CLEVELAND — Active and intelligent packaging demand is forecasted to increase 8.3% annually to $1.9 billion in 2013, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc. Increased concerns over food safety and the need to minimize losses in perishables will speed along requirements for more sophisticated packaging to extend the shelf life or enhance traceability of packaged food and other goods.

Intelligent packaging growth will be significantly faster and propelled by gains for time-temperature indicators and other emerging smart-packaging systems offering product differentiation, traceability or various interactive features at more cost-competitive prices, the study relays.

Active packaging demand is predicted to increase 7.1% a year to $1.7 billion in 2013, paced by faster gains for gas scavengers, resulting from expanded applications for oxygen scavengers in food and other packaging. Moisture control and corrosion control packaging demand will increase more slowly based on the presence of maturer product types and applications.

Accounting for slightly more than half of total demand, food and beverages were the two largest markets for active and intelligent packaging in 2008. Increasing demand for prepared and other fresh foods, along with the need for longer shelf life and the prevention of losses in perishables, will drive growth in the food market for such packaging systems in the future.