In the study, entitled Protective Packaging to 2008, the firm predicts that inflatable bags, insulated shipping containers, polyolefin rolls and moulded foam will see the best rates of growth. Altogether, the protective packaging sector in the US is already worth $2.7 billion.
Freedonia presents its predictions with historical demand data (1993, 1998 and 2003) and forecasts to 2008 and 2013 by product e.g. moulded foams, foamed-in-place, foam rolls, protective mailers, insulated shipping containers, paperboard protectors, loose-fill, inflatable bags); by material, function (e.g., cushioning, blocking and bracing, void-fill, insulation); and by market.
The study also examines the US market environment, details industry structure, presents company market share data, and profiles 39 leading industry competitors including Sealed Air, Pactiv, and SCA Packaging North America.
The Freedonia report follows a similar study into convenience food packaging trends. Market analyst Packaged Facts' Convenience Foods Packaging and Serving Size Trends covers the full range of storage temperatures - frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable - as well as different serving sizes, from single-serve portions and bite-size minis to family packs and resealable eat-now/eat-later options.
The report explores all areas of the convenience foods market, examining trends for growth, new product developments, and consumer attitudes and their current and projected impact on sales of convenience foods. It provides case histories of industry-changing packaging innovations, including those from smaller, up-and-coming companies; spotlights new products and current distribution trends; and pinpoints trends and marketing opportunities.
Convenience is one of the overriding trends in the packaged foods industry. Grab-and-go soups, seasoned tuna salad in pouches, vacuum-packed steaks and chicken breasts, ready-to-brew coffee in pods are all changing the way consumers eat and cook.