The packaging industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by light weight, smart packaging, convenience, and ease of handling and growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and nano technology. 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: pull-tab cans. 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
Pull-tab cans is a key innovation area in packaging
Pull-tab cans refer to beverage cans that have a tab or a tab-like device attached to the can lid. This tab is used to easily open the can by pulling it up, creating an opening for drinking or pouring the contents of the can. Pull-tab cans provide a convenient and efficient way to access and consume canned beverages.
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 55+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established packaging companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of pull-tab cans.
Key players in pull-tab cans – 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 pull-tab cans
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Crown is one of the leading patent filers in pull-tab cans. Some other key patent filers in the space include Ball, Toyo Seikan Group, and Impress Group. Crown acquired Helvetia Packaging, a manufacturer of beverage cans in a strategic move that will further bolster Crown's presence in the European beverage can market, particularly in Germany.
In terms of application diversity, Crown leads the pack, while Toyo Seikan Group and Ball stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, AptarGroup held the top position followed by Red Bull and Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Pull-tab cans will find increased application in the beverage industry in the coming years, as they are easy to open and do not need additional tools, making them convenient for on-the-go consumption.
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.
