Product Developers, Consumers Continue to Seek Sustainable Future
Upcycled food, recycled packaging and future product innovators drive trends in sustainable industry practices
When it comes to trends, Innova Market Insights takes a 360-degree view of the world so we can evaluate and incorporate various factors that ultimately impact the food and beverage market. At the top of the trends hierarchy are five macro forces that impact consumer needs and behavior: focus on health, increased cost of living, potential political and global threats, technology transformations, and health of the planet. This last force, health of the planet, inspires consumers to do what they can to manage their impact on the environment. Sustainable packaging is essential to health of the planet because it allows consumers to take action in a tangible way.
Plastic Reigns Supreme in Beverage Packaging
Plastic packaging remains a popular choice for beverage manufacturers due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and established supply chain infrastructure. Its ability to accommodate various shapes and sizes, coupled with its lightweight nature, contributes to efficient transportation and distribution, reducing logistical costs.
New containers based on paper, aluminum, and molded fiber have emerged as promising alternatives to plastic, particularly for consumers seeking eco-friendly options. Aseptic cartons, made primarily from renewable paperboard, offer recyclability and environmental benefits, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Aluminum bottles boast high recycling rates and offer product differentiation and shelf appeal.
Nestlé Health Science, The Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School at Tufts University Announce Startup Challenge Winners
Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in nutritional health and wellness, and the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, through its Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, announced the winners of the Nestlé Health Science Innovate Forward: The Longevity Challenge, a joint initiative created to accelerate innovation in nutrition and support start-up acceleration.
Upcycling on the Up and Up
When it comes to crafting or reformulating products for greater sustainability, developers and manufacturers are faced with considerations that go beyond whether or not the agriculture and manufacturing processes involved are ecologically sound and resource-controlled. Sustainability is a consideration across the entire chain of an ingredient, from the agriculture to the processing to the use in manufacturing. And upcycling is a key link in that chain.
Five Forces Shaping Consumer Needs, Behavior
When it comes to trends, Innova Market Insights takes a 360-degree view of the world so we can evaluate and incorporate various factors that ultimately impact the food and beverage market.
Packaging is an integral part of consumer sustainability demands. Consumers report that recycled materials are a leading driver of their purchases, followed by biodegradable packaging and reusable materials. Plastic pollution is at the top of consumer environmental concerns. Nearly four in 10 respondents to Innova’s 2023 Packaging Survey name plastic pollution as an issue and 65% of those participating in the 2024 Trends Survey report being “extremely” or “very aware” of plastic waste. Ocean pollution and food waste were named as a top concern by three in 10 consumers surveyed.
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