In a rapidly changing food and beverage landscape where demands are diversifying, consumers are shifting toward on-the-go and clean-label products, according to the 2015 “State of the Industry—US Packaging Machinery Report,” shared by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015.

According to PMMI, continuous collaboration between consumer goods manufacturers (CPGs) and technology suppliers will be necessary to speed up the implementation of new processing and packaging solutions. The report notes, “Improved information on nutrition and growing consumer health consciousness, coupled with increased travel and busy lifestyles, have driven demand for different products. This has led to the growth of indulgent yet healthy foods, convenience foods, different portion sizes (e.g., single-serve packaging), different packaging designs and completely new foods.” According to the report, US packaging machinery shipments, consumption, exports and imports all increased in 2014. Domestic shipments showed the most significant increase to $7.5 billion, a 4 percent change over 2013.

“Speed matters,” says Charles Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI. “As the pressure mounts for CPGs to adapt their operations, immediate access to solutions providers is critical to their success. That’s why it is our number one priority to connect the makers of goods around the world with suppliers they can rely on.”