Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPESustainable Packaging as a Strategic Priority in 2025
In its article “Winning in Sustainable Packaging in 2025 – Bringing It All Together”, McKinsey & Company emphasizes that sustainable packaging is becoming a strategic priority for companies across industries. Increasing regulatory pressure, rising material costs and growing customer expectations are driving the need for more comprehensive and forward-looking packaging solutions.
The analysis points out that successful sustainable packaging strategies require more than individual material substitutions. Key success factors include the integration of design-for-recycling principles, the use of alternative and circular materials, data-based performance evaluation and close collaboration across the value chain. Fragmented initiatives, according to McKinsey, are no longer sufficient to meet the complexity of current challenges.
Furthermore, the article stresses that companies able to align sustainability ambitions with technical feasibility and economic performance will be better positioned to remain competitive. Sustainable packaging is therefore framed not only as an environmental responsibility, but as a central element of long-term resilience and value creation.
Source: McKinsey & Company – Winning in Sustainable Packaging in 2025: Bringing It All Together