IKEA wrapped – our packaging journey

IKEA founder, Ingvar Kamprad, inspired by the few flatpack forerunners, launched his first home assembly tables in the 1950’s. Buying quality furniture at low prices with fast home delivery from the factory was quite revolutionary at the time. You could say we've become experts in packaging solutions since then, and while the idea of using packaging to protect and transport products hasn't changed much, the methods and materials we use are continuously evolving.

Packaging design that’s as considered as what’s inside

We love a good challenge. Not just in terms of coming up with beautiful, affordable and useful products, but also innovating how they are packaged and transported. An integral part of every product design is figuring out how to box all the parts in the most efficient, tight and flat way. Sometimes, this even means rethinking a product detail or adjusting its shape to optimise the packaging – all while maintaining function and quality. There is no one-size-fits-all; we tailor the solution to each new product.

In addition to the product packaging you see in our stores and take home, we use other solutions, such as our self-designed paper-based pallets to transport items to and from warehouses and stores. Available in different sizes, this lightweight solution helps us use transport space more efficiently and reduce empty space during transportation.

So, why the focus on efficiency?

Because we don't like wasting resources and we don't see the point in shipping air! When a package takes up less space and is easy to stack, we can fit more products into each shipment and make better use of the transport space available. It's one of the many ways we work to keep costs down and make our products affordable for the many people.

Using paper-based materials wherever we can

We're continuously looking for opportunities to use paper-based materials in our packaging solutions. For example, we've started using paper-based bags instead of plastic for fittings like screws, bolts and Allen keys. Our SMÅSPORRE range of duvets and pillows is another example where we've moved from a plastic wrapper to paper after extensive testing and development. In appliances, we are also removing Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) packaging and using a paper-based alternative.

Food packaging that delivers

Packaging plays a critical role in food products. It’s where we provide important, legally required information about nutrition, ingredients, allergies and so on, and is necessary to ensure food safety during distribution up to the point of consumption. We still rely on plastic to ensure the longevity and safety of our food products, so in the short term, we can't completely eliminate it. However, we're always looking for opportunities to improve our food packaging materials – for example, we’re switching the plastic wrappers for PIZZABITAR to a paper-based alternative.

Thinking outside the box

Packaging will remain an essential part of our products as it's crucial to prevent damage during transit and ensure all parts arrive when you get them home. Even though packaging has played a vital role in what we do for so long, our packaging development is a continuous journey where we want to be a little better every day.

Our material specialists and innovation teams are also continually seeking new and alternative options. This work not only improves our business, but, because of our scale, may be adopted more broadly by suppliers and partners in the packaging industry. We continuously try to find new ways to package our products, so they are easier to grab from the shelf in store, more convenient to pick up from a delivery point, smoother to transport home and more exciting to unbox.