The packaging industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by rising environmental awareness, urbanization, safety & trust, healthy living and the growing importance of technologies, such as connected packaging, active packaging and near-field communication. In the last three years alone, there have been over 427,000 patents filed and granted in the packaging industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Environmental sustainability in packaging: MFC coated packaging paper.
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 77,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the packaging industry, there are 30+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
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MFC coated packaging paper is a key innovation area in environmental sustainability
Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) acts as a natural performance enhancer, used for creating lighter and stronger packaging. It is used primarily for the food industry.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 110+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established packaging companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of MFC coated packaging paper.
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Key players in MFC coated packaging paper – a disruptive innovation in the packaging industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)-coated packaging paper
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Stora Enso is the leading patent filer in MFC coated packaging paper. It recently acquired a Dutch company, De Jong Packaging Group, to accelerate growth in renewable corrugated packaging. Some other key patent filers in the MFC coated packaging paper include Billerud, Wilh. Werhahn, FiberLean Technologies and Nippon Paper Industries.
In terms of application diversity, OneWorld Packaging leads the pack. Mayr-Melnhof Karton and UPM-Kymmene stand in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Tokushu Tokai Paper holds the top position, followed by FiberLean Technologies, Wilh. Werhahn and Smurfit Kappa Group.
MFC coated paper will be revolutionary for the food industry in coming years as it will help store the food for a longer time.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the packaging industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Packaging.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
