Global Trends And Policies in Food Packaging

K R Narasimhan Director,
W.R. Grace & Co., India Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore

The packaging industry comprises three major activities - the production of materials required, their conversion into packaging containers and the filling of packages by end user industries. The last decade has seen packaging technology making great advancement in the development and application of new products and processes which have been responsible for continuing the retailing revolution in the western world and Japan.This is particularly because plastics flexible packaging where new films, coatings and packaging systems have been introduced which have been instrumental in transforming food and grocery distribution and retailing into new plane. On the other hand, canned foods with the advantages of long shelf life, durability and ease of distribution have been facing the challenges of food manufacturers to improve their freshness, sensory appeals and convenience.The common challenge for all segments of packaging has been the global emphasis on package waste management. The options for this include, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose. New trends in packaging are emerging in an effort to meet solid waste disposal concerns and consumer preferences.

The value of world packaging industry taking into account all the major packaging materials - paper board, plastic, metal, glass etc. is currently valued at around US$400 Billion. The US is the largest single packaging market at 27% followed by western Europe at about 28%; Japan 16%; Asia Pacific 14%. However, it is Asia which offers the greatest potential growth opportunities in the world packaging market. As far as India is concerned, food industry contributes about 18% of India's manufacturing output and around 5% of total industrial investments. The food and beverage industry is highly heterogeneous and the turnover is estimated at Rs 600 Billion. The packaged and branded food products, in recent times, have witnessed rapid growth and competition. This rate of growth is expected to be sustained for many years to come as the base is low. Metal packaging and plastics packaging are two major segments of the food packaging industry and globally both have been competing with each to grow their share of the markets.