Introduction
Quality beverage packaging solutions are in great demand nowadays, given the growing need for beverages.
This ultimate guide is going to help you if you are:
- a packaged beverage supplier
- involved with the beverage supply chain
- a supplier of the beverage packaging industry
- any other needs for beverage packaging solutions
The beverage packaging market
Studies revealed that the global beverage packaging market size expects to reach $133.3 billion in 2026.
A lucrative number, given the growing demand for a variety of beverages.
And as the final part of the beverage supply chain, the beverage packaging industry benefits from the ever-growing beverage industry.
When it comes to beverage packaging, it is a complex process due to the various beverage types and requirements. The reason is, different types of beverages require different materials and containers, for convenience or need to keep fresh. And beautiful designs to catch consumers’ eyes as well.
Factors boosting the beverage packaging market growth
Improved lifestyles and increased per capita income (mainly in developing economies) have promoted the consumption of packaged beverages. Thus, the demand for better and convenient packaging technology is promoted.
Convenience factors in the beverage packaging industry allow for reduced waste and increased packaging resealing capabilities in the distribution process. It also allows for increased portability and reduced weight. So, it helps to save costs and thus boost the beverage packaging market.
Moreover, in urban areas, the increase in per capita income and the decline in water quality have led to an increase in the global consumption of bottled or packaged water. At present, the bottled water market is one of the fastest-growing markets.
Therefore, the rapid growth of the bottled water market has also promoted the growth of packaging required for bottled water production.
Also, many manufacturers have updated their production technology and applied automation technology in the production process. Therefore, production efficiency has greatly improved.
At the same time, the quality of products has also improved. These factors together lead to the overall growth of the beverage packaging market.
On the other hand, growing concerns about obesity and high sugar intake are leading to packaging strategies.
For example, sodas, alcohol, and sugary drinks. In the future, ordinary packaging may hinder the market.
However, the application of bioplastics in beverage packaging will create favorable opportunities for the growth of the beverage packaging market.
Also, there are alternatives to bioplastics known as biopolymers. It is a polymer made from plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based materials. So, this enables bio-PET containers to degrade and reduce plastic contamination.
The non-alcoholic beverage market accounts for more than half of the global market share.
However, the demand for packaging solutions will also grow rapidly by 2026.
Competition Analysis
The main market participants described in the report include Amcor plc, Ball Corporation, Orora Limited, Reynolds Group Holdings Limited, Smurfit Kappa Group plc, SIG Combibloc Group AG, Crown Holdings, Inc., Mondi plc, Stora Enso Oyj, and Tetra Laval International S.A.
Many competitors in the beverage packaging market have taken product release as their main development strategy. They hope to expand their product portfolio of recyclable beverage packaging. For example, in July 2019, SIG launched the signature pack 100 in France. This signature pack 100 is a sterile carton. And it’s aluminum-free, made from plant-based and 100% biodegradable polymers.
Similarly, in August 2019, Amcor developed a new line of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for the Salzburg beer brand in Brazil. The new bottles can last for four months, and people can recycle 100% of them using existing recycling technologies. Besides, the bottle has a glass-like appearance and has a metal crown, which is very beautiful. This makes it more attractive to customers.
Why beverage packaging solutions worth our attention?
Beverage packages with proper designs can extend the shelf life of the beverage. That is to say, if you have the right options for your beverage packages, your beverages will live longer!
At the same time, a proper package solution can also save your material cost. And generate less waste to the mother earth.
Also, the packaging materials used for drinks include glass, polymer, metal, cardboard, and their combinations. The shelf life, chemical composition, and value of beverage determine what material the producer uses for packaging.
Types of beverage packaging
By beverage packaging materials
Glass beverage packaging
Glass beverage packaging has many advantages. First of all, it is non-toxic and tasteless. You don’t have to worry that drinking a glass drink will affect your health. They are very safe indeed.
Second, it is transparent. Then the glass beverage packaging will be very beautiful so that customers can see the appearance of the beverage. You know, it can stimulate their desire to buy.
Besides, the sealing of glass beverage packaging is very good. In this way, the air can be effectively isolated, to avoid the microorganism in the air and the beverage from the chemical reaction, resulting in the deterioration of the beverage.
Then, the raw material of glass beverage packaging is glass. Glass is very common, and the price is very low. Well, most drinks packed with glass materials are affordable.
Also, glass material has the characteristics of heat resistance, pressure resistance, and cleaning resistance. It can be sterilized at high temperatures and stored at low temperatures. In this way, you can store drinks well.
Finally, glass beverage packaging is reusable and recyclable. Glass bottle recycling can save energy and reduce the waste capacity of landfills. At the same time, it can provide more raw materials for other products, including glass bottles. It’s very good for protecting the environment.
