Aspects that influence packaging

Packaging trends

Certain trends and consumer demands in packaging influence the packaging development process, some of which are listed below.

•  Product freshness becomes an even more dominant aspect of future solutions.
•  Packaging ergonomics such as new packaging concepts (shaped) or easy open/close features.
•  Packaging economics drive markets in a particular way, depending on cultural differences and consumer demands.
•  Sustainability and recycling becomes once again a main topic of focus.

Providing pet owners and their pets with a better product at great value is leading to broad areas of improvement. Nowadays customers are better educated and more conscious about the productsthey purchase.

Product freshness

Product freshness is under intense scrutiny and viewed as an area to introduce premiumisation strategies. Extending shelf life is an important feature for a large number of products. In the dry and wet pet food product categories, product shelf life is between 12 and 18 months.

Pet food manufacturers are actively creating new product formulations, which for their part create better barrier performances. Packaging manufacturers today already have toolkits to support pet food quality through innovative products at all levels.

Packaging ergonomics

Packaging ergonomics, such as new concepts and shapes or easy open and close features, are being expected to be presented at the Interzoo. Barrier and high barrier performance rigid packaging is usually a landmark for smaller package volumes. However, some of the food concepts that are being developed may require new solutions for products requiring small to large packaging creations.

We see quite a number of solutions finding a wider acceptance in Asia, the U.S. and Europe. Flat bottom packages can add value to the supply chain of flex pack solutions. There are cultural differences in using such bag types. Whereas Asia and the U.S. may be viewed as the peer markets, Europe appears to be a little behind the trend except for niche dog and cat food markets.

Types of available material influence their use in bags such as polyolefin structures, new paper application and, recently, the growing influence of polywoven technology for large bags. Flexible packaging solutions are nevertheless the most effective packaging solution to almost any dry and wet food product. Features of recloseability are to be found at all sorts of quality levels and shapes. Almost all styles of opening technology are present in pet foodcategories.

Packaging economics

Quality and functionality are identified as drivers in the process of selecting the best product for the right markets at the best economic value. Flexible packaging solutions provide added value to relevant parties. Value, however, does not necessarily mean cutting packaging costs.

Pet food producers’ expectations are often completely dependent on the options provided by packaging suppliers. Pet food producers typically expect all benefits at almost zero cost, which is an extremely ambitious expectation which not all packaging manufacturers can meet.

Downsizing solutions may give pet food manufacturers a better price point. However, there is light at the end of the quality tunnel that should receive recognition. Shelf appearance, package functionality and transportation influences require thorough evaluation throughout the processes.

Sustainability and recycling

Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever. Sustainability and recycling of packaging therefore is a very important subject focus on. Flexible packaging is simply to be preferred over any other packaging solution regarding weight and production processes, even though this is also highly influenced by cultural trends. Compared to plastic containers or glass, flexible packaging appears to offer the best benefits, and not only in manufacturing and transportation.

Recyclability is an option but not really a sustainable solution. Collection systems do not differentiate between input waste, nor is separation possible at all product levels and categories. Incineration or collection systems are definitely preferable to dumping it into the sea. But the use of renewable resources may become stronger driving forces in the near future. In that respect, it is important not to use resources that are important for keeping human foodat decent price levels.

Eliminating aluminium foils from packaging wherever possible, for example, creates a huge opportunity for reducing CO2 emissions. This is possible but needs to be looked at from the perspectives of quality and costs.

However, the pet food producers face other challenges of sustainability with respect to their raw materials, ingredients and processes that are much bigger compared to challenges of packaging sustainability.