Flexible Packaging Why flexible remains king
in the packaging realm By Paula Birch, global sales director at Parkside.
D
espite the challenges often presented by flexible plastic packaging in terms of consistent recycling channels, the format remains a firm favourite with brands, retailers and consumers alike – and this looks set to continue. According to research by intelligence firm Markets & Markets, the global flexible plastic packaging category is projected to grow from USD 160.8 billion in 2020 to USD 200.5 billion by 2025 .
During the recent pandemic, several consumer trends emerged that have favoured the format, including new demand for hygienic packaging designs. Sustainability remains front and centre, but it is no longer a ‘trend’ in the true sense, but a consumer demand that has not waivered and one that flexible packaging brands cannot ignore. Consumers continue to become more switched on to single-use plastics, food waste, and recycling, particularly with the rise of documentaries like Seaspiracy. This has led to many brands seeking new and innovative methods to meet consumer sustainability expectations and use those to capture market share.
In response, we have now seen over 250 brands, including the likes of Coca-Cola and Nestlé, pledge to make all packaging recyclable
by 2025. Between this and the wealth of other environmentally focussed initiatives across global markets, brands of every size in the packaging supply chain must look to adopt a holistic and more rounded view of sustainability in flexible packaging.
Even though general media tell consumers that plastic is the enemy, there is far more to the story - and trying to eliminate plastics in packaging is not the magic bullet solution it has been touted as. Packaging manufacturers have long been aware that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to packaging design, and consumer education is vital to creating a more balanced view of plastics and packaging in general. Alongside the overarching theme of sustainability, why is flexible packaging continuing to boom in popularity?
CONVENIENCE
Consumers live fast-paced lifestyles, which has drastically shifted the way brands pack their products over the years. The need for consumption convenience is a critical factor that has contributed to the rise in popularity of flexible packaging because it’s easy to store, easy to open and can possess the ability to reseal.
The lightweight properties of flexible packaging make it ideal for on-the-go consumption compared to rigid plastics or glass. Flexible packaging ensures product safety and quality when handled or dropped by using robust laminates. For the pack designer, flexible packaging offers complete versatility being suitable for a wide range of product applications – from detergent to baby foods. The format also enables easy dispensing with built-in features, including caps, zips, easy-tear perforations and reclose designs.
EXTENDED SHELF LIFE One of the world’s most significant environmental issues is food waste across supply chains, retailing and in the home. Flexible packaging can be designed with high barrier materials and air-tight seals, ensuring gas and moisture ingress or egress can be avoided and can also be suitable for pasteurisation and retort applications.
This extended freshness means less product is sent to landfills due to spoilage. In addition, the ability to reseal also reduces the consumer’s reliance on secondary plastics, such as cling film, in the home.
OUTSTANDING DESIGN
Brand owners constantly seek ways to enhance their ranges to improve on-shelf differentiation. Flexible packaging substrates enable high- quality and impactful graphics to be printed with 100% and 360-degree branding, unlike other pack formats, which work well in vertical orientation to stand out on the shelf and are also highly ergonomic for the consumer. In summary, flexible packaging enables products to stay fresher for longer - essential for consumers’ on-the-go lifestyles, where shelf life is key. It is also easier to transport and use, offering consumers more convenience while keeping the contents fresh. The format’s other advantages are numerous, and innovation in the format continues to drive the popularity of flexible packaging today and will do so in the future.
Xwww.parksideflex.com
24
June 2022
www.convertermag.com
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