Emerging Trend In Food And Beverage Packaging

ASSIGNMENT-1 EMERGING TREND IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACKAGING

SUBMITED TO: DR. R.C SHARMA

SUBMITTED BY: NADIR QUAMER

2K15/PS/501 PSCT(3rd year)

EMERGING TREND IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE PACKAGING NADIR QUAMER (2K15/PS/501) Introduction: The food and beverage packaging industry always proves to be highly competitive and vibrant. The industry is always refreshing itself and on the look-out for packaging materials and technology that offers enhanced convenience and longer shelf life to consumers. The food industry knows very well that their consumers are always searching for the value, novelty and innovation when it comes to packaged food. It is for this reason that the packaging industry must continually innovate and evolve, or face stagnation.

Current Status: In recent years, the trend in packaging of food, beverages and other fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) provides a concise review of these developments and international market trends. Globally, the beverage and food packaging industry is the world’s largest consumer of plastics. This is further raised, with rigid plastic food container demand expected to increase by 5% per annum, reaching 118 billion units representing $5.4 billion by 2017.

Innovation in packaging: This year and ahead there is a lot of innovations show in “Packaging for Food & Beverage” conference, let’s look at the packaging trends set to take the food and beverage markets by storm. From new designs and material innovations to sustainable approaches, following innovation come into picture.

1.More material conversions: High-end food and drink companies, as well as alcohol brands, are continuing to choose plastic over glass for a variety of reasons. We chose plastic because it uses less packaging by weight than similar glass bottles—and helps position these innovations as premium, yet affordable. They also allow for safer handling for our customers. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles come with a range of benefits. For example, a 750ml glass bottle weighs around 400g, where a 750ml PET bottle weighs about one-eighth of this at 54g. Transport-wise, their lower weight makes PET bottles easier and more environmentally friendly to move. Plus, their robustness makes them far safer to transport, too. We can expect to see more beverage companies take a step away from glass and make the toward plastic bottles over the coming year. 2. Cleaner and clearer labeling: Now more than ever, consumers are demanding that the labeling on their food and drinks packaging is clear and concise. When trying to choose which products to buy, consumers don’t want packaging to be overloaded with messages; they want the most important information—such as ingredients and nutritional value, function and safety—to be communicated to them in ways that are visibly clear and easy to understand so that they can make informed purchasing without confusion. Consumers are also calling for more information on the products they are purchasing. For example, in the U.K., 58% of customers check ingredients information, while more than three quarters are concerned about the use of artificial preservatives. From a consumer perspective, the clean labeling and clear on-pack communication approach helps them trust in the brand. Expect to see food manufacturers keeping up with these consumer demands and improving the labeling on their products in such ways.

3. Appealing to the senses:

Although not a new development, manufacturers and brands are starting to see the relevance and benefits of different sensory element being integrated into packaging .The visual element of packaging is almost always the first aspect of packaging that consumers interact with—and perhaps the most influential in terms purchasing decision. However, many experts define touch as the most arousing of human senses, with consumer neuroscience showing that the activity of the orbitofrontal cortex is also related to our willingness to buy, and even more importantly, a willingness to pay a higher price. As consumers, there are certain tactile qualities that we tend to associate with feelings of “luxury,” “quality,” “freshness” and more. Designers are working to create packaging that conveys these types of desired product associations through tactile sensations. Tactility can be expressed by a number of printing and converting technologies, such as embossing, laser-etching, molded patterns, speciality materials and even tactile coatings. While these effects can add time and costs to the packaging production process, the added value they deliver on shelf could be worth the extra investment.

4. Packaging mobilization: Mobile-engaged packaging is on the rise as mobile technology is allowing for information to be communicated in both simple and smart ways. Now that the vast majority of consumers are smartphone savvy, brands are exploring Bluetooth LE and near-field communication (NFC) as new ways to present information and engage consumers. Beverage company Diageo has introduced NFC technology onto o printed labels on liquor bottles. This technology works by sending signals over a short distance and thus can wirelessly speak to consumers’ smartphones. Mintel’s Luttenberger says: “Brands and manufacturers are innovating packaging to keep global customers not only engaged, but to develop brand loyalty, which is becoming more and more tangible. Modern age where consumer have more choices than ever before across all package.

Examples of Uses: Plastics: More examples of plastic packaging include: • polyethlene terephthalate (PET) rigid plastic bottles, light-weight, little risk of breakage and keep the fizz in carbonated drinks; • polystyrene – expanded polythene used for trays and insulated containers to keep food products cold, e.g. ice cream and sorbets or hot, e.g. coffee, soup .

Food cans: Cans were traditionally made from tin plate sheet, but now more commonly aluminium is used (for drinks). The inside of the can is often sheet coated with lacquers to prevent the cans rusting and reacting with the contents, especially acidic foods.

Paper, board and foil: Paper, board and foil are commonly used to package foods. Board used for food packaging is often coated with a wax of polythene to prevent interaction with contents. Most paper or board should be discarded before heating, but some products frozen on specially treated board may be cooked in microwave ovens. Foil trays are suitable for both freezing and heating in conventional ovens. Cellulose films: Cellulose films are used for different types of food packaging, because they have a range of characteristics such as different degrees of moisture proofing. Some cellulose films are heat sealable. They can be used, for example, as window patches in cartons. Glass: Glass has been used for food packaging for a long time but tougher, light–weight containers, sometimes protected by a sleeve of expanded polystyrene have been developed more recently. However, glass is still very popular and is used exclusively for many products, e.g. jam.

Emerging Trend: Food waste is prevented and resources are preserved with effective food packaging designs. This is why flexible food packaging like tetra pack is growing in popularity among consumers. Its light weight, increased shelf life and creative graphics are all advantages that greatly benefit the buyers. Consumers are looking for food in packages that are easier to open. Sustainability is a driving force among many food and beverage producers, providing food that suits the consumer's evolving values around sustainability. Consumers expect food & beverage products to be natural, healthy and tasty at the same time. Consumers also expect packaging to reflect their changing lifestyles. Smaller, individual on-the-go formats are better

suited to the lifestyles of today’s more mobile generation, while larger multi-pack formats are ideal for the separate habits of today’s bigger families. 

Innovative application of microencapsulation in food packaging

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Vacuum, gas, aseptic and sterile packaging

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Tetra pack

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High barrier materials

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Digital print for packaging

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Migration from packaging to foods

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Logistical Packaging for Food Marketing Systems

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Food packaging and insect pests

References:    

Wood head publishing series food science Packaging Digest British nutrition foundation food a fact of life conferenceseries.com