# 353 - Adam Page and Adam Peek discuss Packaging Market Trends!

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2026-07-14
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss

## Summary

Adam Page, VP of Reports at Smithers, discusses the limitations of AI in market research and the necessity of human expertise for triangulating data across the packaging value chain. He highlights how e-commerce growth is driving flexible packaging but reducing corrugated volumes through AI-driven right-sizing, while a global shortage of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material threatens brand sustainability goals. Page explains that Smithers serves brands, retailers, and suppliers by providing primary research to navigate regulatory changes and supply chain complexities.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=1) Introduction: Adam Page and Smithers Overview
- [1:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=68) The Value of Human Research vs. AI
- [5:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=322) Smithers' History and Methodology
- [14:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=885) The Consumer Paradox and Supply Chain Complexity
- [21:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=1276) Serving the Packaging Value Chain
- [27:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=1626) Data Gaps and Private Company Transparency
- [32:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends#t=1970) Key Trends: E-commerce and PCR Shortages

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Smithers (company)
- PIRA (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Plastics for Change (company)
- GS1 Sunrise 2027 (other)

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## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-14-353-adam-page-and-adam-peek-discuss-packaging-market-trends. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.