Smart Packaging Making Inroads in Juice Markets
George Guidoni
A morning glass of orange or apple juice is a daily breakfast ritual for millions of North Americans eager to kick the day off on the right foot, with a quick all-natural boost of vitamins, nutrients, energy and delicious taste.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to a recent report from global market researchers at IndustryARC, the global fruit- and vegetable-juice market is projected to reach US$231 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 6.4 per cent between 2023 and 2030.
“The fruit- and vegetable-juice industry has witnessed significant growth, as this is considered a naturally sourced nutritious food with the ability to boost immunity,” the study notes.
“For example, 240 ml of pomegranate juice contains 22 per cent of the DV (daily value) of Vitamin K and 12 per cent of the DV of potassium, which helps in improving the heart health of older people, helps people combat a variety of health issues, and strengthens immunity,” the report adds.
Delivering these benefits to consumers naturally requires sound, reliable packaging to get the product from the packaging line to the retail point-of-purchase, and juice makers large and small are happily spoiled for choice in terms of packaging materials and formats.
Currently, glass bottles account for about 30 per cent of the market; PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles for another 30 per cent; aluminum cans for 20 per cent; paper-plastic composite materials (drink boxes) for another 10 per cent; and several different non-PET plastic polymers for the rest.
While each material option has its advantages and drawbacks, the good news is that they are largely compatible with the existing recycling streams across much of the industrialized world, and without drawing the sort of nasty criticism often used to demonize the bottled-water industry.
But it is really beyond the physical package where true packaging ingenuity in this sector really shines, according to a new report from Transparency Market Research (TMR), by leveraging technologies such as:
- IoT Sensors, embedded in packaging to monitor temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors that can affect the quality of juice. “This real-time monitoring is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the product throughout the supply chain,” TMR notes.
- Blockchain Technology, providing “transparent and immutable way to track the journey of juice from the farm to the consumer,” says TMR. “By recording every step in the supply chain on a blockchain, consumers can be assured of the authenticity and quality of the product.”
- Augmented Reality (AR) Labels, used to create interactive labels to provide consumers with engaging product content by scanning the packaging with a smartphone to learn about the origin of the juice, nutritional content, and even view videos of the production process.
- Smart Labels and QR Codes, the latter being used to provide consumers with additional product information by linking them to websites, promotional offers, and even social-media pages. For their part, “Smart labels can also include freshness indicators that change colour based on the quality of the juice,” the report notes, “providing a visual cue about the product’s freshness.”
As the TMR report points out, “The integration of smart technology in juice packaging not only benefits manufacturers and retailers, but also offers consumers a superior product experience.”
The growing use of all these so-called “smart packaging” technologies is a major growth catalyst for the global juice-packaging market, which TMR projects to rise from US$3.4 billion in 2023 to over US$5 billion by 2032.
As the report sums up, “Smart technology is revolutionizing how juice is packaged—ensuring better quality, safety, sustainability and consumer engagement.
“As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect even more innovative solutions that will shape the future of the industry.”
We can’t wait to drink to that.
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