Top 5 Takeaways from SPC Advance 2025

1. Megatrends Impacting Packaging Right Now

Global forces are reshaping packaging strategies. Megatrends to watch:

• Geopolitics & Trade: Global trade dynamics are shifting rapidly due to tariffs, regional conflicts, and evolving regulations. These changes disrupt supply chains and increase compliance complexity. Businesses must adopt agile sourcing strategies to navigate uncertainty and ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Convenience & Mobility: Modern consumers lead fast-paced, mobile lifestyles. They expect packaging that is lightweight, resealable and easy to carry, without compromising product integrity. Brands that innovate in portability and user-friendly formats can capture loyalty in an increasingly convenience-driven market.
• Ecommerce: The surge in direct-to-consumer channels demands packaging that does more than protect; it must perform under varied shipping conditions and create a memorable unboxing experience. Packaging now plays a dual role: safeguarding products and reinforcing brand identity in the digital marketplace.
• Health & Wellness: Safety, hygiene, and transparency are top priorities for consumers. Packaging is a reflection of the product and the brand behind it. It must communicate trust through clear labeling and materials that align with health-conscious values. When packaging meets these expectations, it reinforces consumer confidence and loyalty.
• Sustainability: Circularity, recyclability, and carbon reduction are no longer optional, they’re expected. These principles have become baseline requirements for packaging design, driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressure. Brands are now challenged to create packaging that not only protects but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste, enabling reuse, and prioritizing materials that can be recovered and reintroduced into the supply chain.

2. AI Is the Next Frontier of EPR Efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the infrastructure for future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance: automating reporting, connecting packaging material data and uncovering new savings opportunities.

Producers (those who sell packaged products into EPR designated states) need a clear understanding of packaging materials and weights, while suppliers must provide precise data to support reporting obligations. AI streamlines this process by automating data collection, validating accuracy, and identifying gaps across the supply chain.

By leveraging AI-driven tools, businesses can ensure compliance faster and with greater confidence, while fostering transparency and trust between stakeholders.

3. Digital Transformation Is Long Overdue

Despite advancements in ESG reporting and analytics, many organizations still rely on spreadsheets to manage critical packaging data. This outdated approach creates inefficiencies, limits visibility, and increases compliance risk, especially as regulations become more complex.

The future solution lies in cloud-based platforms that integrate packaging, finance, and regulatory data into a single source of truth. By moving beyond manual processes, companies can adapt quickly, reduce risk and deliver ESG commitments with confidence - while meeting data requests accurately and efficiently.

4. Engagement Fuels Momentum

SPC Advance wasn’t just a conference; it was a collaboration engine. Cross-functional engagement is key to building solutions that stick. When compliance, sustainability and performance intersect, collaboration drives scalability and impact, turning ideas into actionable strategies that move the industry forward.

5. From Policy to Product Execution

The science and regulatory guidance are in place, now it’s about turning commitments into action. Tools that automate reporting, forecast costs, and track progress make this possible. Execution means bridging policy with practical solutions, creating packaging that meets regulations, performs reliably, and supports long-term sustainability.

As sustainability expectations rise and global dynamics evolve, Pregis is here to help you navigate the complexity. Whether you're rethinking materials, optimizing design, or aligning with ESG goals, our experts are ready to support you. Explore our  resources or connect with Pregis IQ® to start creating innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.