‘Smart’ packaging to grow above market rate

The Active & Intelligent Packaging study from Freedonia predicts that intelligent packaging demand will record double-digit annual gains, reaching 1.3 billion USD in 2017. In addition to growing product protection and food safety requirements, increases will be propelled by rapid advances for newer and emerging technologies such as quick response and other mobile marketing codes and printed electronics on packaging. Strong gains are anticipated for time-temperature indicator labels, based on growing cost competitiveness coupled with the heightened presence of temperature-sensitive drugs and the significance of food safety during supply chain distribution. 

Active packaging demand is expected to increase 5.7 percent annually to 2.2 billion USD in 2017.  Gas scavenger demand will climb at a faster pace as a result of expanded applications for oxygen scavengers in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging. Additionally, growth will be propelled by solid prospects for susceptor packaging in uses other than microwave popcorn and by robust increases for self-venting packaging. Rapid growth from a small base is anticipated for antimicrobial packaging, spurred by technological developments.  However, cost and performance factors will tend to inhibit broad usage.

Active packaging provides functions such as moisture control, while intelligent packaging incorporates features that indicate status or communicate product changes and other information.  Some active and intelligent packaging products have a well-established presence, Freedonia said, although a number of newer, more affordable types are emerging, especially in intelligent packaging. 

Food and beverages were the two largest markets for active and intelligent packaging in 2012, with pharmaceuticals to be the fastest growing active and intelligent packaging market through 2017, with opportunities driven by the health care needs of the aging US population, an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and the expanding presence of high value, temperature-sensitive biotechnology drugs in the product mix. 

Freedonia analyst Esther Palevsky said: ‘Ongoing innovations will likely result in the commercialization of new products and usage in applications that are currently unforeseen.’