Increasingly demanding requirements from food manufacturers and their
consumers mean that packaging is becoming progressively 'smarter'. Active or
intelligent packaging is a sector which continues to grow in size, with
expansion driven by new applications and innovation. Jonathan Thomas reports.
Many areas of the global food industry now feature active and
intelligent packaging. Although this covers a multitude of different areas, the
sector is best described as a specific type of packaging capable of controlling
or reacting to what is going on inside the container. Active/intelligent
packaging offers numerous benefits, ranging from extending the shelf-life of
certain products to controlling temperature and moisture levels inside
containers.
Most estimates agree that the active and intelligent packaging sector is
growing in size. According to data from BCC Research, the global active and
intelligent packaging market rose from US$6bn in 2008 to US$7.6bn in 2011, with
a figure of US$8.7bn forecast for 2013. If a broader definition incorporating
other forms of controlled packaging is used, global market value increases to
nearer US$20bn. Some of the world's largest markets include the US, Japan, the
UK, Germany and Australia.
Although the active and intelligent sector still accounts for just 2% of
the global packaging market at present, further growth in market value is
expected. According to a spokesperson from Linpac Packaging, this is due to
"the convenience trend, the need to extent shelf-life and reduction of
waste". The market is also set to benefit from growing concerns over food
safety, with more legislation expected in this area.
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