Nano-enabled packaging is the fruit of revolution in the packaging industry. Nano-enabled packaging utilizes nano materials, with diameter less than 100 nanometers, for the manufacture of packaging materials. Nano-enabled packaging is extensively employed in food & beverage and pharmaceutical packaging and has exhibited strong acceptance in the market. It provides longer shelf life to perishable food and beverages and has been found to improve attributes such as taste, texture, color and consistency of the packaged food. It increases absorption and the bio availability of nutrients in foodstuffs. Among the various nano particles used in this industry, nanoclay, silver and titanium nitride have the largest applications. Nanoclay is the most used material owing to its cheap availability and utility in popular thermoplastics such as polypropylene, PET, nylon and thermoplastic polyolefin. Technology can broadly classify nano-enabled packaging into active packaging, controlled release packaging and intelligent packaging. Active packaging refers to the package having functions other just protection and containment of the product. Controlled release packaging, a sub segment of active packaging, enables release of active compounds at a controlled rate over the period of storage of the food product in order to maintain its quality and nutrition quotient. Intelligent packaging has the ability to sense alteration in packaging environment and communicate the same. It can indicate the quality of the packaged product through intelligent sensors. By applications the market can be segmented into pharmaceutical, beverages, bakery products, meat products, fruits and vegetables and prepared food.

As per Transparency Market Research, the nano-enabled packaging market is driven by the growth in demand for packaged food products across the world. It provides significant benefits over conventional packaging techniques and is hence gaining in acceptance and demand from all end use application industries. Growth in packaged meat industry has exhibited exceptional growth over the years and has been the source of one of the highest demands for nano-enabled packaging. Pharmaceutical application of nano-enabled packaging is one of the largest applications of the technology. Over the past few decades, medical and pharmaceutical advancements have created need of improved packaging for enhanced protection against external attributes such as light, moisture and air. Moreover, drug packaging plays a very important role in the drug delivery process in modern treatments, thereby increasing the demand for enhanced packaging. The market has been further propelled by regulations by government bodies promoting use to ensure food safety. For instance FDA recommends food and beverages packaging by means of nano-enabled packaging technique. The market has tremendous growth opportunity especially in emerging markets, where its penetration is low. However some nanomaterials not compatible with certain food materials and the manufacturers need to obtain approval from Central Federal Register (CFR), in the US, for indirect food additives. Among the different technologies of active packaging, oxygen scavenger, barrier packaging and moisture absorbers are the most common technologies occupying the lion’s share of the market. The market is led by demand for Japan in Asia. There is high demand for this packaging technology in North America and the market has exhibited strong growth. The market in Europe is lukewarm, but is expected to pick up soon with the introduction of Actipak project. High opportunity exists in emerging Asian economies such as China and India, where packaged food and beverage market has been increasing at a rapid pace. Some of the major companies involved in the nano-enabled packaging market are Amcor Limited, Honeywell International, Inc., BASF SE, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Sonoco Products Company among many others.

 As per WiseGuy Reports, the Nano- enabled packaging is estimated at US$8.2 bln in 2016 and is expected to reach US$19.82 bln by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2015 to 2022. Nano-Enabled packaging finds application in Personal care & cosmetics, Food & beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Prepared foods, Bakery products, Meat products, Fruit and vegetables. The global market is driven by increasing shelf life of the food, convenience and increase in demand for packaged food. Low awareness among the users is hampering the market growth. Active packaging technology holds the largest share in technology segment and smart packaging segment is expected to grow at a faster CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest share followed by North America. The growth in Asia pacific region is due to availability of raw material and increasing usage across the industries. India, China and Japan are the prominent countries in Asia Pacific region showing healthy growth. Owing to favourable regulations, North America region holds the second position.
Some of the key players in the market include Bemis Company, Inc., Danaflex Nano LLC, Klöckner Pentaplast Group, Amcor Limited, PPG Industries, Inc., Sonoco Products Company, DuPont Teijin Films, BASF SE (Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik), Honeywell International, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Avery Dennison, Tetra Pak International S.A., Innovia Films, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Sidel. 

As per Grand View Research, the global nano-enabled packaging market size was US$23.73 bln in 2015 and is expected to witness significant growth to reach US$66.30 bln by 2024. Favorable regulations implemented by the FDA concerning manufacturing of packaging materials that can retain the freshness and enhance the shelf life of the product is expected to escalate future market growth. Increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, beverages, meat products, vegetables, and ready-to-go meals is projected to boost nano-enabled packaging demand over the forecast period. The key drivers impacting the demand growth include favorable food safety regulations and increasing demand for effective packaging solutions in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sector. Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing industries which is contributing to the growth of several industries; one such industry is the packaging industry. Increasing usage of nano-enabled packaging in the bakery, meat, fruit & vegetable, and other processed food product are anticipated to boost demand from 2016 to 2024. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period to occupy the largest share by 2024, amid increasing consumption of ready-to-go meals and changing demographic in China and Japan. Significant investments made in the development of nano-enabled packaging solutions are anticipated to boost the market demand over the coming years. Increasing demand for packaging solutions that can enhance shelf life, maintain product quality and are trackable is expected to augment food & beverage industry application. Rising investments in research & development activities is expected to spur the demand in the pharmaceutical and personal care market.
Some of the market trends include:
Active packaging dominated the technology segment in 2015 - and was valued at US$14,245.6 mln in 2015. Active nano-enabled packaging uses nanoparticles to provide a barrier to outside influences. Some of the technologies are oxygen scavengers, water vapor removers, carbon dioxide producers, ethylene removers, and Ethanol releasers. This technology is anticipated to observe major demand from the food and pharmaceutical sector. Intelligent & smart packaging is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 12.9% from 2016 to 2024 in terms of value. Intelligent & smart packaging is designed for detecting microbial or biochemical changes in the food, for example sensing specific pathogens developing in the food, or specific gasses which can result in food spoilage. This technology is also used as a tracking device to ensure food safety or to avoid product counterfeiting.
The market has a significant share in Food & Beverage application- Nano-enabled packaging has gained wide acceptance in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sector. Food & beverage segment accounted for 39% of the market demand in 2015. It acts as a barrier from light, UV-rays, and moisture in the food & beverage industry and also provides stability, safety, and durability and improves the shelf life of products. The use of nanotechnology to increase shelf life and maintain the quality of processed food is expected to drive future market growth. Nano-enabled packaging provides chemical and physical stability to medicines by improving its shelf life and acting as an antimicrobial barrier. It protects the medicines from environmental pollutants and helps restore its medicinal properties. Growing preference for trackable pharmaceutical packages is projected to boost market demand.
Asia Pacific is the largest regional Nano-enabled packaging market followed by Europe- APAC dominated the nano-enabled packaging market in 2015. The market was valued at US$9,166.6 mln in 2015 and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2016 to 2024. The growth in this region is driven by the increasing availability of raw materials and growing food processing, pharmaceutical, and personal care sector. China, Japan, and India are projected to experience strong growth followed by other South East Asian countries. North America is projected to account for the second-largest share of the global nano-enabled packaging market. Favorable laws & regulations implemented for the use of nanotechnology in the food, pharmaceutical, and export sector is projected to boost market demand.