Food packaging ‘must mirror changing society’

In this exclusive video interview, filmed as part of the Food Manufacture Group’s 90^th birthday celebrations, Waterhouse said the packaging industry continually evolved to support consumers’ needs.

“Human behaviour has changed, and packaging has supported that by providing what people want,” said Waterhouse, who is also md at packaging firm iDi Pac.

‘Providing what people want’

“20 years ago, there was no such thing as an on-the-go environment, but people have adopted that. [Now you can get] anti-spill cups for kids in the car, and all that kind of stuff.

“So we are mirroring society, and we’re supporting it. At the end of the day, the packaging industry has to support the consumer need. If the consumer wants it, that’s what the packaging systems can deliver.”

Also in this video interview, Waterhouse said packaging could become less generic in the future. There was a growing consumer trend for hand-made packaging, he added.

‘A growing trend’

“I think [packaging] will be much more artisanal,” Waterhouse said. “That’s a growing trend. The microbrewery trend has just taken off. The home-baking and bakers trend too; all of the artisanal stuff. That’s all supported by being handmade.

“It’s that perception of local, even though it’s made in large factories. So, it’s a great time to be in packaging. It’s a huge industry doing a lot of interesting things.

Earlier this month, Waterhouse told FoodManufacture.co.uk that food packaging has massively improved food safety over the past 90 years.

Meanwhile, don’t miss Waterhouse’s feature in the September issue of Food Manufacture, as part of the Food Manufacture Group’s 90^th birthday supplement.