DHL has released Rethinking Packaging, a report that offers a look at the future of packaging in the logistics industry.
A survey conducted by DHL on its customers and partners shows that for nine out of 10 companies, packaging will play an important role in the next three to five years.
Fast-tracked deliveries and increasingly popular subscriptions services result in frequent single-item shipments, contributing to more carbon emissions and packaging waste.
Surveyed customers see themselves confronted with maintaining a reasonable spend on packaging, the number of shipments damaged in transit, as well as optimising the available transport capacity.
Demand for more sustainable shipping is driving new efforts to minimise waste, promote green materials, and implement convenient recovery systems, DHL said.
According to DHL, retailers are answering these expectations by providing hassle-free and recyclable materials, capitalising on the new opportunity to delight the customer with aesthetically pleasing accessible packaging features.
Matthias Heutger, SVP, global head of innovation and commercial development, DHL, said, “The Trend Report and our customer survey illustrate just how important easy, recyclable, and robust packaging is to an overall positive customer experience”.
“The acceleration of changing needs of companies, consumers, and the wider environment however increase costs and reduce effectiveness,” Mr Heutger said.
“We believe that the adoption of new packaging optimisation tools, materials, and handling technologies will significantly boost efficiency and productivity. That in turn, will drive changes in the operation of supply chains and logistics processes.”
