Shailesh Sheth: Trends shaping box-type laminates

Box-type laminates have moved well beyond their traditional role as protective layers. In today’s packaging landscape, they represent a sophisticated intersection of functionality, sustainability and brand expression. Widely used across FMCG, food, pharmaceuticals and premium retail, these laminates are increasingly central to how brands differentiate on the shelf while ensuring durability and regulatory compliance.

Print precision and visual appeal
In a crowded retail environment, print quality and finish remain critical to brand recall. The latest generation of box laminates is compatible with high-definition rotogravure and digital printing, enabling sharper imagery, more vibrant colour reproduction and improved tone consistency.

Speciality finishes including soft-touch matte, metallic gloss and holographic effects are reshaping perceived value. A key focus for brands is the ability to integrate tactile and visual enhancements without compromising recyclability. Registered holography and lens effects are gaining traction, particularly in personal care, electronics and premium FMCG segments, where the unboxing experience contributes directly to brand positioning.

Functional barriers and shelf-life optimisation
While aesthetics draw attention, performance safeguards the product. Modern box-type laminates are engineered to deliver targeted protection against moisture, oxygen and UV exposure, which is essential for food and pharmaceutical applications.

The emergence of advanced barrier technologies such as aluminium-free metallised films and nanocoatings allows manufacturers to maintain product integrity without adding weight or reducing recyclability. Antimicrobial and anti-fog coatings are also seeing wider adoption in healthcare and frozen food categories, supporting improved hygiene and extended shelf life.

In 2025, a key differentiator will be how well a laminate balances barrier performance with environmental responsibility.

Smart packaging integration
The future of box-type laminates lies in their ability to connect the physical pack with digital ecosystems. QR-enabled graphics, NFC surfaces and embedded track-and-trace technologies are making their way into mainstream laminate structures.

These features strengthen anti-counterfeiting measures while enabling brands to gather real-time consumer insights. As connected packaging becomes more accessible, brands are increasingly embedding scannable storytelling and product information into laminate designs, creating a continuous data feedback loop.

The bottom line
Box-type laminates are evolving from passive protective layers into strategic brand assets. As the packaging sector moves towards a future defined by sustainability, functionality and digital connectivity, the most successful brands will be those that view laminates not merely as materials, but as platforms for innovation, experience and trust.