What is Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging uses non-rigid materials to package products, allowing for more economical and customizable options. Flexible packaging uses a variety of materials such as plastic, bioplastic, foil, or paper to create pouches, bags, and other pliable product containers. Flexible packaging is particularly popular in the food and beverage industry.
Growth in Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging is a relatively new method of packaging, growing in popularity due to increased technological innovation and its attractive economics. Currently, the United States accounts for approximately $170 billion of the $282.6 billion global packaging market and 19% of the total U.S. packaging market.
One encouraging factor for flexible packaging is that consumers are increasingly focused on their health and wellness. This translates to a greater demand for natural, organic and additive-free fresh fruits and vegetables which, in turn, creates a demand for more flexible packaging options.
Along with an increased focus on health & wellness, particularly by urban shoppers, these same time-constrained consumers prefer products offering convenience and portability. Food that is easy to carry, is apportioned, comes in resealable packaging, and stays fresh longer, is driving the move towards flexible packaging.
The most popular flexible packaging types are pouches, envelopes, bags, and wraps.
Types of Flexible Packaging for Produce
Flexible packaging comes in either formed or unformed styles. Formed packaging is pre-shaped allowing retailers and producers to fill and seal in-house. Unformed packaging typically comes on a roll which is then sent to a co-packer for forming and filling. Formed flexible packaging is particularly useful for produce retailers such as for grapes, blueberries, strawberries and the like.
Here are some examples of popular flexible packaging trends for produce:
Clamshell containers
Flexible clamshell containers provide a number of features advantageous to fruit and vegetable producers and markets. Coming in a variety of sizes, clamshell containers are low-profile, vented, and offer produce visibility from any angle – perfect for merchandising.
The vents allow for air flow, reducing condensation and preserving fresh produce longer. Clamshell containers also provide secure closures, ensuring a strong seal. Clamshell berry containers are great for produce such as cherry tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Clamshell containers are easily stackable, great for transport, and merchandise well in-store and online for e-commerce orders.
Vented & Sealed Produce Pouches
Produce pouches are designed to store and display produce such as grapes, tomatoes, onions, and other fruits and vegetables. Like clamshell containers, produce pouches offer venting to eliminate the buildup of condensation and are clear to allow for maximum visibility by shoppers.
The seal ensures that the pouches remain fastened during transport to the store as well as by consumer to their home. Seals also make it easy for consumers to reseal the pouches as needed.
The flexibility of pouches prevents tearing and their gusseted bottoms enable them to stand straight up when filled.
Advantages of Flexible Packaging
The growth in flexible packaging over rigid packaging, is partly driven by multiple advantages that flexible has over rigid. Flexible packaging:
- is easier to store
- provides an extended shelf life
- is easier to open
- is easy close or reseal
- is more attractive on the shelf
- uses less material
- is more economical
- weighs less
The advantages of flexible over rigid packaging contributes to the top four flexible packaging trends revealed below.
Top Four Flexible Packaging Trends for Produce
Sustainability of Flexible Packaging
Shifting demographics and consumer preferences are driving the demand for flexible packaging that improves sustainability. Environmental concerns are forcing the innovation of packaging that uses renewable, recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials. The rigid-to-flexible packaging trend offers huge sustainability benefits.
Retailers are responding to the preferences of their younger shoppers who prefer eco-friendly, sustainable packaging. This pressure on retailers and manufacturers is driving continued innovation in flexible packaging that:
- Provides better packaging using material that do not impair performance
- Reduces or eliminates waste materials that would normally go to landfills
- Reduces the amount of food waste
- Uses recycled materials
- Uses more bioplastics
Bioplastic Flexible Packaging
The use of bioplastics is gaining popularity as a material for flexible packaging. Plastic continues to be such an easy-to-use material for product packaging with its ability to manufacture it into almost any shape, size, color, or use case. The development of bioplastics offers that same flexibility but with the advantage of being renewable, recyclable, and, in some cases, biodegradable.
Due to its unique manufacturing process, moving towards the use of bioplastics helps retailers meet their sustainability goals and minimize their carbon footprint. Bioplastics also allow them to differentiate their products and show a more environmentally friendly image to their customers.
Convenience of Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging offers two major conveniences: economical portion-sized packages and function.
Single serve flexible packaging is a trend that largely started with child-sized portions for on-the-go eating. Portions of carrot sticks and apple slices have now given way to adult-sized portions such as pre-packaged salads and sliced fruits.
For the younger generations with busier lifestyles, food offered in flexible packaging enables easier transport, consumption, storage, and eventual disposal.
Flexible Packaging for Online Ordering
According to a report by Business Insider, e-commerce is the driving force behind all retail growth, and flexible packaging will grow along with it.
The convenience of e-commerce shopping has spurred grocery chains and third-party delivery services to offer online grocery ordering for delivery or easy pickup. Online ordering of fresh produce, in particular, requires packaging that is attractive to consumers who are online comparison shopping, has strong seals, maintains high food quality, and is easily transportable.
The Future of Flexible Packaging Trends
The industry will continue to move towards flexible packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The goals of sustainability will steer the course for manufacturers in the packaging industry to meet brand and consumer demand, contribute to a reduction in the manufacturer’s carbon footprint, and provide attractive economic benefits.
As the industry evolves, more use cases will arise contributing to adaptations in design and functional improvements. Expect brands to lean towards greater customization of their packaging shapes and sizes along with coloration, in an effort to stand out and become more memorable with consumers.
Over time, we will see more brands adopt flexible packaging over traditional, rigid packaging.
Contact Servous for Flexible Packaging Supplies
At Servous, we offer wholesale produce clamshells, containers and pouches along with foodservice packaging. Partner with Servous and benefit from exceptional value, design, color, and style flexibility, and packaging customization.
Our commitment to provide our customers with the highest quality products is unwavering and we deliver on our promise of fast order fulfillment and shipping.
Contact Servous now and speak with one of our friendly packaging specialists about your produce and food flexible packaging needs – no matter your budget!
