Global Advances in Food Packaging

SUMMARY

Social Trends Drives the Need for Portion Packaging

Convenience is the latest buzz word in the food packaging industry with consumers on the constant look out for ready to eat meals. Changing demographics are also leading to a new perspective on food packaging, with manufacturers developing packages that cater to single and two-person households. Rising income, changing lifestyles and technology, as well as the widespread popularity of microwaveable foods is driving the use of portion and plastic packaging. In the future, partnerships between the food processor and the packaging industry are likely to be a crucial step toward more rigid, stable, and resalable packages.

This Frost & Sullivan research service analyzes the latest trends and advances in food packaging technologies. It discusses the commonly used packaging materials such as glass, plastics, light metals, and paperboard and throws light on certain food packaging techniques namely aseptic active, controlled atmosphere storage, and modified atmosphere packaging. In addition to identifying key technology drivers and industry challenges, participants can identify potential collaborators, stay ahead of the competition, and keep abreast with critical developments.

Modified Atmospheric Packaging Shows Growth Potential

The food packaging industry is realizing that with the increasing health consciousness among consumers, understanding the interactions between the food, package, and the environment are essential for more efficient food packaging solutions. "Multidimensional functionality is the key goal in the packaging industry today," observes the analyst of this research service. "Packaging is now more inclined toward aspects such as increasing shelf life, ensuring food safety through control of the environment within the package, and minimizing damage resulting from microbial attack."

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is emerging as a highly useful packaging technique for maintaining food quality by altering the atmospheric conditions within the package. This is particularly advantageous for packaging fresh food such as red meat, for which the shelf life is extended from four to more than seven days. Intelligent food packaging is likely to gain ground with advancements in biotechnology, immunotechnology, and enzyme technologies.

Greater Focus on Design Appeal of Consumer Packaging

Today, manufacturers of food packaging solutions are not only focusing on developing economic and effective packages for protecting the food products, but also on the aesthetic value of the packages. For example, light metal food packaging that uses aluminum and steel offers greater mechanical stability and rigidity. It is also more appealing due to glossiness and classic looks coupled with excellent printability.

"Packages are now serving to actually influence the consumer's final purchase decision," explains the analyst. "Appealing packages not only garner consumer attention for new products, but also revitalize and alter the perception about an existing brand."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Executive Summary
  • 1. Introduction and Study Highlights
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. Study Highlights
  • 2. Scope and Methodology
    • 1. Scope
    • 2. Methodology
• 2. Fundamentals of Food Packaging
  • 1. Introduction to Food Packaging
    • 1. Origins of Food Packaging
    • 2. Active Packaging
    • 3. Aseptic Packaging
    • 4. Controlled Atmosphere Storage and Modified Atmosphere Packaging
    • 5. Re-Using Food Packaging
    • 6. Technology Drivers and Barriers Briefing
  • 2. Primary Types of Food Packaging
    • 1. Glass
    • 2. Plastics
    • 3. Paper and Board Packaging
    • 4. Light Metal Packaging
  • 3. Health Concerns with Food Packaging
    • 1. Bisphenol-A linked to Breast Cancer
    • 2. Semicarbazide Concerns in Food Packaging
• 3. Food Packaging: Global Research Developments
  • 1. Research Initiatives in Private Sector
    • 1. Innovative SmartTote Foam Handled Boxes--US
    • 2. AquaFlexCan--The New Way of Packaging Non-Carbonated Water--UK
    • 3. Packaging for New Premium Cocktail Line--US
    • 4. Elopak's Diamond Pure-Pack Curve Cartons--Spain
    • 5. Bag-in-Box Packaging Solution for Maximum Benefit--UK
    • 6. CCL's Aluminum Bottles Make waves in Beer Packaging--Canada
    • 7. Enhanced Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COCs) for Better Packaging--US
    • 8. Graham Packaging Enhances Plastic Flexibility--US
    • 9. Reclosable Metal Dot Top Cans from Silgan Containers--US
    • 10. Calverts Plastics Develops a Plastic Layered Packaging System--New Zealand
    • 11. 'Delta-Twist-Cap' for Gable-Top Cartons--US
    • 12. Biosphere Industries Introduces Biodegradable Packaging--US
    • 13. Food Packaging Research at Tetra Pak--US
    • 14. New Plasticizer for Food Packaging--Denmark
    • 15. BASF's 'Uvinul' Light Stabilizers for PET Food Packaging--US
    • 16. Carafe-Style Containers by Eastman--US
    • 17. Nordenia's FlexZiBox--Germany
    • 18. Basell Develops 'Clyrell RC 1314' for Retortable Food Pouches--Switzerland
    • 19. Stylish Packages from RPC Containers--UK
  • 2. Research Initiatives in Public Sector
    • 1. Dairy Byproduct Preserves Fresh Foods--US
    • 2. Effective Antimicrobial Nanoparticles for Food Packaging--UK
    • 3. Food Packaging Research at Clemson University--US
    • 4. Packaging Films Having Antimicrobial Agents--Australia
    • 5. Oregon University Scientists Produce Edible Packaging--US
    • 6. Application of the Space Station Technology to Food Packaging--Norway
    • 7. Edible Wrappers of Foods and Beverages--US
    • 8. Starch-Based Packaging Shows Potential--US
• 4. Food Packaging: Technology Adoption Factor Analysis
  • 1. Technology Drivers and Barriers
    • 1. Technology Drivers
      • a. Design Appeal of Consumer Packaging is gaining credence
      • b. Flexible packaging thrives owing to low cost
      • c. PET bottles are gaining popularity
      • d. Cartons offer better shelf life and convenient transportation
      • e. Consumer demand fuels newer Technologies
      • f. Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) shows growth potential
      • g. Economic growth highlights need for better packaging
      • h. Social trends boost the growth of plastic packaging
    • 2. Technology and Product Development Barriers and Challenges
  • 2. Food Packaging Technology Scenario and Regulatory Factors
    • 1. Food Packaging Technology Scenario
    • 2. Regulatory Factors and Safety Concerns
• 5. Key Patents; Glossary and Contact Details
  • 1. Patents
    • 1. US Patents
    • 2. European Patents
    • 3. Asian Patents
  • 2. Glossary and Contact Details
    • 1. Glossary
    • 2. Contact Details
• 6. Frost & Sullivan 2005 Science and Technology Awards
  • 1. Product Innovation Award
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 2. Technology Innovation Award
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 3. Excellence in Research Award
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
• 7. Critical Reference Tables
  • 1. Decision Support Database Tables
    • 1. Alcoholic Beverage Production (Million Metric Tonnes) in US; 2001-2011
    • 2. Per Capita Beverage Consumption in US;2001-2011
    • 3. Non-Alcoholic Beverage Production (Metric Tonnes) in US 2001-2011
    • 4. Special Paper and Paperboard Production by Region; 1999-2006.
    • 5. Other Paper and Paperboard Production by Region; 1999-2006.