Core Developments in the Packaging Industry in 2026 (as of Late August)

1. Policies, regulations and mandatory standards take effect

New rules on excessive express packaging implemented

: Mandatory national standard

GB 45186-2024 Requirements for Limiting Excessive Express Packaging

July 1, 2026

officially took effect, setting out three quantified indicators:

Box fit: divided into three tiers by inner item size, with permitted box diagonal multiples of 2.5/2.0/1.5 respectively;

Layer control: non-fragile items ≤2 layers, fragile items ≤3 layers, fresh/temperature-sensitive items ≤4 layers;

Tape limit: width ≤45mm, with length tiered by box perimeter (3-5 times the upper limit).

One month after implementation, “oversized boxes for small items” and “nesting-doll style packaging” decreased markedly, but implementation difficulties remain, such as the vague definition of fragile items and consumers actively requesting additional packaging.

Local moves on green takeaway packaging

: Beijing issued the country's first

Guidelines for the Use of Green Packaging by Food Delivery Merchants (DB11/T 2510-2026)

September 1, 2026

came into effect, promoting “one meal, one strategy” categorized packaging (simple/sealed) and emphasizing the principles of reduction, recyclability and reuse.

Strengthened top-level design

: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with multiple departments, issued the

Guidelines for Green Design of Industrial Products (2026 Edition)

, incorporating green design into the 15th Five-Year Plan and the Ecological Environment Code, and establishing

harmlessness, material saving, space saving, easy recycling and reusability

as five dimensions the industry must address.

1. Market trends and technological evolution

Accelerating material innovation

The penetration rate of “bamboo as a substitute for plastic,” “single-material flexible packaging (such as all-PE systems)” and “food-grade recycled PP” is rising;

the cost of bio-based materials (PLA, starch-based) has fallen, and they are already used at scale for takeaway food containers;

the EU PPWR regulation (fully in force on August 12, 2026) is forcing export companies to adjust formulations and strictly control PFAS and heavy metal content.

Intelligence and an efficiency revolution

Express delivery companies are rolling out smart packing systems (for example, ZTO covers 300+ warehouses), automatically recommending suitable packaging materials;

Takeaway packaging breakthrough: for example, the “Koukouan” super leak-proof paper bowl (stands upright for 24 hours, packs in 3 seconds), which addresses the pain point of leakage complaints and reduces merchants' operational losses.

Consumer and design trends

Premium small-format packaging, a tactile object-like feel, and AI-assisted design that still emphasizes a “human touch” have become the new food packaging trends of 2026;

Consumers are shifting from passive acceptance to active participation (green points, discounts for simple packaging), but balancing cost and experience remains a concern for merchants.

1. Challenges and outlook

: insufficient refinement of fragile-item standards, high cost of green materials and an incomplete circular recycling system constrain large-scale application;

Global compliance pressure

: European and American regulations are landing in a concentrated way, and export-oriented packaging companies face a transition with “no buffer period”;

: it is necessary to build a full-chain governance mechanism of “government standards + platform incentives + enterprise innovation + consumer collaboration,” pushing packaging from “redundant-function competition” back to “quality and service competition.”

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-379882.html