Aims & Scope of this Research
Smart Packaging is a broad term that covers a wide diversity of product technologies, features, functionalities & applications. This new report comprises a complete overhaul & update of the 1st edition of a previous Vandagarf report of the same title published in 2022.
The new report brings fresh insights, as the world of smart packaging has evolved significantly even over the last few years and this trend is set to continue. The aim of the new report is to provide stakeholders & solution providers with an up-to-date road map that can support moving forward with the development of optimal strategies & actionable plans in relation to smart packaging globally. The report aims to bring clarification to the ramifications, benefits, requirements & opportunities for smart packaging.
And to provide a guide for:
- Smart packaging solution providers (both wireless & optical) - To develop fit-for-purpose technologies, that can provide optimal solutions for stakeholders
- Packaging & label converters - To tailor their offerings to meet the needs of different vertical markets, product categories & customers
- Retailers - To further exploit smart packaging technologies in an omnichannel setting, with many retailers already embracing smart packaging systems & related technologies - New Retail
- Brand owners - To keep abreast with smart packaging related developments, as technology is fast getting better all the time - In order to support selection & deployment of appropriate smart packaging technologies for optimal results & ROI
- Track & Trace - To move towards full supply chain transparency in a complex global setting
- Sustainability & End-of -Life specialists - To develop an understanding as to how smart packaging can add value in terms of sustainability - A high priority.
Highlighting:
- Actual & potential areas of applications & functionalities that have been identified
- Important recent developments highlighted & incorporated into the report For example, the rapidly emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI) empowered image processing technology - Both online eCommerce & offline traditional channels bricks & mortar channels
- How the World has changed post COVID 19
- Business & market opportunities arising from the fast-changing scene in smart packaging and to provide 'quantitative' estimates of such opportunities.
The report contains quantitative analysis & market sizing estimates for Smart Packaging in 2025 with forecasts to 2030 in a global context.
Selected Vertical Markets
The report covers 5 selected vertical markets that have been identified as having significant further potential
- Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals
- Drinks
- Beauty & Personal Care
- Automotive (aftermarket)
- Food.
The evolution of each of these markets is examined in detail in the report. And within each of these vertical markets there are typically an array of product categories, leading to many areas of potential opportunity. Numerous smart packaging implementations have already been rolled out commercially across the verticals listed above.
- from high value niche products
- to generic commodity mass market products.
Within the major vertical markets listed above, the further potential opportunities for smart packaging are very substantial & diverse across a number of areas & applications.
Evolution of Packaging to Smart
From traditional packaging to smart packaging:
- Step 1 - Historically - The codified package, with a type of printed bar code that could be scanned but offered limited connectivity (specific to an SKU or batch, but not unique to individual packs). The vast number of products in the market have a point-of-sale (POC) barcode, typically a universal product code (UPC)
- Step 2 - More recently - Combining connected packaging platforms with a unique scannable code printed on each item level pack, enables consumer engagement solutions & traceability. These unique codes make it possible to track and trace the location and history of any product from source to recycling. Consumers can simply scan the code with their smartphones directly accessing the online world
- Step 3 - Fast emerging - Packages and devices will be able to communicate with one another, providing truly intelligent smart packaging with new levels of service, insights & benefits for multiple stakeholders (brand owners, supply chain, retailers, consumers). With a unique scannable code on each item-level pack, products are transformed into interactive media channels
- Step 4 - The future is here - The integration of AI into smart packaging systems has already begun. Notably in image recognition, but other applications will surely emerge soon enough.
Smartphones - A Key Enabler for Smart Packaging
With their huge consumer held global footprint today, the importance of smart phones in relation to smart packaging can hardly be over-emphasised:
- Supplanting the need for costly dedicated readers for many types of application
- Constantly improving & upgrading functionality & performance.
Smartphones are the reader of choice for consumers (as opposed to dedicated readers, which are still preferred for many industrial applications).
Unique ID / Gateway to the Internet - At the Heart of Smart Packaging
Smart Connected Packaging may be defined as a carrier (packaging / labels) of various types of wireless / electronic devices that provide some form of mass customisation that can transform packaged goods into sensor platforms that can provide:
- Unique serialised IDs codes for each individual primary retail pack
- a gateway to the internet (incl. access to a brand's website).
Smartphones (or dedicated readers) can then be used together with such connecting devices to enable digitally printed codes.