Thus, glass beverage packaging is the preferred packaging material for beer, fruit tea, jujube juice, and many other beverages.
However, glass beverage packaging also has some disadvantages. For example, packing drinks with glass can make them heavy. Besides, due to the particularity of glass material, the packaging of glass material is easy to be broken and damaged during transportation. So that means it’s more expensive to transport.
Metal beverage packaging
The beverage packaging solution is happy to have metal as an option. It has good barrier property as glass beverage packaging. Metal beverage packaging can not only block air, oxygen, steam, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
At the same time, it can also block light, especially ultraviolet light. Therefore, it will not cause the deterioration or change of flavor.
Also, it’s easy to transport and store. This is because the metal packaging is rigid, easy to operate. As a result, this has greatly increased the sales radius of commodities.
Then, the metal beverage container is not easy to get damaged and easy to carry.
Nowadays, many young people like metal beverage packaging, cans for food & beverage packaging with easy-open lids. However, it adapts to the fast-paced life of modern equipment and is widely used in tourism life.
One of the reasons why metal beverage packaging is so popular is that it is friendly to the environment.
These packages are recyclable after use. Therefore, it can not only recover resources, save energy, but also eliminate environmental pollution. Even if the metal is scattered in the soil after corrosion, it will not hurt the environment.
Compared with glass beverage packaging, metal beverage packaging has more styles and a more beautiful appearance.
Metal containers generally have a beautiful metal luster, coupled with colorful graphic printing, but also increase the beauty of the goods. Therefore, when people give gifts, they often choose the goods packed in metal containers.
But its disadvantages are also obvious. First of all, its chemical stability is very poor.
Under the condition of acid, alkali, salt, and humid air, it is easy to rust. So, to a certain extent, it limits the scope of its use. Secondly, its price is relatively expensive and its economy is poor. However, this shortcoming is also gradually improved through technological progress.
Plastic beverage packaging
Plastic is a synthetic or natural polymer resin as the main material. After a special process, it can be used to package food and drinks.
The original container for beverage packaging was glass bottles, followed by paper composite cans. Later it became a PET bottle. Now rigid PET bottles are the biggest packaging materials for carbonated drinks and non-carbonated beverages.
Plastic beverage packaging is very light, convenient for people to carry. And it’s not afraid to break, not as easy to damage as glass beverage packaging. Therefore, it is very convenient to use it for long-distance transportation of drinks.
Also, it has strong acid and alkali resistance characteristics. Moreover, the production of plastic beverage packaging is very convenient, and manufacturers can standardize the production in batch.
However, when using plastic beverage packaging, you should pay special attention not to let it come into contact with vinegar or detergent.
At the same time to avoid direct sunlight, high temperature, etc. To avoid chemical reactions between plastic beverage packaging and these things.
Besides, when you buy plastic tableware, you should choose the product with PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene) label. And choose less decorative patterns, colorless, tasteless, smooth surface of plastic products.
Even though plastic beverage packaging is recyclable, it is disposable. Compared with glass beverage packaging which can be reused, plastic beverage packaging is a less environmentally friendly packaging option.
Paper beverage packaging
Paper beverage packaging is of low cost and lightweight. This makes it easy to carry, which is conducive to the transportation of logistics. In addition, the beverage packed with paper materials does not need to worry about metal dissolution and odor.
However, paper beverage packaging generally uses high-strength raw cardboard materials. This is because pure paper packaging materials are difficult to package drinks. Commonly referred to as paper beverage packaging. Almost all of them are paper-compatible materials.
Also, composite paper packaging is widely used in beverages, especially non-carbonated beverages. Among them, dairy products are the largest application field. Fruit juice, tea, and coffee are the most commonly used compound paper packaging in beverages.
The biggest advantage of paper beverage packaging is that it can be recycled and reused. This is very good for environmental protection.
However, the pressure resistance and sealing barrier of paper-plastic composite beverage packaging are not as good as glass beverage packaging, metal beverage packaging, and plastic beverage packaging. And it can’t be heated at high temperatures.
Therefore, paper beverage packaging in the preservation process will encounter many problems. For example, it will reduce the heat-sealing performance of PE film due to oxidation.
Or it will be because of creases, under the fiber hardening and other reasons become uneven, resulting in the appearance is not beautiful. It will even cause the filling molding machine difficult to feed the problem.
By packaging types
Beverage bottle packaging
The beverage bottle packaging is generally divided into glass bottles, plastic bottles, metal cans, and other types. Here we will introduce you to glass bottles, plastic bottles, and metal cans.
The glass bottle has obvious advantages, it is not disposable packaging, can be reused. And the transparent shape is very beautiful. But its disadvantages are also obvious. The glass bottle is not convenient to carry because it is heavy and easy to break. If you break it accidentally, the glass will scratch you.
