Is flexible cold brew coffee packaging the future?
Smithers, a bioanalytical consulting firm, identifies four primary drivers of the global packaging industry: economic and demographic expansion, sustainability, consumer trends, and business owner trends.
In fact, this sustainability trend relates directly to the three others. As economic and demographic expansion creates a more extensive consumer base, environmentally-friendly expectations will continue to swell, and business owners will need to react positively and dynamically to keep up.
Packaging exists to protect both products and consumers, and products like flexible cold brew coffee packaging, according to Barry A. Morris, is “ideally suited to meet the challenges of the modern marketplace.”
For the coffee industry, and cold brew coffee in particular, flexible packaging presents a raft of benefits to both manufacturers and consumers across concerns of efficiency, quality, and safety.
As cold brew continues to exhibit strong global growth, coffee businesses should seek out flexible cold brew coffee packaging solutions to future-proof their businesses and earn greater trust from their customers.
We spoke to Surine Viljoen, managing director of Tribeca Coffee, to learn more.
What does ‘flexible packaging’ mean?
Flexible packaging refers to pliable packaging solutions manufactured from a combination of materials such as plastics, films, paper, and foils. The result is products that can morph when filled and used.
This is preferential to producers and consumers alike. Typically, such packaging is lightweight, highly customisable, cost-efficient to manufacture, and more environmentally friendly.
An example of flexible cold brew coffee packaging is the bag-in-box (BiB) solution made by Cold Brew Pak. Since its widespread popularisation in the mid-2010s, cold brew has been packaged in rigid, inflexible plastic or glass containers, especially when prepared for at-home consumption.
“Developing a high-quality at-home cold brew comes with unique challenges,” Surine says.
“Finding the right coffee to ensure optimal flavour is crucial, as is maintaining shelf life and food safety standards. Additionally, there are logistical hurdles in brewing, transporting, and canning the product – ensuring the cold chain is upheld throughout is vital to preserve the cold brew’s integrity.”
BiB cold brew comprises a protective cardboard outer case and a flexible, multi-layered, and fully recyclable plastic bag or bladder contained within, holding the liquid. The cold brew is then dispensed via a plastic screw cap or tap.
Morris highlights the multilayered features of flexible packaging as the primary driver of its growing popularity: “Multilayer film technology…allows specialised layers which provide sealing, barrier, or abuse resistance, to be combined to meet the packaging requirements in the most cost-effective manner.”
According to Grand View Research, a market research firm, the global flexible packaging market is estimated to be worth over $270bn in 2024 and is expected to continue to grow at a 4.7% CAGR by 2030.
For liquids specifically, growth is expected at an even faster rate, 9.7% CAGR to 2031, illustrating the increasing demand for flexible beverage packaging solutions globally. The two largest segments are bag-in-box and pouches.
Growth here is specifically attributed to efficient transportation, waste reduction, and convenience for consumers.
What advantages does flexible cold brew coffee packaging offer businesses?
Liquid flexible packaging like BiB has multiple industrial applications, from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to beverages and liquor. For several reasons, it is well suited to cold brew coffee:
- Increased customisation and branding opportunity:
The large flat panels of BiB packaging are perfectly suited for immense customisation potential. They can be easily coloured, designed, or branded to better stand out on the shelf and convey marketing messages.
- Cheaper and more efficient transportation:
Stackable outer cardboard packaging is more efficient for transportation, reducing the wasted space created by glass or plastic bottles.
- Reduced risk of spoiling:
The multilayered plastic interior bag provides an airtight seal, and the cardboard outer protects against sunlight, reducing the risk of oxidation and loss of flavour and aroma.
- 100% recyclable materials:
Solutions like Cold Brew Pak’s BiB is 100% recyclable. The outer cardboard box can be separated and packed down for paper recycling, while the interior bag and dispensing tap or screw cap are deposited for plastic recycling.
In 2023, the global cold brew coffee market was valued at $604.47 million and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 22.49% over the next ten years to over $4.4bn. Consumers are seeking out more convenient, high-quality cold coffee options, and cold brew holds a unique appeal.
As regards flexible cold brew coffee packaging, many of the key consumer trends driving the segment’s growth match the above benefits offered by packaging solutions like bag-in-box cold brew.
Cold brew is more popular with younger consumers. They are generally more inclined to seek out cold coffee and value innovative branding and aesthetics than their older peers. In comparison to aluminium cans or glass bottles, bag-in-box flexible cold brew coffee packaging offers significantly more branding real estate for coffee businesses to grab consumer attention.
While statistics show that consumers are willing to pay more for higher-quality coffee, price point continues to be the most important purchasing factor for the coffee market. Flexible packaging slashes manufacturing and transportation overheads, especially when coffee businesses work with manufacturers who offer low MOQs, faster lead times, international shipping and lower overall costs.
Quality remains important, however, and the widespread access to quality coffee globally has made the market more competitive than ever. Aseptic filling processes, multilayered film plastic, and protective cardboard outer packaging ensure that the cold brew within retains its highest possible quality.
Jonny Forsyth, associate director at Mintel, a research firm, reports that “undoubtedly, sustainability will be the defining issue for the coffee industry over the next 20 years.”
Flexible cold brew coffee packaging is highly sustainable. Cold Brew Pak’s bag-in-box solution is 100% recyclable, meeting or exceeding consumers’ expectations of the coffee businesses they purchase from. Moreover, more efficient transport compatibility diminishes the carbon footprint of the cold brew supply chain.
The way that flexible packaging and cold brew coffee trends match key consumer trends makes a strong case for the segment’s future prospects. Even the popularity of aluminium cans for single-serve, ready-to-drink cold brew coffee is driven by sustainability.
“We’re leaning towards recyclable cans as our preferred RTD packaging,” says Surine.
“Cans are not only convenient for on-the-go consumption but also align well with our commitment to sustainability. We find that consumers are becoming more conscious of sustainable packaging and recyclable options like aluminium cans meet both our environmental goals and market expectations.”
Future-proof your businesses with flexible cold brew coffee packaging
At Cold Brew Pak, we have been manufacturing fully recyclable, environmentally friendly coffee packaging for more than a decade, helping coffee businesses capitalise on new consumer trends and industry segments.
Today’s consumers value sustainable packaging almost as much as the products themselves and will actively seek out businesses recognising the importance of a comprehensive eco-conscious commitment and service.
Our bag-in-box and cold brew pouches exceed these expectations, utilising highly sustainable corrugated cardboard and plant-based plastics for 100% recyclability.
Moreover, we offer vast customizability and low MOQs to help smaller businesses get to market faster or larger businesses pivot more quickly. We also provide speedy international shipping.
For more information on flexible cold brew coffee packaging, visit our website or get in touch with us directly.
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