From smarter factories and sustainable packaging to changing tastes and more, we take a look at some of the top industry trends and developments. It is time to shine the spotlight on some of the big industry trends and developments to come out of 2019 and discuss the top 5 food packaging trends in MEA to watch for in 2020 according to SIG Combibloc Obeikan.
The taste of tomorrow
With a soaring population, changing demographics and growing environmental concerns, we looked ahead to what we will be consuming in tomorrow’s world. Research shows that in recent years purchasing power has shifted from Millennials to Gen Zers, driving demand for healthier food formulations, internationally diverse ingredients and flavors, and heightened creativity in the kitchen.
Supporting a sustainable future
Sustainability has become a defining issue of our time. In every industry – especially food and beverage – businesses are under pressure to consider their environmental and social impact, with much of the demand coming from consumers.
A golden age for brands
With the global population aging, a new era of opportunities is opening up for health-driven food and drink products that help combat the aging process and make people feel young and healthy. To capture this market, brands are increasingly creating products with healthy, natural and fortifying ingredients. From vegetable wellness drinks infused with antioxidant-dense aloe vera to protein-packed whey drinks with whole fruit pieces.
Keeping pace with digital
The digital transformation of industry is well underway, and we are seeing a complete reinvention in how products, solutions and services are developed.
The next-generation network
5G is coming – and all signs are pointing to a huge market impact. It is only a question of time before every machine, application, factory and supply chain could be 5G.
Abdelghany Eladib, Chief Operating Officer, SIG Combibloc Obeikan, said: “We look at 2020 and witness some of the rising trends with consumers increasingly captivated by the stories behind their food and beverage products, a 68% average annual growth in food and beverage launches with a “plant-based” nutrition, a rising 87% of global consumers in 2019 compared to 65% in 2018 are demanding sustainable and healthier products, pushing companies to prioritize eco-efficiency while health-related product changes are going beyond product reformulation[1]. We are working closely with our partners to offer a range of products and solutions to answer to a healthy aging trend with our innovative drinksplus solution, help supply chains become more sustainable and efficient, and ultimately help brands make sustainability their competitive advantage with our connected packaging. Releasing some of the new technologies driving smarter and more integrated factories have shown how we could radically transform food and beverage production in the coming years and how implementing the new 5G standard could revolutionise industries.”