Active Packaging refers to the packaging systems used with foods, pharmaceuticals, and several other types of products. Active packaging helps in increasing shelf life, improves safety, improves convenience, helps in monitoring, the freshness of food, helps in displaying helpful information about the product, etc. The active Packaging market is growing due to an increase in demand for packaged food. Ready to eat food like chopped and packaged fruits and vegetables are employing active packaging to a great extent. Technology advancement in active packaging is making these segments more affordable. Active packaging helps in absorbing odor, gases, dripping liquids, controlling humidity, increasing its application. Active packaging can be in the form of absorbent sachets and can even be present within the packaging material. The choice of active packaging material depends on the requirement needed to be met according to the product to be preserved.

The Active Packaging Market is segmented by Packaging Technology, by Application, and geography.  Segmentation by packaging technology is by Oxygen Scavengers, moisture controllers, antimicrobial agents, UV Blocking, and others. Segmentation on the basis of Application is by Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare, Electronics Products, Consumer Care, and Others.

Active Packaging Market, By Technology and Application

Oxygen Scavengers

Oxygen scavengers are packaging films or devices that chemically react with oxygen to remove them from the packaging environment. This helps in protecting the food from degradative oxidation reactions. They maintain product safety and extend shelf life. Oxygen scavenger is often enclosed in a porous sachet or packet but it can also be part of packaging films and other structures.

Moisture Control

Moisture control is a hygroscopic substance that is used to induce or sustain a state of dryness. It is mostly found in porous sachets which are placed inside a sealed package. They are used for reducing corrosion of machinery and electronics and to extend the shelf life of moisture sensitive foods and drugs.

Anti-Microbial Agent

Antimicrobial agents are used in packaging as a packaging system that adds active ingredients and uses actively functional polymers in the packaging system for killing or inhibiting spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms that may contaminate food. The antimicrobial agent is effective in extending shelf life, preserving quality, and ensuring microbial safety of fresh and minimally processed produce. Antimicrobial agents are applied in packaging by sachets placed inside packaging, packaging films, and edible coatings incorporating active antimicrobial substances.

Food and Beverages

Rising per capita incomes and living standards is leading to the rising demand for ready-to-eat foods, processed food and pet foods combined with consumer growing preference for convenient packaging solutions drives the active packaging market growth in the food packaging industry. The rising demand for bottled water, pouches for drinks and juices combined with consumer growing preference for to-go-products drives the active packaging market growth in the beverage packaging industry.

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare 

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare require active packaging for increasing shelf life, improves safety, improves convenience, helps in monitoring, protecting medicine from getting obsolete faster, helps in displaying helpful information about the product, etc. An increasing number of chronic disease patients and rising demand for OTC drugs is driving the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. Owing to strict regulations regarding the packaging of drugs and medical devices, the packaging solution providers are increasingly investing in active packaging solutions in order to increase the efficiency of drugs and medicines.

Active Packaging Market, By Geography

The Americas region dominates the global active packaging market owing to the presence of major players, and the early adoption of these packaging solutions by enterprises and consumers alike in the major countries such as the U.S. and Canada. The rising number of disease cases is creating the need for efficient packaging solutions that can assist in meeting the requirement of reduced wastage and assist in controlling the disease outbreaks. The market is driving due to the presence of major players in conjunction with the growing demand for sustainable food packaging.

Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is the second-largest active packaging market with a share of over 30% in 2018. In EMEA Germany is the biggest active packaging market followed by The United Kingdom and France respectively. The presence of large retail chains, well-established consumer base, and stable economic outlook are some of the factors contributing to the active packaging market growth. The impact of Brexit remains to be seen, but considering the overall economic scenario to be constant or fluctuate with slight variation, the demand for active packaging solutions will grow over the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region to witness the fastest growth in the active packaging market due to rising opportunities for active packaging solution providers over the next six years. Key players for active packaging market are China, India, Australia, and Japan. An increasing number of applications across pharmaceutical, electrical and electronics, and consumer care sector is driving force for the active packaging market. In conjunction with the rapid urbanization and a growing number of working women joining the workforce is increasing the demand in the forecast period. Japan is one of the biggest economies in the world by GDP witnesses a high consumption of packaged products. Active packaging market growth in the country is significantly driven by the stringent regulatory framework for food packaging materials. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) packaging and stringent food safety regulation are primarily driving the active packaging market in China and India.

Acquisitions and Investments in Active Packaging Market: –

• In May 2019, Amcor Limited and Bemis Company Inc. merged of these both companies after getting regulatory clearance from the US Department of Justice. According to deal, Amcor has to sell certain assets located in the United States to Tekni-Plex Inc.
• In December 2018, Amcor opened a new home-care packaging site in India as a part of a seven-year agreement with Unilever signed in 2017.

