Packaging is essential for life as we know it. However, packaging waste and concerns about  climate change and sustainability are forcing changes in the nearly US$1trn packaging market,  triggering substitution away from plastics. In this Global Connections Series report, we leverage  Credit Suisse’s reach in a holistic approach, presenting wide-ranging data to analyse the pros  and cons of each packaging substrate, the impact of regulatory and consumer pressures on the  market and potential ESG-friendly solutions/alternatives. 

The problem vs. the solution: Packaging provides a solution to feeding the planet and  safely delivering goods while minimising waste. However, packaging waste—especially  plastic—is a problem. We believe significant investment in recycling infrastructure will be  needed as a result of the commitments by retailers and brands and pressure from regulators  to reduce packaging use, ensure 100% recyclable packaging and make large increases in  recycled content in packaging; this investment has been slow to materialise. The call to  action is coming so rapidly that the most challenged area, plastics, cannot keep pace. 

Consequently, we expect substitution will accelerate and last several years, benefitting  beverage cans (~300bps/y) and multiple end-uses for paper-based packaging (~120bps/y). 

Where plastics are needed, flexible plastics is the most sustainable choice, in our view.