Back in July 2018, Dairy Foods ran an online poll asking readers which dairy category they believed was most in need of innovation. When all was said and done, milk rose to the top as the category screaming loudest for attention, with 41% of the votes.

The use of flexible packaging continues to grow, thanks to the format's light weight, shelf impact and more. And with that growth come advances that are bringing new benefits to dairy processors.

Smarter packaging solutions not only are durable, cost-effective and recyclable, but also use less energy and water and emit fewer greenhouse gases.

Paper-sided lid; Paper containers and lids; Convenient packaging material; Plus More!

Distinctively shaped rigid packaging commands attention at retail. But distinctive shapes also can add functionality or project a certain desired image.

Sustainable dairy packaging is nothing new. Lightweighting, or source reduction, remains an ongoing process. Container wall thickness is reduced and flexible structures are down-gauged. Source reduction not only conserves resources, but also cuts costs and carbon footprint.

Although bottles, cartons and tubs are widely used, flexible plastic packaging dominates in the global dairy industry. With a market share of more than 27%, it owns a larger share than rigid plastic, paper/paperboard, glass or metal packaging, according to Global Dairy Packaging Market 2016-2020, a report from London-based Technavio.

As demand for dairy snacks, single servings and customized products grows, pouch packaging captures a greater share of the dairy case.