Consumer preferences have long been guided by factors like brand, quality, and cost. However, a new player has entered the game: packaging sustainability. In this blog post, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of consumer and retailer packaging preferences, highlighting the shift towards sustainability and the role of innovative packaging machinery.
The Sustainability Factor in Consumer Choices
Packaging’s Impact on Purchasing Decisions
Traditionally, consumers based their buying decisions on factors such as brand loyalty, product quality, and affordability. But today, there’s a new influencer on the block: packaging. According to a January 2023 report by Ipsos, a global market research firm, a significant 72% of shoppers now consider packaging when making a purchase. Even more telling, two-thirds of consumers say that the materials used in packaging affect their buying choices. This data underscores the ongoing transformation in consumer buying habits.
Retailers Pave the Way for Sustainable Packaging
Retailers Encourage Sustainability
In response to this shift, major retailers are taking proactive steps to promote sustainability. The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, is urging brands and their packaging suppliers to adopt more environmentally-friendly packaging options. These efforts include using recycled or plant-based materials and designing packaging that’s easier to reuse, recycle, or compost. Additionally, retailers advocate for reducing the size of packaging to minimize material usage.
Ossid: Meeting the Demand for Sustainable Packaging
Innovative Machinery for Sustainable Packaging
North Carolina-based food packaging OEM, Ossid, is leading the charge in response to the growing demand for sustainable packaging. They’ve developed machinery that can produce a variety of sustainable packaging styles, aligning with the ever-changing trends in the industry.
Tray-Less Packaging Gains Popularity
The Rise of Tray-Less Packaging
One sustainable packaging style that’s gaining traction is tray-less packaging. This format is particularly favored for produce. Traditionally, produce manufacturers leaned towards tray overwrap packaging, known for its cost-effectiveness and ability to keep products fresh. However, tray-less options are changing the game.
Ossid’s Tray Packaging Solutions
Versatile Tray Overwrapping
Ossid offers a wide range of tray packaging machinery, including tuck-and-fold style tray overwrapping. This method is perfect for packaging fresh produce like peppers, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, and various fruits and vegetables. Ossid’s 500Si, for instance, can produce up to 120 retail-ready packages per minute and can handle different film materials and tray sizes, including sustainable options like fully recyclable, mono-material, compostable, and biodegradable. Tray overwrap has proven its worth and is here to stay.
Flow Wrapping for Reduced Material Usage
A Greener Alternative: Flow Wrapping
For retailers looking to reduce material usage, flow wrapping is an excellent choice. Flow wrappers are simple yet effective, creating strong packages that seal in freshness. They work by encapsulating products in film, making them ideal for individual or multi-pack quantities of fruits and vegetables.
Reepack Rotary Motion Flow Wrapper
Reepack’s ReeFlow 50 flow wrapper is designed for tray-less produce packaging. It can handle various products with different films, comes in standard or wide widths, offers top or bottom sealing configurations, and can produce up to 250 packages per minute. Its stainless steel design makes it perfect for washdown environments, and its compact footprint fits into tight spaces.
Automation for Small-to-Medium Manufacturers
Introducing Automation with Ossid’s 500Li
For small-to-medium-sized food manufacturers looking to automate their end-of-line packaging, Ossid’s 500Li tray overwrapper is an excellent choice. This machine can produce up to 60 packages per minute, making it a cost-effective option for those taking their first steps into automation. Despite its competitive price point, the 500Li maintains the engineering quality of Ossid’s higher-capacity machines.
Ossid’s Versatile Solutions for Evolving Needs
Adapting to Changing Needs
Ossid’s versatile lineup of flow and tray overwrapping equipment offers a range of solutions to cater to evolving packaging needs. Whether you’re expanding into more sustainable packaging, seeking higher speeds and efficiencies, exploring automation, or all of the above, Ossid is ready to partner with you as your packaging needs continue to evolve. With their innovative machinery, they are helping brands and retailers keep pace with the changing preferences of today’s environmentally-conscious consumers.
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Ossid provides superior tray overwrapping, flow wrapping, weigh price labeling, case scales, and horizontal thermoform fill & seal machinery. We are committed to designing and building solutions that protect product quality and fully meet our customers’ production needs.