Packaging has evolved from its traditional role of containment and protection to the concept of smart pack- aging, which integrates monitoring, communication, and security functions. To implement such advanced features, researchers have increasingly...
Packaging has evolved from its traditional role of containment and protection to the concept of smart pack- aging, which integrates monitoring, communication, and security functions. To implement such advanced features, researchers have increasingly explored the incorporation of energy harvesting technologies, enabling packaging to become self-powered and autonomous. Over the past decade, extensive research has been conducted to explore how energy harvesting can enable autonomous sensing, wireless communication, and real-time product monitoring within packaging systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in energy harvesting-based pack- aging technologies. We first introduce the fundamental principles of triboelectric, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, pho- tovoltaic, radio frequency, and hydrovoltaic energy harvesting. We then examine their applications in logistics monitoring, food quality and safety evaluation, anti-counterfeiting, autonomous power supply, and the direct use of packaging mate- rials as functional harvesters. Challenges such as energy output stability, large-scale fabrication, and compliance with food safety standards are also discussed. Finally, we outline future perspectives on hybrid systems, biodegradable materials, and the convergence of energy harvesting with IoT and AI. By synthesizing these developments, this review aims to high- light both the opportunities and limitations of energy harvesting in packaging, positioning it as a key enabler of sus- tainable and intelligent supply chains.