Moreover, it is not convenient to clean if it is reused. If it is not cleaned, it is easy to cause cross-infection of bacteria and viruses. The material of a glass bottle is very special, and its price is high.
Now there are a lot of bad businesses, to reduce costs, will make fake glass bottles to replace the real glass bottles. And fake glass bottles are likely to have adverse effects on people’s health.
Compared with glass bottles, the cost of plastic bottles is very low. And it’s light and easy to carry. But the barrier of a plastic bottle is so-so, and it is easy to react with other chemicals from the packaged beverage. That can cause the beverage to deteriorate.
However, with the continuous update of new materials and technologies, plastic bottles with new materials have emerged. This can overcome the shortcomings of plastic bottles to a certain extent.
Beverage packaging boxes
The biggest advantage of beverage box packaging is that it is hygienic and convenient to drink. It generally adopts an aseptic and healthy packing box.
People use straws when drinking. This is to prevent consumers from bringing dust and bacteria into the beverage box when using the straws. Therefore, people can safely drink.
Besides, the beverage box packaging is very beautiful, its shape is regular, with a strong sense of design.
Moreover, it can avoid light and is convenient for the long-term storage of drinks. At the same time, it can be well isolated from the air and prolong the shelf life of the beverage.
The most reputational type of carton packaging is Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak is a liquid packaging product developed by Tetra Pak company in Sweden. The company is one of the world’s largest suppliers of packaging systems for milk, juice, beverages, and many other products.
Beverage pouch packaging
Beverage pouch packaging refers to the packaging pouches for beverages using processed phenylene materials.
Typically, beverage pouch packaging is common to see in packages for milk, juice, and other drinks.
Beverage pouch packaging has the characteristics of acid resistance, corrosion resistance, and aging resistance. This means that the beverage pouch packaging can play the role of isolation and protection. And the cost of beverage pouch packaging is very low, low price is a good choice for manufacturers to save production costs.
Also, the production of beverage pouch packaging is simple and easy to use.
You just need to put the beverage in the beverage pouch package and then seal the beverage pouch to complete the packaging. It can save waste resources in metal beverage packaging to a certain extent.
How to choose the right beverage packaging?
You created a magical beverage. Everyone will love it, and it will change the way people think about liquid consumption. But unless you plan to sell it by the glass only in your bar and/or soda fountain. Otherwise, you need some beverage packaging as beverage packaging will affect people’s consumption of liquid drinks.
Now your mind may just jump into a bottle or a bag, right? It’s a good start, but you have a lot to think about.
To decide your beverage packaging solutions: the question to ask
What is your beverage?
I reminded you that these are basic issues. The packaging is more than just a display of your drink. At the same time, it is also a physical container. Well, that means real-world attributes limit your choice of packaging. Is your drink carbonated? Or does it need to continue to be under pressure? Does it need temperature control? Is it going to mix with other liquids?
All these problems will affect the logistics demand for packaging.
Who is your customer?
Of course, everyone wants to have the largest possible customer base. But it’s not the way marketing works. You need to figure out who you are and the target drinker. Man or woman? Young or old? Connoisseur or amateur?
Also, don’t forget that there are legal restrictions on who you can sell certain types of drinks too.
How are your customers going to buy your products?
The question is as important as who will buy it. Well, you need to figure out your sales channels and where customers can buy your products. Will they find your drink at the retail store? Or in the bar? cinema? Bottle or box?
Once you dig into these questions (don’t worry, you may have multiple answers to the same question). Now, you can start designing your beverage packaging.
Need to Know
First of all, if this is your first drink, then you might design the packaging from scratch. But if it’s part of an established brand or collection. You have to make sure it matches your brand aesthetic. You must find your color value (CMYK or Pantone match) because this is what you need when printing. Again, you must use the font you have created. Of course, if possible, you must have the original file of your logo.
Next, you start creating everything specific to each wrapper layer. This will likely include written copies, as well as logos or brand logos. If there are photos that match your taste, you may want to print them on the outer packaging.
Also, don’t forget that you need to make space for the legal signs. Such as bar codes, nutritional information, and alcohol content.
In addition, many things like batch numbers and expiration dates change periodically. You set aside space to label or stamp every batch of drinks you produce.
Although your enthusiasm for drinks is free, the packaging is not. So, you need to consider the cost of printing and manufacturing.
As mentioned above, not every package of your drink is unique. Your product packaging design will have fixed costs (e.g. hiring designers), as well as project costs (labor, materials, such as stamps, and stickers mentioned earlier). It’s like any good drinker, and you certainly want to cut costs.
But sometimes your frugality is not worth it. Better materials contribute to a better presentation. For example, luxury drinks can stand out on shelves with some luxury packaging.
