Active & Intelligent Packaging Market to reach $2.2 billion in 2015, study says

Demand for active and intelligent packaging is projected to reach $2.2 billion in 2015, according to a new report--Active & Intelligent Packaging Market-distributed by Reportlinker.com. In this report, researchers studied historical demand data (2000, 2005 and 2010) and found development of new generations of products, performance improvements and the availability of lower cost products is fueling growth in this market. 

Researchers also noted that growth for intelligent packaging will be significantly faster, propelled by rapid growth for Quick Response (QR) and other mobile marketing codes on packaging, which gained a mainstream presence in 2010. Such codes are designed to be quickly read by smartphones and have the ability to transform traditional packaging into an interactive medium. Demand for time-temperature indicator labels will be aided by the availability of less costly product types, the increased presence of temperature sensitive drugs and ongoing food safety issues.

Gas scavenger segment to see above-average growth
Gas scavengers were the leading active packaging product type in 2010. The study forecasts above average growth for gas scavengers based on heightened demand for barrier PET bottles -- especially those using less costly monolayer oxygen scavenging systems -- in faster-growing beverage segments such as tea and flavored waters. Oxygen scavenger demand also is predicted to be helped by rising demand for packaged organic and other minimally processed foods and the removal of trans fats from many types of processed foods. These factors, the researchers say, will necessitate the use of oxygen absorbers as an alternative to direct food additives in extending shelf life. Moisture control, corrosion control and susceptor packaging demand will post slower advances based on the presence of more mature product types and applications, according to the study. Though an improved outlook in the manufacturing sector will benefit demand for corrosion control packaging, advances will be restrained by continued outsourcing of manufacturing to offshore regions with lower labor costs and competition from alternative materials, e.g., plastics, in the primary metal products market.

Food, beverage markets to benefit from safety concerns
Food and beverages were noted as the two largest markets for active and intelligent packaging in 2010, together accounting for nearly 60 percent of demand. Advances in food uses will be based on heightened requirements for longer shelf life for processed foods and packaged fresh foods. Gains will also be propelled by the growing importance of food safety issues among consumers and retailer interest in reducing losses from unsaleable products caused by oxidation and temperature abuse in the supply chain. The popularity of smartphones among consumers will drive broadening usage of QR and other similar codes on food and beverage packaging to provide an element of differentiation.

Pharmaceutical market to be aided by biotech drugs
The pharmaceutical market is expected to experience above-average growth, aided by the commercialization of sophisticated biotechnology-based drugs, which tend to be costly and have high stability requirements. In addition, the need to raise compliance and adherence levels will support interest in compliance monitoring devices and active reminder products, though relatively high costs and health care industry cost control issues will prevent widespread usage. The increased prevalence of drugs with high moisture sensitivity will boost demand for moisture control packaging.