Vegan Meat Alternatives - A More Sustainable Packaging Option
Trends
November 17, 2020Reading time: 3 minutes
Plant-based foods have hit the mainstream. No longer exclusive to vegans and vegetarians, plant-based meat alternatives and snacks are now a staple for all. In fact, 60% of consumers recently revealed they have a meat-free day each week. Rosalia Rosalinova, Marketing Manager at Amcor, discusses the key considerations for this growing sector for vegan and plant-based food packaging.
Plant-based foods have hit the mainstream. No longer exclusive to vegans and vegetarians, plant-based meat alternatives and snacks are now a staple for all. In fact, 60% of consumers recently revealed they have a meat-free day each week. Rosalia Rosalinova, Marketing Manager at Amcor, discusses the key considerations for this growing sector for vegan and plant-based food packaging.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) report shows that 44.9% of consumers want to shift their eating habits towards more plant-based foods, while more than half agree that restaurants should offer more meat substitutes. This trend is known as flexitarianism, a style of eating that encourages mostly plant-based diets while allowing meat and other animal products in moderation. Flexitarians represent a huge market opportunity for food manufacturers.
The novelty of plant-based meat products is often enough to inspire carnivorous consumers to give them a try. Packaged Facts’ survey finds that 74% of shoppers are seeking greater variety, creating opportunities for meat suppliers and plant protein producers to inspire customers with new recipe ideas that distinguish their products.
How to package your plant-based products
Mintel’s research also shows a link between environmental concerns and the rise of meat alternatives and vegan products. Half of British consumers (48%) see eating more plant-based foods as a good way to lessen human impact on the environment. Environmentally friendly packaging would also prompt three quarters (75%) of flexitarian consumers to buy one meat-free food product over another.
In the vegan meats market, there is a huge opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves through more sustainable packaging. Recyclable packaging with a low carbon footprint will appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, helping brands to stand out as sustainability leaders in their sector.
Of course, sustainability is not the only consideration for brands when choosing meat alternatives packaging solutions. There are other essential factors such as product freshness and shelf life, not to mention the need to look appealing on shelf. You only have a few short seconds to catch the attention of browsing shoppers, making it essential for brands to get it right in one package.
Power your products with premium packaging
At Amcor, we have a range of packaging options for meat alternative products that cater to these business-critical trends.
For example, our Packpyrus range uses paper-based packaging derived from renewable sources. It’s been well documented that consumers view paper-based packaging as more sustainable, making it a great option for companies looking to highlight their environmental credentials.
The product is also lightweight, resulting in a 10-30% packaging weight reduction, leading to further environmental benefits. These can include reduced energy and water consumption, as well as reduced logistics costs.
Our SkinNova solution is also paper-based - it combines our SkinTite skin film with a flat cardboard base laminated to a high-barrier liner.
SkinTite increases shelf-life compared to traditional MAP packaging, making it great for plant-based burgers and soy protein-based foods. The film’s seal integrity also minimises in-store leaks to help reduce waste and cost. Our skin film is also microwavable for ready meals solutions.
Compared to traditional PE packaging, SkinNova reduces plastic use by over 70% and CO2 emission by up to 45%. Like Packpyrus, it will also help your brand stand out better on the shelf.
Another important factor for packaging is its longevity. It’s frustrating when you buy a packet of your favourite food, only for it to go off within days due to poor seal properties.
For vegan food, snacks and slices, our ReClose packaging is a great choice. ReClose has excellent seal properties that are high puncture and tear resistant, enabling the package to be opened and reclosed up to 15 times. This goes a long way to help reduce food waste - another environmental plus point for consumers - while also ensuring product freshness and health benefits.
As the market for plant-based foods grows, and consumer awareness of the environmental impacts of packaging rises, brands in the meat-free sector can stand out by cultivating their image as sustainability champions. Choosing premium level, more eco friendly packaging is a great way to distinguish your products and move closer to your sustainability goals.
Find out more about Amcor’s wide range of packaging for meat alternatives and get in touch.
Find out more about consumer perceptions and behavior related to packaging in our new report: It’s a Wrap: The future of packaging is all about sustainability
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