Innovative drinks packaging is innovative, functional, and sustainable design that will enhance users’ experiences, while keeping the quality of the product and minimizing environmental impact. Solutions often embed advanced materials and smart technologies or unique aesthetics that can help brands carve out their niches in competitive marketplaces.
Not surprisingly, lightweight materials, such as aluminum and PET plastics, are found in most innovative packaging solutions for cost efficiency and effectiveness. For example, during the last three decades, the weight of aluminum cans has been reduced by 30%; this saves many millions of tons of raw materials annually. Brands also try their luck with biodegradable materials, such as plant-based plastics and paperboard, to satisfy consumer demand. According to a report, 61% of consumers in 2022 prefer products with sustainable packaging. That has influenced several global brands to start the adoption of green packaging.
Smart packaging is integrated with technological elements to enable interactive use or enhanced functionality. Coca-Cola introduced thermochromic labels that change color when the beverage has reached an optimal temperature for consumption, furthering consumer pleasure. Meanwhile, QR code-enabled packaging lets users access product information, recycling tips, or promotional offers, combining convenience with digital engagement. This approach increased user engagement by 20% in a 2021 marketing campaign by a leading beverage company.
Functional designs also define innovative drink packaging. Resealable cans, such as those used in energy drinks, improve convenience and preserve freshness. In 2018, Heineken introduced cooling sleeves on beer cans, reducing temperature loss by up to 50%, which keeps the beverage cold longer during outdoor events.
Sustainability is really driving a lot of packaging innovation. Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle, for example, is made up of 30% plant-based material that reduces carbon emissions by 20% compared to PET. And then, there is aluminum packaging, which is endlessly recyclable. An aluminum can is recycled and back on the retail shelves in just 60 days, using 95% less energy than making the same product from raw material.
That befits Musk’s belief that “sustainability is the pathway to long-term innovation” as companies ensure that in packaging, waste and carbon footprints are minimal. In fact, as recently as 2023, PepsiCo pledged to achieve 100% recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging by 2030, joining the industry in its pledge towards eco-conscious solutioning.
Learn more about innovative drink packaging and how it’s impressing the market at innovative drink packaging.