Corrugated packaging design to reduce food supply waste

Food waste remains a significant operational and economic challenge across global food supply chains, particularly as logistics networks become more complex and quality expectations increase. In this context, Mondi presented design approaches showing how purpose-engineered corrugated packaging can help food producers and retailers reduce product losses and maintain product quality.

Packaging performance as a factor in food supply chain losses
Food producers and retailers operate under increasing pressure to maintain product quality while managing operational costs and supply chain disruptions. Packaging performance plays a critical role, particularly where damage during transport or storage leads to product rejection.

Consumer research indicates that 70% of buyers avoid purchasing visibly damaged products, highlighting the commercial risks associated with packaging-related product damage. With approximately one third of global food production lost annually, incremental improvements in packaging design can contribute to reducing waste and protecting margins.

Corrugated packaging can therefore function as a technical lever within modern supply chain optimisation strategies by improving transport reliability and product protection.

Structural packaging design for transport stability
Structural packaging design directly affects product stability during storage and distribution. Corrugated solutions engineered for specific product types can improve stacking strength, resist deformation under load and support consistent shelf presentation.

Operational benefits may also include faster packing processes and reduced product movement during transport, helping maintain product integrity across longer or more complex distribution routes.

Such design considerations are particularly relevant in logistics environments where products are exposed to repeated handling cycles and variable storage conditions.

Applications across different food categories
These packaging approaches can be applied across multiple food categories, including fresh produce, confectionery, snack products and chilled goods. Each category presents different technical requirements related to fragility, weight distribution, temperature sensitivity and handling frequency.

Adapting packaging specifications to product characteristics can help reduce waste-related losses while maintaining product consistency throughout logistics and retail processes.

Packaging engineering as part of waste reduction strategies
Packaging design can play a broader operational role beyond containment and transport by supporting waste reduction and supply chain performance objectives.

Engineering-driven packaging improvements can contribute to reduced product losses, improved handling stability and more predictable logistics performance in large-scale food distribution environments where packaging design directly affects product outcomes.

Edited by industrial journalist Aishwarya Mambet, with AI-assistance.

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