Since the outbreak of the epidemic, 35% of consumers worldwide have increased their use of home delivery services. The consumption level in Brazil is above average, and more than half (58%) of consumers choose to shop online. In addition, the survey also shows that 15% of consumers worldwide do not expect to return to normal shopping habits after the epidemic.
Instant food packaging has become a common feature in many consumers’ lives in response to epidemic restrictions. Although the phenomenon of food hoarding will basically disappear after the epidemic, the long-term trend of restaurant delivery and the surge in social activities in the post-epidemic period will strengthen the important role of ready-to-eat food packaging in ensuring food protection and convenient travel.
According to data from Innova Market Insights, 49% of consumers worldwide believe that product protection and food safety are the primary requirements for instant food packaging, followed by product storage (42%) and product information (37%).
At the same time, the entire industry’s promotion of environmental sustainability is affecting the use of virgin plastic in packaging. It is worth noting that, in accordance with its plastics strategy, the European Union is developing a strategy to ensure that by 2030 all packaging is economically viable and recyclable.
In the United Kingdom, a plastic tax will take effect in April 2022. It is proposed to impose a tax of 200 pounds (US$278) per ton on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled plastic. Many other countries, including China and Australia, are Encourage waste reduction through legislation.
So what are the challenges and opportunities facing ready-to-eat food packaging?
Priority protection products
Experts confirmed that trays are the preferred form of ready-to-eat food packaging for global consumers (34%). In the United Kingdom and Brazil, the proportions of preference for pallets are as high as 54% and 46% respectively.
In addition, bags (17%), bags (14%), cups (10%), and pots (7%) are the most popular among consumers worldwide. After product protection (49%), product storage (42%), and product information (37%), global consumers rank the convenience of product use (30%), transportation (22%), and availability (12%) as Top priority issues.
In emerging economies, product protection is particularly concerned. In Indonesia, China, and India, consumers who prioritize food safety account for 69%, 63%, and 61%, respectively.
The epidemic has also exacerbated consumers’ concerns about hygiene. Since the outbreak, 59% of consumers worldwide believe that the protective function of packaging is more important. 20% of consumers around the world prefer to use more plastic packaging for epidemic and sanitation purposes, while 40% of consumers admit that plastic packaging is an “unnecessary necessity”.
Food safety and sustainability
Food protection is a key issue in the innovation of ready-to-eat food packaging, as well as the closely related sustainability and insulation drivers.
Experts believe that environmental impact is also a major issue in the catering industry. “In Europe, people are paying particular attention to plastic alternatives and packaging solutions that minimize the impact on the environment without compromising food safety. Another key trend is to ensure that consumers and retail and food manufacturers Easy to handle.”
Challenges of circular economy
Reducing plastic is still the main consumer demand for ready-to-eat food packaging. In addition, more and more stringent laws require recyclability and recycling, and food safety and hygiene are “always the most important.”
Experts explained: “In practice, recyclability often varies within and between countries, depending on the existing infrastructure. From a regional perspective, this sometimes has implications for product development and product range management. challenge.”
One of the main challenges of the food packaging circular economy is the severe lack of supply of recycled materials approved for food packaging. “The materials that can be used, such as rPET, have not yet been used on a large scale.”
Epidemic demand surges
Due to the epidemic, the demand for ready-to-eat food packaging solutions for takeaway and restaurant delivery has increased.
Due to the lockdown and social restrictions, the number of food delivery to the door has increased dramatically. According to data from Innova Market Insights, since the outbreak of the epidemic, 35% of consumers worldwide have increased their use of home delivery services. The consumption level in Brazil is above average, and more than half (58%) of consumers choose to shop online.
In addition, the survey also shows that 15% of consumers worldwide do not expect to return to normal shopping habits after the epidemic. In the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, as many as 20% of consumers are expected to continue their consumption habits during the epidemic.
