Future-Ready Packaging for Confectionery

Abstract

The presentation discusses future-ready, sustainable packaging solutions for the confectionery industry within a circular bioeconomy framework. It emphasizes that effective packaging must primarily protect products and reduce food waste, which has a much larger climate impact than packaging itself. The focus is on plastic-free, bio-based films made from natural polymers (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids) and their roll-to-roll production processes. While these materials offer sustainability potential, they face challenges in barrier performance, water resistance, mechanical strength, and scalability. Overall, plastic-free films are seen as a promising but still research-intensive option for more sustainable confectionery packaging