While PET bottles represent the largest volume share of pack types in North America, pouches will see the greatest forecast CAGR of 5.7%, adding nearly 2 billion units sold through 2020, according to the 2017 Global Packaging Trends Report.

Produced by Euromonitor and sponsored by leading packaging associations PMMI, The Association for Processing and Packaging Technologies, Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association, Italian Manufacturers of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery, and the Processing & Packaging Machinery Trade Association, the market research study reveals confectionery and processed fruits as the most significant drivers of pouch growth in food packaging. The reasoning is a common one in packaging as of late as consumers serve as the impetus for change, in this case, clamoring for convenient pack sizes for on-the-go snacking.

The greatest innovations in pouches are coming from the beverage segment, specifically in sports drinks. While the sports drink category remains stable in overall growth, sports drinks in pouches outpace the category as a whole since the flexibility of the package checks off all the convenience and on-the-go wants of customers.

Another area embracing pouches more than ever before is pet food. Pouches lead absolute volume growth in the segment as premium products like wet dog and cat food are moving from metal food cans and plastic trays into stand-up pouches. While pouches are not the leading package type in terms of growth in home care packaging in North America, it is an area that is growing in use. In fact, plastic pouches are projected in the 2017 Global Packaging Trends Report to achieve a healthy 5.2% CAGR. The reasons range from sustainability to improved shelf presence, but one of the biggest drivers cited is the advent zip closure becoming a popular child-safe packaging option.

The largest event in North America to witness the latest in innovation and the technologies used to manufacture pouches is PACK EXPO Las Vegas and, the co-located, Healthcare Packaging EXPO (Sept. 25–27; Las Vegas Convention Center). Produced by PMMI, this high-quality event boasts an expected 30,000 attendees, including 5,000 international visitors from more than 125 countries, combined with 2,000-plus exhibiting companies spanning 800,000 net square feet of a nearly sold-out exhibit floor.

Beyond the technologies exhibited on the show floor, attendees will find tremendous educational opportunities at the Innovation Stage, where suppliers present free 30-minute seminars on breakthrough technologies throughout the day.

To learn more about the event, visit packexpolasvegas.com.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, actively brings buyers and sellers together through initiatives such as packexpo.com, educational programs and world-class events, connecting participants in the processing and packaging supply chain with their customers around the world. PMMI produces the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, which includes PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015 (Sept. 28–30; Las Vegas Convention Center) and Pharma EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015. PMMI owns PMMI Media Group, a market-leading B2B media company that produces information for processing and packaging professionals, bringing together solution providers and end-users and facilitating connectivity throughout the supply chain. Its world class media brands are proven leaders in covering this diverse and dynamic marketplace, and its digital products incorporate leading edge media technologies to deliver informed, actionable business intelligence to the industry.

Learn more at PMMI.org and Packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.