Food
packaging is packaging for food. A package provides
protection, tampering resistance, and special physical, chemical, or
biological needs. It may bear a nutrition facts label and other
information about food being offered for sale.
In recent times we have seen that
the demand for packaged, frozen and ready-to-eat food has increased due to
increasing urban lifestyle and global population trends. Since the day by day
change in the supply of various food products from different parts of the
world, the packaging industries focusing on different development of solutions
which provides maximum food security with maintaining nutritional value at
competitive rates.
Now
the food and beverage packaging has dramatically shifted from traditional to
advanced packaging. As the traditional packaging addresses issue related to
protection from external factors. However, the advanced packaging interacts
internally(active packaging) and externally(intelligent packaging) with the
environment and enhances the visual appeal of the products.
Drink boxes, an example of aseptic processing
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Therefore, manufacturers of food and
beverages and packaging manufacturers are looking into the way the physical,
chemical and microbial textures change inside the packaged food.
Global advanced packaging technology market is witnessing a high growth due to
the increase in demand for convenience food such as ready-to-cook meal, stricter
food safety regulations, and demand for sustainable packaging. Growing health
awareness among consumers, food wastage, and manufacturers’ concern for longer
shelf life of the food products and supply chain inefficiencies are the other
factors fueling the growth of the market. Further, the consumer's confidence
with regards to packaged food, organized food safety regulations, threat from
bioterrorism, and increased applications in ready-to-eat meals and frozen foods
have created a huge opportunity for advanced packaging technology market.
As per the Market analysis report by MarketsandMarkets, in 2010, advanced
packaging accounted for just 5% of the overall packaging market. The advanced
packaging market is dominated by MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), which
accounted for over 50% of the total advanced packaging market in 2010.
Active and smart packaging technology provides a huge potential to fulfill the growing demands of food safety in various applications like dairy products, meat and poultry and ready to eat food category. In active packaging the oxygen and moisture absorbers are the two main segment factors and maximum development are seen in this segment.
New technologies such as intelligent packaging, smart packaging, active, and modified atmosphere packaging are replacing traditional methods such as canning. The industry is expected to witness significant growth in the years to come. Similar to the other aspects in the food industry, this market is also highly regulated with strict guidelines for packaging materials, testing, and labeling. Another emerging technology in the market is nanotechnology. Nonmaterial’s have various applications; both in active and intelligent packaging. In active packaging, the nanostructures that can enhance the vapor permeability of plastics are used. They have various applications such as fruits and vegetables packaging. The nanosensors categorized under intelligent packaging can help in detecting pathogens, toxins, and chemicals. With nanosensors incorporated inside the packaging, the consumer can easily know the status of food inside, which means these sensors, can inform the consumers about the food’s freshness level and nutrition status.
New technologies such as intelligent packaging, smart packaging, active, and modified atmosphere packaging are replacing traditional methods such as canning. The industry is expected to witness significant growth in the years to come. Similar to the other aspects in the food industry, this market is also highly regulated with strict guidelines for packaging materials, testing, and labeling. Another emerging technology in the market is nanotechnology. Nonmaterial’s have various applications; both in active and intelligent packaging. In active packaging, the nanostructures that can enhance the vapor permeability of plastics are used. They have various applications such as fruits and vegetables packaging. The nanosensors categorized under intelligent packaging can help in detecting pathogens, toxins, and chemicals. With nanosensors incorporated inside the packaging, the consumer can easily know the status of food inside, which means these sensors, can inform the consumers about the food’s freshness level and nutrition status.
