Plastics can only continue to expand its share in packaging from competing materials by stressing lightweighting, renewable or recycled content, spoilage impact, to counter public perception about its contribution to litter

Bdebbie Garcia

LOS ANGELES , December 28, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – In 2012, plastics will only be able to expand its share in the packaging market by highlighting its progress in lightweighting, renewable content, recycled content or spoilage impact, reported PlasticsToday.com on Dec. 27.

Such efforts will be needed to counter public perception that plastics contribute to the litter problem, which has led to this year’s announcements of anti-litter campaigns by industry trade associations, resin suppliers and plastic packaging manufacturers.

The groups, which will continue their anti-litter campaigns in 2012, are attempting to convince consumers that plastic packaging is not a throwaway material.

On lightweighting, the primary packaging has reached a tipping point beyond which it would become flexible packaging rather than rigid packaging, PlasticsToday.com reported.

This means that brand owners and retailers will be looking to reduce waste in secondary or tertiary packaging, as well as reviewing goods from the case, carton and pallet. This could ultimately lead to further changes in primary packaging.

Legislation seeking to ban or tax plastics bags was popular in 2011 and that trend is expected to continue in the New Year. Lately, plastics bottles are gaining attention, with Grand Canyon National Park considering a bottle ban in 2012, reported PlasticsToday.com.

Until consumers and legislators realize the unintended results of such laws, such as the downside of paper and cloth bags, this trend is expected to continue in 2012 and beyond.

The growing bioplastics market will be affected broadly by PepsiCo Inc.’s work to develop a 100% bio-based polyethylene terephthalate. This includes the many base resins that have become established in packaging and other markets, PlasticsToday.com reported.

However, packaging will be even more affected by recycled content that by bio-based materials, apart from the bottle push. Brand owners are expected to continue to brag about the recycled content in their packaging, which helps with waste reduction and life cycle issues.

In 2010, recycled content will get a push from advancements in technology for sorting, shredding and cleaning, as well as increased collection, reported PlasticsToday.com.

The primary source of this article is PlasticsToday.com, Denver, Colorado, on Dec. 27. 2011.

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