Reduce packaging technologies

Although packaging waste accounts for around 15% of the total waste burden in developed countries, its disposal has become a significant and pressing problem because it tends to be high-volume and highly visible. As consumers continue to demand convenience, freshness and quality in their food and drinks purchases, retailers are prioritizing getting products onto store shelves as rapidly and efficiently as possible.

However, as packaging waste grows, retailers are coming under pressure from consumers, governments and lobby groups to take action in order to reduce the amount of packaging used on products.

A new report by CompaniesandMarkets.com evaluates innovation in packaging reduction in food and drinks by region and product category, pinpointing growth opportunities and highlighting technologies with the strongest future potential. It examines packaging waste issues from various stakeholders in the supply chain: packaging suppliers, food and drinks manufacturers, retailers and consumers.



Through examples of company initiatives and NPD trends, this report highlights what has already been achieved in terms of packaging reduction and provides insight into the new technologies that will impact the packaging industry in the future. It also identifies the challenges and barriers of implementing packaging reduction strategies and highlights opportunity areas.

Key features of this report

* A broad assessment of the size of the packaging waste problem, by region and material and an overview of the principal drivers of packaging reduction, including sustainability pressures, raw material prices, demographic shifts, cultural trends and legislation.
* Insight into the latest trends in reduced packaging technologies by region, product sector and packaging material.
* Evaluation of the major manufacturing technologies for recyclability, reuseability and biodegradability; and the ways in which these technologies are facilitating packaging reduction.
* Detailed analysis of lightweighting technologies and an examination of the relationship between packaging design and the more efficient use of resources.

Scope of this report

* Understand each regional market in terms of the current packaging waste trends and the legislative imperatives.
* Anticipate future sustainable packaging trends, particularly in terms of the innovations that can help your business take advantage of demand in the near future.
* Learn how the emerging cutting edge technologies will deliver significant packaging reduction and improve operation efficiencies.
* Gain insight into how changing packaging design can reduce waste and the potential impact on production costs

Key Market Issues

* Packaging waste is a serious global environmental issue. Around 2bn tonnes of household waste are generated worldwide every year, of which a third is packaging waste.
* Plastics, the least recycled packaging material, is now the most common and the most rapidly increasing in food and drinks.
* Whilst demand for 'less packaging' is increasing consumers are resistant to paying significantly more for eco-friendlier products which contributes to the packaging industry's reluctance to invest in the technology.
* Lightweighting has been heavily promoted in glass packaging, however the potential for further lightweighting is limited, as is the current potential for vastly higher recycling rates

Key findings from this report

* Recycling has been the main thrust in the campaign to reduce packaging waste and recycling rates have risen rapidly in the developed world, particularly where there has been legislation to discourage landfilling
* Soft drinks is the leading product sector for packaging innovation. Huge multinationals particularly The Coca-Cola Company have invested considerably in packaging reduction initiatives
* Plastic is now the most widely-used packaging material worldwide, but also the least recycled. According to WasteOnline, 11% of household waste in the UK is plastic and 40% of it is generated from plastic bottles of which 3% are recycled. Bioplastics have strong potential, but issues of cost and disposability need to be addressed.
* Recycling remains the principal means of reducing packaging volumes. Corrugated paperboard has reached nearly 100% recycled content. 65% of glass bottles and 60% of aluminium beverage cans are recycled.
* Lightweighting has emerged as a major packaging reduction trend, particularly in glass packaging. The average weight of a 'tin' can has dropped by a third since the 1990s.More than half of consumers claim they would be more likely to buy a product in lightweighted packaging.

Key questions answered

* What will be the future impact of legislative and environmental pressure on the food and drinks packaging industry?
* Is innovation government, retailer, food and drinks industry or consumer-led?
* Which companies, product categories and brands are leading the way in packaging reduction?
* Which packaging materials will dominate future innovation given the latest technological developments and category trends?
New Technologies to Reduce Packaging: Innovations in lightweighting, biodegradation, future opportunities and challenges: http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/r.ashx?id=O2MY9MQ8L298236&prk=d734378aa702aa162635c0553a8bb4a7

SOURCE: CompaniesandMarkets.com