There is ever-growing expectation for sustainable packaging. The search for better is reflected in consumer sentiment and regulatory attention. The focus on plastic goes wide with regulation increasingly the lever used to secure more rapid progress on the road towards a circular economy.
Join two of our sustainability experts to explore the fast-changing landscape of sustainability strategies and find solutions to improve your strategic initiatives to align with climate goals and ensure transparent, responsible corporate action.
An improving supply outlook and muted demand have eased pressures in the commodity markets. In 2024, weaker manufacturing activity in key markets is set to limit price growth for energy and metals, while robust crop forecasts should curb agrifood price increases.
Historically, energy drinks have long been regarded as a premium offering in India, with Red Bull reigning supreme. Since its debut in 2009, Red Bull has maintained its stronghold over the category. Metal beverage cans used to be the preferred packaging choice, especially for premium brands, as they continue to extend their reach through this form of packaging.
Growing political and economic tensions are leading to supply chain diversification efforts, with new regional trade hubs emerging in Asia, Europe and the Americas. However, it remains unclear if new manufacturing hubs can fully replace China in global supply chains due to China's dominance in the hi-tech goods sector and underdeveloped supporting industries in other countries.
Naturally functional benefits in food have long been linked to herbal ingredients and traditional cuisine in Asia, often rooted in fermented foods. As studies have shown that fermented foods are the most common natural source of probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), this has helped to raise the reputation of these foods and consumer familiarity with probiotics and their benefits has grown across Asia.
First months of 2024 saw a year-on-year easing in many commodity prices, as soft global demand weighed on energy prices and prospects of adequate crop supply capped agrifood price growth. However, geopolitical shocks sparked turbulence in the oil market and drove up gold prices, while rising supply concerns fuelled a rally in copper.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is expected to impact consumer demand in 2024. To counter this, companies can focus on B2B sales channels, particularly in the offices and healthcare sectors, which are forecast to maintain steady revenue growth.
Rising geopolitical tensions and economic multipolarity are adding to trade restrictions, shifting the flows of global trade and investment, and hindering economic growth. Against the backdrop of this new global reality, over the long term, companies and countries will continue to follow a globalisation reset strategy, with economic diversification and supply chain security being the key priorities.