Industrial Packaging Trends in the French Dairy Market

A new consumer study conducted by Amcor in collaboration with French cheese producer Laïta has identified convenience and sustainability as the two most critical factors for French hard cheese buyers. The research, which surveyed over 500 consumers in March 2026, provides actionable insights into how packaging design directly influences in-store purchasing decisions in the dairy sector.

The findings served as the foundation for a recent technical collaboration between the two companies, resulting in a new recyclable packaging solution for Paysan Breton Emmental cheese blocks.

Convenience remains the primary purchase driver

According to the study, convenience is the most influential packaging attribute for consumers at the point of sale. It outranked visual aesthetics, unique design elements, and specific material types. A significant 70% of respondents identified an easy-reclose feature as a priority when purchasing hard cheese.

These results indicate that while sustainability is a growing concern, the functional utility of the package, specifically its ability to maintain product freshness through reclosability, remains the baseline requirement for brand loyalty and consumer satisfaction.

The shift toward recyclable polypropylene solutions

Sustainability continues to gain traction, influencing the purchasing decisions of 67% of French hard cheese buyers. Among various environmental claims, recyclability was ranked as the most important attribute, followed by plastic reduction and carbon footprint transparency.

To address these expectations, Amcor and Laïta transitioned the Paysan Breton Emmental 220g format from a non-recyclable multi-material structure to Amcor’s AmPrima® PP film.

Key technical specifications of the new format

• Material composition: The new structure utilises a mono-material polypropylene (PP) flexible film, replacing a complex three-layer non-recyclable plastic solution.

• Regulatory compliance: The design aligns with COTREP guidelines and the CITEO TREE Tool for recyclability within existing French PP recycling streams.

• Operational efficiency: The film was engineered to remain compatible with Laïta’s existing high-speed packaging lines, ensuring no loss in sealing integrity or production volume.

• Functional features: The "Easy Pack" format incorporates an adhesive reclosure tape on the back of the pack to satisfy the high consumer demand for convenience.

Environmental and economic impact

The transition to AmPrima® PP film has resulted in measurable improvements to the product's environmental profile. Compared to the previous multi-material solution, the new packaging delivers a 63% reduction in carbon footprint and a 6% reduction in total plastic weight.

Beyond environmental benefits, the reduction in material weight and the shift to a recyclable mono-material structure allow the brand to lower its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, demonstrating a clear link between sustainable design and operational cost-efficiency.

The updated packaging has already been deployed across approximately 2,000 points of sale, signalling a broad market shift toward high-performance, circular packaging in the European dairy industry.