Flexible packaging plays a vital role in protecting and preserving the freshness of meat, poultry, and seafood products and preventing food waste. Mono- and multilayer barrier films and laminates also deliver shelf impact and product differentiation, convenience features such as easy-peel/reseal, and a positive sustainability profile.
Although the light weight of films and laminates automatically imparts sustainability advantages versus heavier rigid packaging, many flexible substrates are sourced from petrochemicals, contain more than one material, and are challenging to recycle. With plastics viewed negatively by many consumers, the demand for more environmentally friendly substrates is pushing innovations in the industry. At least one supplier believes the interest in sustainability is causing a shift in the package design process. Instead of designing the package and then fine-tuning it to improve its environmental attributes, sustainability data is being used to guide design decisions from the beginning.