Make your own beverage packaging designs
The first step
The first is to determine what kind of packaging you want: pop cans? Bottle? Or some kind of space-age pouch? Also, are the bottles in boxes or sold separately?
The unique shape of the bottle will brighten your eyes. But with this kind of packaging, how to stick the label is a headache. Because you need to make sure you have a flat, or at least regular, surface for printing or pasting labels.
Next, another thing to consider is the cost of unique packaging elements. This cost is not only one-off, but it also includes the cost of each unique container. A two-liter soda may not be its standard capacity, but its standard shape and size keep costs low.
Also, remember that your special types of drinks need special lids to keep them. These may depend on your capacity. The price of each item will also vary, but they are also an opportunity for your drink to stand out from the crowd.
Even if your drink is a regular shape, a beer can, for example. But it still affects your label. Some images look good when they are flat on a computer screen, but when printed on a convex surface, they deform and become ugly.
It’s Dangerous to Go Alone!
When you’re busy making your magic drink, you probably can’t make much time for graphic design at the same time. don’t worry!
Many amazing beverage packaging designers are working with PrimePac, ready to work with entrepreneurs like you.
But please don’t just focus on your designers. You should also contact a professional printer at the same time. Try to get your printer involved in the process as early as possible. Because they will have a lot of demands on your designers. For example, the type of file format, color options, and coloring lines. But some of them are technical specifications and you don’t need to worry too much. However, you should pay attention to the mold line, which is the plane representation of 3D packaging. This will help you understand the standard options for you.
What’s Most Important to You?
You may have a lot of new ideas about your drink. It’s delicious, it’s healthy (maybe), it’s smooth, it’s delicate. But your customers are less likely to notice these points when they’re browsing the wine shelves in the supermarket. So, what do you want them to see most?
At this point, you need to work with your designers on the so-called “information architecture.”. Arrange your main gains in terms of importance. So this is how to guide your packaging design. Therefore, your design center is the most important, whether it is a brand name, or logo, or other complete.
A Second Opinion
After you and your designers have been working on your packaging for some time, you may start to lose some inspiration or ideas. At this point, it may be difficult for you to objectively judge whether the design you propose has achieved your goal. Don’t worry, it’s normal, it’s part of the process.
The next step is to get feedback. You need to do as little publicity and set up as possible to show your drinks to different groups of people. They should be potential buyers of your drink. As a result, this may include employees, loved ones, neighbors, and even strangers on the Internet. Most importantly, they are anyone who can give you an honest and relevant opinion.
There are no problems that don’t need to be understood. You can ask them: what kind of drink is this? Who would like to drink it? Does the packaging reflect the beverage itself? Does it stand out from the competition?
If their answers match your own, Congratulations! It’s time for you to print (follow the delivery instructions discussed earlier).
If there are differences, you need to ask follow-up questions. Then find out how your statement differs from their acceptance. Remember to take these notes seriously and discuss them with your designers. Because it will affect the sale of your drink. And it’s not a terrible thing to go back to the drawing board, it’s just another step in the process. It’s even worse if you use a useless package and you don’t find the problem until it’s on the market.
The criteria for your beverage packaging choice
The right packaging – Criterion 1: Type of drink
Which kind of packaging is the best? It depends on the type of product in the first place.
People often forget that packaging has an important function. For example, protection functions, storage, and transportation functions. And information functions such as ingredients, sugar content, best date, barcode, or processing notification as well.
Whether it is milk, mineral water, lemonade, or juice, each beverage has its own packaging requirements. Milk beverage and beer suppliers can use dark packaging away from light since sunlight affects their quality.
Although suppliers often use them for milk packaging, glass bottles might not be the best choice. There are emotional reasons for the fact that milk is often in glass bottles. As milk is a natural product, glass bottles often come with an impression of special cleanliness. That’s why suppliers often choose it for packaging.
And the following topic also worth our attention. You have to distinguish between fresh milk and packaged milk. Fresh milk often comes with beverage cartons without aluminum layers. But packaged milk, on the other hand, requires an aluminum layer in the beverage carton.
As for drinks like beer, have special packaging requirements in most cases. As they contain carbon dioxide, none of these drinks can retain fresh in a composite carton. Lemonade, as another example, needs a stable size package to keep it carbonated.
The right packaging – Criterion 2: Transport route from bottler to consumer
For PET bottles, there are disposable and recyclable products. Among them, the wall of PET recyclable bottles is thicker than that of pet disposable bottles.
Environmentalists often vilify all forms of plastic.
But in fact, PET bottles have a better reputation for ecological balance. They’re lighter, so they save resources in production. And they save energy in transportation.
