– It is able to incorporate innovative features that entertain or inform the potential buyer or it can include properties that inform the supplier about the course and place of the product along the supply chain, or certify its authenticity. For instance, QR codes or radio frequency identification technology (RFID) tags can be placed on the paper packaging, thus enabling consumers and suppliers to read it, using mobile devices. 
– Paper is environmentally friendly as it is made of renewable raw materials and it can be recycled and reused. A significant trendin the packaging industry is the use of fewer and more durable materials for the reduction of the packaging weight which also leads to lower costs of production, transport and storage. Consequently, this type of packaging material improves the companies’ ecological footprint, which is particularly important when considering that consumers are more sensitive to ecological issues and that firms are increasingly trying to become “greener”.

Paper packaging is very popular in North America and especially in the US, where, according to a report (American Alliance Paper Secondary Packaging-CPA, 2010) approximately 90% of the products transported in the country are placed in secondary paper packaging. It is followed by the Asia-Pacific region, with China being the biggest market and the most important production center of corrugated paper packaging. The rise in demand for such packaging in China is mainly due to the development of food, beverage health and personal care industries which constitute the largest end users in the region. Other important markets are India, Japan and Indonesia. Similarly in Europe, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Poland are the largest markets for this type of packaging, while other significant markets in the rest of the world are Turkey and Brazil.
The sectors that mostly use secondary paper packaging are food and beverages as well as the retail channel (online and brick and mortar), since in this way the product is kept safe during transportation and storage and can be easily placed on supermarket shelves. In addition, paper packaging contributes to the effective promotion and differentiation of the brand. Understandably, this successful approach seems to be adopted also by the industries of medical and cosmetic products.
A typical example is the paper packaging that incorporates a thermal isolation chamber system composed of interconnected vacuum insulation panels that isolate the payload from temperature excursion with a tight, protective thermal seal for a pre-determined temperature range and duration. As a result, the need for hot or cold pockets or for ice, dry ice, or gel packs within the corrugated shipper is eliminated. The packaging may be adjusted to maintain the medication at room temperature (15-25 ° C) or refrigerated (2-8 ° C) even at freezer temperatures and it is fully recyclable. This packaging  was developed by an American packaging manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to meet its customers’ (doctors, hospitals, health centers) needs, since those regularly prefer temperature controlled packaging for the delivery of medicines as well as for clinical trial shipment.

Furthermore, a particularly innovative solution is the square, paper, eco-friendly packaging which incorporates internally 100% pure, clean wool, which has the ability to maintain drugs (such as vaccines) at an optimal temperature between 2-8 ⁰C during transportation across the globe. Furthermore, this package is 25% smaller, 50% lighter and 25% more spacious than conventional boxes containing synthetic insulation. This packaging was manufactured by an English packaging company aiming at providing the medical industry with an ecological and efficient solution for sensitive medical products.
An additional illustrative and innovative example is the corrugated cardboard rectangular box which is 100% recyclable and incorporates internally adhesive tape to hold the items firmly in the center of the box. It facilitates the packaging of the products and protects them from damages during transportation and delivery. It can be also transported and stacked easily due to its lightweight. Moreover, it incorporates an opening film on the outer surface that ensures security and tamper evidence. The packaging can be also decorated with graphic designs both internally and externally, enhancing the image of the brand, thus contributing to the development of emotional ties with the end users. This solution wasused by a British brand of natural, organic skincare products to support its e-retail offer, aiming at offering a pleasant shopping experience and at promoting the company’s values.
All in all, the use of secondary paper packaging does not constitute an exclusive privilege of the food and beverage sectors. The health care and cosmetics industries seem to increasingly explore this solution, as it meets the needs and requirements of both the buyers and distribution channels for eco-friendly, easy to use, lightweight and durable packaging that keep products safe and intact along the supply chain.
ΠΗΓΕΣ: Tony Corbin (2016, 2015), Waqas Qureshi (2015),  www.packagingnews.co.uk, www.packagingeurope.com, www.pmpnews.com .