The role of packaging in today’s ‘connection economy’
Food is still at the heart of our social lives. When we want to connect with others, we get together and eat. Few industries therefore have a more direct connection to consumers than foodservice. At a time when financial pressures are making people more selective about where they spend their money, shared meals remain a priority for many consumers.
This is highlighted in Mintel’s The Connection Economy report, which found that today’s consumers crave meaningful experiences with others. For foodservice operators, that creates an important challenge. Whether a meal is collected, delivered, or enjoyed on the move, customers still expect quality, convenience, and value that they can rely on in an otherwise uncertain time. And the packaging it comes in has a direct influence on whether those expectations are met.
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Packaging that makes moments happen
More social occasions are being built around food at home, while takeaway and food-to-go continue to deliver for those prioritising convenience. A family pizza night, a quick lunch between meetings, or a substantial evening meal may be very different occasions, but every one of them puts packaging to the test.
The pack must move efficiently through a busy foodservice operation, protect the meal during transport, and arrive ready to use. It may also need to retain heat, keep cool, contain sauces and oils, withstand stacking, support presentation, or allow convenient reheating, often combining several of these attributes at once.
If a pizza arrives cold, a burger becomes soggy, or a container leaks, the customer won't have the same perception of value. A first date, a family gathering, or a movie night with friends can quickly lose their shine when the food arrives cold, soggy or damaged.
If a pizza arrives cold, a burger becomes soggy, or a container leaks, the customer won't have the same perception of value. A first date, a family gathering, or a movie night with friends can quickly lose their shine when the food arrives cold, soggy or damaged.
When packaging fails, the impact isn’t just operational; it affects the experience consumers were looking forward to. And that experience is what keeps customers coming back.
Developing performance and recyclability together
As regulations accelerate the switch towards more sustainable packaging, foodservice operators face a growing challenge: balancing recyclability with performance. It’s important to remember that sustainability isn’t just a box to tick for regulators; it’s a genuine consumer demand and should be considered alongside many other evolving consumer needs.
The next generation of foodservice packaging depends on solutions that address performance and sustainability demands together. In practice, that means delivering packaging that is easy to recycle within current recycling infrastructure, without compromising the experience that consumers expect.
The next generation of foodservice packaging depends on solutions that address performance and sustainability demands together. In practice, that means delivering packaging that is easy to recycle within current recycling infrastructure, without compromising the experience that consumers expect.
Innovations like kp Infinity® show how performance and recyclability can be designed together from the outset. Made from extruded polypropylene (EPP), this range of packaging solutions is fully recyclable as it is made from a single type of plastic.
It combines this lightweight, durable structure with practical foodservice performance, and is microwaveable and naturally resistant to water, acids, alkalis, and hot oils, helping packaging retain its integrity across a wide variety of meals.
Thermal performance is equally important. kp testing shows that kp Infinity® keeps food more than 10°C hotter than alternative packaging solutions while remaining cool to the touch on the outside. That can help operators protect the quality of the meal on its journey from kitchen to customer, where every minute matters.
Thermal performance is equally important. kp testing shows that kp Infinity® keeps food more than 10°C hotter than alternative packaging solutions while remaining cool to the touch on the outside. That can help operators protect the quality of the meal on its journey from kitchen to customer, where every minute matters.
Innovation for real occasions
This incredible level of performance comes from our understanding that no single pack can be the answer to every foodservice question. Different foods, portions, and routes to the consumer require different formats, which is why innovation hinges on how operators work and how people eat.
The continued expansion of kp Infinity® reflects this principle. The portfolio already serves hot food-to-go, catering and top-seal applications. In April 2026, we added the HP3, the largest and most robust of our microwavable heat-retaining Hotpacs® format, in response to demand for generous portions of dishes such as loaded fish and chips, burgers and chips, jacket potatoes, and noodle-based meals. A dedicated fruit tray range followed in June, extending the same combination of lightweight protection and recyclability into fresh produce.
The continued expansion of kp Infinity® reflects this principle. The portfolio already serves hot food-to-go, catering and top-seal applications. In April 2026, we added the HP3, the largest and most robust of our microwavable heat-retaining Hotpacs® format, in response to demand for generous portions of dishes such as loaded fish and chips, burgers and chips, jacket potatoes, and noodle-based meals. A dedicated fruit tray range followed in June, extending the same combination of lightweight protection and recyclability into fresh produce.
Now, the same thinking is being applied to one of the world’s favourite takeaway meals. The new kp Infinity® Tavola™ pizza box is designed to help operators protect quality, presentation and heat retention while supporting improved recyclability. Pizza packaging must protect the product, help retain its quality and presentation, withstand delivery, and support efficient handling. Tavola is the latest step in an innovation programme built around solving those connected requirements while also boosting recyclability.
Traditionally, cardboard pizza boxes are difficult to recycle, because oils and grease absorbed from the food can contaminate paper recycling streams. As Tavola is manufactured using the kp Infinity® EPP specification, these contaminants can simply be washed off before recycling, showing how thoughtful packaging design can help address both performance and recyclability requirements.
Traditionally, cardboard pizza boxes are difficult to recycle, because oils and grease absorbed from the food can contaminate paper recycling streams. As Tavola is manufactured using the kp Infinity® EPP specification, these contaminants can simply be washed off before recycling, showing how thoughtful packaging design can help address both performance and recyclability requirements.
Recyclability plus
Recyclability is essential, but it should be the starting point for foodservice packaging innovation, not its limit. Material choice, food protection, operational efficiency, consumer experience, and end-of-life options all need to be considered as part of the same design process.
As the drivers behind foodservice occasions continue to evolve, successful packaging will evolve with them. The strongest solutions will be those designed around what happens from kitchen to consumer and beyond, delivering the performance people expect and the circularity regulators demand.
From hot meals and fresh produce, to pizza delivery, kp Infinity® is helping foodservice operators rethink what’s possible from recyclable packaging. Discover more today.
As the drivers behind foodservice occasions continue to evolve, successful packaging will evolve with them. The strongest solutions will be those designed around what happens from kitchen to consumer and beyond, delivering the performance people expect and the circularity regulators demand.
From hot meals and fresh produce, to pizza delivery, kp Infinity® is helping foodservice operators rethink what’s possible from recyclable packaging. Discover more today.
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