Many products in today’s era require different styles of packaging that can be flexible, secure and even aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. At the forefront of the minds behind production companies is increasing the user-friendliness of products, which make users more like to purchase the product again and sets them aside from other competitors in the field. Shrink wrap film provides the perfect solution to securing oddly shaped products with flexible and ease, while keeping them safe throughout the whole packaging, delivery and purchasing process. This was recently highlighted in the book Why Shrink Wrap A Cucumber by Stephen Aldridge and Laurel Miller, as they discussed the principles of eco-friendly wrapping, and how shrink wrap furthers the shelf life of perishables.
There are many uses to shrink wrap, but in terms of the food packaging industry, the protective film serves to keep the product stable and clean, as well as preventing any opportunity for tampering, which could affect the overall safeness of consumption. The protective packaging can also be used as an overwrap on products like cartons and cans, so they can be sold in bulk at ease. Many producers also opt for shrink wrapping food products such as vegetables, meats and cheeses, keeping them clean and safe to consume. The lengthy process from the point of production to the point of sale means that shrink wrapping plays a vital role in preserving the foods and protecting them from any damage or defects that could render them unsellable.
The ever-expanding food industry has led to increased safety concerns related to consumables during their transit, meaning the shrink wrap packaging market is expected to thrive over the forecast period. In previous years, there has been a constant and consistent gradual rise in application of shrink wrap in industrial equipment and thus, a surge in industrialisation is likely to encourage bolster growth.
This increase in concern over the health and hygiene of food products will create major growth within the industry, and more and more manufacturers will be inclined to purchase a shrink wrap machine in order to meet demands. Consumers need to have trust in their suppliers, and one of the most important factors in that regard is that the product is safe to eat. Considering the journey some products embark upon before reaching their retail locations, this is of paramount importance to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases.
The timing could not be better for the industry, as people have adapted more of an open mind to using shrink wrap and how it can be beneficial in extending the life of products that are vulnerable to spoiling and therefore environmentally-friendly. Due to the flexible nature and easy handling features of shrink wrapped products, it has become the preferred consumer packaging choice and will continue to flourish within the packaging market in light of this.
The shrink wrap market takes place on a global level, segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Europe is expected to play an integral role in the growth of shrink wrapping systems due to the flourishing meat market and other frozen food items requirements popular in countries such as Germany and Italy. Further contributing to this rise in popularity is the use of large-scale shrink wrap to wrap roofs after natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. In this sense, use of shrink wrap is revolutionising the way the world reacts to disasters and how the world can react and offer assistance to those who need it most.
