Technology, sustainability in food packaging

by Cecile de Veyra (Managing Editor)

Image source: Getty

Food packaging preserves and protects its contents from damage, contamination and tampering during transport and storage all the way to destination retailers and consumers. It also provides information – from product identity and special or unique qualities to ingredients, nutrition facts, use and storage instructions, as well as manufacturing and expiry dates.

The pandemic has impacted consumer packaging as restaurants and other food outlets were shut down, but this diverted demand to grocery items. With the easing of restrictions, food-service packaging supplies have started rebounding.

In addition to supply and demand trends, the food packaging industry has been seeing developments in terms of use of technology such as smart labels or RFID tags, QR codes and NFC chips. Another example is Sealed Air’s Cryovac that can adjust carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen levels to prolong product life cycle.

There is also a growing emphasis on sustainability, with the shift from single-use plastics and recyclability as driving factors. This has led to innovations such as Parakh Agro’s affordable film pouch that keeps perishables from spoilage without refrigeration, and Amcor’s paper-based cheese and processed meat packaging with a resealable closure.

More breakthroughs in food packaging are expected in the coming years. This is what US-based design agency PKG calls “think outside the package” strategies that “are fueling stronger production techniques and more environmentally-friendly reusable packaging.”

Globally, the food packaging market was worth $345.3 billion in 2021, according to the IMARC Group. This will increase to $483.4 billion by 2027, garnering a 5.85 percent CAGR from 2022.

Flat bottom, resealable

For coffee beans, the PJ-006 from Water Wave Ltd is a flat-bottom plastic bag with eight heat-sealed sides, a zipper and one-way degassing valves. This resealable bag can hold 250g. Price is $0.16 to $0.20. An order of at least 1,000 pieces is required. Lead time is seven to 15 days. The supplier can also offer larger versions without degassing valves for other products.

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Laminated PE

The MT-RW0043 from Foshan MT Packaging Group is a reusable spout pouch for beverages. It is made of laminated PE and has heat-sealed sides and handle. It is available in 10 colors. Size and thickness can be customized, and logo can be added using gravure printing. Price is $0.04 to $0.08. MOQ is 10,000 pieces and lead time 30 to 45 days.

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Up to 6 colors

This cake box from Shenzhen MingLi Cai (ZJH) Packaging Co. Ltd, the BGB-14, is made of 210gsm paper, double PE, 350gsm paper and double PE. Offset or flexo printing can be done in up to six colors. In terms of finish, the options are matte and glossy lamination, varnishing, stamping, embossing, UV coating and gold foil. Size is customizable. This box is priced at $0.30. The required minimum order quantity is 1,000 pieces. Lead time is 12 to 15 days.

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Up to 7 seven layers

Shanghai Forests Packaging Group Co. Ltd’s FPG006 is a beverage shipping box made of corrugated cardboard in A, C, B, E, F, AB, BC or BE grade and with three, five or seven layers, and kraft, art, fancy, ivory board and duplex board paper. Size is customizable. Full-color offset, flexo or UV printing can be done. This box is $0.23 to $0.89. An order of at least 200 pieces is required. Lead time is three to 12 days.

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IML

An in-mold label for beverage packaging, the MF-IML-06-5813 from Weifang Maoqian Plastic Products Co. Ltd may be made of PVC, PE, OPS or other materials. Color and size are customizable. This $0.20 label can also be used on PP, PS and PE plates, cups, bowls, chairs and tables. An order of one piece is accepted. Lead time is 15 to 20 days.

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100 to 750mL

This square glass bottle can be used for honey, jam and pickles or as a candle container. Hebei Anyu Glass Products Co. Ltd offers the AYHJ-019 in 100, 200, 380, 500 and 730mL versions. It accepts requests for adding custom logos on this clear bottle. MOQ is 1,000 pieces and lead time 20 to 30 days.

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