The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Plastic Waste Coalition of Action and Bain & Company have launched “Exploring AI for Packaging Circularity”, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate the transition to circular packaging.

The report outlines how AI is already creating value across the packaging lifecycle, from optimising design and reducing material use to improving sorting and traceability. Based on interviews with CGF members and market analysis, 30% of companies are using AI today, with 70% seeing the greatest impact at the design stage.

It also identifies five key barriers to scaling circular packaging: technical limitations, recyclability, access to recycled content, refillable systems, and regulatory compliance. The paper highlights 15 AI solutions, with four use cases—packaging design optimisation, generative design, advanced sorting, and material traceability—showing the most advanced, actionable results.

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