Food and beverage "Golden Triangle"

Chris Kenneally, Tetra Pak Global Marketing Director, says research in 30 countries indicates health and fitness is a leading consumer driver, and Tetra Pak is leveraging this opportunity with features such as portion control.

Convenience too, continues to become more critical, with 41% of people in the U.S. and 38% in Australia saying they sip a drink while driving or walking. This translates into packaging working harder to appeal to the “on the go” consumer.

And even with today’s economy, pleasure still rates high as consumers seek out cost-effective ways to pamper themselves. According to the article on Packaging Gateway, packaging will need to be more engaging, “stimulating the consumer’s five senses.”

Environmental concerns, of course, are stimulating changes across the value train as well, according to Kenneally, who lauds Tetra Pak’s paperboard cartons for their green attributes.

“Not only are cartons lighter in weight than glass bottles carrying the same volume but they also take up less space, making them easier to transport and allowing for more products per square metre. This helps producers reduce transport costs and their carbon footprint, improving their environmental profile while reducing their operating costs.”

Retail ready packaging, including converting shippers to in-store displays, is a major driver as well, as retailers seek ways to maximize in-store operational efficiency.

“The practical benefits of RRP include direct case-to-shelf replenishment, reduced cost of packaging, processing, storage, transport and in-store infrastructure, improved store labor efficiency, reduced packaging and waste, and enhanced identification of the product on the shelves leading to increased sales,” says Kenneally.