Both, 2021 and 2022 have been years of transformation. The current digital transformation has minimized the use of paper in almost all industries, resulting in people thinking that it is a hindrance to the growth and development of the paper industry. However, this is not the case, if we look deeper. The paper industry is instead prospering and continues to do so even in the current year i.e. 2022. The innovators of the industry are continuously making significant innovations to meet the dynamic demands. The paper testing machine is a notable example of such an invention.
The current global market witnesses a rise in those consumers who are more pivoted toward sustainability. This has resulted in manufacturers shifting from petroleum-based products to biodegradable and eco-friendly ones. Besides, there are several other changes and trends that the pulp and paper industry has witnessed. Let us explore them in the following section.
Dynamic Trends Ushering Transformation In Pulp & Paper Industry In 2022
- Effect of Turning Digital
It is nothing but a misconception that the digital revolution has hindered the growth of the pulp and paper industry. In recent times, there has been an apparent shift from printing paper to packaging materials. This is because of the increased demand for shipping of products, ordered online. This has led to the implementation of new technologies so that productivity can be improved, ultimately resulting in both higher production quality and quantity.
- A Boost in Online Selling
The online selling of paper products continues to rise this year too, especially in countries like the US and China. This is somehow the result of the online shopping trends that trigger the need for innovation in packaging. Higher demand for raw materials and corrugated boxes is hence the result of this growth. Moreover, there has also been a rise in the demand for products that require faster delivery, probably the same day or the next day. Hence, this has also driven the speed of producing and providing high-quality products at a fast rate.
- Increase in Demand For Packaging Products
The demand for packaging products has not seen a lag in the last few years. This is majorly due to the rise in the e-commerce industry, as discussed in the previous point too. This means that their demand is always increasing and expanding, and hence counted as a strength for the paper and pulp industry.
- Lightweight & Affordable Packaging
Lightweight packaging has been another trend that will strive this year too. A number of products, from cheap to luxury, have been introduced with lightweight and affordable packaging. This introduction benefitted the businesses by minimizing their pulp and packaging expenses, carbon dioxide emissions, shipping costs, and many other components.
- Packaging of Hygiene Products
Hygiene products such as tissues, toilet papers, paper towels, wipes, etc. have seen growth in the last few years. These products are highly consumed by the medium-class population. The growth of these products and their subsequent packaging will thus continue to be in trend in 2022 and in the years to come.
- Packaging Of Food
Well when it comes to food packaging, the growth and development in this year and further can be expected. For food, packaging that is resistant to grease is most preferred. The materials used in this packaging are witnessing a change in order to minimize the fluorochemicals and replace them with a natural thing instead. These materials are developed to meet the prevailing industry demands and regulations.
- Introduction of Recyclable Products
Recycling is currently the most trendy word, irrespective of the industry. With consumers getting more and more aware of the recycling of paper and pulp products, there has been an increased demand for recyclable products.
If we talk about waterproof coatings of products that were earlier facing difficulties in recycling, are now replaced by recyclable coatings. These protective coatings are among the major trends of the year and will continue to be in further years too.
- Growth In Thermal Market
The growth in the thermal market has been associated with the rise in food delivery services. These services come as a result of the rise in the number of eateries that provide online delivery options. Additionally, when there are options for ordering food online, there are definitely some third-party websites and apps that will be making it possible. Zomato, Uber eats, Swiggy, etc. are some of the prominent names of food delivery platforms. All of this has led to the need and subsequent growth of thermal packaging.
Besides, this trend is expected to grow only in the coming years, since there will be no single that customers won’t want hot food delivered to their doorstep.
- Minimized Use Of Plastics
And then comes the minimized use of plastics. In the old days, plastic was the only packaging material that prevailed, be it in any industry. However, if we see the current scenario, the entire world is making efforts to reduce or even eliminated the use of plastic for packaging. And this fact cannot be denied. This scenario works as a boost for the pulp and paper industry. This is because it encourages the use of biodegradable packaging alternatives, replacing the previous plastic packaging.
Not just that, but even plant-based packaging options are also introduced to several industries. Consumers that are more health-conscious and enthusiasts are largely moving toward these options since these are environmentally friendly. Hence, in other words, the drawbacks of plastic packaging and the industry are actually the pathways to the flourishing pulp and paper industry. So the development of paper products is expected to continue to be a trend in the years to come.
- Utilizing The Voluminous Data
The big or voluminous data of the industry shall continue to be used in order to analyze the industry trends and the need to optimize the outcomes of production, marketing as well as sales. In order to yield an improved outcome, new technologies have been introduced. These include intelligent or smart systems and connected devices at the time of production. These smart-systems or instruments excel in evaluating the condition and quality of paper and pulp products.
Moreover, there has also been analytics equipment that can examine the volume and growth of trees that are needed to be harvested to obtain raw materials. Hence, the utilization of big data is predicted to grow in the current year and the subsequent.
Conclusion
If we look at the prevailing global trends that are transforming the pulp and paper industry, we can predict that global pulp and paper production to grow up to 490 million tons in 2022. This will subsequently increase the pulp and paper sales, shipping volume, and hence the use, be it any industry. Moreover, the need to replace plastic packaging will also boost the popularity of the paper and pulp industry in the coming times.
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