Fluctuating consumer preferences, demands for better food safety, and innovative packaging solutions remain factors that compel the food packaging industry to change its dynamics. When we look forward to what the food packaging industry is going to look like in 2024 some of the trends include;
Smart and Active Packaging
Another one of the most popular topics in food tech which is the smart and active packaging. Such elaborate packages are capable of sensing the status of food, getting information on the products, and even communicate with the consumer to signal when the products are bad or contaminated.
It is possible to talk about intelligent inks and sensors in the packaging that can monitor time, temperature, humidity, gases, etc. In case the conditions go beyond the safe ranges, the sensors can notify it through color change of indicators. Smart tags and QR codes will give customers more product information through Smartphones on the same product.
Active packaging emission involves release of preservative gasses such as CO2, OS, MA and AM. They are used to preserve foods and also to improve the quality of food. Other types of packaging such as the active packaging incorporating antimicrobial coatings also inhibits cross contamination.
Market research indicates that the smart food packaging market is likely to rise at a pace higher than 15% annually in the coming decade. It also claims to alter the patterns of waste, bettering the distribution system and developing trust in the quality of food.
Their Augmented Reality and Digital Engagement
This is the case with the help of augmented reality and interactive technologies, which are giving customers more appealing and informative packaging for food. AR is trending for brands to create the product’s physical avatar, help consumers learn about the product, and help with recipes or measurements.
QR codes and NFC technology have the capability to make packages smart, which means that they can transmit information about the product to any smartphone in their vicinity. It can explain where a food comes from, whether it is certified, give preparation instructions, and a lot more.
Certain packaging includes information on the geographical place and point of purchase to aid memory in case of contamination outbreaks. Digital tools are therefore instrumental in opening up fresh avenues for brands to display transparency and at the same time empower consumers with the appropriate info.
Edible and Compostable Packaging
Environmental concerns and the move to banning single-use plastics in various economies are creating demand for environmentally-friendly biodegradable packaging derived from biological materials such as lipids, starches, beans or cellulose. Another option to minimize the quantity of packaging materials are edible coatings and films.
Seaweeds, milk and egg proteins, gelatin sheets, fruits and other consumable goods that act as packaging for foods, drinks, and nutraceuticals are examples of other types of packaging that at the same time improve the general product experience. Ice, salt, beeswax and compostable plastics are bio-degradable types of containers because they disintegrate fast.
In the following three years, habits of using single-use plastics will reduce while biopolymers and edible coatings will embrace the market. Biodegradable packaging could expand at a compound rate of more than 17% in some areas by 2028. The advancement in technology along with reduction in costs will see sustainability products adopted across the board.
Enhanced Barrier Properties
Another consistent issue that has been witnessed in the development of green packaging has been in providing sufficient moisture, gas, and ultraviolet protection as found in plastics, and aluminum. Advanced in materials science is improving barrier characteristics of environmentally friendly base materials.
Nanotechnology is helping developers to incorporate very small materials into bioplastics and paper-based packaging to shelter the contents from gases, vapors and light. Superhydrophobic coatings are for preventing moistures while antimicrobial properties prevent microorganisms. Smart blister packs with push through capsules help to ensure that oxygen is not exposed to the capsules until it is required.
Barrier improvements enable superior packaging to arrive at its intended use in higher quality and safety than during its shelf life. The global market for barrier packaging may have a value of up to $90 billion by the end of 2026.
Automated Packaging Systems
The use of automated packaging offers efficiency and reduces the incidences of cross-contamination that are common with manual packaging and packing costs.
Automated vision inspection systems give an instant value-judgment of quality and identify defects and mistakes. To address the issue of handling foods, advanced pick-and-place robotic systems are applied and have a high degree of precision in terms of speed. Large wrapper arms guide the product and hold it uniformly and securely within the product to be wrapped. Stickers must be placed accurately to convey required product details. There are automated palletizers for loading finished cases or bundles in an efficiently manner.
The use of robotic and automated technology will become prominent in food manufacturing industries in the next few years as more food manufacturers embrace it. Such turnkey systems address the controls, the components as well as the software that can be utilized to enhance overall packaging lines.
The levels of investment and type of technologies that are now becoming available are leveled, making it possible to apply consistency at high and low volume operations. Advancements in the flexible feeding system tools, grippers and motion control are making the packaging technology versatile enough to adapt to a larger number of packages and products.
Innovations on the Horizon
Looking deeper into the future of food tech, some other packaging advances that bear watching include:Looking deeper into the future of food tech, some other packaging advances that bear watching include:
– Thus, there is a concept of antimicrobial surfaces for a longer safety with the use of nanomaterials or microbial phages. Surfaces that actively kill dangerous pathogens could help to prevent foods from becoming vehicles that transmit the diseases.
– Biochemical sensors that mimic the olfactory organs of dogs are based on receptors and molecules derived from living organisms that can detect certain chemical molecules which are vapors or gases that are indicative of spoilage or pathogenic agents. The operation of these sensors allows the detection of contamination at a much earlier stage than with traditional equipment.
– Similar to the case of a digital tongue, taste sensors also mimic human sensory apprehension to “taste” foods. These sensors could also detect earlier signs of wear and tear which are otherwise unnoticeable even if the exterior is physically examined.
– These emerging preservation techniques such as high-pressure pasteurization (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF) and light pulses work at low temperatures to kill active microorganisms and enzymes, yet retains nutrients, flavours and textures. When these treatments are used in conjunction with smart packaging, then it could be used as a replacement to heat pasteurization in the future.
The increased importance of food packging will persist as technology and the expectation of the consumers develops over the years. Thus, innovation is the key to continuous evolution and constant progress in the sphere while the trends can be temporary and do not always reflect the need for improvement of the important aspects such as safety, quality, sustainability and convenience for the users. Thus as researchers across the world are extending the frontiers in material science, nanotechnology, automation and digitalization, product life, supply chain and consumer life are likely to be the beneficiaries.
