The Latest Trends in the Packaging Machinery Industry

What new trends are making inroads into the packaging machinery industry? I recently spent several days researching just what is new and upcoming and/or what outside factors might affect the industry. I was surprised by some of the new trends I uncovered. Some of them may turn out to be nothing more than ‘fads’ that come and go quickly. But, I’m sure a number of them are here to stay and will evolve over time. So here goes with my list of new trends in packaging machinery:

Bioplastics: Plastics that are partly or fully derived from renewable resources and are convertible as well as biodegradable.

Edible Films: Protein-based films that are capable of serving as a carrier for organic acids capable of inhibiting the growth of food borne bacteria.

Co-branding & Cross Promotion: Combining two brands in one product and packaging one brand to promote another brand.

Outsourcing Secondary Packaging: Nearly half of the 500 manufacturers surveyed oursource some or all of their secondary packaging services.

Sustainability Practices That Save Money: Re-designing packaging to reduce space, cut costs of materials, etc.

Automate Plants: Reduce labor costs, increase flexibility, and boost efficiency.

Phood: Food that has been pharmaceutically enhanced for health benefits.

Shelf-Ready vs. Shelf Stable: Secondary packaging that allows the retail outlet to place the product on the shelf without removing each piece from the box, tray or crate.

Increase in Contract Packaging: As the economy tightened, contract packaging started booming.

Pouches are now incorporating spouts: Beverage producers are now adding spouts to pouches. Pouches take up less space and are lighter weight for shipping.

Hispanics Account for 50.5% of US Population Growth: Since 2000 the Latino population in the US is the fastest growing segment. This trend is predicted to continue.

Mobile Messaging will increase marketing opportunities: There are 195 million active Short Message Service users in the U.S. and 3.3 billion mobile screens worldwide.

Let us know what new trends you see in the packaging industry.


The author, Marge Bonura, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for New England Machinery, Inc. (NEM). NEM is a leading manufacturer of bottle unscramblers, cappers, orienters, retorquers, lidders, pluggers, pump sorter/placers, scoop feeders, hopper elevators and much more. The company has been in business since 1974 selling to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, chemical, household products, automotive and other industries. For more information on NEM, visit their website at www.neminc.com.