Trevor Robinson, Global Head of Marketing, OQ, explains the three main trends driving the future of the sector
From leaves to wooden boxes, glass to aluminium to plastic, packaging has evolved with every generation and continues to do so. Flexible packaging has developed to encompass the requirements of modern living, optimising retail operations and cost efficiencies. It is evolving at an unprecedented pace with new innovations and technologies following market trends to boost the growth of the sector and keep up with changing behaviours.
According to MarketsAndMarkets, the global flexible packaging industry is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 4.5% over the next five years, achieving $200.5billion by 2025. Storage convenience and supply chain efficiencies have accelerated the growth of the flexible packaging market across sectors and geographies.
Flexible packaging provides benefits across the entire value chain, from manufactures to converters, retailers to end users. Adapting to consumer behaviours, trends in flexible packaging are changing and influencing manufactures, suppliers, retailers and brand owners.
Let’s look at the three main trends right now:
- Sustainability
Sustainable or recyclable packaging materials are also on the rise. Reducing packaging costs, material consumption and environmental impacts are factors tinfluencing innovations in flexible packaging. ‘Reduce, reuse and recycle’ is a mantra that’s increasingly catching on, shaping the way businesses are modelling their processes to achieve a sustainable packaging ecosystem.
On the other hand, quality packaging has a direct impact on reducing food waste across the entire value chain. Billions of tonnes of food waste end up in landfills every year. The multilayer barrier solutions available for flexible designs make it a packaging of choice to reduce food waste and food loss, by increasing shelf life and protecting damage during transport and storage.
At OQ, innovation is part of our DNA. We’re driving research and development in new flexible packaging technologies to safeguard consumer goods from contaminants and perform efficiently across various applications. A more active and transparent global dialogue is required to change customer perception towards plastic and enhance public understanding of the role of flexible packaging and how it can benefit the environment.
- Consumer behaviour
As the world becomes more and more fast-paceds, buying behaviours are placing higher demands on the packaging industry. Urbanisation has given rise to demand for lightweight, portable, functional and resealable materials, especially for food and drink.
Manufacturers and brands are driving these trends with innovations in packaging design to include puncture-proof, heat resistant, airtight packages; vacuum pouches, microwave-proof containers and pouches, zip-lock and resealable pouches, and much more to adhere to changing lifestyles and demands.
At OQ, our flexible packaging products are used across a vast array of applications, including bags, wraps, food pouches, shrink-wrap, stretch films and water bottle wrappers, among others.
- Design & Brand
While the primary purpose of packaging is to protect products, it also serves as a platform for promoting brand visibility. Packaging design is said to have an impact on purchasing behaviour. In an overcrowded market, packaging design can be a key differentiator. Personalising consumer experiences with smart technologies such as barcodes, RFID labels and smart tag enhances customer engagement with the brand and in turn, enables brand owners to collect data on purchasing patterns. By supplying both the packaging material and key parts of the printing ink technology, OQ is in a unique position to combine its considerable technical expertise across the value chain with a tailor-made boutique approach.
Flexible packaging is ever-evolving and OQ will continue to respond to advancements in technology. With the ambitious Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC), OQ has pioneered Oman’s first production of polyethylene, thereby diversifying its product portfolio to include HDPE and LLDPE production. LPIC has enabled OQ to expand its production capacity of polyethylene and polypropylene to 1.5million tonnes. OQ is driving innovations in the segment with a data-driven approach focused on consumer behaviour.