Food Engineering logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • MEDIA
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
  • RESOURCES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest Headlines
  • Manufacturing News
  • People & Industry News
  • Plant Openings
  • Recalls
  • Regulatory Watch
  • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
  • New Plant Products
  • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
  • Alternative Protein
  • Automation
  • Cannabis
  • Cleaning | Sanitation
  • Fabulous Food Plants
  • Food Safety
  • Maintenance Strategies
  • OEE
  • Packaging
  • Sustainability
  • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • Plant Construction Survey
  • Plant of the Year
  • Sustainable Plant of the Year
  • State of Food Manufacturing
  • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • White Papers
  • EVENTS
  • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
  • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
  • eNewsletter
  • Custom Content & Marketing Services
  • FE Store
  • Government Links
  • Industry Associations
  • Market Research
  • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issue
  • Advertise
Food Engineering logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Engineering logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest Headlines
    • Manufacturing News
    • People & Industry News
    • Plant Openings
    • Recalls
    • Regulatory Watch
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Plant Products
    • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
    • Alternative Protein
    • Automation
    • Cannabis
    • Cleaning | Sanitation
    • Fabulous Food Plants
    • Food Safety
    • Maintenance Strategies
    • OEE
    • Packaging
    • Sustainability
    • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Plant Construction Survey
    • Plant of the Year
    • Sustainable Plant of the Year
    • State of Food Manufacturing
    • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
    • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
    • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
    • eNewsletter
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • FE Store
    • Government Links
    • Industry Associations
    • Market Research
    • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issue
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
PackagingProcessing

PACK EXPO

5 trends that are driving packaging updates

By Sean Riley
packaging

For companies that promote sustainability, packaging is moving toward novel materials to cut plastic.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

February 18, 2020

As the global food packaging market approaches $400 billion by 2025, consumer desires and modern lifestyles continue to facilitate a shift in how people perceive food, according to “Trends and Advances in Food Packaging and Processing” from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

Many of the same consumer trends from recent years are still relevant today, with the most popular trends being health-conscious foods that include a focus on sustainability.

Learn more about new machinery, materials and trends in food and beverage packaging.

From a processing end, five trends remain consistent entering 2020, and each plays a direct role in packaging developments.


1. Clean labels

Consumers are interested in foods with recognizable ingredients that are free from artificial additives and have been steadily moving away from refined sugar. According to PMMI’s report, 37% of U.S. consumers find it important to understand ingredients on food labels, and 91% believe that products with recognizable ingredients are healthier.

Food processors are reformulating recipes to include natural, healthier ingredients in all food categories. To meet clean labeling demands, packaging must offer clear product images and easily readable and identifiable labeling filled with information about package size and nutritional content.


2. Plant-based ingredients

Plant-based foods have outpaced the growth of the broader food market by over 500%. In specific categories, such as dairy and meat, disruptive products introduced in the last few years have further widened the gap in the growth margins.

With plant-based food positioned as a viable option to environmentally taxing animal products, packaging cannot negate any gains by adding nonrecyclable packaging. With an ultimate goal of zero landfill, plant-based food companies are particularly interested in packaging materials that are plant-based to be more recyclable or compostable. 


3. Lifestyle foods

Functional foods have continued to grow as consumers trend toward health-conscious choices, driving demand for natural products that help manage weight, moods, energy and sleep. These items appeal to health-conscious generations, young and old.

Longer lifespans have allowed food and drink manufacturers to design products that maintain and enhance bone, joint, brain and eye health. Snacks are replacing meals at an increasing pace as healthier ingredients, portion sizes and convenient portable packaging make it easier to eat away from home and on the go. Sophisticated flavors appeal to adult snackers, and in most cases, flexible packaging serves as the container of choice for portability, resealable capabilities and stand-up pouches.


4. Sustainability

Consumers prefer their food to be consciously sourced and ethically produced. Food companies are emphasizing their role in facilitating a farm-to-table experience. Packaging sustainability ranks as a significant concern for consumers who prefer materials from recycled goods that are also recyclable.

