The vacuum packing industry has been growing on a global scale, significantly over the past few years, and reports are showing that it is expected to continue to grow. This appears to be due to the continued need for vacuum packing – mainly in the food industry, but also in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.
Reports look at projected growth and the reasons why the growth is occurring, as well as breaking down the data into geographical areas around the world.
What is Vacuum Packing and How is it used in Society?
Especially useful in the food industry, vacuum packing is the process of creating an airtight packaging around something, eliminating the presence of any air. The packaging is usually made from plastic and this, therefore, sits touching the contents. Thanks to the lack of air this is an excellent way of preserving food and extending the length of time that it is fresh. This has the added benefit of helping to reduce food waste.
It also means that food can be frozen easily, reducing the risk of freezer burn, and can be used in sous vide machine – as well as being a very useful way to lock flavours in when marinating food.
In a healthcare setting, vacuum packing can be used to safely and hygienically transport equipment or medication that must be kept sterile.
It is, therefore, easy to see how vacuum packing is becoming increasingly popular around the world.
The process of vacuum packing is very simple. A vacuum packer – or vacuum sealer – machine is used to encase the food, objects, or liquid, then take the air out of it. Once that it has been packed into its airtight cocoon, it can be frozen, stored, distributed, or cooked with in the next step of the process.
Growth in the Vacuum Packing Industry
Reports show that the vacuum packing industry in 2019 was worth about $25.12 billion, but they are expecting to see this rise to about $32.35 billion by 2025. This shows that we are projecting a higher demand for vacuum packing as lives around the world change.
There are a number of reasons why we are seeing a growth in the vacuum packing industry around the world, including:
- A better understanding of the merits of vacuum packing in terms of food preservation and hygiene in general
- A greater consciousness around food waste and determination to reduce it
- Greater demand for food with freshness at its heart
- Growth in the understanding and implementation of vacuum packing in developing countries
- Changes in food habits around the world – an increased need for good quality, processed food, an increase in fridge and freezer options in developing countries, increases in sous vide cooking
- A better understanding of the adverse effects of the exposure of medicines and medical devices to air and oxygen
- Improvements on the process of vacuum packing including technological development
- An increase in food consumption among the world’s population
The reports also show geographical differences depending on where you are in the world. It is predicted that much of Asia, the Pacific, and Australasia will have high growth in vacuum packing over the next few years. This is likely to be because it is becoming more commonplace as food producers are realising its merits, and vacuum packing becomes better known.
Europe and North America seem to have a medium growth rate, showing that experts are expecting a rise in the use of vacuum packing, to mirror the increases in demand for well-packaged food, good food hygiene, and higher food consumption – as well as a boost in the healthcare industry.
South America and Africa are predicted to have low growth rates. This is probably due to the slower changing of cultural differences and vacuum packing still not being a mainstream, commonplace phenomenon. With time and investment, however, it is likely that we will still see a growth in the demand for vacuum packing in South America and Africa, especially as food exports from these countries go up.
For anyone who is working in the world of vacuum packing, the future is looking bright. This is because it is an industry that is doing good for the world, improving circumstances, and proving itself to be useful in a number of different ways. We will always need food and we will always need medical supplies, so unless a better way of preserving food and maintaining hygiene is found, we are likely to see a continued growth of the industry globally.