PMMI Shares Latest Trends in Global Packaging at interpack 2017

 

Consumer focus on wellness, environmental impact and macroeconomic factors such as the growth of the middle class creating more disposable income are shaping the global packaging market, said Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, at a press luncheon during interpack, in Düsseldorf, Germany; May 4–10.

These trends, highlighted in the 2017 Global Packaging Trends report, produced by Euromonitor and sponsored by leading packaging associations PMMI, Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association, Italian Manufacturers of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery, and the Processing & Packaging Machinery Trade Association, are impacting the types of machinery sourced by consumer packaged goods companies. Yuska cited global consumer demand for healthier foods as the impetus towards fresher food, clean labeling and organic products becoming center stage.

In particular, clean labels are becoming critical, according to PMMI’s recently released Trends in Food Processing Operations report.

“37% of U.S. consumers find it important to understand ingredients on food labels while 91% believe that products with recognizable ingredients are healthier,” Yuska said. “And, the rise in demand for organic food has fueled a more than 10% growth in this sector.”

In order to meet evolving customer wants, many food manufacturers are looking to new technology, such as High Pressure Processing (HPP) to extend shelf life while delivering fresher, safer food to the consumer. To help advance this technology, the Cold Pressure Council, convened by PMMI, is focused on the progression of HPP as a critical technology in the food and beverage industry.

The next trend emphasized by Yuska is the continued move to more sustainable packaging, while customers demand minimal and less packaging waste while increases in the price of virgin materials are also driving demand for recycled materials.

Recyclable, affordable, lightweight

Flexible packaging is also growing due to recyclability, affordability, lightweight and growth in packaged foods overall. This increase is especially evident in regions such as Asia Pacific, Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “The increased focus on sustainability drives the growing demand for more energy-efficient machines,” said Yuska. “With the growth of flexible packaging, we are seeing additional demand for filling and closing machines able to handle this type of packaging material.”

“Consumer purchasing preferences are also changing. Online food sales are growing rapidly, a trend reinforced by the growing use of mobile phones and shopping applications,” adds Yuska.

Consumers welcome additional choices and are willing to pay more for products that are locally sourced, produced with quality ingredients and resonate as authentic. This trend toward more customization and increased premiumization, has fueled the need for increasingly flexible equipment that can handle shorter runs and more frequent changeovers.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Sept. 25- 27; Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, USA). Co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO, the show will bring together top consumer packaged goods companies from around the world to explore state-of-the-art packaging technologies, equipment and materials as well as exchange ideas with peers and build professional relationships. The event boasts an expected 30,000 attendees, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries, combined with 2,000-plus exhibiting companies spanning 800,000 net square feet of a nearly sold-out show floor.

PACK EXPO Pavilions

Containers and Materials Pavilion

This showcase of paperboard, glass, metal, plastic, flexible and resealable packaging, innovative containers and sustainable choices is a priority stop for brand managers and designers.

The Confectionery Pavilion

Candy and snack producers head to this pavilion for aeration, batch refining, shaping, cluster production, cooling conveyors, easy-open packaging, enrobers, resealables, portion control and other industry-specific solutions.

Within the pavilion, The Candy Bar lounge provides a venue for casual networking and informative presentations. Pavilion is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). 

The Reusable Packaging Pavilion

This pavilion provides a single destination for the best reusable products, services and supply chain solutions—where industry-leading companies showcase the latest reusable packaging innovations for sustainable business operations. Please note companies must be a member of the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) to exhibit within the RPA Pavilion. 

Sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA). 

New for the edition in 2018 (October 14—17) Chicago, IL USA: The PACKage Printing Pavilion

This 60,000 square foot, dedicated area will put a spotlight on your printing and converting technologies used in packaging, with an emphasis on smart packaging applications, including:

•           digital printing for folding cartons, flexible packaging, corrugated packaging

•           labeling, coding and marking

•           on-demand, high-speed, cost-effective technology for digital color printing

•           customized print packaging for all industries.