Speciality Food Jan/Feb 2026

size-fits-all, to tailored, data-driven solutions designed around real operational needs.” Corporate responsibility is being discussedmore andmore in boardrooms, concurs Suzy, saying temperature-controlled packaging is no longer only about maintaining the right temperature, it’s about being environmentally responsible, with Deloitte stating 75% of consumers surveyed are more likely to buy frombrands offering sustainable packaging and products. Changes go beyond insulation performance, Suzy adds. “Brands are moving away fromplastic packaging and towards smarter solutions, with new designs - such as corrugated boards withmoisture-resistant coatings - making it simpler to store and ship products, keeping them safe as they journey fromA to B. That means lower costs and less wasted space, whilst also supporting EPR compliance.” In addition to efficiency (such how streamlined packaging is for storage, as already mentioned), Suzy says now more than ever brands should think about sustainability when looking at their packaging options, especially with EPR legislation coming into effect, and consumers becoming more conscious of the environment impact of their choices. According to Deloitte’s research, 49% of consumers now say they would be willing to paymore for sustainable packaging and delivery, which puts added pressure on brands to use materials which are recyclable, renewable and responsiblymade and sourced. WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? Alex says the shift towards more sustainable materials is what’s driving a large number of businesses within the sector. “At the same time, the industry has moved from one- specialityfoodmagazine.com 31 WHERE IS TEMPERATURE- CONTROLLED PACKAGING GOING NEXT? “Future innovations in our industry are exciting,” says Alex, “New and novel materials will be introduced to the market, which combine sustainability and high performance. Packaging design will be done with the environment, disposal and performance inmind. Recycling changes in 2027 also mean that flexible plastics will become curb- side recyclable, that means LDPE and other recyclable plastics will be used in coolants, if they are not already.” Icertech’s own innovation has led to more lightweight solutions, perfect for brands and retailers looking to be more agile. These products include the Eco-Box, consisting of a double cardboard outer, with two padded paper liners, keeping contents at 0-8C for up to 48 hours, while being fully recyclable. “They’re something we’re very proud of,” she says. Innovation is also at the heart of Smurfit Westrock, which boasts more than 1,600 designers, 30 experience centres, and expertise in materials science and supply chain optimisation. “We develop innovative paper- basedmaterials with advanced barriers and coatings that can resist moisture, grease and temperature fluctuations,” says Suzy. “We also design packaging that perfectly fits products, branding and supply chain requirements, using our ISTA lab to test the packaging’s durability in various conditions. “Our product innovation focuses on reducing waste, making packagingmore circular and helping brands meet their sustainability goals, without compromising performance or shelf life. We also use insights frommore than 100,000 supply chains to optimise packaging processes, improve efficiency and scale solutions globally. In fact, more than half of our rawmaterials come from recycled fibre, which enables us to reuse 14million tonnes of paper every year.” Circularity is something being discussedmore andmore in packaging, withmany retailers seeking out brands and wholesalers providing this option in order to meet their own sustainability goals. Smurfit Westrock puts great emphasis on a circular business model, adds Suzy. “By reusing, recycling, and responsibly replacing natural resources, we make our operations more restorative and efficient. We work with local organisations to repurpose materials we can’t use, turning potential waste into new opportunities. We even transformby-products frompaper production into valuable resources for the chemical, medical and pharmaceutical sectors.” She thinks beyond this, innovation will continue to combine smarter materials with connected technologies, making packagingmore interactive, trackable, and sustainable than has ever been possible before. These developments represent the next generation of packaging that not only protects what’s inside, but also helps brands deliver greater transparency, efficiency, and consumer trust. HOW RFID AND IOT TECH ARE CHANGING THE GAME An area of growth is RFID (radio frequency identification) whereby data is encoded in smart labels or tags, captured by a reader via radio waves. Unlike traditional barcodes, no line of sight is needed to read RFID tagged items, and multiple items can be tracked in seconds. This ease of use is seeing it being used more and more often in retail, manufacturing and logistics. Expert Bob Vines, of TSC Auto ID, says RFID is especially important where perishable items, like frozen food, meat or dairy, are being shipped. Adding the labels, “enables factors like temperature, humidity levels and expiry dates to be monitored, thus making it easier for store operatives to manage stock rotation, decide which items to discount, as well as minimise risk of customers consuming unsafe items. Integrating RFID with IoT (Internet of Things) into labelling systems enhances supply chain intelligence.” Other benefits, he adds, include preventing counterfeiting to protect product authenticity, helping to meet compliance such as the Digital Product Passport expected as early as 2027, and improved quality control. “Even with the best specialised packaging, temperature monitoring is non-negotiable,” adds Ben Ings, COO at Invisible Systems. Live temperature monitoring, he says, “creates a traceable, end-to-end audit trail that integrates seamlessly with temperature monitoring systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS). This means brands can act fast, automatically flagging and isolating stock for disposal if a temperature excursion occurs.” Ben is seeing more businesses embrace IoT to strengthen this process, particularly in fresh food and grocery operations. “Pairing temperature sensors with asset tracing technology ensures accountability at every touchpoint. “Without temperature monitoring, resilience and quality assurance fall apart. Looking ahead, as cellular networks continue to improve and IoT technology becomes more accessible, temperature monitoring will become an industry standard.” Smart labelling is set to be a core feature of much temperature-controlled packaging in the future, enabling businesses to greater assure the protection and quality of their products en route to, and on arrival with consumers. By ensuring products arrive in perfect chilled condition, businesses can increase order volumes, support new sales channels such as e-commerce, and grow ALEX JACKSON, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR, ICERTECH