The Future of Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging to 2023

The value of packaging for e-commerce applications is set to grow at 14% year-on-year between 2018 and 2023, and will be worth around $65 billion (at constant 2018 values) by 2023.

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Product detail
Product type: Market report
Date of publication: 15 Oct 2018
Product format: Hard copy, Digital copy
Number of tables: Over 120
  • As packaging designed for this delivery channel is being developed it poses unique challenges for raw material suppliers, converters, brand owners and retailers. The e-commerce pack becomes a key asset in communicating brand values and sustainability has emerged as a key consideration.
  • In this new study Smithers Pira analyses and quantifies the sustainable packaging materials and design innovation that will support this growth across the five years to 2023. This includes profiles of the latest design innovation specific for sustainability in e-commerce sales, and the impact on material suppliers,
    converters, brand owners and retailers.

description

Our exclusive content:

  • Exclusive quantitative forecasts of demand for sustainable materials in e-commerce packaging applications across 2018–23.
  • In-depth critical analysis of the current stateof-the-art in packaging design for sustainable e-commerce shipment.
  • Expert oversight of the evolving e-commerce marketplace over the next five years.

What methodology is used?

The Future of Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging to 2023 is the product of an integrated primary and secondary research programme carried out by Smithers Pira. Primary research involves extensive interviews across the e-commerce distribution chain to determine current and future use in this application. This was combined with extensive secondary research drawing on Smithers Pira and selected third-party databases of historical data, conference proceedings, trade directories, official market reports and trade figures, press releases and white papers.

What will you discover?

  • Current and future demand for sustainable materials in e-commerce shipments presented in over 100 easy-to-reference data tables and figures.
  • The unmet demands and technical barriers to evolving sustainable materials, such as recycled paperboard, in the e-commerce sector.
  • Analysis of the competing demands for sustainable materials in different end-use applications and regional, and key national markets.

Who should buy this report?

  • Manufacturers of corrugated board and other packaging substrates.
  • Packaging designers and suppliers of protective technologies.
  • Logistics and distribution organisations.
  • Brands and e-commerce retailers.
  • Packaging equipment and machinery suppliers.
  • Packaging and retail sector consultants and analysts.

table of contents

Executive summary

Introduction

  • Objectives
  • Scope
  • Methodology
  • Definitions
    • Materials
    • Regions/Countries
      • Americas
      • EMEA
      • Asia-Pacific
    • End-use sectors

The e-commerce packaging marketplace              30

  • Introduction
    • Sustainability
    • Evolving brand priorities/brand perception in e-commerce
    • The need for returnability
    • Premiumisation of the consumer experience
    • Protection in e-commerce shipment
    • Demand for omni-channel packs
    • The need to accommodate additional touchpoints and non-standard (last mile) delivery
    • Need for branded e-commerce packaging – the pack as the key interface for the customer
    • Traceability
    • Anti-counterfeiting
    • Arrival of web-only brands
    • The e-commerce value chain
    • The global e-commerce market 33

Packaging design for sustainable e-commerce packaging              34

  • Introduction
  • Key trends and developments
    • Use of recycled material in e-commerce packaging
    • Fit-to-pack/fanfold wrap boxing for e-commerce shipment
    • Pre-cut boxes
    • Downgauging of shipment packaging
    • Die-cut interiors for e-commerce shipment boxes
    • Use of home-compostable materials
    • New formats
    • Easy to separate/deconstruct packaging
    • Elimination of excess protective packaging
    • Reduction in size of protective packaging
    • Substitution to different protective packaging formats

World market for sustainable packaging materials in e-commerce 2018-2023      38

  • Introduction
    • The market for sustainable e-commerce materials, 2016 to 2023
      • Overview of demand by type of material
      • Paperboard materials
        • Kraftliner corrugated board
        • White top liner corrugated board
        • Microflute corrugated board
      • Flexible plastic
        • Recycled flexible plastic
        • Bioplastic flexible plastic
      • Protective mailers

Other sustainable protective formats

End-use applications for sustainable e-commerce packaging 2016-2023

  • Introduction
  • Enduse overview
    • Food & personal care/cosmetics
    • Fashion
    • Electronics, books and medi
    • Furniture and electrical appliances
    • Toys, hobbies and sports

Geographic markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging 2016-2023

  • Introduction
  • Overview
    • Demand for e-commerce packaging
    • Brand and consumer attitudes to sustainability in e-commerce packaging
  • North America  50
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
      • United States
        • Canada
        • Mexico
  • South and Central America
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
      • Brazil
  • Western Europe
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • United Kingdom
      • Other Western Europe
    • Eastern Europe
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
      • Russia
      • Other Eastern Europe
  • Middle East and Africa
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
  • Asia-Pacific
    • The state of e-commerce penetration
    • Export potential via e-commerce shipment
    • Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
      • China
      • Japan
      • South Korea
      • Other Asia-Pacific

