PACKAGING
The rising demand for flexible packaging over rigid and aesthetic dispensing of food items via transparent packaging is projected to drive the market.
The global fresh meat packaging market size is expected to reach $ 4.5 billion by 2030 from $ 2.30 billion in 2020, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2021 to 2030, according to a market report from TrendsMarketResearch. The rising demand for flexible packaging over rigid and aesthetic dispensing of food items via transparent packaging is projected to drive the market.
"Fresh meat packaging is gaining significant traction nowadays due to the characteristics such as longer shelf life, cost-effectiveness, and more efficient packaging offering. Many of the retailers and butchers are shifting to use effective barrier or shrink films as a packaging solution, as the films have high tear resistance and high yield. Moreover, moisture-free packaging is the major concern among many end users for ensuring their product safety and shelf life. Machine automation is the new future, which allows vacuum enabled packaging of meat products. This increases speed of packaging and speed ups production activities ensuring maximum productivity of the organization. Therefore, lucrative sales opportunities are expected for fresh meat packaging in near future," the report stated.
Among various packaging types, the vacuum skin packaging stand up pouches segment is estimated to account for more than 32% of the market share by the end of 2030. There is a high demand for fresh meat packaging in the food & beverages industry, as they promise to offer various closure options, aesthetic appeal, and enhanced shelf life.
The polyethylene (PE) material type segment in the fresh meat packaging market accounts for the majority of the market share, in terms of value. Polyethylene (PE) plastics is widely used, as it offers clear packaging added with barrier properties. The segment is projected to expand by 1.5x its current value, creating an incremental opportunity of nearly $ 460 million.
Among various meat types, poultry meat such as chicken, ducks, turkey, and geese is the most consumed meat-type globally. Therefore, the poultry meat packaging market is expected to reach over $ 1.2 billion by the end of 2030.
North America's fresh meat packaging market is expected to outbid other regions. This market is forecast to create maximum incremental opportunity of $ 240 million over the next 10 years and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.2% by 2030-year end. As a result, the North American region is anticipated to hold a market share of more than 31% in the global fresh meat packaging market by 2030.
Growing consumption of food and beverage items owing to the rising population is one of the major factors fostering the growth in the demand and supply of food service packaging. Moreover, there increased focus on environmental conservation is inducing the growth in the manufacturing rate of food service packaging solutions. One such packaging innovation is the bubble lined courier bag packaging solution. Major benefits of food service packaging include convenient, cost-efficient, lightweight, safer distribution, customizable and innovative properties. Amcor plc, Bemis Company, Inc., Dow, WestRock Company and BALL CORPORATION are some major players operating in this market.
Icelandic company creates bioplastic meat packaging
An innovative solution for eliminating plastic from meat packaging was developed in Iceland by a group of designers.
Reykjavík design studio At10 created a bioplastic material fit for meat packaging called Bioplastic Skin. This type of material can be used to wrap and seal hotdogs or sliced ham and has the appearance of plastic due to transparency and texture. It is made by boiling animal skins in water, a process that releases collagen and gelatin to create a gel-like substance that "can be moulded into any shape desired" before hardening.
Eating meat is a huge responsibility. We have become so detached from the life behind the product that is offered to us in stores, cut in perfect proportions and wrapped in plastic. Animal hides are often considered to be a byproduct in the meat industry and if we make the choice to consume meat, it is our responsibility to utilise the whole animal, and do it with as little pollution to our planet as possible”, explained the studio before presenting its innovative packaging material at Design March, in Reykjavik.
The biodegradable material is seen as a replacement of plastic in several packaging concepts, which helps to protect the environment, according to At10 studio.
Every day big quantities of plastic packaging are thrown away that eventually end up in a landfill or in the ocean. By defying the way, we present meat to the consumer, and use Bioplastic Skin instead of a polluting plastic, we hope to open a platform for discussion and debate”, said the company.
