Focusing on the existing market such as this may be particularly astute in light of recent PMMI research. It shows that while flexible packaging continues to be hot, its growth is stabilizing. That being the case, it only makes sense to look for ways of expanding the use of flexibles among brand owners already using them.
Over the next five years, 61 percent of end-user companies surveyed by PMMI anticipate their packaging mix of flexible to rigid will remain the same. Among this majority, 40 percent say they are reaching the upper limit of saturation, utilizing flexible for 90 to 100 percent of their products.
3 Key Trends Targeting Existing Users
Several flexible packaging trends from the exhibit floor demonstrate opportunities to reach these existing users of flexible packaging.
Environmental awareness. Many exhibitors focused on sustainability and minimizing environmental footprint—even going beyond traditional flexible packaging performance.
As an example, Sappi showcased its Algro Nature paper line. Algro Nature is one-sided coated glossy paper that is home- and industrial-compostable and sustainably sourced. The product, which provides a compostable alternative to traditional paper/oil-based film, uses biodegradable material that is laminated with a cellulose-based bio plastic. Potential applications are many, as the product is food contact-approved and makes use of a liner with oxygen and water barrier properties.
Elsewhere on the sustainable packaging front, PACK EXPO saw the announcement of an agreement that makes Triangle Package Machinery a North American PrimaPak licensee. PrimaPak, of course, is the packaging concept that looks and performs like a rigid container but is actually formed and filled from flexible film rollstock on a pretty conventional looking vertical form/fill/seal system. To Triangle President Bryan Muskat's way of thinking, the advantages of replacing rigid glass and plastic containers with containers made from rollstock are enormous. "Why ship a lot of air when you can ship rollstock?" is the way he put it.
Consumer engagement. Also notable were efforts to enhance consumer experience of flexible. One interesting approach was on display at Zip-Pak. Zip-Pak has a family of closure innovations that it calls Sensory Feedback Fasteners. Some may already be familiar with the Sensus closure in the line, which provides audible and tactile feedback to assure the consumer that the package has been firmly sealed. New to the show was Fragrance-Zip, which emits a customized aroma on initial and subsequent openings of a flexible resalable package.
Also seen were some innovative uses of interactive packaging. At Printpack, for example, a process is being used where photochromic ink can be hidden within standard graphics and remain invisible until exposed to sunlight. The process is the first time photochromic ink has been applied to flexible film, according to Printpack.
Flexible production. Finally, many equipment manufacturers introduced solutions to provide packagers with greater options for flexible packaging production. At ProMach, the FLtecnics FL 1.7 BV hf/f/s pouch machine insert a corner spout or center spout from the same applicator and also has easy conversion to zippered pouches.
Notably, at Morris Packaging, attendees saw how a change in gusset application could create a package that performs like a stand-up pouch while running on a conventional vertical form/fill/seal machine. The innovation—of particular interest to food packagers— makes all the benefits of stand-up pouches accessible with limited investment: additional facings can fit on store shelves, product visibility is high, stocking is efficient, and top-shelf presence of products is improved. But because the pouches run on standard vf/f/s equipment—with slight modification--the filling process is faster and cheaper than with true stand-up pouches. Also, users can stick with their current rollstock supplier, if desired.
For more on flexible packaging trends, see PMMI's Flexible Packaging Market Assessment Report 2015.
