Active Packaging for better business

Active packaging includes anything from the moisture reduction sachet and anti-microbial linings to physical shock indicators and allergen sensors. It aims to improve the performance of the package by infusing it with subsidiary constitutes. This packaging system ensures the freshness of the food and smart packaging that is free from contamination. 

Active packaging extends the shelf-life of packaged food products and provides greater transparency to consumers and enterprises. In addition, technological advancements in packaging are encouraging the pharmaceutical sector to improve product traceability and enable easy access to information about medicines with smartphone scanning. 

Active packaging is often used with technologically advanced systems, microelectronics, computer applications, and nanotechnology. It provides various advantages such as control of moisture, corrosion, atmospheric, and temperature. AIMPLAS initiated the SafetySenseO2 project in 2020 to create a printed sensor capable of recognizing the presence of oxygen in the packaging. The oxygen sensor provides information regarding the safety and quality of the food to customers to reduce the food poisoning risk.

Some of the players in the active packaging market are BASF SE, DuPont, Amcor Ltd., MicrobeGuard Corporation, Sealed Air Corporation, Dessicare Inc., Active Packaging, and Accutech Packaging.

The active packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.62% to reach a market size of US$31.924 billion in 2026 from US$20.386 billion in 2019.

Food Industry to Hold the Major Share

The active packaging market based on application is segmented as Food, Beverages, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Electronics Applications, Consumer Care, and Others. Food is expected to hold the major share of the active packaging market. The food industry is one of the largest end-user industries of active packaging. The rising demand for ready-to-eat and packaged food is driving the market demand for the active packaging.  The beverage industry incorporating bottled water, and pouches among others is expected to positively impact the active packaging market.  However, the rising environmental awareness among customers is acting as a restraint in the growth of the active packaging market and is pressuring the manufacturers of the active packaging market to focus on and offer eco-friendly packaging options. Sealed Air Corporation joined the alliance to end plastic waste in 2019. The organization comprises nearly 80 companies and made a five-year commitment to invest $1.5 billion in solutions to eliminate plastic waste in the environment.

Asia Pacific to Witness Lucrative Growth

The active packaging market based on region is segmented as North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Asia Pacific region is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecasted majorly due to the rising demand from the end-user. In addition, the advancement in technology is making the materials more affordable and thus, boosting the market growth of the active packaging in the region. In 2019, the AIPIA China Summit identified several Chinese manufacturing industries with active and intelligent packaging technologies benefits.  The program to designed to showcase China’s smart packaging requirement and how various innovations can provide real value to the packaging industry. In India approximately 40% of the food is lost before it reaches the market as most of it traps the moisture deteriorates the food. This proved the requirement for the active packaging.

While North American region is expected to hold the major share of the Active Packaging Market primarily due to the intensive research and development. PearlCBD operated by Origin Lab is selling its products in March 2020 with intelligent labels which use Near Field Communication technology (NFC) ttagsbuilt into the label so that users can verify the product authenticity.

Covid-19 Impact

The outbreak of the pandemic and its subsequent pandemic and other restrictions mandated by the government globally impacted every industry and disrupted the distribution channel. The active packaging market was severely affected by the pandemic as the organization and manufacturing were forced to close thus disrupting the demand and supply chain. However, the pharmaceutical industry witnessed growth in demand during the pandemic thus increasing the market demand for the packaging. AptarGroup was seeking US FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as a solution to easily disinfect N95 masks. For the disinfection process, the N95 mask and a small strip of AptarGroup’s Activshield are placed inside any available one-gallon plastic bag and after three hours it is ready to be worn again.