Introduction
Water-soluble packaging has emerged as a sustainable solution amid microplastics and Nano plastics-derived contamination of food systems. The contamination of marine and aquatic ecosystems by microplastics and Nano plastics has contaminated the derived food. These particles have entered the food chain causing an adverse impact on human health.
Benefits of Water-Soluble Packaging
The growing environment has led to the worldwide adoption of green packaging. Water-soluble packaging is one such type of packaging that uses biodegradable polymers or other natural materials for packaging.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
These packaging Solutions are eco-friendly and provide a sustainable packaging solution. This type of packaging eradicates the need to handle and measure potentially hazardous substances. Hence, it does away with environmental concerns and solid waste or plastic waste handling obligations of the companies.
User-Friendly Packaging
These packaging solutions are user-friendly as users need not tear the packet to pour the product. For Example, detergent manufacturers offer single-use packs to be directly used by users without removing the packet. It helps to prevent wastage, overdosing, and spillage by end users.
Safety from Hazardous Substances
This sustainable packaging offers convenience by eradicating the need to handle and measure potentially hazardous substances. Thus, it helps to protect industrial workers from using hazardous materials without coming into contact. It also enhances safety by reducing the risk of accidental exposure to harmful or toxic substances.
Helpful In Medication
The feature of such packaging is crucial in industries such as healthcare, where water-soluble packaging is used for medication packaging. It reduces the potential for dosage errors and improves patient safety.
Materials Used In Water-Soluble Packaging
These nascent and sustainable packaging green packaging uses the following materials:
Polyvinyl Alcohol
It is a synthetic polymer that is water-soluble and biodegradable under certain conditions. Packaging Industry uses polyvinyl alcohol to make water-soluble bags, garment bags, and detergent packets.
Starch-Based Materials
These materials are also biodegradable materials that can easily break down in water.
Biodegradable Polymers
These are natural materials that break down into harmless components when exposed to water or moisture.
Mushroom Mycelium
It is made up of a network of thin fungal strands called hyphae. It is similar to the roots of a plant which is grown around agricultural byproducts to form custom packaging shapes.
Market Size of Water-Soluble Packaging
The market of this sustainable green packaging is experiencing a notable transition toward the adoption of biodegradable and compostable materials due to heightened environmental consciousness. Innovative packaging materials such as polysaccharide protein-based film are being envisaged for it to align with eco-friendly principles. The global water-soluble packaging market was valued at USD 3.61 billion in 2023. It was projected to grow from USD 3.78 billion in 2024 to USD 5.65 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.13% during the forecast period.
Conclusion
Increasing environmental consciousness and continuous innovations in packaging technology have led to sustainable packaging solutions. These advancements in packaging have addressed challenges related to strength, heat resistance, barrier properties, and overall performance of water-soluble packaging. The sustainability of such packaging lies in making them available at affordable prices to the industry.