Films & Coatings
Game-Changing Innovations in Films & Coatings
The ubiquitousness and versatility of films and coatings in the packaging industry cannot be denied. In this story, we shine the spotlight on just a few of the companies that are pushing the envelope in this area.
The global packaging coatings market size was valued at $4.96 billion in 2024, according to Fortune Business Insights. It is projected to be worth $5.19 billion in 2025 and reach $7.37 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.13% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the packaging coatings market with a market share of 31.45% in 2024.
As Fortune Business Insights notes: "Packaging coatings are substances applied to packaging materials such as paper, cardboard, or plastic to improve their functionality and aesthetic appeal. The market is a dynamic sector integral in enhancing the durability, aesthetics, and functionality of various packaging materials across industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods."
While this is not news to our audience, it is a nice, concise overview of the role of coatings in packaging.
We have reported on numerous developments in coating in recent months, and in this article we highlight some of the most intriguing innovations.
OSY Group’s collaboration with packaging manufacturer SHARPAK aims to extend the shelf life of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and grapes, reducing food waste. OSY Group’s antimicrobial coating enables food to stay fresh longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce from within.
Solenis and HEIDELBERG are advancing a more cost-effective way of integrating barrier coatings for paper packaging directly within the existing flexographic printing process.
Finally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced research funding for sustainable produce packaging solutions. We couldn’t help but notice that coatings play a central role in many of these solutions.
Read the stories below to learn more about these groundbreaking developments that are transforming films and coatings for the packaging industry.
OSY Group Partners with SHARPAK to Extend Shelf Life of Fresh Produce
OSY Group’s collaboration with packaging manufacturer SHARPAK Aylesham aims to extend the shelf life of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and grapes, reducing food waste. Image courtesy of Ian Wallman
Food tech trailblazer OSY Group has agreed to a commercial partnership to apply its technology on to packaging for soft fruits predominantly sold through UK supermarkets.
The collaboration with packaging manufacturer SHARPAK Aylesham aims to extend the shelf life of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and grapes, reducing food waste.
OSY Group’s antimicrobial coating enables food to stay fresh for longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce from within.
Solenis and HEIDELBERG Partner to Integrate Barrier Coatings for Paper Packaging
Solenis and HEIDELBERG are advancing a more cost-effective way of integrating barrier coatings for paper packaging directly within the existing flexographic printing process. Image courtesy of narvikk / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Solenis, a leading producer of specialty chemicals, is collaborating with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), an innovative technology company with a leading position in the global printing industry, to advance a more cost-effective way of integrating barrier coatings for paper packaging directly within the existing flexographic printing process.
Barrier coatings are used to repel hot and cold liquids, oils, greases and water vapor in paper packaging.
With this innovation, packaging producers can use the HEIDELBERG portfolio of flexographic machines to print-apply Solenis’ barrier coatings. This expands the possibilities for flat sheet paper and inline web-fed flexo applications with improved product performance and better production efficiency.
Solenis’ specialized print-applied coatings include barrier coatings for board material, flexible packaging and cupstock production, as well as anti-slip technical coatings for industrial, shipping and container applications.
USDA Announces Research Funding for Sustainable Produce Packaging Solutions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced research funding for sustainable produce packaging solutions, including solutions involving coatings. Image courtesy of Martina Rigoli / iStock via Getty Images Plus
To accelerate packaging innovation in support of the U.S. fresh produce sector, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has launched the $10 million Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (SPIL) as part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative.
"Packaging plays an important role in the transportation and export of fresh fruits and vegetables and other specialty crops, ensuring food safety and quality from the farm to the consumer’s table and supporting production traceability," USDA says. "Export income is vital for many U.S. farmers and rural communities, but American growers need access to new solutions and innovations in packaging which are feasible for adoption in fresh produce. This program advances research toward promising solutions to address this pressing need for U.S. farmers."
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