The future of packaging

The food service sector in Europe is expanding at a rapid rate. To capitalise on the growing number of opportunities this is presenting to European food processors and manufacturers, packaging giant Cryovac​ recently held a programme of events focusing on this highly innovative sector.

These included a seminar dedicated to the food service sector that featured 10 speakers, with representatives attending from 13 European countries. Industry delegates heard that in the UK alone, 28 per cent of meals are currently taken out of home. This figure is expected to reach 50 per cent by 2020. In financial terms, the market share is even larger, currently reaching 30 per cent of spending on food and beverages.

Consumer behaviour is also evolving, with increasing concern for healthy nutrition and the environment. Food manufacturers themselves are struggling with issues such as convenience, assembly, waste in the supply chain and food safety.

The food service market is undeniably on the move and becoming more customer driven then ever before. According to Jo Hillaert of International Food Consultants in Belgium, branding will become important to respond to the new 'around the clock' lifestyle.

"Surprise, entertainment and total experience will be the keys to success. Operators will provide service and experience,"​ she said. "Production will be transferred to manufacturers, yet it is the finishing touch and added value that will create the perception of difference."​

Cryovac claims that food processors are increasingly turning to high performance packaging solutions to help solve some of the problems faced by the industry. For example, the company's says that its vertical pouch packaging can aid high volume production of shelf stable and refrigerated fresh foods. The company claims that the product is ideally suited for packaging fluids or pumpable food products in flexible pouches, which offer a number of advantages over traditional rigid containers.

In Belgium, the soup and sauce processor Deliva produces 15 tonnes of products per day. The company is trying to achieve critical mass in a difficult market through vertical integration: part of its production goes to its own restaurants, hotels and catering organisations. Deliva also chose Cryovac vertical pouch packaging technology for its soups and sauces.

And in Norway, the food services department for the municipality of Kristiansanduse is using Cryovac Cook-Chill and Darfresh FTF vacuum packaging technologies in an attempt to increase production and cut costs. The packaging also helps to ensure pack security and long shelf-life.

Packaged food remains a growing business area, offering new sales opportunities for food multinationals and, according to Cryovac, likely to increase 2 to 3 per cent per year. The company believes that retail and food sectors will increasingly develop synergies, taking into consideration the current trends for casual dining and foreign cuisine.

To conclude the seminar, Cryovac chairman Joan Romero reminded participants that the food service sector represents an opportunity for growth in the coming years for all actors in the market. Out-of-home eating is spreading in all countries and this trend will continue. New packaging technologies will allow operators and food suppliers to improve their offer and efficiency to satisfy market demands. Innovation, differentiation and technology will be the key drivers in the next few years and packaging, says Cryovac, will be a key element in these three driving forces.