PMMI Reports on Trends & Advances in Food Packaging

PMMI recently released a report on changes anticipated for the food packaging industry. They researched and interviewed companies listed as one of the Top Feed Packaging Companies whose revenues represent 53% of the entire industry. Their research concludes that there are four major issues that will directly impact the future for food packaging. These are: a continuing rise in sustainable and innovative packaging; development of new food products; a growing trend toward consumer-ready packaging; and the continuing economic slump.

Many of the companies surveyed noted an interest or the implementation of moving to flexible packaging where possible. They are looking to save money on packaging weight and transportation, and hope the new packaging will be more sustainable. Some obstacles have arisen when the new packaging does not protect the product as well as the rigid packaging.

The also note that there appears to be a decline in the intent to purchase new equipment in 2011 over what was predicted for 2010. My personal opinion is that this will prove to be a false prediction. The world population continues to grow. Food is a necessary ingredient to sustain life and the need for packaged food to feed the masses will continue to grow as well. The key may be to determine the correct markets for the packaging machinery. I see continuing growth in China, India and Brazil. These emerging economies will continue to increase their need for food packaging production.

To read the entire report visit PMMI.org and look up the Executive Summary Trends and Advances in Food Packaging -2010.

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.