MICRO PACKAGING MARKET ANALYSIS

The creation of an impermeable layer of just few millimeters thick by using nano-particles is known as micro packaging. The flexibility, isolation, and cost effectiveness provided by this technique makes it an appealing packaging technique. Micro packaging has been employed in food, beverages, and pharmaceutical industries. The leaking of oxygen into the package results in increased rate of oxidation, which will reduce the shelf life of the product. Also, contamination from dust and pathogens will affect food quality. An alternative to micro packaging is coating of metal or glass on the packaging, but this will result in reduced flexibility.

The major drivers are the advantages of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals lasting longer, coupled with remaining free from any contamination. The major challenges are leaching of nano-particles into the food stream. Investment in R&D is required to examine effects of nano-particles on human health. Also, expensive manufacturing technology and lack of technical know-how has hindered the market growth.

Micro Packaging Market Taxonomy

On basis of Packaging function, the Micro packaging market is segmented into:

• Primary Functions
  • Protective
  • Storage
  • Loading and Transport
• Secondary Functions, the Micro packaging market is segmented into:
  • Sales
  • Promotion
  • Service
  • Guarantee
• Tertiary Functions

On basis of packaging type, the Micro packaging market is segmented into:

• Paper and Board
  • SBS
  • WLC
  • Other
• Corrugated Boxes
•  Boxboard
  • Rigid Boxes
  • Folding Boxes
  • Trays
• Flexible Paper
  • Paper bags
  • Shipping Sacks
  • Sachets/Pouches
  • Blister and Strip Packs
  • Stand up Pouches
• Glass
• Liquid Cartons
  • Brick Liquid
  • Gable Top Liquid
  • Shaped Liquid
• Metal Packaging
• Paper Based Container
  • Bag-in Box
  • Folding Container

On basis of end user industry, the Micro packaging market is segmented into:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Food and Beverage
• Personal Care Products
• Others

Primary packaging is the layer, which is in contact with the product. Its function is to provide protection to the product from external factors and isolate it from the environment. Any subsequent packaging layers can be installed after this layer. The secondary packaging’s use is to protect the primary packaging layer and also serve branding, promotion, and logistical purposes. Any additional packaging is also called tertiary packaging.

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to be the largest driver of the micro packaging market in both packaging and drug delivery applications. Increased shelf life of medicines has fueled the use of micro packaging.

Micro Packaging Market Outlook

• Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the micro packaging market. The burgeoning food and beverage industry has contributed to market growth, due to large amount of time spent by goods in transit and long shelf lives in products is vital. Moreover, India and China are hubs for manufacture of pharmaceuticals, which are then sold in Europe and North America.
• Europe is a leading region for innovation due to high R&D investments. Stringent environmental regulations have led companies away from conventional packaging to sustainable practices such as micro packaging.
• North America is major supplier of pork and beef to China, the use of micro packaging helps keep the meat fresh during transit. China is projected to import 3 million tons of pork in 2017. Due to recent meat quality issues in China, it is vital for meat packagers to employ techniques to ensure freshness. This will allow for consolidation of market share in Chinese market.
• Middle East is witnessing growing demand for food due to rising tourism and high disposable incomes. Moreover, in an attempt to reduce reliance on food imports, investments in food and packaging sector are projected to rise. Africa is a fledgling market and is not expected to boost the micro packaging industry in the forecast period.
• In Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are among the largest producers of generic drugs. The drugs are exported to almost 40 countries. Nano packaging ensures their quality during storage and trans-Atlantic travel. This will boost the micro packaging industry in the region.

The European Union (EU) in 2017 awarded the NanoPack consortium US$ 8.8 million (€7.7 million) to develop anti-microbial surfaces to improve shelf life of products. The consortium was led by Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and has seventeen more partner organizations.

Major players in the micro packaging market are Alcoa Inc, Amcor, Bemis, Beijing ChamGo Nano-tech Co. Ltd, Color Matrix Corporation, Honeywell, InMat.