Did you know nearly 67% of the households in the US own a pet? Of those pets, 63 million are dogs, representing the largest segment of the pet population, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years given the rise in pet ownership. From the pet food packaging perspective, there are several consumer trends that manufacturers and brands should consider when bringing products to market.
Brand owners ultimately need to establish an emotional connection with their consumers.
Package to win not only at the shelf but at home by enhancing the consumer’s experience through ease of use. It is not just food, it’s an opportunity to have fun, treat your pet, and strengthen your bond.
Proven package design provides excellent product protection and guarantees safety and freshness.
Consider not only package unit cost, but the cost of the entire supply chain. Premium packaging is not only for the consumer:
$30B market that is expected to grow 13% to $33.5B by 2025
Expectations to spend more time with their pets even after pandemic
Treating behavior is changing with stronger emotional bonds
Online sales grew during pandemic, not returning to pre-Covid levels
Greater awareness around health; more brand specialization expected
Consumers more concerned about sustainability, open to pay premium
It takes into consideration the overall consumer experience while providing excellent product protection to guarantee safety and freshness. Beyond the consumer, pet food packaging is designed for optimal performance during the production process, increasing overall efficiency and throughput.
As we design packaging for End-of-Life, or Next Life, we must be aware of the sustainability goals and requirements that are now being expected by the brands and the consumer.
Begin with the end in mind.
Clearly state the goal and carefully articulate the guardrails. Understanding what is desirable and what is off-limits is critical to making the best use of limited time and resources.
Reset your baseline performance.
Changes in material often have an impact on operations, timing and cost. Minimize time spent on technologies that will dead-end without getting you to your goal.
Iterate into the end state.
Consider opportunities to further optimize package size, structure and material sourcing specific to the application. Add in PCR or renewable content wherever possible.
Store Drop-off Recyclable
Source: How2Recycle
Source: American Chemistry Council
As an extension of the polyethylene based recyclable package, we can further impact the beginning of life of a package with the inclusion of bio-based PE or even materials like a thermoplastic starch. There is an opportunity to reduce dependency on fossil-fuel based virgin resins and to make a claim on package for a USDA Biobased Product.
Sustainability
Completes the circularity cycle
Does not compromise recyclability
Environmental benefits v. virgin
E.g. rHDPE
• 88% less energy usage
• 59% less water usage
• 71% less GHG emissions
Consumers generally understand the benefits
October 8, 2020
Innovation. At Printpack, it’s not just a platitude. Over the past 7 years, we’ve developed a 5-point approach that stimulates innovation, helping clients not only get to market more quickly but meet their sustainable packaging goals in ways that…
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July 2, 2021
On-Demand Now: Listen in as Printpack’s Sustainable Innovations Manager, Bill Barlow participated in a live paneled webinar with Dow and Ameripen: Countdown to Sustainability: A Global Packaging Discussion.
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October 17, 2022
Together, we introduce the Preserve™ PE PCR recyclable polyethylene (PE) pouch and Berry Global’s Entour™ sealant film. This structure paves the way to further improving recyclability, decreasing virgin plastic use, and more.
Learn MorePrintpack leads the packaging industry in manufacturing capabilities while delivering a best-in-class customer experience. We are committed to Preserving and Enhancing People’s Lives through sustainability, efficient processes, and providing quality products to our customers and consumers.
Our vertically integrated manufacturing approach includes flexographic, rotogravure, and digital printing, along with extrusion and adhesive lamination capabilities.
Our specialty rigid packaging includes barrier co-extrusion and thermoforming capabilities.
Our healthcare packaging includes header bags, peelable pouches, and forming films that protect the integrity of medical devices and equipment.
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