The beverage packaging industry in North America is expected to touch $26.3bn in 2015, according to an assessment by PMMI, the association for packaging and processing technologies.
According to the report "Beverage Packaging -- An Industry Assessment," that is expected to release in September, plastic bottles are expected to be the most popular choice in the industry.
The study further states that plastic is the most widely used bottling material and accounts for over 40% of the market while bottle is the most preferred packaging format and accounts for 55% of the market.
Aluminum cans are also gaining back their popularity of the preferred packaging format of other beverage categories after a slump in soft drink sales. They are now being used extensively for packaging energy drinks and microbrews.
While pouches have witnessed the slowest growth, most of the people interviewed for the study said that they anticipate an increased adoption of flexible beverages packaging.
Packaging was identified as the primary means for the communication of brand values to consumer regardless of format.
The study also looked into key trends of the industry like packaging size and dimension ratios, the kinds of openings that ensure finer drinking experience, resealability for portion control, varied pack sizes to meet specific market demands, and colors and graphics to make the products more attractive.
Additional details on trends, supply chain, government regulation, concerns and additional needs of the industry were also explored as a part of the study.
With the aim of helping beverage manufacturers bring these trends to life, PMMI is organizing a four-day trade show Pack Expo in Chicago. The processing and packaging trade show will feature the latest trends and technologies for the beverage.
The show will be held in McCormick Place between 2 and 5 November.