Introduction

Specialty chemical products, for example, chemical growth agents, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, that are used in agriculture, floriculture, and horticulture are collectively called agrochemicals. The primary functions of agrochemicals comprise the sustenance of food and solid quality, crop yield enhancement, and crop protection. Through the function of crop yields enhancement, the farmers can meet the food demand of the growing population by driving the per hectare cultivation, simultaneously leading to a higher return on investment.

The broad categorization of the agrochemicals market is made into fertilizers and pesticides. The fertilizers are further divided into categories like nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic. On the other hand, pesticides are categorized in bio-pesticides, herbicides, and general pesticides. Agrochemicals are an integral part of the agriculture because of their contribution towards facilitating commercial cultivation, and its sustenance thereof. Moreover, the usage of agrochemicals aids in fulfilling the varied demand for food around the world. The agrochemicals are available in three forms, namely as liquid, as powder and in granular form. Nitrogenous fertilizers are projected as the fastest-growing segment since they are equipped to balance the nitrogen content of the soil.

Besides due to the growing population and scarcity of land and water, there has been a renewed interest in boosting the yield of the crop across the globe. All the stakeholders associated with agriculture are putting their best effort to produce high-quality crops wherein the number of nutrients will not be compromised by the proportion of produce. Rather the quantum of nutrition would be higher than that of the previous yield. Furthermore, the limited availability of arable land due to growing urbanization is also poised to boost the agrochemicals market during the forecast period and beyond.

Plausible Restraints

However, there are quite a few considerations that are required to be made as far as its growth are concerned, the increasing interest and the subsequent development of safe and organic alternatives like organic fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as organic farming practices, are being considered as the deterrent to the market. Further, there are shreds of evidence that prolonged use of agriculture has led to terminal illness as well as adverse environmental problems that have led to a perennial alteration of solid and water chemistry. Effects like acidification and eutrophication and subsequent groundwater contamination too have been brought about by the heavy usage of agrochemicals. Moreover, there are initiatives to integrate technology in agriculture to reduce the usage of agrochemicals.

Further, governments and local administration around the world have institutionalized various regulatory measures to limit the detrimental effects of agrochemicals and have, in turn, moderated the growth of global agrochemical markets. Nevertheless, there is a high growth potential for emerging and developing markets. Furthermore, there are regions that still untapped with regards to the realization of its crop yield potential, post agrochemical usage, which would also increase the growth of the agrochemicals market.

From the perspective of various regions in the geography, the APAC is expected to portray a substantial growth in the market due to the high demand for agrochemicals from China, Japan, and India. Contrarily, North America and Europe are expected to witness relatively less growth during the forecast period.  

Latest Developments in the Agrochemicals Sector

January 2020

Northwest China that has been characterized by less economic development is becoming the base of the Chinese pesticide industry due to relatively low labor and transportation cost. Additionally, its proximity to resources also has made it possible for the agrochemical companies to shift vases to this region. Located in Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base, in Northwest China, Ningxia Surongda Chemical Co., Ltd., is poised to develop 3-trifluoropyrazole fungicides in its next phase. It already has a wide portfolio of products like fungicides, that includes azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, metconazole, paclobutrazol, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and triadimenol, among others.  Herbicides like bentazone and metribuzin. Insecticides like thiamethoxam and a few other proprietary products. Besides the aforesaid organizations like Inner Mongolia Benxing Chemical Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Brother Chemical Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Chuan’er Technology Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia Dazhong. are all set to expand their production capacities of agrochemicals BayinObao Industrial Park, Wuhai, Inner Mongolia, of Northwest China. Further, an organization called Yongtai Fine Chemical Industry is all set in Low Carbon Industrial Park, Wuhai Economic Development Zone, Inner Mongolia.

Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Industrial Group based Hangzhou, Eastern China and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, will be selling herbicides to Brazil which is the largest market of glyphosate in the world. Further, the ban on another herbicide called paraquat will increase herbicide sales.

A Spanish company called Seipasa, that specializes in development and formulation of biopesticides, biostimulants, and fertilizers for agriculture has signed an agreement with a French multinational company called Suez, that has more than 160 years of experience in the efficient and sustainable management of natural resources to distribute biostimulant in Chile.

Terramera, a Vancouver Agtech startup focused on reducing synthetic pesticides globally by 80 percent by the year 2030., has raised an additional CAD 4.6 million (USD 3.5 million) from Toronto-based cleantech venture fund ArcTern Ventures and other undisclosed investors. This 10-year-old startup has developed a platform that uses AI to aid in the number in which the food is grown and enhance the economics of agriculture in the forthcoming decade.

Another such raising of capital happened in the case of Agrofy, which is to the tune of 23 million in Series B funding. It is an online agribusiness marketplace that matches buyers and sellers of a wide range of agriculture products that are inclusive of but not limited to machinery, crop inputs as well as farmland and financial services.

