Challenges in sustainable packaging
The pet food industry produces an estimated 300 million lbs. of plastic pet food and treat bags each year in the US alone, and only about 1% of that packaging has an end-of-life solution that doesn’t include a landfill. Sustainability is an important factor affecting pet feed purchases and decisions. However, the challenge for manufacturers is that sustainability often conflicts with certain packaging trends. Environmental packaging materials may not deliver optimal quality, durability, and food safety features and smaller or single-serve packaging may add to the waste problem rather than solve it. Improving package recycling, providing clear recycling instructions for consumers, and encouraging participation in recycling programs are alternatives to address sustainability concerns.
Other solutions to improve sustainability include figuring out ways to break down pet food packaging and reuse it to create different types of pet products such as beds and toys.
Transportation challenges
Bottlenecks that impede transportation have been developing for years. One of the challenges facing feed manufacturers is the lack of shipping containers to move bulk pet food and treat packaging materials. In addition, ships are becoming larger which means more cargo needs to be unloaded; however, there is less space for them to land or turn. In addition, there is a need for modern cranes to operate at higher speeds. Furthermore, there is a shortage of truck drivers and while rising wages may ease the shortage, rising fuel prices continue to plague the sector.
Supply chain challenges
The supply chain is the foundation of the pet food industry; however, the fragility and complexity of the supply chain requires manufacturers to find inventive solutions to address emerging issues. Supply chain disruption due to limited supply of packaging materials, primarily glass, containerboard, cardboard, and aluminum is one of the challenges affecting the pet food and treat packaging industry.
In addition, the short shelf life of pet food products requires an efficient global logistics system. Although unexpected fluctuations in demand increase the risk of overstock or shortages, thus affecting profitability and sustainability.
Peroxide value challenges
Peroxide value challenges also known as ingredient rancidity challenges can strike at any step of the pet food and treats production process including raw products, production, and packaging. Rancidity occurs when fats and oils in pet food begin to oxidize causing off-odors or off-flavors in ingredients and finished products. Exposure to light, heat, microbial enzymes, and oxygen can result in lipids oxidizing and becoming rancid. When pet food is more processed, it is a higher risk for rancidity.
A rancid product may be suitable for consumption from a microbial, textural, and visual aspect, but if the taste or smell is lost, a pet will likely refuse to eat the product. Furthermore, releasing a bad product into the marketplace causes a negative customer experience and brand damage.
Premium quality package
Pet owners prefer to buy quality pet food and treats that require premium quality packaging to protect and preserve the contents. Proper packaging features that make the packaging easy to open and reclose after consumption are an important indicator of a premium product. If pet food and treats are stored in their original packaging, they will stay fresh longer. However, about half of pet owners who buy premium pet food complain that they have difficulty closing the bag properly between feedings, increasing the risk of compromising freshness.
Constant labor challenge
It is predicted that by the year 2050, the global population will reach approximately 10 billion people. Due to the increase in world population, income, and urbanization, the number of companion animals and the annual growth rate of the pet food industry are also increasing. As a result, labor shortage challenges are becoming more prominent in pet food and packaging. The labor shortage is leading to production issues for some packaging plants, causing them to run below capacity.
