Did you know that the food industry is one of the biggest consumers of packaging in the world? Companies use every kind you can imagine, including bags, boxes, bottles, tins, sacks, trays, pouches, and more. All of this is to ensure they can get food to consumers safely and effectively. It also needs to look attractive and protect the product. Recyclable foils have become incredibly popular for many products in the industry.
To get a clearer understanding of the importance of packaging, as well as the different materials companies are using, it is a good idea to look at the biggest trends. Let’s dive in.
Choice
Firstly, there are more varieties of products today than ever before. This includes a broader choice of flavours and different dietary options. Crucially, you can usually get vegetarian and vegan options, gluten free, lactose free, low fat, low salt, and low sugar products. Packaging can change to make it easier for people to find the ones they want.
Lifestyle
One of the biggest factors to affect packaging in the food industry is lifestyle changes. This includes crucial things like more people living in urban areas, single households, and social trends. There has also been a big increase in demand for healthy products.
An interesting part of the industry is meal kits. There are lots of options today to suit different needs. They are especially popular because they are convenient and you get great portion sizes. The latter can reduce food waste. They also give people the chance to cook and try a wider selection of food without as much hassle. Packaging is interesting here, including using recyclable foils to make pouches for exact portions of sauces, cream, and more.
Brand awareness
There has also been an interesting change in buyer behaviour and how people decide which brands to pick. A lot of consumers are more conscious of things like the environment now. So, many favour brands that use eco-friendly recyclable packaging. In some cases they can move away from large well known names. Businesses need to be as agile as possible here, and must remember to think about social responsibility.
New ways to shop
Another factor that has an impact on packaging in the food industry is the fact we have various different ways to shop now. People can still go to shops, but there is also the option for delivery, click and collect, and much more. Some businesses are online only. All of this has an impact on the type of packaging they need to use.
An interesting option here is refillable businesses. What they do is ask customers to bring their own containers, such as empty bottles and tubs. They can then buy different products by the exact amount they need. This can include things like soap and detergent, cereal, rice, flour, and more. The idea is to reduce packaging waste.
Do you want to learn more about recyclable foils?
The food industry is really exciting, but is constantly changing and evolving. Packaging needs to do the same to keep up. Crucially, producers need to be more creative with designs and able to produce smaller runs in tighter timeframes. They also need to think very carefully about the materials they are using, ensuring they preserve products, make a good impression, and do their part for the environment.
One thing to look at is recyclable foils. They are great for many applications, including pouches and labels. More importantly, they align with demands for social responsibility.
So, if you want to use quality foil that is better for the environment for packaging, please speak to us.