Glass in food & beverage packaging
Courtesy: Eden Foods, Inc
the production of glass containers has brought in a revolution in the Indian glass packaging industry. It has resulted in decreasing the weight of glass containers by 25-30 per cent. This technology also offers benefits such as better control over glass distribution and increased productivity, thus making glass packaging more cost-effective and convenient for the consumers.
Innovations making headway Overall, the glass container market in India has been growing at a healthy rate of over 10 per cent, with the F&B segment contributing generously due to the prospering Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. Food packaging is witnessing a healthy volume growth due to the arrival of organised retail market. This has led to increased competition in the packaging segment and, consequently, has resulted in a number of innovations in the sector. Emergence of novel packaging solutions may seem challenging, but glass makers are gearing up to face this task. Umesh Sharma notes, “Glass manufacturers are responding to challenges from other packaging materials by improving, widening and emphasising the range of colours, size & design possibilities of glass.” Manufacturers are also investing in technology to enhance the weight and strength of glass containers in order to compete with alternative packaging materials. Improved technology has also led to glass containers with lighter weight that are remarkably stronger, safer and up to 40 per cent lighter than it was 20 years ago. Yatindra R Sharma, Managing Director, KHS Machinery Pvt Ltd, notes, “Manufacturers are coming up with better sustainable solutions of glass bottles for packaging of soft drink, beer, spirits and other food products. A new trend in glass packaging is to provide lightweight containers with longer life cycle. Today, glass is being positioned as more efficient in sustainability in comparison to plastic containers.” Also, adoption of the Narrow Neck Press & Blow (NNPB) technology in
Marching ahead The cradle-to-cradle property of glass makes it the most prevalent form of packaging in the global market. This aspect is gradually becoming visible in India, with the growing awareness about the usage of glass as a green packaging material. The F&B segment occupies the largest share in the packaging industry, which comes to more than 85 per cent. Thus, the future of glass packaging industry is bright considering the rising consumer demand, fast growing retail sector and advent of new technologies. The glass packaging industry is expected to continue its strong growth for the next few years, with most of the key players in the F&B industry ramping up their capacities. Umesh Sharma avers, “The future of glass containers can be seen through change in the consumption trend. These days, small bottles have come up in a big way. It is expected that glass containers will be available in many new shapes and sizes in future.” Last but not the least, the packaging industry (including glass) has experienced a spurt in growth in the last few years. Further, due to continuous lifestyle changes and growing consumer consciousness about health, hygiene and eco-friendly products, glass packaging is expected to grow at a higher rate in the coming years. Yatindra R Sharma concludes, “Glass will continue as major volume container in beer, spirit and certain food products in times to come. In the beverage industry, glass will remain as single-serve container due to low cost of packaging in reference to its long life cycle.
The future of glass containers can be seen through change in the consumption trend. These days, small bottles have come up in a big way. It is expected that glass containers will be available in many new shapes and sizes in future. Umesh Sharma Managing Director, Julison Packaging India Pvt Ltd
A new trend in glass packaging is to provide lightweight containers with longer life cycle. Today, glass is being positioned as more efficient in sustainability in comparison to plastic containers. Yatindra R Sharma Managing Director, KHS Machinery Pvt Ltd
Email: avani.jain@network18publsihing.com
Modern Packaging & Design November-December 2012
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