Autopack: Why coffee packaging is inspiring continued growth

Remember the craft beer revolution? About a decade ago challenger brands took on the big brewers and found their niche. Drinkers wanted more choice, and they got it. Independents flourished and craft boomed. That spirit of entrepreneurial thinking has now made its way into the coffee market, breathing new life into a sector that’s dominated by big name hight street names.

It’s evolution rather than revolution but that doesn’t mean there aren’t huge opportunities. The rise of independent roasters and cafes is borne out of consumer frustration for the same old giants in the coffee market. There is a desire for quality over quantity, a thirst for sustainability and provenance.

Coffee culture is on the rise in the UK and independent shops are thriving. In 2024, the market was made up of over 12,000 stores valued at around £3.4bn. Sales growth has also accelerated by 4.1%, with the overall market value rising by 2.2%. The UK coffee market overall is valued at £6.1bn and the smart money is on that get bigger.

Changing dynamics

So, what’s fuelling this growth? Simply, there’s an ever-increasing group of people fed up with being served hot dishwater masquerading as coffee. Café culture is coming to the UK as consumers aren’t only demanding better coffee but authenticity; supporting local businesses and a personalised service are key reasons behind the serge. People are looking to associate their coffee with socialising as well as great flavours; pubs and bars are increasingly going up against late night coffee establishments with drinkers swapping pints for mugs (or smaller 8oz or 12oz cups to be precise).

They also place a lot of value on the origins of the bean, farming and manufacturing methods, plus the social impact of their purchases. Provenance and sustainability are values of high importance to the 18-24 demographic. Younger consumers are playing their part in the independent coffee boom, demanding greater authenticity from brands.

All of which plays into the hands of speciality coffee roasters. The market is expanding at a rate of knots, with a projected CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2030 and they are riding a wave of attention. They also want coffee packaging and processing technology that enables them to be fleet of foot. Whether it’s packing beans, ground coffee or requiring pack formats from 5kg to 150kg, there’s an opportunity to present something new to the market.

Technology solutions

It’s why Autopack made coffee packaging one of its key focus markets at this year’s PPMA Total Show in Birmingham. Our Vertical Form Fill and Seal (VFFS) machine demonstrated a new brick pack format for coffee beans as one of Autopack’s latest automated packaging innovations. The block bottom bag has a roll top finish secured using a resealable label and delivers a new format for coffee packaging – especially in the hugely popular bean sector.

The size of the bag can really help roasters hit a different price point. We unveiled the 450g brick pack enabling them to do just that; it can go a long way to help independents differentiate themselves in the market. Substrate choice adds further versatility, whether it’s paper or plastic, while the lightness of the format adds a sustainable advantage; the pack’s compact, space saving qualities aids shipping and storage.

Roasters, big and small, took a real interest in the VFFS machine at the show, highlighting just how seriously they take coffee packaging. The coffee experts need the know-how to pack and process the high-quality beans they produce and Autopack is on hand to become a trusted partner. We provide tailored and integrated coffee packaging lines that meet the key challenges – from automation to sustainability. What we’re able to do in coffee is innovate; to take that step-forward for entrepreneurs to ensure their coffee packaging helps products meet the continued demand from consumers.

While Britain’s traditional reputation is a nation of tea drinkers, coffee culture is fast becoming its future. The craft beer craze inspired some amazing examples of packaging design and innovation. Expect more of the same from the talented entrepreneurs with coffee packaging driving the growth in roasted bean and speciality coffee packaging formats.

Find out more about how our bespoke service can benefit your coffee packaging manufacturing needs.

This article was originally published by Autopack.