Sustainable Packaging Trends in 2025: Find a Greener Adhesive Solution

March 20, 2025

While it may seem like old news in some cases, eco-conscious and environmentally friendly practices in business are not going away. In 2025, we continue to see a push toward sustainable solutions in the packaging industry, especially as adhesive technology advances and more options become available.

Why Sustainability in the Packing Industry Matters

There is a lot of opportunity for waste in the packaging industry. On the other hand, there has been a growing push to be more environmentally friendly over the last several decades. While the two are seemingly at odds, it just means packaging is one big area for improvement for eco-conscious businesses.

For your business, finding more sustainable packaging solutions in 2025 could result in:

Reducing your negative environmental impact including decreasing unnecessary waste

Improving recyclability of packaging materials

Limiting the release of harmful chemicals like VOCs or microplastics into the environment

Meeting environmental regulations and standards

Increasing your support from consumers looking for eco-conscious brands (84% of surveyed customers said poor environmental practices will alienate them from a brand or company.¹)

In many cases, a more environmentally friendly packaging solution may also result in saving your business time and money. So, what are you waiting for?

2025 Packaging Sustainability Trends with Adhesives

With Q1 coming to a close, we have noticed more and more general questions about sustainability trends in packaging from our customers. Many aren't sure what adhesive solutions are available or which products would work for their application. To help, we are zoning in on some sustainable packaging adhesive trends for 2025 and how they could work wonders for your business.

Turn to Paperboard in Primary Packaging

For many years, there has been a big push to reduce the amount of plastic used in product packaging. One alternative to plastic is to use paperboard sealed with adhesives. Paperboard is recyclable and reusable. Redesigning a product's primary packaging to use paperboard and adhesives instead of plastic may help eliminate unnecessary waste.

Get a personalized product recommendation for your needs.

Stop Wasting Plastic in Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging can be incredibly wasteful. Instead of layers of slip sheets and yards of stretch film, many businesses are using pallet adhesives instead. When used correctly, they can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste used in packaging.

We do carry a collection of these adhesives for purchase, but the right one for you will depend on the specific substrates and application.

Contact us to see which adhesive is right for you.

Choose an Adhesive That Is More Sustainable

Another environmentally friendly packaging trend we are seeing is the search for sustainable glues. We see requests for bio-based, recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable options. Some of the technology behind these products is still lagging, but the big talk of the town this year is the debut of new 100% biodegradable adhesives for the packaging industry.

Power Adhesives released the world's first certified, biodegradable shaped hot melt, Tecbond 214B, late last year and released Tecbond 110B for high-speed, automated packaging applications just last month. While traditional hot melts are made from petroleum-based materials, these hot melts are partially bio-based and will break down without leaving behind any harmful byproducts like microplastics.

They are a groundbreaking solution for companies wanting to be more environmentally conscious. Already we have seen a high demand for these adhesives as they are just as effective as their non-biodegradable counterparts and similarly priced.

Shop our catalog of biodegradable hot melt adhesives to find what you need.

Get Started

While the year has really just begun, it will be over before you know it. Do not let your company get left behind in the dust. If you have more questions about these 2025 eco-friendly packaging trends and what adhesive solutions we have to offer, do not hesitate to reach out. Contact us to speak with an adhesive expert. We may be able to provide you with product recommendations or technical support.

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