The packaging industry encompasses companies that design, produce, and supply containers, materials, and machinery used to package goods for distribution, storage, and sale.

It includes a wide range of materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and composites, as well as printing and labeling services. Packaging serves several critical functions:

• Protecting products from damage and contamination
• Preserving quality and shelf life, especially for food and pharmaceuticals
• Providing product information and regulatory labeling
• Facilitating transportation, storage, and handling
• Supporting branding, marketing, and consumer engagement

As a vital support industry, packaging underpins sectors such as consumer goods, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, industrial products, and retail. The industry is increasingly influenced by sustainability requirements, recycling initiatives, and supply chain efficiency programs.

Quick Industry Match Guide

Packaging Supply Chain Stages: Quick View Table

Packaging Sub-Sectors

These sub-sectors break down the industry into focused areas. Select the one(s) matching your company's core operations.

1. Paper & Cardboard Packaging

Producing corrugated boxes, cartons, and paper-based packaging solutions.

This segment focuses on lightweight, recyclable packaging widely used in shipping, food packaging, consumer goods, and e-commerce.

Select if your company:

• Manufactures corrugated boxes or cartons
• Produces paper-based industrial or retail packaging

2. Plastic Packaging

Manufacturing rigid and flexible plastic packaging solutions using materials such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, and polypropylene.

This sector is increasingly focused on recyclability and sustainable packaging innovations.

Select if your company:

• Produces plastic bottles, containers, or tubs
• Manufactures flexible films, wraps, or pouches

3. Metal Packaging

Producing packaging made from aluminum or steel, including beverage cans, food cans, closures, aerosols, and foil products.

Metal packaging is highly valued for recyclability, durability, and product protection.

Select if your company:

• Manufactures metal food, beverage, or aerosol packaging
• Produces foil packaging or closures

4. Glass Packaging

Manufacturing glass bottles, jars, and specialty containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer products.

Glass is often selected for premium products due to its inertness and recyclability.

Select if your company:

• Produces glass bottles or jars
• Manufactures pharmaceutical or specialty glass packaging

5. Packaging Machinery & Automation

Designing and manufacturing equipment used to fill, seal, cap, label, inspect, and automate packaging operations.

Select if your company:

• Manufactures packaging machinery
• Provides automation, coding, labeling, or filling technologies

Indirect Connections to Packaging

Companies not directly producing packaging products may still be affected by packaging supply chain disruptions.

Additional Industries to Select Alongside Packaging

Do NOT Select Packaging If Your Company

Why Select Packaging

Selecting Packaging ensures your organization receives EventWatch bulletins about:

• Raw material disruptions (pulp, polymers, aluminum, steel, glass, and resins)
• Packaging production delays, quality issues, or plant outages
• Sustainability regulations, recycling mandates, and plastic packaging restrictions
• Packaging machinery breakdowns and automation system failures
• Transportation disruptions affecting packaging components and finished materials
• Consumer demand shifts toward recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging
• Supply chain bottlenecks affecting food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries
• Energy cost fluctuations impacting packaging manufacturing operations
  
  

These alerts help organizations anticipate and respond to events that directly affect packaging production, supply chain continuity, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and business strategy.