When we think about sustainable packaging, chemistry is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. Many focus on the packaging material or recycling infrastructure. Yet without chemistry, there would be no packaging at all – and certainly no hope of transforming it into something more sustainable.
Chemistry quietly underpins every stage of the value chain, from pulp mills to paper makers and packaging converters to brands and recyclers. It is the force that gives packaging its strength, durability, colour and resistance to water and grease. It is also the enabler of the circular economy, making it possible for fibres to be reused, for materials to be lightweight, yet strong, and for packages to be repulpable, recyclable or compostable.
The Pressure Is On
The industry is under immense pressure from both consumers and regulators, making the role of chemistry more critical than ever. Shoppers want alternatives to plastic, and regulatory boards across the world are setting ambitious standards. The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aims to significantly reduce packaging waste by 2040. Meanwhile, in the U.S., measures like California’s SB54 requires that all packaging must be recyclable or compostable by 2032.
These changes mean that fossil-based materials and problematic synthetics such as PFAS, the so-called “Forever chemicals” are being phased out. The challenge now is to replace them with chemistry that performs to the same high standard – but without the environmental cost.
Redefining a Package’s Lifetime
The move towards circular packaging redefines what is meant by the “lifetime” of a package. Instead of ending with consumer disposal, materials re-enter the cycle as recycled content and the packaging continues its journey through multiple recycling loops. Bio-based materials, especially plant-derived fibres, are central to this model. They absorb carbon as they grow, and when transformed into packaging, that carbon remains locked in for as long as the material circulates. Chemistry is what allows those fibres to be used again and again without losing performance.
Chemistry in Action
Sustainable chemistry is essential to circularity and is evident at every stage of the value chain. Its impact starts at the beginning of the fibre journey at pulp mills where it prevents sticky build-up that slows production and creates waste. During papermaking it restores the strength of recycled fibres so they perform like virgin ones. For converters, it delivers PFAS-free barrier coatings that keep food safe while ensuring recyclability. And at the recycling stage, chemistry helps fibres maintain their integrity, increasing recovery rates.
A Connected Approach
Sustainable packaging cannot rely on piecemeal fixes. Each solution must work across the system, ensuring circularity without compromise. A holistic, joined-up approach is essential to ensure that each molecule works harmoniously across the value chain. Chemistry providers must offer both global expertise and local presence to tailor solutions that fit diverse water, fibre and machinery conditions, as these may vary from region to region.
Archroma Packaging Technologies, for example, draws on over a century of experience in cellulose chemistry and a global infrastructure to deliver integrated, bio-based solutions. From compostable trays and wraps made with PLA and PHA to advanced coatings and additives, its chemistries are designed to close the loop.
Closing the circle
In the shift toward circularity, chemistry is not merely supportive – it is transformative. It connects the dots of the packaging ecosystem, ensuring that sustainability does not come at the cost of performance. By enabling fibre recovery, extending lifecycles and making bio-based packaging viable, chemistry ensures that what goes into the box today is paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.