LONDON, November 2/PRNewswire/ -- The rising emphasis on improved quality
and extended shelf life for packaged foods are leading to greater demands
on food packaging in terms of protecting the quality, freshness and safety
of foods. The passing of several regulations governing food packaging only
reinforces the need for more innovative and intelligent packaging concepts.
Many of the regulations have come into force due to rising health concerns
regarding carcinogenic ingredients used in the packaging materials. For example,
bisphenol-A used in plastic food containers is being linked to breast cancer
and miscarriages. Other regulations require food packages to use biodegradable
and environment-friendly material.
The most significant is the European Commission's proposed Super Regulation
that compels the food packaging industry to use only those materials mentioned
in the positive list of permissible ingredients for making plastics. The
European Commission also stated in January 2004 that manufacturers would
have to stop using semicarbazide in sealants for glass jars and bottles by
October 2005.
"These regulations will spur advancements in the food packaging industry
as manufacturers now have additional responsibilities for proving the suitability
of their packaging solutions and meeting the required standards," explains
Technical Insights (http://technicalinsights.frost.com) Research Analyst
Kasturi Nadkarny.
In a bid to promote environment-friendly packages, Denmark-based Danisco
has launched a plasticizer produced from hardened castor oil and acetic acid.
It is colourless, odourless, and completely biodegradable and is also highly
effective in softening plastics and increasing its flexibility.
At present, manufacturers of food packaging solutions are not only focusing
on developing economic and effective packages for protecting the food products,
but also on the aesthetic value of the packages.
"There has also been a tremendous emphasis on convenience of food packages
and packaging that offers better functionality, portability and storage capabilities," observes
Ms. Nadkarny.
A new type of flexible beverage pack for noncarbonated water, offers advantages
such as ease in opening and non-spill characteristics. It also ensures on-shelf
differentiation and is an ideal give-away pack at events.
The material used in the packaging is useful especially for packaging noncarbonated
potable water. The barrier property of the material, which possesses both
chemical and organoleptic certification, also ensures that water remains
pure and fresh for a longer period of time.
A new innovative carton introduced by leading Norwegian dairy manufacturer
Elopak guarantees to change the way milk is packaged. The curve present on
the carton, called the 5th panel, indicates the flavour of the milk present
inside the carton.
"This carton is the only one in the market today that has a screw cap and
its biggest selling point is the eye-catching design endorsed by consumer
surveys and huge initial sales," says Ms. Nadkarny.
The increasing demand for premium packaging and a packaging system that
offers real added value has led German-based Nordenia International to develop
the FlexZiBox that can be custom developed for a particular application.
It is square in shape and includes a front slider that controls the opening
and closing of the packaging ensuring that food remains fresh for prolonged
time intervals.
With the increasing health consciousness among consumers, food packaging
is also more inclined towards aspects such as ensuring food safety through
control of the environment within the package and minimizing damage resulting
from microbial attack.
Researchers at the University of Leeds a nanomanufacturing institute, United
Kingdom, have identified nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and zinc oxide
to be effective in destroying microorganisms. This shows huge potential for
safe, effective and affordable food packaging in the near future.
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is also emerging as a highly useful
packaging technique for maintaining food quality by altering the atmospheric
conditions within the package.
The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Norwegian Institute
of Technology (SINTEF) is attempting to use nanotechnology to develop plastic
film that provide barrier protection by preventing gases such as oxygen and
ethylene from damaging the food content.
"While different packaging technologies and materials continue to compete
directly with one another in the future, its success depends on the functionality,
cost efficiencies and its impact on the brand value," concludes Ms. Nadkarny.
If you are interested in an analysis which provides manufacturers, end users,
and other industry participants with an overview, summary, challenges, and
latest coverage of Global Advances in Food Packaging - then send an e-mail
to Magdalena Oberland - European Corporate Communications at magdalena.oberland@frost.com
with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone
number, fax number, email and source of information. Upon receipt of the
above information, an overview will be sent to you via e-mail.
Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that
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Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
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and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele
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Title: Global Advances in Food Packaging
Media Contact: Magdalena Oberland Corporate Communications - Europe P: +44(0)20-7915-7876
F: +44 (0)20-7730-3343 E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com Trisha Bradley Corporate
Communications - North America P: +1-210-247-3870 F: +1-210-348-1003 E: trisha.bradley@frost.com
Pramila Gurtoo Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific DID: +603-6204-5811
Gen: +603-6204-5800 Fax: +603-6201-7402 E: pgurtoo@frost.com
www.frost.com
www.technicalinsights.frost.com
Keywords in this release: food packaging, bisphenol-A, European Commission,
Super Regulation, semicarbazide, plastics, Elopak, modified atmosphere packaging,
Danisco, plasticizer, castor oil, acetic acid, Nordenia International, FlexZiBox,
University of Leeds, nanoparticles, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, Foundation
for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Norwegian Institute of Technology
List of key industry participants: Amcor Flexibles, CCL Plastic Packaging,
Alert Packaging Limited, Solvay SA, Danisco A/S, Stanelco PLC, Tetra Pak,
Rapak, Pactiv Corporation, Biosphere Industries, Elopak AS, Earthshell Corporation,
Silgan Containers Corporation, Basell Polyolefins BV, BASF Corporation, MeadWestvaco,
Eastman Chemical Company, Oxonica Limited, Pliant Corporation.
Source:
Frost & Sullivan
Media Contact: Magdalena Oberland, Corporate Communications - Europe, P:
+44(0)20-7915-7876, F: +44 (0)20-7730-3343, E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com,
Trisha Bradley, Corporate Communications - North America, P: +1-210-247-3870,
F: +1-210-348-1003, E: trisha.bradley@frost.com, Pramila Gurtoo, Corporate
Communications - Asia Pacific, DID: +603-6204-5811, Gen: +603-6204-5800,
Fax: +603-6201-7402, E: pgurtoo@frost.com
