Introduction
The trend towards sustainability, improved product safety, and high-quality standards are important in all areas of life sciences. In order to satisfy these requirements, intelligent packaging is used in the food sector. These systems can monitor permanently the quality status of a product and share the information with the customer. In this way, food waste can be reduced and customer satisfaction can be optimized. Depending on the product, different types of intelligent packaging technologies are used and discussed in this review. The three main groups are: data carriers, indicators, and sensors. At this time, they are not that widespread, but their potential is already known. In which areas intelligent packaging should be implemented, how the systems work, and which values they offer are dealt in this review.
“Intelligent packaging materials” is the term used to represent class of packaging materials that can monitor the condition of either the packaged food or the food environment inside the package which includes temperature, pH, etc., and provides this information to the user. It can be interpreted as an extended function of traditional packaging which is responsible for communication with the consumer depending on its ability to sense and record the changes taking place in the food or its environment. An added advantage of intelligent packaging is its contribution to the improvement of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points’ (HACCP) and Quality Analysis and Critical Control Points’ (QACCP) systems and hence onsite detection of unsafe food products, identification of potential health hazards and establishing strategies to abate their occurrence, ultimately leading to improved food quality. The intelligent systems can be classified into three categories; sensors, indicators and radiofrequency identification (RFID) systems.
According to the business research company, the active, smart and intelligent packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $43.64 billion in 2024 to $47.2 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in technology, consumer demand for freshness and safety, extended shelf life requirements, stringent food safety regulations, environmental concerns, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency.
Demand remains particularly high for interactive packaging/data carriers and active packaging. Together these two segments will hold around 72% of the market share in the next ten years. This is attributed to rising need for user-friendly packaging and better-quality products. Intrinsic demand for track & trace packaging across the food & beverage industry propels the sales of intelligent packaging. The global intelligent packaging industry is set to expand 2.4 times the current market value during the forecast period.
Key Drivers Shaping the Future of Intelligent Packaging
Rising need for protecting sensitive products during storage and transportation will spur growth
Rapid shift towards next-generation packaging solutions such as anti-microbial packaging to boost sales
High demand for security and tracking solutions to create opportunities for intelligent packaging companies
Growing popularity of active and interactive packaging solutions will bode well for the market
Development of advanced packaging solutions with sustainable features will foster market development
Growing focus on improving consumer engagement to foster intelligent packaging sales
Increasing adoption of advanced intelligent medical packaging to create growth prospects
Intelligent packaging has become a fascinating new trend for packaging manufacturers, designs, brands, and consumers alike. It allows end users to communicate the conditions of packaged products. Hence, they help in minimizing the risk of spoilage of sensitive products. Intelligent packaging can effectively sense environmental changes and inform these changes to users. Adoption of intelligent and smart packaging helps users to extend shelf life of products, monitor freshness, and enhance product and consumer safety. Rising applications across healthcare and food & beverage industries is expected to boost the global intelligent packaging industry. Most of the intelligent packaging sales remain concentrated in healthcare and food sectors. Rise in food wastage coupled with growing concerns about food insecurity has prompted companies to use various intelligent packaging solutions. This includes active packaging and interactive packaging.
Besides this, packaging solutions such as freshness indicators and time temperature indicators are gaining wider popularity. Time temperature indicators monitor and inform about the temperature of package during shipping and storage. These indicators are technologically advanced to inform users about any damage in the packaging due to temperature abuse. They are expected to reduce food and pharmaceutical product wastage.
Intelligent Packaging Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast
Intelligent packaging refers to packaging solutions that carry out intelligent functions such as tracing, tracking, detecting, recording, identifying, etc. These packaging solutions are smart, connected, interactive, eco-friendly, and user-friendly. Intelligent packaging not only protects the product but also provides information such as temperature and freshness related information, information about the product origin, etc. It offers various benefits that fuel the demand for intelligent packaging among various industries including food & beverage, healthcare, logistics & transport, and consumer electronics. The benefits include improved product quality, enhanced product shelf life, protection against counterfeit products, increased brand value, and others.
Rising inclination towards interactive packaging among various industries to improve consumer engagement is expected to fuel demand for intelligent packaging. Also, growing need for enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty to gain business opportunities will bode well for the market. Global intelligent packaging sales witnessed a CAGR of 6.3 % during the historic period. At the end of 2022, the worldwide intelligent packaging industry reached a valuation of US$ 21.6 billion. Over the next ten years, global intelligent packaging demand is set to increase at 9.0% CAGR.
Key Trends Shaping the Augmenting Intelligent Packaging Sales
Track & Trace Packaging to Drive Smart and Connected Packaging Sales. Manufacturers, logistical partners, and various stakeholders ensure the smooth flow of packaged food & beverages by producing, supplying, and delivering the product to the final consumer. Leading brands are facing huge losses due to the penetration of counterfeit products in the market. To overcome such drawbacks of traditional packaging solutions, they are utilizing next-generation packaging solutions.
Latest intelligent packaging solutions are witnessing increased market acceptance by both domestic and international players in the food & beverage industry. For instance, by providing electronically printed NFC (Near Field Communication) labels on its bottles, Coca-Cola shifted towards intelligent packaging recently. Overall, global demand for different technology-based packaging is witnessing an exponential increase as more and more brands, especially in the fresh foods and the FMCG sectors are adopting intelligent packaging solutions over all other previously used packaging solutions. Strict Packaging and Transport Norms for Healthcare Drugs & Supplies to Augments Sales of Intelligent Packaging
Country-wise Insights
Why is the United States Considered the Most Lucrative Market for Intelligent Packaging?
Need for Reducing Food Wastage Propelling Intelligent Packaging Demand in the United States
North America remains the second-highest market generating huge demand for intelligent packaging. According to FMI, the United States will account for 85% of North America intelligent packaging market by 2033. Rising need for smart packaging and antimicrobial packaging solutions is driving the USA market. Intelligent packaging which is smart, connected, interactive, user-friendly, and eco-friendly aids in minimizing food wastage. It does this by monitoring, measuring, and warning about the freshness and temperature level which helps in protecting and preserving food products. As per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food waste in the USA is estimated at around 30% to 40% of the food supply.
What is Driving Sales of Intelligent Packaging Across India?
Rising Adoption of Connected Packaging by Food & Beverage Companies Fostering Sales in India Intelligent packaging demand across India is set to rise at 11.8% CAGR between 2023 and 2033. Rising demand for smart and connected packaging in the food & beverage sector is driving intelligent packaging sales in India. In recent years, the adoption of connected packaging has increased across the Indian food & beverage industry. With expansion of this industry, demand for intelligent packaging will rise.
As per the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), food industry in India is expanding at a 11% CAGR. Food and beverage companies are using connected packaging to ensure consumer engagement. This also allows them to provide product information just by scanning the QR code.
References:
uture Market Insights.
The business Research Company
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352026/
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