The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), Annapolis, Md., commissioned a “Flexible Packaging Transition Advantages Study” to better quantify the impact of switching from non-flexible packaging to flexible packaging. The study integrates insights from consumers surveyed online in September 2016 conducted by Harris Poll, Rochester, N.Y. 

Key findings of the brand owner study entail:

• Continued growth in flexible packaging is projected.
  • 83% of brand owners are already using some form of flexible packaging.
  • 31% of brand owner respondents expect to transition to a higher mix of flexible packaging in the next five years.
  • 58% of brand owner respondents who have already transitioned to a higher mix of flexible packaging intend to use more in the future.
• Brand owners who transitioned to more flexible packaging cited operational benefits and ability to meet consumer needs as reasons for the shift.
  • 49% of brand owner respondents who increased use of flexible packaging cited production cost as a reason for the shift.
  • 45% of brand owner respondents who increased use of flexible packaging cited shipping/transportation efficiencies as a reason for the shift.
  • 45% of brand owner respondents cited convenience as a benefit that influenced them to transition to flexible packaging.
  • 39% of brand owner respondents cited fitting consumer lifestyle trends as a benefit that influenced them to transition to flexible packaging.
• Brand owners who switched to using more flexible packaging in the last five years saw strong business results.
  • 57% of brand owner respondents who increased use of flexible packaging in some way were able to lower costs of production.
  • 55% of those who increased their use of flexible packaging reported a sales improvement.
     

Key findings of the consumer study are as follows:

• Consumers favor flexible packaging over non-flexible packaging.
  • 71% of Americans said they would prefer flexible packaging over non-flexible packaging, when asked to choose between flexible and non-flexible packaging for a product they were considering purchasing (assuming the product was exactly the same and only the packaging differed).
  • 79% of Americans believe there are benefits to having food products stored in flexible packaging vs. non-flexible packaging.
• Consumers are willing to pay more for food stored in flexible packaging.
  • 46% of Americans are willing to pay more for food products stored in flexible packaging than they would for food products stored in non-flexible packaging.