The flexible packaging industry has been steadily growing over the years as more businesses are looking for alternative packaging solutions. Between the years of 2010 and 2015, the industry was predicted to grow at an annual rate of 3.4%, eventually reaching $248 billion. In the United States, flexible packaging continues to grow, as well. By 2018, the U.S. flexible packaging industry is expected to grow to $100 million. There are many things that can be attributed to the growth, and continue to make an impact on the industry. Here are some of the most current 2015 trends that have been shaping the flexible packaging industry.

Resealable Packaging

With new technologies such as the Inno-lok zipper, more companies are looking for new ways to protect their product. Zipper packaging allows the customer to open and close the package at any time, keeping the contents safe inside. This trend has particularly hit the custom food packaging industry, as resealable packaging keeps food products fresh and elongates it’s shelf life. There are other new opening treatments that are becoming available, such as improved zipper packaging characteristics, or screw-on spouts for beverage packaging.

Private Label Packaging Solutions

These days, many customers are opting to buy generic brands as a means to save cost. As more companies look to private labeling for their products, manufacturers of these private label products have been stepping up their game to help their clients compete with name brand items. This includes products that have all the modern flexible packaging technologies in their customized packaging designs. This will likely lead to an increase in the usage of flexible materials as stores continue to compete with the products they sell.

Sustainable Packaging

As the world becomes more aware of the human impact on the Earth, companies have been making strides to create a more eco-friendly package for their products. This includes a greater use of sustainable flexible packaging material, greater recycling efforts, and a reduce of waste. For example, some companies are looking for ways to reduce the amount of materials used in their packaging, and to replace those materials with recyclable ones.