Nanotechnology sales increase to €687.5m in 2004

Worldwide sales of nanotechnology products to the food and beverage packaging sector jumped to US$860m (€687.5m) in 2004 from US$150m (€120m) in 2002, according to a new study by consultant Helmut Kaiser. The rocketing market growth comes mainly from the rapid increase in the applications employing nanotechnology.

Worldwide sales of nanotechnology products to the food and beverage packaging sector jumped to US$860m (€687.5m) in 2004 from US$150m (€120m) in 2002, according to a new study by consultant Helmut Kaiser. The rocketing market growth comes mainly from the rapid increase in the applications employing nanotechnology. There were less than 40 nanopackaging products in the market three years ago. Now there are about 250 applications on the market, Kaiser said. The major market trends in the food and beverage sector include improving the performance of packaging materials, prolonging shelf life, antimicrobial packaging and interactive packaging. Simple traditional packing is being replaced with multi-functional intelligent packaging methods to improve food quality thanks to the application of nanotechnology in this field, the consultancy said. Nanotechnology enables designers to alter the structure of the packaging materials on the molecular scale. With different nanostructure, plastics can gain various gas and water vapor permeabilities to fit the requirements of preserving fruit, vegetable, beverage, wine and other foods. By adding nanoparticles, people can also produce bottles and packages with more light- and fire-resistantce, stronger mechanical and thermal performance and less gas absorption. Such nano tweaking can increase the shelf life of foods and preserve flavour and colour. Nanostructured film can prevent the invasion of bacteria and microorganisms and ensure the food safety, the consultancy said. With embedded nanosensors in the packaging, consumers will be able to determine whether food has gone bad or find out its nutrition content.