Therefore, the length of the transport route is a key factor in determining the sustainability of packaging.
If the transportation distance from the filling point to the supermarket is not too long, reusable bottles are appropriate. For long-distance transportation over 200 km, on the other hand, pet disposable bottles are more friendly to the environment. The reason is the carbon footprint in the exhaust gas is very long.
Finally, the recyclable bottles must be returned to the bottling plant, which means twice the distance. For a reusable bottle, the key factor of ecological balance is not only the transport route. The number of cycles it takes also matters. For instance, a glass recyclable bottle can serve 15 to 20 times for a good life cycle assessment.
However, PET recyclable bottles should be cycled at least 8 to 10 times. The life cycle assessment of bottles with low cycle times is poor even if they are reusable.
The right packaging – Criterion 3: weight and shape
In fact, in Austria, the maximum weight of each truck loaded can reach 38 tons. The rule is that the lighter the package, the more liters the truck will carry. For example, a glass bottle weighs 500 grams, while a one-way PET bottle weighs only 25 grams!
If it’s a glass bottle, especially if the bottle is transported. For boxes, cans, and PET bottles, the most important thing is to bring the drink to the desired location. In this way, transportation efficiency is high.
Besides, the shape of the package also plays a role: conical glass bottles require more space than cans or beverage boxes.
In summary: The most important rules at a glance
The key factors determining whether one beverage package is more environmentally friendly than another are summarized as follows:
- Content: what properties must the packaging meet in terms of barrier performance and light protection?
- Compared with other packaging solutions, disposable glass bottles have obvious disadvantages because of their higher weight
- Recyclable pet disposable bottles often have advantages over reusable glass bottles
- The higher the recycled content in the packaging, the greater the impact on the environment
- Reusable bottles are appropriate if the transport distance between the filling plant and the consumer is low, e.g. for regional products
- The quality of disposable containers, especially the quality of bottle caps
- The high recycling rate of reusable containers
- Number of containers per truck
- Separate collection of disposable packaging.
What is the best choice for beverage packaging?
Honestly, the “best” packaging doesn’t exist.
And the sustainability of a packaging solution depends on many factors. The type of the drink, the distance of transport, and the weight of the packaging all matter.
So, the best choice for beverage packaging depends on what you want them to do.
Send us a message and tell us your needs, we will get you a suitable solution.
The trendy beverage packaging solutions
How to stand out in the saturated packaging industry?
These can be the common question of every beverage manufacturer.
At the same time, keeping up with fast-changing consumer demand makes the circumstance even harder.
Now, many large manufacturers launch new products regularly. But new product categories and products from small companies are breaking the status quo. Many companies make efforts to innovate packaging. By doing so, consumers will change their views of beverage categories, such as soda and beer. As a result, they may buy more beverages.
Smaller packaging sizes, many packaging, and situational packaging types are more and more popular.
Packaging innovation has become a way for beverage companies to meet the changing needs of consumers and attract them to buy. And it will continue to be a big trend in the industry.
Targeting millennials
Millennials are people that were born at any time during the early 1980s to the early 2000s. They have unique personalities and always have their ideas. Targeting millennials seems like a broad and amorphous goal. But don’t worry about it. According to a lot of studies, millennials have something in common. For example, millennials prefer fresh and less processed food. From this, we can know that they like to buy fresh and prepared food in leisure fast-food restaurants. Also, they like to buy non packaged food at a grocery store.
Packaging for convenience
The convenience of packaging is one of the selling points of food and beverage products. Consumers are more likely to buy portable, light products. Products that can be resealed or easy to open are popular, too. In conclusion, the convenience of packaging has a positive impact on consumer buying decisions.
Smaller sizes
Mini cans and bottles are one of the most important driving forces for packaging innovation. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have reported a drop in sales of large packaged sodas.
By contrast, sales of smaller packages, such as 7.5-ounce mini cans and 8-ounce Mini bottles, have risen. At an earlier meeting, Sandy Douglas, President of Coca-Cola’s North America Division, said the packaging of smaller sizes would be a way for the company to reinvent its soda business in the next few years.
Why do soda companies need to reduce the scale of packaging? There are two main reasons.
The first one is to increase profits. It is inevitable to increase profits in exchange for convenience.
The other reason is that soda companies have to consider national soda tax proposals. The proposals from the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, and the 2015 dietary guidelines.
These proposals and guidelines require consumers to reduce sugar intake. But as we all know; soda water is characterized by its high sugar content. So, soda companies had better reduce the scale of packaging so that consumers reduce sugar intake.
So, an 8-ounce can of coke is the perfect way to keep people’s coke at the ideal level. But “8-ounce” is not suitable for other drinks. It is only the perfect capacity for coke.
