The impact of changing and diversifying consumer demands were key takeaways from the 2015 State of the Industry—US Packaging Machinery Report shared by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, Reston, VA, at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015. The study highlighted these shifts toward on-the-go and clean-label products while, more than ever, brand owners must also tackle the challenges associated with a growing variety of consumer preferences. As companies plan ahead for 2016, PMMI provides a connection among the processing and packaging communities.
Continuous collaboration between consumer goods manufacturers (CPGs) and technology suppliers is necessary to speed the implementation of new processing and packaging solutions, according to PMMI. Its report notes, “Improved information on nutrition and growing consumer health consciousness, coupled with increased travel and busy lifestyles, have driven demand for different products. This has led to the growth of indulgent yet healthy foods, convenience foods, different portion sizes (e.g. single-serve packaging), different packaging designs and completely new foods.”