Innovations such as high impact graphics and greater barrier properties have certainly put packaging at the cutting edge of the food and drinks industry. Freedonia predicts that new developments in pouches and rigid plastic containers will soon be on the market thanks to performance and line speed improvements.

Grain mill products and the sauces/condiments sector are set to benefit greatly from improvements in pouch containers and plastic bottles for foodstuffs such as pasta sauces.

Pouch demand, says Freedonia, will increase 6.3 per cent per annum to $3.5 billion in 2007. Pouches are replacing metal cans, paperboard boxes and bags as producers choose more convenient and eye appealing packaging. Additional pouch gains will be driven by heightened needs for packaging that offers enhanced differentiation, such as retort, resealable, shaped and other types.

Bag demand will increase less than 1 percent annually to $3.8 billion in 2007 due to stiff competition from pouches and needs for enhanced marketing appeal.

The report also contends that rigid plastic food container demand will expand 5.7 per cent annually through 2007, creating a market for 2.8 billion pounds of resin. Stimulating factors include plastic's clarity, light weight and shatter resistance in bottles and jars, with slower growth expected in tubs and cups.

Hot-fill applications such as jams, jellies and condiments are growing due to improvements in heat resistance and barrier properties, as well as consumer convenience. Newest plastic inroads are being made into baby food markets, where glass jars hold an entrenched position.

Paperboard will continue to remain the largest rigid food container material based on the material's strength, stiffness, competitive pricing structure and favorable environmental profile.

Folding cartons will provide the best opportunities although more rapid growth is expected for aseptic cartons. Metal containers will exhibit slow annual advances due to saturated fruit and vegetable can markets, and competition from pouches in tuna fish and other packaging uses.

Glass container demand is projected to decline based on plastic's weight, design and performance advantages.

These and other trends are presented in Food Containers: Rigid & Flexible, a new study from the US-based Freedonia Group . The 299-page report, which was published this month, is available for $3,900. For further details, contact Corinne Gangloff .