at the click of a button and delivered to you without you having to do much except placing the order.
With a new e-retail platform opening every other day in the Indian market, or foreign e-retail platforms entering the market in the Indian subcontinent, the need for packaging is very high.
Going by the current data, the online retail market is expected to almost double its size by 2011, hence the market for corrugated packaging will also proportionally expand.
The bulk of folding carton needed for packaging is also increasing because unlike a few years ago when only one layer of corrugated packaging news used, now products are also packed in a second layer of packaging.
Considering the recent trends & developments in e-retail and convenience food industries, amongst others contributing to the increasing environmental awareness and the need for eco-friendly packaging corrugated packaging industry is an ever-evolving industry in the Indian Subcontinent.
