Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) include all of the things we use on a day to day basis, such as packaged food, drinks, and cleaning products. The market for them is huge, but is facing intense challenges. Luckily, it leads to some really impressive innovations. Let’s have a closer look, then you can speak to us if you want to arrange foiling services for FMCG packaging and other products.
The big challenge
Consumers are very conscious of the need to protect the environment today. There are some alarming stats out there. For example, charity Surfers Against Sewage says around 11 million tonnes of plastic ends up in oceans annually. More shocking, the EMF (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) claimed in 2016 we could have more pieces of plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Many types of FMCG packaging are common culprits for waste in oceans and other waterways. This includes plastic bottles, portion packs such as snack packets and pouches, glass jars and bottles. They can also end up in various others places where they can cause damage to the environment and wildlife.
With such a large amount of waste to contend with each year, and a serious risk of critical damage to the environment, big changes are necessary. Luckily, various stakeholders are coming together to tackle the problem. This includes manufacturers, specifiers, and governments.
Innovation
The greatest thing here is how many impressive innovations there have been. In fact, the majority of big brands are looking to improve their FMCG packaging. This includes key things like changing materials and utilising different methods to decorate packaging. Foiling services are growing in popularity because they allow recyclability when you use the right foil. This can be a great alternative to print heavy packaging.
In the last year we’ve seen some really exciting things. Many of them were on display at London Packaging week 2025. With entries recently closing today (May 11th) for 2026, it’s a great time to look back at some of the best ones.
Winner of the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Award, PA Consulting and Diageo had a really impressive product to show off. Their Dry Moulded Fibre Bottle is an incredible alternative to a traditional glass bottle. Made from 90% low carbon paper, plus a thin plastic liner and foiling, it is far lighter and also fully recyclable. It got praise for a big reduction in the carbon footprint.
The Homeware Innovation Award went to Aroma Therapy for their Cashmere Candle packaging. The box is fully biodegradable, made from by-products from agriculture as well as a fungus known as mycelium. They achieve an incredible balance between sustainability and giving customers a great experience.
The easiest way to arrange foiling services
FMCG packaging is a really exciting market. It’s vital to think about sustainability here, including the choice of materials and their end of life. Getting it right can provide lots of benefits, demonstrating social responsibility, reducing carbon footprint, using fewer virgin resources, and also reducing operating costs.
So, if you want a cost effective and sustainable way to decorate FMCG packaging, talk to us about foiling services. Foils use resources efficiently and can have a small carbon footprint. More importantly, if you add foil to a piece of packaging, it will remain recyclable.