The packaging industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by durability, long shelf life, tamper-proof, and sustainability, and growing importance of technologies such as blockchain, RFID technology, augmented reality, and nanotechnology. In the last three years alone, there have been over 18,000 patents filed and granted in the packaging industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in packaging: anti-counterfeiting bottle caps. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
30+ innovations will shape the packaging industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the packaging industry using innovation intensity models built on over 83,000 patents, there are 30+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, cellulose fiber 3D Printing, multilayer barrier films, and biodegradable packaging films are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Beverage capsules, clamshell-type packaging, and threaded container sealing are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are thermal-insulated containers and multi-pack shrink wrapping, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the packaging industry
Anti-counterfeiting bottle caps is a key innovation area in packaging
Anti-counterfeiting bottle caps refer to protective caps or closure devices that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of a bottle or container. These caps are typically tamper-evident, meaning that they indicate if the bottle has been opened or tampered with in any way.
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 220+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established packaging companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of anti-counterfeiting bottle caps.
Key players in anti-counterfeiting bottle caps – 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 anti-counterfeiting bottle caps
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Tetra Laval International is one of the leading patent filers in anti-counterfeiting bottle caps. Some other key patent filers in the packaging industry include Toyo Seikan Group, Reckitt Benckiser, AptarGroup, Yeti, and Danone. TriMas recently launched Rieke's FS-38, pull-out spout closure in the US. This retraceable product is said to have controlled dispensing. It has an integrated tamper-evident pull-ring to make it highly secure. This pull-out closure is suitable for usage in the petrochemical and automotive industries.
In terms of application diversity Tetra Laval International leads the pack, while Selig Sealing Products and AptarGroup stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Vista Outdoor held the top position, followed by Becton Dickinson and Selig Sealing Products.
As the methods of counterfeiting evolved, the performance of anti-counterfeiting bottle caps will be driven by implementation of advanced technologies, consumer education, and the commitment of businesses to protect their brands and consumers from counterfeit products.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the packaging industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on 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.