tables and figures

  • Table 2.1 Top brand/retailer priorities in e-commerce shipment
  • Table 2.2 Global e-commerce growth, 2016–2023 ($ trillion)
  • Table 2.3 Share of total retail of e-commerce growth, 2016–2023 (% change)
  • Table 2.4 B2C e-commerce readiness index, 2017
  • Table 3.1 Ranking of recycled vs virgin content in typical corrugated board grades for e-commerce
  • Table 3.2 Typical pack dimension saving realised with rationalisation of protective elements
  • Table 3.3 Ranking for e-commerce packaging carbon reduction strategies
  • Table 4.1 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials material type, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.2 Sustainable e-commerce packaging as a percentage of the e-commerce packaging materials market ($ million)
  • Table 4.3 Sustainable corrugated e-commerce packaging as a percentage of the e-commerce corrugated market (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.4 World demand for different sustainable kraft liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.5 World demand for different sustainable kraft liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.6 World demand for different sustainable kraft liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.7 World demand for different sustainable kraft liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.8 World demand for different sustainable white-top liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.9 World demand for different sustainable white-top liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.10 World demand for different sustainable white-top liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.11 World demand for different sustainable white-top liner corrugated board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.12 World demand for different sustainable microflute board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.13 World demand for different sustainable microflute board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.14 World demand for different sustainable microflute board packaging grades for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.15 World demand for different sustainable microflute board packaging grades for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.16 World demand for recycled flexible plastic in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.17 World demand for recycled flexible plastic in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.18 World demand for recycled flexible plastic in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.19 World demand for recycled flexible plastic in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.20 World demand for bioplastic flexible plastic in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.21 World demand for bioplastic flexible plastic in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.22 World demand for bioplastic flexible plastic in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.23 World demand for bioplastic flexible plastic in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.24 World demand for recyclable protective mailers in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.25 World demand for recyclable protective mailers in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.26 World demand for recyclable protective mailers in e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.27 World demand for recyclable protective mailers in e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.28 World demand for sustainable protective formats for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.29 World demand for sustainable protective formats for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 4.30 World demand for sustainable protective formats for e-commerce by end-use application, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 4.31 World demand for sustainable protective formats for e-commerce by geographic region, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 5.1 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.2 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials in Food & personal care/cosmetics, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.3 World demand for sustainable e-commerce corrugated packaging in Food & personal care/cosmetics, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 5.4 World demand for sustainable e-commerce flexible packaging in Food & personal care/cosmetics, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.5 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective components in Food & personal care/cosmetics, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.6 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers in Food & personal care/cosmetics, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.7 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials in Fashion, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.8 World demand for sustainable e-commerce corrugated packaging in Fashion, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 5.9 World demand for sustainable e-commerce flexible packaging in Fashion, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.10 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective components in Fashion, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.11 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers in Fashion, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.12 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials in Electronics, books and media, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.13 World demand for sustainable e-commerce corrugated packaging in Electronics, books and media, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 5.14 World demand for sustainable e-commerce flexible packaging in Electronics, books and media, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.15 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective components in Electronics, books and media, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.16 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers in Electronics, books and media, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.17 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials in Furniture and electrical appliances, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.18 World demand for sustainable e-commerce corrugated packaging in Furniture and electrical appliances, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 5.19 World demand for sustainable e-commerce flexible packaging in Furniture and electrical appliances, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.20 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective components in Furniture and electrical appliances, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.21 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers in Furniture and electrical appliances, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.22 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials in Toys, hobbies and sports, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 5.23 World demand for sustainable e-commerce corrugated packaging in Toys, hobbies and sports, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)       
  • Table 5.24 World demand for sustainable e-commerce flexible packaging in Toys, hobbies and sports, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.25 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective components in Toys, hobbies and sports, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 5.26 World demand for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers in Toys, hobbies and sports, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.1 World e-commerce packaging demand by region, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.2 Top ten national markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials 2018 ($ million)
  • Table 6.3 North America: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.4 North America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.5 North America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.6 North America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.7 North America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.8 United States: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.9 Canada: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.10 Mexico: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.11 South and Central America: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.12 South and Central America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.13 South and Central America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.14 South and Central America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.15 South and Central America: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.16 Brazil: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.17 Western Europe: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.18 Western Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.19 Western Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.20 Western Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.21 Western Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.22 France: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.23 Germany: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.24 Italy: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.25 United Kingdom: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.26 Other Western Europe: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)   
  • Table 6.27 Eastern Europe: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.28 Eastern Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.29 Eastern Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.30 Eastern Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.31 Eastern Europe: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.32 Russia: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.33 Other Eastern Europe: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)   
  • Table 6.34 Middle East and Africa: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)   
  • Table 6.35 Middle East and Africa: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.36 Middle East and Africa: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.37 Middle East and Africa: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.38 Middle East and Africa: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.39 Asia-Pacific: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.40 Asia-Pacific: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce corrugated board grades, 2016–2023 (‘000 tonnes)
  • Table 6.41 Asia-Pacific: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce flexible formats, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.42 Asia-Pacific: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective mailers, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.43 Asia-Pacific: Packaging consumption for sustainable e-commerce protective packaging, 2016–2023 (million m2)
  • Table 6.44 China: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.45 Japan: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.46 South Korea: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Table 6.47 Other Asia-Pacific: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  •  
  • Figure 0.1
  • Figure 0.2
  • Figure 0.3
  • Figure 2.1 The current and future value chain for e-commerce
  • Figure 2.2 LCA for a shipped parcel in traditional retail distribution
  • Figure 2.3 LCA for a shipped parcel in e-commerce distribution
  • Figure 3.1 Illustrative picture of fanfold pack format
  • Figure 3.2 Illustrative picture of die cut laser box interior
  • Figure 3.3 Illustrative picture of low-volume protective pack format
  • Figure 5.1 World demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials by end-use application, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.1 North America: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.2 South and Central America: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.3 Western Europe: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.4 Eastern Europe: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.5 Middle East and Africa: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)
  • Figure 6.6 Asia-Pacific: Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by sustainable e-commerce material, 2016–2023 ($ million)