Trends In Food Packaging
Food packaging is a highly competitive and vibrant industry that is always on the lookout for new trends and innovations aiming to ease the life of consumers. Food packaging not only markets the product but also increases the shelf life of the products. Here are some of the main trends of the food packaging trends that are visible today.
1.Food Packaging: To Choose Thermal or Direct Transfer Labeling:
Food-related emissions make up 21 percent of total emissions in America, of which the packaging and supply chain mechanisms contribute 11 percent, reports a study conducted in 2010. Whereas the same carried out in 2018 suggests that on an average, the production and supply of food account for 83 percent of emissions, while only the packaging accounts for 11 percent. A decade ago, this category would not have been critically important. However, at present is needs the utmost attention. Waste reduction and lower carbon footprints are majorly gaining part in producers and Food packaging companies’ mission statements and, in many cases, used to strengthen competitive advantage.
Many companies have used direct thermal labeling traditionally as a niche technology across various narrow vertical markets, including dairy, meat, and poultry. However, developments in thermal paper technology have resulted in a wide range of products that are suitable for utilization in many applications across nearly any vertical market. The result has led to increased interest in direct thermal as the technology option for new or upgraded applications.
The primary difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing is that thermal transfer printing uses a thermal ribbon and direct thermal printing does not. Thermal ribbon uses a poly-based carrier made from crude oil products. Eliminating its use can, therefore, positively impact a company’s goal for a reduced carbon footprint. After the ribbon is used, the spent ribbon and cores must be disposed of; it flows out to the company’s waste stream.
The thermal transfer involves the thermal printhead elements heating one side of a thermal transfer ribbon to melt it. This will allow the compound on the other side to stick to the label material, thus creating the printed image.
Direct thermal printing needs a heat-sensitive label material. The printhead elements are in direct contact with the heat-sensitive material enabling the elements to effect a color change in the material. Direct thermal technology brings to halt the usage of thermal ribbons, eliminating the excess generation of waste. The advances in direct thermal materials and technology expand the potential use applications. The above-listed considerations will be given extra attention in organizations with the freedom to choose the technology.
2.5 Futuristic Technologies that will Transform the Food Packaging Industry
The rapid digitization of the world has practically changed everything. No wonder, these technologies have enhanced the level of food packaging. From ‘electronic tongues’ that have the ability to taste the products to the nanoparticles that constantly fight bacteria which are 50,000 times thinner than human hair, researchers and scientists are exploring innovations of food safety.
Following is a rundown of some of the technologies that won’t shield the food from harmful bacteria but will also change the way the food and beverage vendors operate.
1. Micro Packing
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a ‘micro-film’ that can be the next miracle in the food packaging field. The material comprises solely of water, soluble polymer, and 70 percent clay particles. The packaging is considered to be eco-friendly as compared to plastic as well as possess the preservation features of glass that can hold the fizz better in soda.
Durethan, a plastic film developed by Bayer, which is a chemical and pharmaceutical organization, prevents moisture, carbon dioxide, and oxygen from decomposing food products. Likewise, Nanocore has developed nanocrystal-embedded plastic that doesn’t let the oxygen escape from beer bottles.
2. Edible Packaging
As per the scientists and industry experts, people will eat dinner along with its packaging instead of throwing it into the trash bin. Isn’t it shocking? Recently, a research team at Harvard University developed multiple edible food containers named WikiCells. The team’s inventions include lemon juice contained in a lemon membrane, pumpkin soup in spinach membrane and melted chocolate contained in a cherry membrane. People in Japan are already having edible rice paper-wrapped candy called Bontan Anne.
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