Reed also said that smaller packages are more common among large manufacturers than small soda ash producers. After all, large companies have abundant capital capacity and strong production capacity. It is easier for large companies to change packaging flexibly.
At last, Reed said that large manufacturers are very good at understanding the needs of customers. They can always improve their packaging to meet the needs of customers.
Getting the right count
Major beer producers are experimenting with the number of individual products in multiple packages of different sizes.
They want to figure out the right number that can make the best use of the shelf space. They want to find out the right number of products for different retailers, such as grocery stores, drugstores, and convenience stores.
In fact, despite the number of products in multiple packages, manufacturers also change the price of multiple packages in different stores.
Reed said he could sell 15 bags at Walgreen and 12 bags at the grocery store. And the prices are different. There are many sales channels like these two.
Manufacturers are trying to learn the needs of different kinds of customers. They also try their best to find out the ideal price and the most popular packaging for different types of customers. They learn these for the sake of profit.
But actually, much of the packaging that the design is especially for retailers, like grocery stores. Different retailers need different packages and sizes.
The sampler packs
Sampler packages have appeared on the market, especially in the beer industry. According to Reed, the trend of sampler packages is more common among craft brewers than among major brewers. In fact, handmade wineries tend to produce several varieties.
Through sampler packages, they can pack several varieties of products in multiple packages.
Reed says there are many flavors in handmade wineries and they always want customers to try a new fresh one. So, they’ll give customers a package of 12 bottles. But among the 12 bottles, there are three different flavors, 4 bottles for each flavor.
A package for every situation
At present, the major beer manufacturers do not provide many flavors.
Instead, they prefer to introduce a variety of packaging types. Bottles and cans can come in different sizes, and the bottle itself can have long or short necks.
Beverage packaging can be glass or aluminum when it comes to materials. It all depends on what consumers want to drink. For example, cans and bottles can be very different from each other in terms of context. Think about the lines on the Coca-Cola bottles.
Studies show that people tend to use bottles at home or in their daily life. As for travels, camp or going to other places, they are more likely to use cans because they are easier to carry.
Manufacturers recognize that when consumers use a product, the configuration needs to vary according to these conditions.
See them through
According to the 2015 packaging fact report, see-through packaging is going to make the products more transparent.
As a result, more drinks are appearing in transparent plastic, glass, and other see-through packagings. More than the information on the label, a transparent package allows consumers to see the product before buying it.
Manufacturers of visually attractive beverages benefit from see-through packaging in particular. And the drinks featuring another fast-growing consumer trend, plus those famous for natural ingredients as well.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the bottle gives consumers the feeling of drinking something fresh.
However, a disadvantage comes along with the benefits of this packaging.
Some products degrade and change when exposed to sunlight. So, that’s what manufacturers need to remember when testing this packaging innovation.
More and more marketing personnel package their products in transparent or windowed packaging.
This is because transparent packaging can stimulate consumers’ desire for transparency in food and beverage production.
As a result, companies transparent in their raw materials, and business practices are benefiting from the trust of consumers.
Find more about see-through packaging
Biodegradable beverage packaging
Eco-friendly beverage packaging is nothing new, but a growing trend.
More and more companies and consumers are aware of innovative recycling methods and the benefits of them.
And the big brands are just leading their way to it. For example, Carlsberg and other large wine brands are actively supporting the research on the innovation of biodegradable beverage bottles.
To achieve the eco-friendly packaging goal, a partnership with a reliable packaging company will definitely be a wise idea.
At the same time, the prospect of advanced recovery methods is also very good.
In the soft drink industry, Coca-Cola and other beverage giants are leading the trend with eco-friendly packaging. This encourages many other beverage brands to follow.
Beverage manufacturers have been choosing recyclable PET bottles and aluminum cans for decades.
Research shows that this kind of packaging affects consumers’ buying decisions.
However, with environmentally friendly packaging innovation, manufacturers will begin to adopt new forms of beverage packaging.
In particular, packaging solutions with plant-based, recyclable and renewable materials.
About a decade ago, Coca-Cola launched the world’s first 100% plant-based PET bottle as part of its 2009 plant bottle program.
Another example of Nestle Water North America. The company has launched a new bottled natural mineral water brand for the first time earlier. And the packaging of this natural mineral water is 100% recyclable, except for labels and caps.
Moreover, DuPont and ADM introduced biodegradable packaging materials made from fructose polymers. One of the materials is particularly suitable for beverage manufacturers to package beverages for its gas barrier properties.
Beverage manufacturers have been innovating packaging to satisfy the needs of consumers. However, with the rapid change of consumer demand, those packaging designs must keep pace with the changing demand.
Stand-up beverage pouch packaging
Stand-up beverage pouch packaging is getting more and more popular. And this trend is likely to continue.