The next sustainability frontier is the biodegradable and compostable market. Packaging is moving toward novel substrates to avoid plastic and decrease degradation times. Companies with organic products want plant-based packaging materials.


5. Traceability

Processors are reevaluating their track and trace systems and auditing recall processes as food contamination recalls rise and counterfeiting increases. Food companies are reminding suppliers that they need their help in staying FSMA compliant. Typically anchored in traditional barcodes, companies are investing more and more in smart technology, like QR codes and specialty packaging designed to connect with the consumer. Blockchain continues to sit on the fringes of the packaging traceability conversation. Still, a need could arise in the future for better food safety and tracking knowledge to follow the product. Blockchain can also be used for recycling products.

Spend one-on-one time with suppliers who can meet emerging food packaging needs and industry trends at the PMMI-produced PACK EXPO East 2020 (March 3-5; Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia). With over 100,000 net square feet of exhibit space, this three-day event will bring together 7,000 attendees, with 400 companies showcasing new technologies.

KEYWORDS: consumer trends food and beverage industry trends PACK EXPO

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Sean Riley is the senior director, Media and Industry Communications for PMMI.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Global Organic Food & Beverage Market to Grow

    Global Organic Food & Beverage Market to Grow

    With a CAGR of 12.07%, Bonafide Research estimates this...
    People & Industry News
  • skilled MEP worker

    Predicting Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends for 2024

    The two words that should be kept in mind are labor and...
    Automation
    By: Derrick Teal
  • cleaning and sanitation

    The basics of cleaning and sanitation in food plants

    Sanitation maintains or restores a state of cleanliness...
    Food Safety
    By: Richard F. Stier
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Customer Service

Food Plant Openings and Expansions June 2025

Food Plant Openings and Expansions June 2025

Celebrating Women in Engineering: Shalima Sreenath

Celebrating Women in Engineering: Shalima Sreenath

Celebrating Women in Engineering: Samara Heaggans

Celebrating Women in Engineering: Samara Heaggans

Food Plant Openings and Expansions May 2025

Food Plant Openings and Expansions May 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

Cargill Cocoa Plant

Cargill Invests in its Cocoa Supply Chain

Campbell’s Utah plant

Going for Gold(fish): Inside The Campbell’s Company’s $160M Cracker Plant Expansion

Woman engineer on construction site

Exploring the Impact of Women Engineers on the Food Industry

CHECK OUT OUR NEW ESSENTIAL TOPICS

Alternative ProteinAutomationCleaning/SanitationFabulous Food Plants

Food SafetyMaintenance StrategiesOEE

PackagingSustainability

Events

June 17, 2025

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ State of the Cold Chain

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

July 23, 2025

Decarbonizing Process Heat: What You Should Know and Next Steps

Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

See More Products

Plant of the Year

Related Articles

  • Gerald Lessard on repurposing space

    What trends are driving the repurposing of space, equipment

    See More
  • Food and AgTech trends

    Food and AgTech trends that are shaping the future of food

    See More
  • packaging trends

    5 packaging trends Mintel expects to see in 2018

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • GlobalData_logo_blue_header.png

    Trends and Opportunities in the US Packaging Industry...

  • food proces.jpg

    Food Process Engineering Emerging Trends in Research and Their Applications

  • composites.jpg

    Composites Materials for Food Packaging

See More Products
×

Elevate your expertise in food engineering with unparalleled insights and connections.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Food Master
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Food Engineering logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Engineering logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest Headlines
    • Manufacturing News
    • People & Industry News
    • Plant Openings
    • Recalls
    • Regulatory Watch
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Plant Products
    • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
    • Alternative Protein
    • Automation
    • Cannabis
    • Cleaning | Sanitation
    • Fabulous Food Plants
    • Food Safety
    • Maintenance Strategies
    • OEE
    • Packaging
    • Sustainability
    • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Plant Construction Survey
    • Plant of the Year
    • Sustainable Plant of the Year
    • State of Food Manufacturing
    • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
    • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
    • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
    • eNewsletter
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • FE Store
    • Government Links
    • Industry Associations
    • Market Research
    • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issue
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!