Emerging Food Packaging Trends

Emerging Trends in the Food Packaging Industry

Over the course of the last few years and continuing through the first eight months of 2012, there have been a number of emerging food packaging trends that will continue to shape the industry in the years ahead. The food packaging industry is increasingly influenced by functionality and sustainability issues. Striking the right balance of the two can be tricky, and it has become very important to preserve and store food in a fresh environment. Wasting food is far more problematic than wasting packaging material. As a result, the need for well-designed, functional food packaging designs has skyrocketed.

Food waste is prevented and resources are preserved with effective food packaging designs. This is why flexible food packaging is growing in popularity among consumers. Its light weight, increased shelf life and creative graphics are all advantages that greatly benefit the buyers. Incorporation of appropriate and easy to use fastening systems is also a key factor. When choosing the right packaging, food safety, merchandising and packaging integrity are all taken into account. Waste reduction is paramount, and it’s incumbent upon manufacturers to package food in a way that helps consumers reduce waste.

Convenience also remains a major factor in the food packaging industry. Consumers are looking for food in packages that are easier to open. People on the go are seeking a packaging design that does not interfere with their busy lifestyle. Packaging that is reflective of this lifestyle will be highly successful. Steam-in-bag features and microwavable ready packaging both incorporate this idea.

Consumption requirements and usage occasions dictate the most effective type of food packaging. There is a great deal of opportunity for consumer product goods organizations to innovate in order to incorporate sustainability and convenience into new and improved packaging designs.

Satisfying both the needs of the consumer while also providing a wealth of sustainability benefits is something the food packaging industry will have to continue to consider moving forward. Long term consumer loyalty and purchases will be greatly reliant on these factors. Other food packaging trends to consider include the following:

• Decreasing the size of packaging materials and the utilization of environmentally-friendly formats
• The prevalence of reusable bags and containers
• Enticing graphic designs with unique color patterns

Source: Them.net (http://goo.gl/WkamE)