NEW YORK, Dec. 17 — Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report, Microwave Packaging Industry, is available in its catalogue.
Microwave packaging demand is expected to approach $2.4 billion in 2013, fueled by consumer demand for foods offering convenience of preparation and portability for on-the-go eating or economical workplace meals. Improvements in package structures that enable foods to be heated and served in their packaging and innovations that overcome limitations of microwave ovens in terms of even heating and browning and crisping, will continue to drive a steady stream of new product introductions. These packaging innovations are responsible for the development of microwaveable foods that achieve tastes and textures that are closer to those of foods cooked in conventional ovens or stovetops.
Robust gains expected in fresh prepared food uses
Robust gains are expected in fresh prepared food applications based on their convenience and perception of higher quality than frozen and canned alternatives, especially among time-pressed consumers desiring meals with components closer to home cooking but without the time involved. Good opportunities are also expected for fresh prepared foods that enable consumers to easily assemble meals at home that resemble restaurant meals. Additionally, rapid growth for supermarket in-store prepared foods, which are frequently packaged in microwave-safe containers, will stimulate heightened container requirements. Frozen foods are by far the largest application for microwave packaging. In addition to convenience advantages, advances will be helped by the growing interest of consumers in various ethnic cuisines; the increased availability of organic frozen foods; and robust demand for steam cooked vegetables. The last employ self-venting microwaveable pouches that improve taste and texture over conventional frozen vegetables. Opportunities in shelf-stable meal uses will be based on the increased presence of single-serving shelf-stable items designed to be heated in microwave ovens. The fact that shelf-stable foods do not require refrigeration is advantageous in environments where refrigerators many not be available but microwave ovens typically are.
Foodservice containers to be fastest growing product
Among major microwave packaging product types, the fastest gains are anticipated for foodservice containers, the result of the growing emphasis on instore prepared foods in supermarkets and other food stores. Solid gains are also anticipated for tubs, cups and bowls; bags and pouches; and trays. A growth niche for paperboard trays will exist in applications that can benefit from the crisping and even heating of susceptors, such as sandwiches, entrees and appetizers.
Plastic-based products to outpace other materials
Plastic-based microwave packaging demand is projected to outpace the overall average. Gains will be based on robust demand for foodservice containers for fresh prepared foods and expanding applications for bags and pouches, particularly retort pouches for shelfstable foods and self-venting pouches that enable steam cooking in the packaging.
Study coverage
This new industry study presents historical demand data (1998, 2003, 2008) plus forecasts for 2013 and 2018 by application and product type. The study also considers market environment factors, assesses industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 38 competitors in the US industry.
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