Direct-to-consumer shipments of medtech wearables continue to climb—IDC estimates 534.6 million units were shipped in 2024. At the same time, the global wearable market is valued at $103.04 billion in 2025 and will rise to $324.73 billion by 2032. These devices are often high-value, sensitive technologies requiring careful handling, especially as more brands embrace D2C delivery models. With category growth, product fragility, and shifting distribution channels, an optimized packaging strategy has become essential for protecting products, controlling costs, and delivering a strong customer experience. So, what exactly is a wearable? In the medtech world, wearables are electronic sensors worn on—or even implanted in—the body to continuously capture health data. Think wrist-worn smartwatches that log heart rate and activity, arm-mounted continuous glucose monitors, adhesive ECG patches for cardiac monitoring and sleek sleep-tracking rings. As these devices more and more frequently journey from manufacturers, clinics and retailers direct to consumers’ homes, your packaging must evolve. Here are five strategies to balance product protection, user experience and material efficiency:

January–June 2020 (compared to 1–6/2019) • Sales were EUR 945.2 million (964.2). • Comparable operating result was EUR 94.2 million (102.8), or 10.0% (10.7%) of sales. Operating result was EUR 100.3 million (118.3). • Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.19 (0.23), and earnings per share were EUR 0.21 (0.27). • Comparable return on capital employed was 10.7% (11.7%). • Net cash flow from operations was EUR 152.3 million (67.1). April–June 2020 (compared to 4–6/2019) • Sales were EUR 473.1 million (477.1). • Comparable operating result was EUR 60.5 million (41.0), or 12.8% (8.6%) of sales. Operating result was EUR 66.5 million (46.4). • Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.13 (0.09), and earnings per share were EUR 0.15 (0.10). • Comparable return on capital employed was 13.9% (9.7%). • Net cash flow from operations was EUR 72.3 million (30.7).

Mondi has collaborated with German machine supplier beck packautomaten to create a functional paper solution that has the potential to revolutionise eCommerce by replacing plastic packaging and creating right-sized packaging for a wide range of products. Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper is 95% paper and features enhanced barrier properties to guarantee premium product protection against water vapour and moisture. This is essential for many products being shipped, including electronic goods. The paper is made with a higher strength, enabling it to carry heavier items without breakage. It is responsibly sourced, made of renewable materials and recyclable in existing recycling streams throughout Europe. Beck’s automated packing machine ensures that products of different sizes are packed according to their requirements. The machine measures the packed goods and calculates the paper needed, reducing excess usage of the material and thereby minimising waste and costs. Stable sealing of Mondi’s paper on all four sides of the packaging ensures that it meets logistics requirements and protects goods in transit - as successfully proven during tests in Mondi’s ISTA certified lab in its Bupak plant.