Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Trends

From changing consumer tastes, to efforts for sustainability and technological improvements in the field of packaging itself. One clear trend is the growth in sustainably practiced flexible plastic packaging. Manufacturers, in response to consumer desire for environment-friendly answers are now developing recyclable, compostible and bio-based flexible plastic materials with low environmental impact.
Stand-up pouches and various types of resealable packaging are becoming popular. The flexible plastic packaging ranges are convenient and easy to use, with extended shelf life. These suit particular consumer needs because the packaged products may be stored easily without losing freshness
Trends in flexible plastic packaging are being driven by breakthroughs in barrier technologies. To prolong shelf-life, improved preservation and freshness are being sought through developed applications of barrier films and coating. This is especially the case in foods as well as pharmaceuticals.
There is growing adoption of digital printing technologies for flexible plastic packaging. With digital printing, brands can have vibrant images of high quality; the designs and patterns are customized to meet specific needs. The print runs may be short in order to accommodate various forms of packaging for different products according to production and sales requirements. The trend of using recycled content in flexible plastic packaging is growing. Manufacturers are promoting closed-loop systems and applying the principles of a circular economy by using recycled materials, which helps reduce plastic waste and resource conservation.
Convenience foods are now frequently packaged in pouches. Pouches are flexible, light in weight and easily handled. These features make them useful for all kinds of food products in many different categories including snacks, baby foods or ready-to-eat meals. Flexible plastic packaging is witnessing a trend of combining active and intelligent packages. Packaging solutions including oxygen scavengers, moisture control and RFID tags add another layer of protection to products as well as traceability and real-time information for consumers.
The industry is trending toward mono-material packaging packages. Mono-material structures help recycling, making it easier to reclaim and put back into circulation raw materials. This is in line with the concept of a circular economy and wider calls for more recyclable packaging. IoT-integrated smart packaging solutions are starting to emerge. With sensors and RFID technology, flexible plastic packaging can report real-time arrival location information. It also records distribution temperature as well as receiving usages to enhance transparency and traceability along the entire supply chain route. Child-resistant flexible packaging is becoming popular in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Packaging designs with child-resistant closures and elements not only guarantee the safety of products, they also satisfy expectations from regulatory organizations as well as consumers.