Can the Plastic Packaging Market Thrive Despite the Strict Plastic Regulations?

Introduction to Plastic Packaging

Today, plastics are the top choice when it comes to packaging in sectors like food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and FMCG.

In most countries worldwide, a huge number of products bought by households for daily usage are packaged in plastics.

Plastics are extensively used for packaging owing to the creative visual appeal that induce customer attraction as well as convenience.

Other than this, they enhance the hygiene quotient as well as the shelf-life of the items, particularly in the food and beverages space.

The plastic packaging industry is bolstered by a series of major factors including expanding population, rise in income levels and evolving lifestyles.

Growth prospects of the end-use sectors are also augmenting the demand for plastic packaging. The demand for packaged items from rural sector is fostered by the surging media penetration via the internet as well as television.

Emerging countries have become highly favored hubs for organized retail. Moreover, the thriving E-commerce sector is bringing about a massive revolution within the retail industry.

Retailers are increasingly leveraging digital channels for a wider consumer reach without spending much on real estate.

As a result, the prevalence of organized retail, as well as the boom in e-commerce, will present attractive opportunities to the top companies in the plastic packaging industry.

Why Use Plastics Packaging?

Plastics enjoy high demand owing to the impressive combination of advantages they offer, which are:

Safety

Plastic packaging is typically shatterproof and does not break into shards if dropped.

Durability

The long polymer chains present in plastics make it incredible tough to break.

Security

Plastic packaging can be developed and deployed with child-resistant and tamper-evident closures. Its transparency allows the user to determine the condition of the content before purchasing.

Hygiene

Plastic packaging is largely used for packaging medicines, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. There is no need for human intervention while using it.

The materials like plastic raw materials as well as additives cater to every food safety regulation worldwide.

Plastic products are typically deployed as medical devices that come in close contact with the body tissue and therefore, conform to the maximum safety standards.

Design Freedom

The characteristics of the materials paired with the wide variety of processing technologies used in the industry, ranging from blow and injection molding to thermoforming, facilitate the manufacturing of countless pack shapes as well as configurations.

Moreover, the extensive lines of coloring possibilities along with the ease of decoration and printing facilitate information and brand identification for the consumers.

Light Weight

Products with plastic packaging weigh less but are high in strength. As a result, items packed in plastics can be easily lifted and handled by the personnel within the distribution chain and the consumers.

Plastic Packaging’s Role in Sustainable Development

Energy Saving

Given its lightweight property, plastic packaging helps in energy saving while transporting packed goods. There is less usage of fuel, reduced emissions, and, cost savings for retailers, consumers as well as distributors.

Prevention of Food Wastage

Nearly 50% of the overall amount of food that is wasted in the UK takes place at homes. People throw-away 8.3 million tonnes of food products from homes annually in the UK, with more than half of the total food products that can be eaten. This food wastage costs around £560 a year, surging to £790 for a family that has children.

The sealability and durability of plastic packaging help protect the content from deterioration and enhances the shelf life.

With flexible atmosphere packaging of plastics, the shelf life is fostered from 7 to 15 days, which means reduced food loss in retail outlets from 18% to 20%.

Previously grapes were available in loose bunches but are now sold in sealed trays. This has brought down wastage in stores by more than 20%.

Regional Markets

Asia Pacific is the frontrunner in the worldwide market and will continue to lead in the next several years.

Rapidly expanding application scope in diverse industries in major economies like India, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and South Korea will benefit the regional market.

China is one of the top performers in the Asia Pacific market, in terms of production and demand. The exploding population enhances the growth of sectors like automotive, food & beverages, construction, consumer electronics, and personal care, where the demand for plastic packaging is humungous.

Europe will be the second most successful market and will experience decent growth in the following years. Lenient regulations with regard to the use of plastic products and the surging consumer awareness regarding sustainability will enhance the market share in the region.

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