Skip to main content

Food packaging has an important role to play when it comes down to keeping the food safe during transport and handling, and food wrap film is one of the most commonly available and preferred solutions for food packaging. The reason these are the preferred solution for food packaging, as the film is used to seal food items inside a container to keep the products freshness as well as protecting the product from cross contamination.

Food wrapping

The first plastic wrap was developed in 1933, and The Dow Chemicals company commercialised the product as ‘saran plastic wrap’ in 1949. In the beginning, food wrap films were actually made of polyvinyl chloride, however, now, there are a number of other materials available. The majority of the consumers are increasingly focusing on using food wrap films which are approved by The British Retail Consortium (BRC). The most commonly used wrap for raw food products is polyolefin shrink film, as well as low-density alternatives. Researchers and manufacturers are always in collaboration trying to modify plastic and innovate new materials for ensuring and maintaining safe and hygienic food packaging. Wrap films made out of these materials are ideal for direct food contact, as they offer resistance to external environment and are suited for cold storage use.

Because of the evolving style of the consumers and increasing health concerns and environmental awareness, there are always major factors which need to be considered.

Owing to its value-added applications, right from protection of food products to their safe distribution and transportation, the market for food wrap films is expected to witness new investments and growth opportunities, especially in the developing countries. Besides, the food wrap film market is expected to continue to grow steadily in developed nations, wherein consumers need the product regularly for handling and storage. The main growth drivers for the market are private consumers, retailers, and local packaging firms, which are focusing more on delivering the product in the local market.

However, because of the presence of large and small retailers and increasing consumer preference, it has created a highly competitive environment for big brands in the food industry, wich creates a harder time for those retailers to choose a packaging solution which will suit their target market.

The global food wrap film market has been organised into seven key regions; North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, the Middle East & Africa, and Japan. The global food wrap film market is expected to expand at a double-digit CAGR over the forecast period. The Asia Pacific market is expected to be the most attractive for food wrap film packaging and is due to rise.

As of 2016, China is the largest food wrap film market in Asia Pacific, followed by India, and the market in these countries is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. North America, followed by Western Europe, are the other prominent regions projected to hold a promising future growth potential in the food wrap film market by the end of 2026.