Helpful Insights

As sustainability moves from a ‘nice to have’ to a business essential, protective packaging is undergoing a major transformation. Companies are increasingly rethinking how they cushion and protect products in transit, seeking solutions that perform reliably while reducing environmental impact. One material leading this shift is paper void fill, a simple yet highly effective alternative to traditional plastic-based cushioning.

Sustainable materials are rapidly reshaping tertiary packaging, offering smarter alternatives to traditional plastics and foams used for bulk shipping and pallet protection. Within the wider types of packaging used across supply chains, tertiary packaging plays a distinct role alongside primary packaging and secondary packaging.

The UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is set to undergo significant changes in 2026, following the draft amendments laid out in November 2025. These updates will affect how producers manage packaging waste, report on recycling efforts, and work with Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) under PackUK. From the introduction of fee modulation based on packaging use to revised definitions for fibre-based composites, the new rules will bring both operational and financial implications for businesses across the country.

With the Packaging Pact’s 2026 deadline fast approaching, UK businesses are under growing pressure to reassess the way they package, label, and manage waste. Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It’s becoming a regulatory requirement and organisations that fail to keep up risk falling behind both legally and competitively.

Sustainability is becoming a central focus in e-commerce, with businesses and consumers seeking packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact. At Swiftpak, we combine innovation and responsibility to provide paper packaging options that are both practical and eco-friendly.

Logistics teams are under constant pressure to move products efficiently while keeping costs under control and customers satisfied. Packaging sits at the centre of this challenge. When it’s not the right fit, it can slow down operations, increase shipping volumes, and put products at greater risk of damage. All of these factors impact the bottom line.

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging does far more than protect a product, it plays a critical role in patient safety, regulatory compliance, and brand trust. Among the most important elements of secure pharmaceutical packaging are tamper-evident features: visible, irreversible indicators that reveal whether a product has been interfered with after leaving the manufacturer.

Paper packaging has rapidly evolved from a simple protective layer into a powerful tool for storytelling, aesthetics, and sustainable packaging design that engages customers. As brands seek to balance sustainability with visual impact, paper has become a versatile canvas, one that communicates values, enhances recognition, and delivers a memorable unboxing experience.

For decades, pharmaceutical packaging has been defined by its function, a vessel for safety, compliance, and sterility. Its primary purpose was to protect the product, satisfy regulatory standards, and ensure patient safety. Visual identity, brand personality, and consumer experience were secondary considerations in an industry where reliability mattered most.