Brands like them because they provide the ability to print vivid, clear designs. At the same time, stand-up beverage pouch packaging can also provide free creative space for packaging designers.
What’s more, independent stand-up pouches offer more possibilities for brands. It identifies the brand itself from competitors and stands out on the shelf.
Stand-up beverage pouches are lighter than metal cans or plastic bottles. In the meantime, empty bags can be transported and stored flat and that’s why they only take up a small part of the truck space.
As a result, they have the smallest environmental footprint.
Leading beverage packaging companies: the big players
Amcor PLC
The Amcor Group is a leading company with operations in many countries to improve and make high-quality packaging products.
The company deals with a series of flexible and rigid packaging products. It is also good at making cartons and closures. You can see their products in many fields like food & drinks, pharmaceutical, medical device, and home.
Also, you can find their footprints in the personal care industry.
Today, Amcor focus on packaging innovation. Their products come with a bunch of new features such as reusable, recyclable, and lightweight packaging solutions. In January 2018, Amcor promised to make their packaging products recyclable or reusable by 2025.
Headquartered in Australia, the company has about 48,000 staff. Its businesses have covered more than 40 countries. And has created a sales amount of $13 billion.
Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation is in the U.S. It is a global leading company offering metal packaging.
The company has packages for drinks, food & household products, and solutions for customers from various industries.
Recently, Ball Corporation introduced ReAl. It’s a very important and game-changing technology using recycled aluminum to make the metal alloy. With the use of it, metal alloys can be stronger and help to reduce the overall weight of the container. And remain no harm to the whole package.
In 2015, Ball Corporation introduced aluminum aerosol by working together with Henkel Beauty Care. It is a lighter version of ReAl.
Orora Limited
As one of the leading packaging companies in Australia, Orora’s branches span 7 countries.
Currently, Orora has more than 6,800 team members.
The company provides an extensive range of packaging products including bottles and cans, boxes, and cartons.
In addition to general packaging products, Orora also works with packaging solutions and displays.
The company acquired IntegraColour in March 2016, a known provider of display solutions and services. To speak of it, IntegraColour has been the partner of Lowe’s for 15 years.
Besides packaging, the company shows its leadership in renewable energy. Accordingly, Orora has invested over $10 million in energy efficiency projects across Australia and New Zealand.
Reynolds Group Holdings
Reynolds Group Holding is a leading global packaging company.
Based in Auckland, it produces and supplies food service and consumer drink packaging products. The group is also a manufacturer of germ-free packaging solutions like filling machines, paper boxes, and spouts.
The product lines of the Group have covered various applications. It has consumer products like wraps, aluminum foils, trays, and pads. And packaging materials for household and car industries as well.
Also, the packaging solutions of the company have helped industries like retailers, big purchasers, grocery stores, and more.
The group has an association with the former Reynolds Metal Company, the second-largest aluminum company in the USA.
Smurfit Kappa Group
Smurfit Kappa is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world.
As one part of the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index (also known as FTSE 100 Index), Smurfit Kappa have its headquarters in Dublin. And it has connected with 23 countries in Europe and 12 in the Americas.
This company has created a revenue of over $10 billion. With an employee base of 46,000, it supports about 350 production sites in 35 countries.
The Group shows its care about the earth by making environmentally friendly products. Its products have helped many countries.
Reports told that the investment by Smurfit Kappa in Mexico is one of the largest investments in the country.
Recently, the Group is one of the talking points of sustainable packaging technology.
Stora Enso OYJ
Stora Enso is a famous company good at solutions based on wood and biomass.
If you’re not familiar with biomass, it’s the name for natural materials used as fuels and industrial production.
Based in Finland, the packaging company is a key provider of renewable eco-friendly products in packaging markets in the world.
The eco-friendly packaging products by Stora Enso enable a low-carbon option to products with non-renewable materials.
The success of the great packaging company is seen by various awards, the Golden Egg Award in Sweden, for example.
Currently, you can find their packaging solutions in many places. Like personal care, food, drinks, and other industries.
Crown Holdings, Inc
Crown holdings are one of the largest packaging industries in the world.
Based in the U.S., it is the best producer of food cans and metal vacuum closure in the world.
This company has helped the packaging industry with many applications, including drinks, food, health & beauty, etc.
Recently, Coca-Cola worked together with Crown Bevcan and Chromatic Technologies Inc. They are going to make cans with inks that can change with temperature.
Mondi PLC
Mondi is a leader in packaging and paper while it deals with every vertical field of packaging.
On Feb 21, 2018, Mondi introduced a plastic laminate for pre-made pouches, which is entirely recyclable.
This sustainable material helps us with a positive environmental effect and value creation.
At the same time, the performance and properties of the new material are as strong as the conventional ones.
