Industry Reports

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2015 State of the Industry: US Packaging Machinery Report, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines US packaging trends using supplier-reported data with a 2014 base year and forecasts through 2019. The analysis indicates three focus areas: workforce resilience and usability, including development, knowledge capture and operator interfaces such as touchscreens and remote maintenance; automation and digital adoption, encompassing smart manufacturing, asset monitoring and predictive maintenance; and sustainable, flexible production strategies from recycled materials to pouch formats and modular lines that balance ROI and upgradability. Emerging patterns show regulatory and retailer pressures shaping investments, and charts highlight benchmark comparisons across sectors and regions. The report reveals where engineering teams are prioritizing investments to strengthen resilience.

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The Future of Collaboration: Approaches for Getting There, a 2016 Top to Top Summit Report published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines collaboration challenges and opportunities discussed at the Feb. 28–March 1, 2016 summit, drawing on 2015 Vision 2020 findings and breakout sessions. The analysis indicates three focus areas—workforce development and retention emphasizing training, certification and knowledge capture; changeover agility and multifunctional equipment, including modular design, SMED and improved HMI; and capital‑spend alignment via Total Cost of Ownership and shared KPIs—where participant feedback generally shows converging priorities; charts highlight patterns and examples such as remote monitoring and app-like HMIs. The report reveals where CPG and OEM leaders are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.

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Food Packaging Trends & Advances, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines U.S. and international packaging and processing dynamics across a 2012–2022 horizon using primary interviews and industry research to benchmark performance and adoption patterns. The analysis indicates several focus areas—workforce development and automation, such as skills gaps and robotics adoption; materials and sustainability, including migration to flexible films and clear, recyclable formats; equipment investment and ROI, from modular retrofits to faster changeovers; and regulations and traceability, including sanitation practices and FSMA-driven documentation—which generally show tradeoffs between cost, speed and safety. Charts highlight adoption patterns and comparative market shifts, including stand-up pouches and transparent packaging. The report reveals where engineering teams are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, has released the 2016 Food Packaging Trends and Advances report, which shares insights and leading trends from interviews with more than 70 professionals across the food processing and packaging industry. According to respondents and industry experts, the U.S. food industry is forecast to grow at a steady rate of 2.9 percent CAGR through 2022, with meat and related products and snack foods forecast to outperform the market with over 3 percent growth. The growth in these two segments is attributed to consumer demand for portion control and convenience options.

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Global Trends Impacting the Market for Packaging Machinery, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines market dynamics and 2014–2019 forecasts using PMMI and IHS industry data to benchmark regional variances and machine-group performance. The analysis indicates several focus areas—sustainability and flexible‑packaging adoption; buyer power and private‑label/retailer-driven SKU proliferation; workforce considerations, ease‑of‑use and automation; and legislation-driven traceability and serialization—grouping technology, process and regulatory drivers. Emerging patterns show faster growth in certain regions and shifts toward filling, form‑fill‑seal and labelling solutions, and charts highlight comparative sector and machine‑group trends. The report reveals where manufacturers are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.

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2016 Dairy Market Trends in Packaging and Processing Operations, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines industry developments through a 2016 assessment combining primary interviews, Euromonitor and USDA data and regional benchmarks. The analysis identifies three focus areas—product innovation and consumer preferences (artisanal, organic and yogurt formats), packaging and materials strategy (shelf-stable aseptic options, flexible pouches and sustainable/transparent materials), and equipment & operations (automation, hygienic design, flexibility and analytics to support shorter runs and traceability). Emerging patterns indicate firms tend to prioritize retrofit over full replacement and to seek OEM collaboration; charts highlight regional variation. The report reveals where engineering teams are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.