Discover your next big idea in food packaging & processing this Sept.
Experience a breakthrough in food packaging & processing—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.
REGISTER TODAY & SAVE

Sustainable Packaging Materials Drive Changes in Meat, Poultry, Seafood Packaging

Sustainability goals are shifting the popularity of common protein packaging formats, with high growth predictions for pouches and vacuum-based formats in particular.

Bag
PMMI Business Intelligence, 2022 Meat, Poultry, Seafood & Alternative Proteins: Automation, Expansion, Sanitation.

Demand for meat, poultry, and seafood packaging is predicted to increase by a CAGR of 3% to 3.5% from 2022 to 2025, according to PMMI Business Intelligence’s 2022 report “Meat, Poultry, Seafood, & Alternative Proteins: Automation, Expansion, Sanitation.” Despite sustainability concerns, plastic formats will see some of the highest growth, especially vacuum-based formats, pouches, and plastic trays.

Bag It Up

Flexible bags are a popular format for all types of meat, poultry, and seafood. Larger cuts of meat and whole chickens are often packaged in vacuum or shrink bags for convenience and transparency.

One VP of operations at an SME meat and poultry company says they "have experienced growth throughout the COVID years in both fresh and frozen meats in shrink bags and sleeves."

Vacuum bags in particular are growing in popularity as they combine several key consumer preferences into one packaging format: physical transparency, effective barrier properties for better presentation, and an overall reduction in material compared to other formats.

In a sub-survey, 50% industry respondents predict use of vacuum bags will grow in the near future, while 8% say the format would decline. The remaining 42% of respondents predict no change.

Flexible packaging like bags can also have benefits for manufacturers by minimizing the physical size and overall weight of individual units, which improves cost efficiency for transportation.

List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Proteins Innovations Report
Discover cutting-edge protein packaging innovations from PACK EXPO International 2024! Our editorial team spotlights hygienic equipment and materials designed for the demanding protein sector. From IP66-rated washdown systems and all-servo chub packaging to advanced auto-bagging technology and compostable trays replacing EPS, this report reveals how manufacturers are addressing clean, safe design while improving efficiency.
Take Me There
Proteins Innovations Report