Market Trends of Colombia Plastic Packaging Films Industry
The Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Segment to Hold a Significant Market Share
- Meat manufacturers increasingly seek lightweight, protective, visually appealing, high-barrier packaging. This trend is set to bolster the sales of meat packaging materials. The sensory experience, especially in packaging meat and frozen foods, is pivotal in driving consumer purchases and positively influencing the market. Plastic film packaging, available in pouches, bags, films, and wraps, offers a versatile solution. It caters to the various cuts, portion sizes, and packaging needs in the meat, poultry, and fish sectors. This versatility ensures efficient packaging, from whole cuts to processed items like sausages and fillets.
- Rising consumption of broiler chicken and other meats drives the demand for plastic packaging materials. Plastic film packaging is favored for its ability to shield against contaminants. It preserves freshness, provides convenient storage, and is especially ideal for meat products. The versatility and cost-effectiveness of plastic film packaging make it a preferred choice for manufacturers and consumers alike. Due to these factors, this trend is expected to continue, further boosting the market for plastic packaging materials.
- In 2023, the consumption volume of chicken meat in Colombia reached 2,030 thousand metric tons, up from 1,869 thousand metric tons in 2021. This surge in consumption directly influenced the demand for plastic film packaging, as increased meat production required more packaging materials to ensure product safety, extend shelf life, and meet regulatory standards. The rise in chicken meat consumption has also led to growth in related industries, including logistics and cold chain management, further driving the need for efficient and reliable packaging solutions.
- Consumers in Colombia increasingly prioritize sustainable packaging solutions for meat, poultry, and seafood. This focus drives the industry to innovate and enhance these solutions continually. Companies invest in research and development to create eco-friendly materials and designs that reduce environmental impact. Additionally, regulatory bodies implement stricter guidelines to ensure packaging sustainability, pushing the market toward greener alternatives.
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Polyethylene is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market
- Due to its versatile physical properties, polyethylene (PE) has taken the lead as the primary plastic material in Colombia. What sets PE apart is its cost-effective production, especially when compared to other plastics. Notably, PE boasts the lowest softening point among primary packaging plastics, translating to reduced energy consumption. LDPE and LLDPE, both variants of PE, are extensively used in flexible packaging. Polyethylene's popularity is rooted in its lightweight nature, partially crystalline structure, and critical attributes like chemical resistance, minimal moisture absorption, and effective sound insulation, from plastic bags to films and pouches.
- LDPE, known for its flexibility, is used in film packaging and electrical insulation. Its applications include packaging films, trash and grocery bags, agricultural mulch, and wire and cable insulation. Compared to HDPE, LDPE boasts a lower density, attributed to its reduced crystallinity. This lower density imparts LDPE a softer and more flexible nature and marginally diminishes its barrier properties.
- LLDPE, a commonly used packaging film, stands out in the industry due to its low density and the inclusion of comonomers. These comonomers form branch-like structures on the main chain, decreasing crystallinity. Consequently, LLDPE films have a hazy appearance and a flexible texture. Notably, compared to LDPE films of equivalent density and thickness, LLDPE boasts better impact strength, tensile strength, puncture resistance, and elongation properties.
- Colombia's e-commerce market has seen significant growth, driven by the expanding internet penetration, a surge in the number of banked citizens, and the proliferation of devices facilitating online shopping. These factors have collectively made e-commerce increasingly appealing to a broader population segment. As a result, Colombia has emerged as the fourth-largest revenue-generating e-commerce market in Latin America. In 2022, e-commerce sales in Colombia reached USD 11.39 billion, a substantial increase from USD 5.86 billion in 2020. This surge in e-commerce activity has, in turn, bolstered the demand for plastic films, particularly polyethylene films, used for wrapping products, ensuring high visibility and maintaining freshness.
