Towards a Circular Future: A Roadmap for Sustainable Industrial Packaging

Abstract

As global industries face increasing pressure to adopt circular economy principles
and comply with sustainability regulations, packaging has emerged as an important
strategic driver. This thesis explores the case of a global industrial manufacturer and
how it can enhance its packaging innovation capabilities and align with upcoming
regulatory frameworks, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
(CSRD), Packaging and Packaging waste Directive (PPWR) and Extended Producer
Responsibility. Using a case study approach based on semi-structured interviews
and site visits, the study evaluates current packaging practices across the company’s
decentralized business units.
While the organization shows increasing commitment to sustainable materials and
packaging procedures, these efforts vary significantly across sites. The findings
reveal fragmented roles, limited strategic direction, inconsistent packaging data
reporting, limited communication and knowledge sharing across sites, and a lack of
packaging ownership which limits sustainability efforts. Packaging decisions are
also influenced by different factors including technical, organizational, logistical,
sustainability and cost factors which pose several challenges for harmonization and
innovation. The Packaging Innovation Scorecard (PIS) was used to assess
innovation maturity across seven key subprocesses, identifying both good practices
and critical gaps.
Based on the findings, a strategic roadmap was developed to guide the company’s
transition toward a more aligned, innovation-driven approach to packaging. Key
recommendations include establishing formal packaging roles, enhancing data
systems, strengthening supplier collaboration, and building internal competence.
While grounded in a single case, the findings offer broader relevance to industrial
manufacturers seeking to integrate sustainability and circularity into their packaging
systems.

Popular Abstract

Strategic Packaging for Sustainable Future
Industrial packaging is everywhere, from wooden crates, steel frames, protective plastic films yet, rarely talked
about. While it protects valuable equipment during transport, it also creates a surprising amount of waste. With
stricter European regulations on packaging reuse, recyclability, and reporting, manufacturers are now being
pushed to rethink their packaging practices.
This research looked into the case of how packaging is currently handled by one global industrial manufacturer,
involving interviews with individuals in various countries holding different positions to understand their daily
challenges and how they make packaging decisions. What we found was a system where efforts are often
scattered and inconsistent. The reason? Packaging is usually no one’s main job. Responsibilities are
fragmented, data is patchy, and sustainable innovations often stay trapped in local pilot projects.
To help map the situation, Packaging Innovation Scorecard was used to help measure strengths and weaknesses
in the company’s packaging practices across areas like leadership, packaging development, and collaboration
with suppliers while also mapping and assessing the implications of packaging regulations. Based on the
findings, a roadmap was designed with simple, actionable steps to improve. These include assigning packaging
responsibilities, building internal competence, and encouraging suppliers to help co-create new solutions.
Although this research focused on one company, the problems and solutions are relevant to many in the
industrial sector. Better packaging can reduce environmental impact, support new regulations, and even save
money. It’s time for industry to see packaging not just as a protective layer, but as a real opportunity for
innovation and sustainability.

• author: Codjoe, Elizabeth and Vargas Callejas, Maria Paola
• supervisor: Henrik Pålsson
• organization: Packaging Logistics
• alternative title: Mot en cirkulär framtid: En färdplan för hållbara industriförpackningar
• course: MTTM01 20251
• year: 2025
• type: H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Keywords: Sustainable Packaging, Packaging Innovation, Regulatory Compliance, Circular Economy
• language: English
• id: 9201951
• date added to LUP: 2025-06-19 09:04:03
• date last changed: 2025-06-19 09:04:03