New Packaging Technologies, Materials and Formats for Fast-Moving Consumer Products

New packaging technologies, materials and formats for fast-moving consumer products. Joe P. Kerry, University College Cork, Ireland. Smart packaging technologies will play a significant role in the continued development of fast-moving consumer goods. Huge interest in product wastage is now becoming a "hot political button" due to issues pertaining to resource security and environmental concerns, especially with respect to food. Resources are becoming more scarce, making material wastage taboo. Cost has been the key barrier for smart packaging to date, but new technological approaches will help address this issue. As product prices increase, especially for food and beverages, investment will become increasingly worthwhile. Safer and higher quality goods will be demanded as the global economy shrinks and food and material prices increase. Retailers will require ever longer shelf lives for retail products, especially for food and beverage products. These pressure points will eventually create more niches for smart packaging technologies. Consumers will still desire convenience, luxury, and, where necessary, pampering therefore, the potential uses for smart packaging technologies within the high-value cosmetic and personal care area are numerous. The protection of product brands and the need for demonstrated product authenticity (based on product quality and safety attributes) needs to be addressed by smart packaging technologies, especially with respect to the sale and consumption of medicinal products.