Growth in convenience foods drives use of barrier films
toward using more barrier film packaging, according to a US study.
Busier lifestyles are driving the growth of convenience foods such as case-ready, marinated, and nearly ready-to-eat meat selections. Companies have been increasing their presence in the market to take advantage of the trend.
This means an increased demand for barrier films to package more oxygen-sensitive products that require a longer shelf life, according to a study by Kline & Company.
"We expect the prepared foods segment to grow at nearly seven per cent, driven not only by supermarket-based consumer sales, but also foodservice applications," stated Sharon Derbyshire, senior associate with Kline Research. "Metal cans are being replaced with flexible packaging bags and pouches for sauces, condiments, and toppings. This has some significant advantages in the foodservice industry with reduced transportation costs, quicker dispensing and meal preparation, and more economical waste management."
The growth in the use of bag-in-box packaging for wine kis just one example of the trend. Historically, only cheap wines appeared in the bag-in-box packaging, but foodservice customers have discovered that this packaging extends the shelf life of even the most expensive wines.
The bag-in-box package allows wine to be served by the glass, without exposing the entire contents to contamination like the old cork and bottle packaging would.
The company's study of the US market for barrier packaging films indicates that the main growth is occurring in the perishable food category, which is set to outpace that of dry foods by more than three per cent.
With the increased demand, US barrier packaging film manufacturers are poised for a six per cent upsurge in growth, especially for innovative meat packaging products.
For example, mega-retailer Wal-Mart, which lures customers with one-stop-shopping and convenience, has led the way in case-ready fresh meat packaging.
"Wal-Mart has been a tremendous force in case-ready meat retailing," Derbyshire stated. "They really want to stock this product much like they do consumer goods - get individual packages in, put them in the bins and sell them."
While poultry and pork producers have been especially innovative in case-ready products, red meat is also on a growth path.
Sales of case-ready red meat are forecast to reach three billion units a year, Derbyshire stated. However, as the space allocated for fresh meat is declining, it is being replaced by more convenience-oriented prepared foods that eliminate steps in meal preparation.
Foodservice applications are also driving a new trend toward the replacement of metallized films with clear films, which allows for easy identification and spoilage detection, stated Howard Blum, director of Kline's chemicals, plastics and materials division.
"This, in turn, is fueling growth in EVOH/nylon films, which are cheaper to manufacture and offer better flex crack and puncture resistance," he stated. "Therefore, the incorporation of clear barrier films often improves the total value-system of the package-a trend that is quickly becoming a very big driver in today's newer flexible packaging designs."
Package designers and brand owners want to create multi-functional packaging that is both attractive and delivers performance that consumers want and will buy, he stated.