Wrap-Up

Thus, with so many developments in the agrochemical market worldwide, it is evident that all stakeholders engaged in this space are actively partaking in all sort so development and usher in a future in agriculture that would be not only environmentally sustainable but all will provide to economically viable and sustainable at the same time. The initiatives are also set to improve livelihood as evidenced by various chinse initiatives in Northwest china simultaneously maintain and later increase the supply of agrichemicals to the world market.

Algae protein is a type of protein that s plant-based in nature, which is usually derived from blue-green algae which can contain up to more protein than other sources approximately 50-60% protein that can be used in either food ingredients, as feed additives and cosmetics. Algae protein is high in nutritional value, amino acid quality omerga3s and other essential amino acids, which are more effective than other plant, based proteins. Algae-based proteins are of different types such as spirulina, chlorella, seaweed and others. Seaweed and microalgae are considered a viable sure of protein. The protein levels than other traditional protein sources such as meat, egg, soybean, and milk.

Algae proteins are extracted using some simple ways with high yields using classical solvent and enzymatic methods. The methods, which make the use of the dissolution of algae under reductive conditions in alkaline medium, are called classical methods. The protein that is left after that is a soluble protein and can easily be separated from the carbohydrates by acidic precipitation at low pH levels. However, the extraction of algae proteins by some of the classical methods is hindered by the presence of large amounts of mucus lining on the cell walls, which limit the potency and efficiency of the extraction method and process.

Algae protein is used in many of the end-user industries such as ass dietary supplements, food, food additives, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. Algae-based proteins have been used in dietary supplements for quite some time are an essential and rich protein source. The pharmaceutical industry is also witnessing the use of algae protein in some of the medicines in order to supplement the mineral or vitamin deficiencies and hold the potential to increase over the forecast period.

Algae Protein Market, By Type Segment

Algae-protein is gaining popularity among users globally due to the various health benefits it provides and is used in many countries by people who either prefer a plant-based diet or are tending to shift towards veganism. Different types of these proteins can be used such as Spirulina, Chlorella, Seaweed, and others in order to supplement and enhance food items. Algae protein caters to end-user industries like Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals among others

Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of protein that is derived from blue-green algae and contains B-vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E. In addition, it also contains antioxidants, minerals, chlorophyll, and other essential nutrients. It is commonly used as a source of plant-based proteins and is popular amongst the vegan population.

Chlorella

Chlorella is synthesized from single-celled freshwater alga and is commonly found in Japan. It is very rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and also omega 3 fatty acids, It is commonly processed before consumption, as it is difficult to digest in its natural form, Its use can boot the antibody count in the body and fight diseases such as cancer.

Seaweed

Seaweed is a type of multicellular algae that are generally classified under red, brown, green algae. It contains a high amount of fibers and proteins among other essential nutrients. It is commonly consumed in some counties of the Asia Pacific region. They are used in the preparation of other food items. The fat content in them is less and amino acid content is higher thus they have many health benefits.

Acquisitions and Investments in Security as a Service and Cyber Security Solutions

The people are getting health conscious and starting to shift their preference towards plant-based foods and plant-based proteins which are healthier than other types of protein-based foods which in increasing the demand for these foods. This will result in and boost in the market growth of the algae protein market. Moreover, the increasing trend of veganism among people in order to curb the negative effects of animal-based products on the bod overall health will also increase the demand for algae protein and bolster the market growth further. The market players are highly involved and participating in the market to improve and enhanced algae protein products and to encourage the use of such products among the people. For example, In August 2019, a company Plantsy has launched a range of beverages in the UK which are based on algae protein which is available in two flavors.

The product is a perfect source of plant protein and has a range of health benefits. Another company, ADM has partnered up with algae cultivator company Qualitas Health to offer three different Onavita DHA and Almega EPA blends. These blends contain omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. On October 15, 2018, KYN Capital Group Inc. announced that it had completed the acquisition of Algae World Inc., which is a manufacturer of algae protein products that are derived from blue-green algae and has many subsidiaries worldwide.  Also, In May 2019, Solbia group a producer of cosmetic products and pharmaceutical products made from synthesizing plant-based ingredients like algae protein announced that they have acquired the Algatech, an Israeli cultivator of microalgae which is based in Southern Israel. The deal was estimated to be confirmed at around d $100 million.

Conclusion:

Currently, Spirulina type of algae protein is expected to hold a significant share in this market and is anticipated to witness a fast growth rate in the upcoming years due to the burgeoning demand from many health-conscious people as there has been an increase in the vegan and plant-based food consuming population.  With respect to current market trends, it is anticipated that the Seaweed type of algae protein will flourish in the upcoming years with demand being generated owing to the high amount of seaweed consuming countries like Japan, China and Korea from the Asia Pacific region as it forms an essential part of their diet. The growing need for a plant-based and organic protein source, which have limited health effects as compared to animal-based protein products.  This is one of the major factors which will continue to play a role in driving this market and will attract a lot of new entrants who will bring new and better changes and enhancement in algae protein products. Thus, the market will remain competitive in the upcoming years and it is projected to show modest growth in the upcoming years.