Pouches, shelf life drive aseptic packaging growth

Thursday, 31 March, 2016

The US aseptic packaging market is forecast to rise 6.8% per year to reach US$6.4 billion in 2020. Growth will be driven by processing advantages and the ability of products in aseptic packaging to be distributed and stored at ambient temperatures, according to a study from The Freedonia Group.

In the food and beverage sector, aseptic cartons are expected to register solid increases, driven by expanding dairy beverage applications, consumption trends in ready-to-drink premium wellness beverages and product differentiation advantages. Growth opportunities for bags and pouches will be driven by opportunities for bag-in-box and other large-format aseptic bags used in the packaging of products sold to the foodservice and food processing industries.

Plastic bottle demand growth is tipped to be in line with the overall average as a result of expanding food and beverage applications, especially in the dairy market, while cups are expected to achieve below-average growth due to increased competition from pouches in the baby food and processed fruit and vegetable segments.

**US aseptic packaging demand (million dollars)**
	Year	Year	Year	% annual	growth
Item	2010	2015	2020	2010–2015	2015–2020
Total aseptic packaging demand	3358	4635	6430	6.7	6.8
Plastic bottles	684	972	1345	7.3	6.7
Prefillable syringes	635	940	1445	8.2	9
Vials and ampoules	660	880	1175	5.9	6
Bags and pouches	604	803	1070	5.9	5.9
Cartons	518	740	1045	7.4	7.1
Cups and glass bottles	257	300	350	3.1	3.1