The demand for aseptic packaging in the US is projected to increase 6.8 percent per year through 2020, reaching a value of $6.4 billion, according to market researcher the Freedonia Group.

Researchers say this growth will be driven by advantages in processing, as well as the ability for aseptic packaging products to be distributed and stored at ambient temperatures.  Competition from well-established hot-fill and retort processing operations and relatively high equipment costs will moderate growth, though machinery costs have come down in recent years. These and other trends are recorded in a new study from the Cleveland, OH-based research firm.

Aseptic cartons will steadily increase through 2020, fueled by expanding dairy beverage applications, favorable consumption trends in ready-to-drink premium wellness beverages, and product differentiation advantages. Prospects for bags and pouches will be driven by opportunities for bag-in-box and other large format aseptic bags used in the packaging of products sold to the foodservice and food processing industries.  Plastic bottle demand growth will be in line with the overall average, the result of expanding food and beverage applications, especially in the dairy market, and of ongoing requirements for aseptic filling for ophthalmic solutions.  Cups are expected to record below average growth due to increased competition from pouches in the baby food and processed fruit and vegetable segments.