Create It Packaging
6 Trends Driving Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging continues to remain one of the fastest growing sectors in packaging today. It’s economical, comes in virtually all shapes and sizes, extends shelf life of food/beverage products and is very customizable.
According to the Smithers Pira market report, “The Future of Global Flexible Packaging to 2020,” the flexible packaging sector will continue to grow rapidly due to increased focus on sustainability and convenience. The report found that the demand for flexible packaging could reach $210 billion and increase 3% annually, peaking at $248 billion in the year 2020.
There are a few trends within this sector that are driving this demand and market value:
1. Earth-friendly materials. Sustainability is a key characteristic that many consumers now seek in brands and products, and it is expected to become even more important in the future. Flexible packaging uses fewer resources and saves more energy than other types of packaging.
2. Clear films. Clear films and coatings are taking the place of foil barriers. These films and coatings provide companies with opportunities to show their consumers their products before purchase. Many of these packages come in microwave-safe form for added convenience.
3. Easy to open and close. New techniques for opening and resealing packages are being created all the time. Machinery is advancing to accommodate techniques, such as continuous heat-sealing. The goal is not only convenience, but these different methods also prevent packages from tearing, thus ensuring product freshness.
4. Convenience. Flexible packaging is known for its convenient portability and, with the rapid advancement of production technologies, flexible packaging continues to improve. The increasing busyness of consumer lifestyles has also led to the development of a seemingly endless array of portable and disposable products, which is proving particularly important in the food and consumer packaged goods (CPGs) sectors due to changing mealtimes and overflowing freezers.
5. Exploring new categories. Flexible packaging is not just for food anymore. Markets are welcoming flexible packaging and shrink wrap in various categories, such as baby food, pet food, and cleaning products, areas where jars, cans, and bottles used to take precedence.
6. Pouches becoming a go-to package. As glass and hard plastic containers are taking a step back, pouches are more desired for such reasons as portability, resealability, environmental impact, and product freshness.
The Smithers Pira report indicates that world demand for flexible packaging is here to stay and will continue to grow. Food is currently the top product type for flexible packaging, but flexible packaging appears in other product sectors with growing frequency both as containers and shrink wrap labels.