As the Packaging Strategies ranking of the largest beverage packaging companies demonstrates, the big just keep getting bigger. Since its merger with SAB Miller in late 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev has become the undisputed king of the beverage world, leading the list for the second year in a row.

In its recently released market research reports “2017 Trends in Food Processing Operations” and “2017 Top to Top Summit Report,” PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing, identified the primary drivers.

Aseptic packaging is growing by leaps and bounds – and it’s no wonder. Aseptic packaging is made to be convenient – it is portable and lightweight, which is a big consumer draw.

In the food and beverage market, interesting packaging designs, shapes and materials may catch the eye of shoppers perusing the shelves, but it’s not the sole element driving purchasing decisions.

Move over soda, there’s some new bottled (and canned) beverages that have consumers excited about buying beverages again, and one of them is beer, which isn’t a huge surprise. Another is water, but more on that later.

In the personal care space, most consumers stay to the tried and true; however, these products are readily available on an e-commerce platform, and staying committed to the brands bought in-store is not the same as commitment to retailers or sites.

It has long been said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” However, in the world of retail, we all know this is exactly what customers are doing when they are deciding between products. 

eos (evolution of smooth) is a highly successful and highly recognizable brand that has truly changed the beauty and personal care segment. eos co-founders Jonathan Teller and Sanjiv Mehra started the company, based in Manhattan, NY, to "improve everyday beauty rituals for women."

A fall 2016 report by Research and Markets states the cold form blister packaging market should hit U.S. $8.63 billion by 2024. Growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry and a high requirement of cold forming packs due to favorable product features are driving the growth.

A Q&A with Michael Kuebler, technical director at Smithers Pira.