Consumer demand for organically produced foods continues to generate double-digit growth, providing market incentives for U.S. food producers and packaging companies to stay ahead of the growing demand. According to recent industry statistics, organic food products are now available in approximately 20,000 natural food stores, and nearly three out of four conventional grocery stores.
U.S. sales of organic products grew from an estimated $28.4 billion in 2012 to an estimated $35 billion in 2014, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. Consumers are showing an increasing preference for organically-produced food because of concerns regarding not only health and animal welfare, but also the environment. They have demonstrated a willingness to pay the price premiums associated with organic products. And, they have also become increasingly observant of organic product packaging, routinely scanning for symbols, graphics or text indications of environmental friendliness.
Smithers Pira, a global authority on packaging industry supply chains, recently conducted a survey of key players across the global packaging value chain. One key finding was that 79% of respondents rated “Increased exposure of consumers to environmental issues” and “Advances in materials technology” as major factors contributing to the growth of environmentally friendly packaging.
One of these advances in materials technology has been the use of solventless lamination to manufacture flexible packaging. According to Adhesives Age Magazine, 25% of all consumer goods today are contained in flexible-packaging materials, which continue to replace traditional rigid packaging, such as folding cartons, bottles, boxes and fiberboard cases and trays. Flexible packaging often requires the laminating (physical bonding) of two or more films to achieve desired properties such as creating a moisture and oxygen barrier, allowing heat seal-ability or enhancing printability. The bonding has traditionally been accomplished by therm