1、 Before the 21st century
 
Before the 21st century, the main driving force of packaging technology was the large-scale production demand brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the consumer goods market. Early packaging materials mainly included natural materials such as leaves, animal skins, and woven fibers. With the advancement of the industrial revolution, new materials such as glass, metal, and paper were introduced. The main function of packaging is to preserve and protect products, especially food. The emergence of vacuum packaging and canning technologies has greatly extended the shelf life of food. At the same time, with the enhancement of brand awareness, packaging has also begun to take on the responsibilities of branding and marketing, helping products stand out on store shelves through unique designs and logos.
 
2、 Early 21st century (2000-2018)
 
In the early 21st century, the increasingly prominent environmental issues have made sustainability an important driving force for the development of packaging technology. The increasing demand for environmentally friendly materials from consumers and businesses has prompted the development of new materials such as biodegradable plastics, multi-layer films, and smart packaging. The advancement of manufacturing technology has improved the efficiency and consistency of packaging production, and the application of automated production lines and digital printing technology has made small batch customization possible. In addition, consumers' demand for convenience has driven innovation in packaging design, resulting in convenient designs such as resealable bags, easy to open cans, and single pack packaging. The development of packaging technology during this period not only focused on environmental protection, but also emphasized improving production efficiency and meeting consumer needs.
 
3、 Current and Future (2019 present)
 
Since 2019, the development of packaging technology has entered a new stage, driven by the popularization of circular economy concepts, the application of intelligent technologies, and increasingly strict regulations. The circular economy emphasizes the design of reusable, recyclable, and waste reducing packaging, which encourages companies to pay more attention to environmental protection and sustainability in material selection and packaging design. The development of intelligent packaging technology, such as the application of the Internet of Things and blockchain, has made packaging not only a protective shell for products, but also an important tool for supply chain management and consumer interaction. The advancement of personalized packaging and digital printing technology enables brands to provide highly customized product experiences, enhancing consumer engagement and loyalty. At the same time, regulations on the management of disposable plastics and packaging waste are becoming increasingly strict in countries around the world, forcing companies to make corresponding adjustments in packaging design and material selection to ensure compliance.
 
Moving towards the Future: A New Era of Packaging Technology
The development process of packaging technology fully reflects its response to multiple driving forces such as industrial demand, environmental awareness, consumer convenience, and regulatory requirements. At the current stage, packaging technology has not only made significant progress in material selection and production processes, but also achieved breakthroughs in intelligence and customization. Looking ahead to the future, with the deepening of the circular economy concept, the widespread application of intelligent technology, and the increasingly stringent global environmental regulations, packaging technology will usher in a new round of innovation.