Grab-and-Go Food Packaging Drives Growth In U.S. Barrier Film Market13 January 2006
LITTLE FALLS, N.J., Jan. 11 -- As time-crunched consumers peel back the film on a growing number of case-ready, marinated, nearly ready-to-eat meat selections, barrier packaging film manufacturers are poised for a 6 percent upsurge in growth for their innovative meat packaging products, according to the latest study by Kline & Company.
The Kline study, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS USA 2005: BUSINESS ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES, examines the overall U.S. market for barrier packaging films and finds that growth in the perishable food category is set to outpace that of dry foods by more than 3 percent. It is no surprise that mega-retailer Wal-Mart, which lures customers with one-stop-shopping and convenience, has led the way in case-ready fresh meat packaging.
"Wal-Mart has been a tremendous force in case-ready meat retailing," says Sharon Derbyshire, senior associate with Kline Research. "They really want to stock this product much like they do consumer goods-get individual packages in, put them in the bins and sell them."
Derbyshire notes that while poultry and pork producers have been especially innovative in case-ready advances, red meat is coming along, with sales of case-ready red meat reaching 3 billion units a year. However, as the space allocated for fresh meat is declining, it is being replaced by more convenience-oriented prepared foods that eliminate steps in meal preparation. This is good news for film converters because it means an increase in the use of barrier films to package more oxygen-sensitive products that require a longer shelf life.
"We expect the prepared foods segment to grow at nearly 7 percent, driven not only by supermarket-based consumer sales, but also foodservice applications," Derbyshire says. "Metal cans are being replaced with flexible packaging bags and pouches for sauces, condiments, and toppings. This has some significant advantages in the foodservice industry with reduced transportation costs, quicker dispensing and meal preparation, and more economical waste management."
Derbyshire points to the bag-in-box trend for wine packaging as just one example. Historically, only cheap wines appeared in the bag-in-box packaging, but foodservice customers have discovered that this packaging extends the shelf life of even the most expensive wines because it allows them to be served by the glass, without exposing the entire contents to contamination like the old cork and bottle packaging would.
"Foodservice applications are also driving a new trend toward the replacement of metallized films with clear films, which allows for easy identification and spoilage detection," says Howard Blum, director of Chemicals, Plastics, and Materials for Kline Global Consulting. "This, in turn, is fueling growth in EVOH/nylon films, which are cheaper to manufacture and offer better flex crack and puncture resistance. Therefore, the incorporation of clear barrier films often improves the total value-system of the package-a trend that is quickly becoming a very big driver in today's newer flexible packaging designs. Package designers and brand owners want to create multi-functional packaging that is both attractive and delivers performance that consumers want and will buy."
HIGH-PERFORMANCE BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS USA 2005: BUSINESS ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES features Kline's exclusive FutureView Scenario Forecasting Model, an interactive tool that allows subscribers to generate customized forecast scenarios, based on their individual needs. Clients can also update and revise forecasts as markets change or as new information becomes available.
For more information on this study, go to http://www.klinegroup.com/Y381a.htm or contact Gillian Morris at +1-630-781-9587 or gillian_morris@klinegroup.com. In Europe, contact Pilar Pardo at +32 2 776 0737 or Pilar.Pardo@Kline-Europe.com.
For information on the customized consulting capabilities of Kline's Chemicals and Materials contact Howard Blum at +1-973-435-3450 or howard_blum@klinegroup.com.
Established in 1959, Kline & Company (http://www.klinegroup.com) is an international business consulting and market research firm serving the consumer products, life sciences, specialty chemicals, and energy industries.
For more information, contact:
Gillian Morris
Industry Manager, Kline Research
+1-630-761-9587
Gillian_Morris@klinegroup.com
Source: prnewswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Related Articles
|
