Hospitality and food packaging industry boom driving demand for aluminium foil

Food packaging industry is booming because of the requirement of food-on-the-go. The global packaging industry is expected to grow to $820 billion by 2016. The Indian packaging industry, growing at roughly15% annually, is estimated to become the fourth-largest in the world, with revenues of $43.7 billion in 2016, says a recent market research report.

In a competitive world, packaging design and construction play a significant role in increasing revenues for hospitality industry, mostly out of ready-to-eat food and beverages segments. The changing pattern of consumption of food and beverages has been creating fresh demand for traditionally used packaging materials such as glass, aluminium, silver foils, tins, paper, paper boards and plastic.

A wider variety of these materials is used in both rigid and flexible forms. Whenever customers look at consuming ready-to-eat food, they ideally prefer packaging that is neat, clean, attractive and easy-to-use with an aesthetic feel. In fact, food packaging has become the 5th ‘P’ when it comes to marketing the product. Many new machines and materials of packaging have not only increased the shelf life of foods, but also their safety and quality. This brings convenience and trust to the customers to have or buy packaged food. Advanced techniques of food processing and packaging have played a primary role in keeping the entire process of food supply safe.

Aluminium foil as a packaging medium

Aluminium foil is available in a wide range of thickness. Most of the times, firmer aluminium foils are used for food and thick foils are used for trays. Aluminium also helps to maintain the product temperature compared to the paper. It is an excellent barrier to moisture, air, odour, light and microorganisms. With the recent boom in hospitality industry and the growing tilt towards packaged food, the demand for aluminium foil as a packaging material has been on the rise.

The entire food processing chain now needs to focus on innovation and collaborations within the industry to ensure that food safety is maintained and end-customers get the best quality product. Hotels too will have to come up with interesting changes in operations that would ensure aesthetic designs, safe packaging and quality delivery of the packaged food to the guests, observes a recent report.