Packaging industry forecast for growth
The global packaging market is set to expand by almost 3% per annum over the coming years, reaching a market size of $1.2 trillion by 2028; with the food packaging market – the largest packaging sub-sector – projected to grow from $338.34 billion in 2021 to $478.18 billion by 2028.
Continuing economic growth - particularly in major markets such as China and India - helps to fuel growing packaging demand; with an expanding middle class and shift to urbanisation increasing the demand for packaged food and branded goods.
Meanwhile, countries with aging populations are likely to see demand for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products increase, with Japan already spending nearly 11% of its GDP on healthcare – a figure only set to grow in the coming years.
Innovations in packaging sustainability
Awareness of the damage plastic does to the environment has grown rapidly with consumers concerned by plastic waste filling our oceans and landfills; they now rightly expect brands to invest in more sustainable packaging solutions.
Additionally, manufacturers are under pressure to reduce food waste; with up to one-third of all food produced globally lost or wasted.
The response from manufacturers has led to a flourishing of new packaging materials and technologies:
- Biodegradable: development of biopolymers and plant-based materials such seaweed, sugarcane, and coconut, for example, means packaging materials are now available that will naturally disintegrate and decompose, although this could be in a time frame much longer than many consumers expect.
- Compostable: seen as the gold standard in the field of decomposing materials; packaging certified as “compostable” indicates that it will safely decompose under certain conditions and in a defined time frame – usually within six months.
- Recyclable packaging: introduction of mono-material packaging supports the circular economy; products composed of a single fibre or material make the recycling process much easier, reducing the amount of energy required to split and sort different materials.
- Active packaging: helping to extend the shelf life, monitor freshness, and improve the safety of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals; active (or “intelligent”) packaging can involve the use of bio-chemical active films, antimicrobial technologies, and even RFID chips.
Packaging for e-commerce and convenience
Online sales recently hit $4.9 trillion worldwide, with nearly 60% of internet users making online purchases every week. The continuing growth of e-commerce influences how manufacturers must package products: the focus is on corrugated board formats that are safe to ship – often through complex and lengthy logistics chains.
Pressure is also on brands to ‘right size’ packages to avoid waste and reduce cost – consumers do not expect a small item like a book, to turn on the doorstep in a much larger cardboard box!
Selecting the right packaging adhesive
Its clear packaging is an industry that is responding both to the usual drum of changes – design updates, cost reductions, and improvements – as well as more fundamental shifts in global consumer trends and technology.
How then, can choosing the right hot melt adhesive support the packaging industry in meeting these challenges?
Adhesives play an invisible, yet important role in ensuring packaging performs throughout its lifecycle; with a range designed specifically for the packaging industry with a simple, yet important idea; our BAMFutura™ adhesives are an advanced hot melt product offering the broadest possible performance range, to suit almost all packaging applications. The range includes formulations developed using the latest metallocene polymer technologies.
Expertly formulated to include a range of viscosities, cold and hot temperature performance, and of course, adhesion; BAMFutura hot melts deliver added value to finished products.
Proven examples include BAMFutura 44 a hot melt for coffee cup bonding that provides the necessary combination of very high heat resistance, quick bond strength, and strong adhesion, to help deliver a superior drinking experience.
And, at the other end of the temperature spectrum, BAMFutura 55, an adhesive for specialist deep-freeze applications with excellent flexibility, allowing it to maintain a successful bond at temperatures as low as -55°C.
For the trickiest packaging applications – or to consolidate multiple adhesives with a single glue – BAMFutura 51 is a premium product with an exceptional range of performance that solves problems, many other adhesives can’t.
All products in the range come with excellent thermal stability, clean running properties, and superb mileage; helping manufacturers to enhance production efficiency.
To discuss your packaging adhesive requirements, or for further information about our BAMFutura packaging hot melts, contact us by sending an email to: marketing@beardowadams.com or visit the contact us page.
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Download our BAMFutura packaging infographic here