Adept Packaging Insights | Issue #1 | October 2026

The packaging trends and technologies shaping what’s next. 

Packaging is having a moment. Whether it’s redesigning for compliance, making products easier for consumers to access, or keeping products fresh at home, packaging touches nearly every part of daily life – and the pace of change is accelerating. 

At Adept, we’re tracking the trends and technologies that will shape the next five years. Here’s what we see coming – and what it could mean for your brand: 

Technology Spotlight: The Rise of Digital Printing 

• Corrugate is the growth story. Spending on digital printing for corrugate is expected to more than double between 2025 and 2030, reaching an estimated $8.2 billion. 
• Labels are leveling off. With the label market already largely saturated, it’s expected to see the slowest digital printing growth in the near term. 
• Inkjet is pulling ahead. Inkjet is growing faster than electrophotography. Inkjet applies ink directly to the package, while electrophotography prints onto an imaging surface first and then transfers the image to the package. 
• Digital watermarks are becoming essential. They help brands meet regulatory requirements such as GS1 Sunrise 2027 for traceability and support recycling identification at material recovery facilities (MRFs). 
• Shelf impact is getting a boost. Over the next five years, expect major advances in digital special effects – richer inks, foiling, and textures that help products stand out. 

Design Spotlight: Refill by Design 

• Invest once, build loyalty. Refillable packaging carries a higher upfront cost for consumers, but it delivers long-term value and stronger brand recognition as customers come back for sustainable refills. 
• What it looks like: A distinctive glass or heavyweight PCR bottle, refilled with dissolvable tablets or an ultra-concentrated product sold in minimal plastic packaging. 

Materials Spotlight: Next-Generation Barriers 

• High-Barrier Mono-Material: New processing technologies give mono-material films high-barrier performance through metallization, without sacrificing recyclability through store drop-off programs. 
• Seaweed-Based Coatings: Seaweed-derived coatings deliver gas and moisture barrier performance comparable with conventional plastic coatings. The technology offers a renewable alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics and has recently received FDA clearance for direct food contact. 
• Ultra-Thin, Reverse-Printable Films: An ultra-thin film now brings reverse printing capability to the market without sacrificing performance. Its reduced material use comes alongside strong oxygen and aroma barriers, high mechanical strength, and excellent machinability. 

Let’s Talk 

Ready to future-proof your packaging and supply chain? Adept can help you turn these trends into a competitive advantage. Contact us today to book a 30-minute conversation with our team. 

Heading to Chicago for PACK EXPO? Visit the Adept Group booth W-51058 and see how we can drive results for your company.