In other words, no sacrifice of performance while being friendly to the environment.
Graphic Packaging International PLC
Graphic Packaging is one of the leading producers of paper-based packaging solutions for many products.
You might find the company’s packages for some world-famous brands.
You can find applications of the company’s product in the following applications. That includes food, beverage, personal care, pet care products, household, and more.
According to the company, they have over 70 facilities in the world. And they emphasize renewable, recycled, and recyclable materials in their product portfolio.The impact of COVID-19 on the global beverage packaging market
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the food supply chain in all regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and other parts of the world. Due to the spread of COVID-19, deaths and long-term health effects are increasing.
This led the government to implement strict blockade regulations, which affected all aspects of the economy.
Governments around the world have formulated policies to deal with the various impacts of COVID-19 in order to avoid supply chain disruption, rising raw material prices, and severe economic impact on employees.
Europe and the Asia-Pacific region are some of the major regions severely affected by the COVID-19 scenario.
This is because of the large number of recorded cases in these regions, especially in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Japan, China, and South Korea in the Asia-Pacific region.
Companies in different countries are developing innovative technologies that are environmentally friendly and protect beverages from any type of bacterial contamination.
Market dynamics
Driver: Growing beverage consumption in emerging economies
The growing global population and the disposable income of growing developing economies are creating new avenues for packaged beverages.
According to data from the Brewers Association, the total value of the beer market in 2020 is 94.1 billion U.S. dollars, while the total value of the craft beer market is estimated to be 22.2 billion U.S. dollars.
According to data from the World Health Organization, per capita, alcohol consumption (liters) per capita (over 15 years of age) was recorded at 8.6 liters in 2010 and increased to 8.8 liters in 2016.
The increase in urban population, coupled with changes in lifestyle, has led to an increase in the total consumption of packaged beverages in emerging economies such as India.
According to data provided by the World Bank, in 2009, approximately 30.58% of India’s population lived in urban areas, and this proportion rose to 34.47% in 2019. According to a study published in the journal The Lancet, alcohol consumption in India increased by 38.
Between 2010 and 2017, the per capita consumption percentage rose from 4.3 to 5.9 liters. The large populations of emerging economies such as India and China are expected to drive the development of the beverage packaging market.
The increase in health awareness among young people has increased the demand for packaged fruit juices, energy drinks, and health drinks, providing huge opportunities for manufacturers to increase sales.
In addition, the increase in tourism, the easy availability of bottled water, and the preference for healthy lifestyles have also increased the demand for bottled water and flavored water added with vitamins, natural flavors, or the same flavor substances as natural, such as basil, lemon, Mint, orange, hibiscus, and fruit.
Restriction: strict environmental legislation
Packaging waste can harm the ecosystem because it takes decades to decompose.
Governments around the world are solving this problem by implementing strict laws that the beverage packaging industry must comply with.
For example, European governments have adopted various measures to deal with packaging waste and recycling issues.
One such piece of legislation of the European Commission is “Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 20, 1994, on packaging and packaging waste”.
The directive provides measures aimed at limiting the generation of packaging waste and promoting recycling, reuse, and other forms of waste recycling.
Opportunity:
Increasing use of biodegradable and renewable raw materials
The increasing consumer awareness of environmental safety and the increasing popularity of environmentally-friendly products provide huge opportunities for beverage packaging product manufacturers.
According to a study by the American Retail Federation, 69% of participants in North America are willing to pay high prices for recycled products, while 80% of participants want to know the source of the products they buy.
Bioplastics are polymers obtained from renewable resources, such as corn starch, wood chips, vegetables, and fatty oils.
Bacardi Limited announced in 2020 that by 2023, all its brands will use biodegradable plastic packaging made of 100% vegetable oil.
Therefore, beverage brands have switched from traditional materials to bioplastic bottles to package their beverages, providing new opportunities for players in the market.
Challenge: The high cost of sustainable packaging
Consumers need sustainable beverage packaging solutions while taking into account the health and environmental issues associated with the use of synthetic polymers.
Beverage packaging companies try to use their available resources to ensure product quality and safety, but sustainability factors will increase overall production costs, thereby affecting overall profitability.
The increase in final packaging costs may affect sales.
Therefore, this two-way challenge forces the company to find an intermediate path to balance VA.
Conclusion
A glance at the things we just talked about today.
- The current beverage packaging market is growing and expect to reach a size of $133.3 billion in 2026.
- Beverage packaging solutions worth our attention, as proper beverage packaging solutions bring us lots of benefits.
- We introduced the types of beverage packaging: by beverage packaging materials, and by packaging types.
- Ways to choosing the perfect beverage packaging and the criteria
- The beverage packaging solutions in the trend
- Big players in the beverage packaging industry today
