In these areas, the protective characteristics of packaging guaranteed a screen from contamination required by consumers, becoming synonymous with safety also from a psychological point of view. To the extent of driving political choices (still underway) of rethinking the plastic tax, at least in its original concept.

The market

Prometeia has provided data on market trends for the flexible packaging segment. For the industry, losses are expected to be close to 14% and, in general, forecasts for 2020 show that pharmaceuticals will hold up (+3.9%), but a fall in food and beverage (-4.6%) is expected, mainly due to the expected collapse in the Ho.Re.Ca. sector (-26.7%). All the main food micro-sectors are slipping and what is already consolidated is the drastic drop in B2B demand and exports. As far as the world of printers and converters is concerned, new opportunities spring from the battle that will be generated by Brand Owners to enrich the packaging of their products, making it a differentiating factor for consumers' choices. The materials (green) and the communication role of printed packaging are the two guidelines to engage customers.

An extra opportunity: home delivery services

Several indications can lead to reflect on how the value of packaging has acquired new consistency, both as a functional protection element and as a tool to support an industry that has experienced a remarkable boost during the lockdown, namely e-commerce.

The exponential growth in home delivery services, with the success of the multiple e-delivery platforms, made the ability of packaging to facilitate the safe handling of products to the consumer's home even more appreciated. Home delivery is a phenomenon that continues to be part of the new normal, even after the definitive reopening of restaurants and coffee shops.