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Sustainable and smart packaging driving F&B industry
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Monday, 27 March, 2023, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Dr Chander Deep Pruthi
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Green packaging, also known as sustainable packaging, needs no introduction. It has become essential today because it consumes the least energy and has the minimum detrimental effects on the environment. With growing environmental concerns, it is essential that companies—especially those handling food and beverages (F&B)—present products in sustainable packaging. Today, customers not only demand it, but the rules are also changing. To stay competitive, F&B companies have to embrace sustainable methods of packaging and selling their products.
Sustainable packaging uses recyclable materials rather than conventional ones, like plastic and Styrofoam. Besides, green packaging consumes less energy and emits less greenhouse gases. The long-term health of both humans and the environment is enhanced by green packaging since it utilises less carbon than normal synthetic packaging.
Following the pandemic, consumer behaviour has changed. People have drastically shifted to healthier ways of packaging, or sustainable packaging. Sustainability is not only about recycling; it is also about how sustainably a company sources the product which is also about food safety. Packaging works as a ‘vehicle’ that makes the products lightweight, durable, and safe to consume. Eco-friendly packaging is mandatory for the planet, but it is a challenge for businesses dealing in packaging.
Smart packaging, on the other hand, rides on the use of advanced technologies in packaging materials and containers to enhance the functionality, sustainability, and security of products.The market for smart packaging is being driven by increasing demand for environment-friendly and sustainable packaging options, growing use of smart labels for product tracking and authentication, and rising demand for creative packaging concepts to increase consumer engagement and brand loyalty. Since businesses strive to assure timely and secure delivery of products to customers, the advent of e-commerce and online retail also supports the smart packaging market.
Impact on Food Industry
The fundamental role of food packaging is to preserve food quality, reduce food waste and food-borne diseases, and to reduce the corresponding negative impact of producing and circulating inedible or uneaten food has on our economy. This means the functional properties of packaging, especially its mass transfer properties, must meet the particular requirements of the food in question.
For beverages, in particular, new consumer trends are driving many companies to adopt more sustainable methods of packaging and selling their products. Water comes in boxes, beer in paper bottles, and recyclable plastic is being used in a variety of products. Designs such as the tethered cap are becoming more popular and all of this is a step in the right direction.
Green packaging uses raw materials and later returns them to their natural state, reducing wastage of valuable resources, such as water and energy, used in their production. There are numerous benefits of sustainable packaging. Here are a few…
- It increases the shelf life of F&B products
- It uses disposable raw materials which can be decomposed easily
- It reduces carbon footprints, a measurement of a product’s impact on the environment
- It can be easily recycled, reused, and reduced, implying that the F&B industry can make its packaging more durable with fewer materials
- It uses fewer raw materials, thus reducing the cost of production
- It uses eco-friendly inputs which can make the component safer to consume
F&B Packaging Trends
The F&B industry is one of the most important aspects of our society, no matter where you happen to live in the world. This is an industry that keeps us all going—from local fruit and vegetable growers to major instant snack producers. Aluminium cans, plastic containers, and glass bottles are among the most commonly used primary packaging solutions in the beverage industry, and all three contribute to the future of sustainable beverage packaging.
Future of Packaging in the F&B Industry
Packaging for F&B companies has a bright future. This includes the entire life cycle of a food or beverage product—from internal systems that improve bulk shipping or warehousing to retail packaging systems. All indications point to this expanding industry. Retailers and consumers are putting pressure on companies to reconsider their packaging methods to meet their demands. International regulations are putting pressure on global F&B leaders to meet the requirements for continuing to expand business into the 21st Century. These pressures and demands are met by emerging technologies that enable F&B companies to expand their operations at low cost.
Green packaging is a game-changer in the F&B industry and also plays a significant role in reducing environmental impact. Not only that, but it can also assist beverages companies in remaining competitive in the market and promoting a positive brand image for their customers. Sustainability has already become a compelling motivator for consumer purchase decisions, and some of the sustainable initiatives are being implemented throughout the drink industry and incorporated into their packaging.
(The author is COO, Ardour Flex)
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