The packaging market has evolved from simply meeting the basic requirements necessary for the transfer of goods to being one of the defining factors in the sale of a product. From being aesthetically pleasing to incorporating the latest technological advancements, the global packaging industry has come a long way. And as packaged food and drinks gain popularity, the demand for better packaging solutions has resulted in the growth and expansion of the antimicrobial and sterilized packaging markets.
Analysts at Technavio predict that the markets for antimicrobial and sterilized packaging will grow at a CAGR of around 5% and 6%, respectively. Growth of the food and beverages industry, an increase in the number of infectious diseases, and the demand from the biopharmaceutical market have fueled the need for better packaging solutions, which is why the sterilized and antimicrobial packaging industries are expanding significantly.
Advantages of antimicrobial and sterilized packaging solutions
Increased shelf-life of products
Increased shelf-life is one major advantage of shifting to antimicrobial packaging solutions. Not only is this packaging highly transparent and flexible, but it also prevents the passage of gasses, liquids, and radiation, thereby increasing product shelf-life. Also, as antimicrobial packaging involves the use of airtight seals, it prevents oxidative spoilage of foods and eliminates the use of additives that prevent oxidation. Thus, not only is the shelf life of the products increased, but the taste and quality is also preserved. As the consumption of processed and packaged food items continues to increase, the benefits of antimicrobial packaging help make them more popular.
Hygienic packaging
Hygiene is a major issue, whether in the case of food products, beverages or drugs. Sterilized packaging solutions offer protection from contaminants, increased patient compliance, and ensure adherence to the regulations established for pharmaceutical and food and beverage packaging. Especially in the case of the biopharmaceuticals industry, sterilization is quite critical, which is why ready-to-sterilize and ready-to-use closure processes for containers have been adopted. With increased preference for minimally-processed packaged food products that do not possess artificial additives and preservatives, hygienic packaging solutions have become even more necessary.
Concerns around sustainability and adoption of biodegradable plastics
With increased concerns regarding sustainability, packaging manufacturers are designing eco-friendly and cost-effective packages for medical devices and drugs as well as for edible items. As antimicrobial and sterilized packaging solutions make use of innovative methods and techniques to improve barrier performance and reduce the use of raw materials by 20% – 33%, they are seen as a viable option. Another major advantage of these packaging solutions is the high adoption of biodegradable plastics, which have a far less toxic effect on the environment than conventional plastics. With environmental compliance regulations worldwide becoming more stringent, vendors are shifting to antimicrobial packaging solutions. At the same time, eco-friendly packaging is expensive to manufacture, which is forcing vendors to increase R&D activities to develop cost-effective and sustainable packaging.
To learn more about sustainable packaging solutions, order these reports today:
The 2016-2020 Report on the Global Antimicrobial Packaging Market
The 2016-2020 Report on the Global Sterilized Packaging Market
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