The pandemic-fuelled boom in pet ownership has translated to massive growth in demand for packaged pet food. With sustainability in mind, manufacturers are investing in plant expansion and packaging suppliers are developing new materials.
During the pandemic it seemed to be raining cats and dogs as millions of households acquired new pets. As people worldwide faced restrictions, lockdowns and stay at home orders, many were left lonely and isolated. When reality set in and society adapted to new circumstances, millions of people made room in their lives for pets.
According to the latest Pets in Australia study by Animal Medicines Australia (AMA), the pandemic-fuelled boom in pet ownership has now stabilised to a new level of strong pet ownership across the country. The study, the most comprehensive pet population survey in Australia, revealed that 69 per cent of households across the country are home to one or more pets, with 28.7 million pets now calling home to around 6.9 million households – an increase of 37 per cent since the first report by the AMA in 2013 stated that five million Australian household homed 25 million pets. In 2013 the study revealed that Australian pet owners were spending in the region of $8 billion a year on their furry friends; the 2022 study revealed a staggering increase to over $33 billion.
Nestlé upgrades to meet increased demand
While industry growth is always welcome, unprecedented demand does require action. Last year, Nestlé invested $90 million to upgrade its Purina PetCare pet food manufacturing factory in Blayney NSW. Established in 1989, the factory has had over $200 million in investments over the past 10 years to accommodate new lines and increased production. This most recent investment has seen the installation of new, high-speed manufacturing technology that will allow Nestlé to increase production of single-serve wet cat food by over 120 per cent. It will also enable the facility to increase existing production of dry cat and dog food. The expansion will position Nestlé as a key regional supplier, with both wet and dry food exported form Blayney to New Zealand, Thailand and Japan.
Factory manager Charlene De Wit told PKN, “We are continuing to invest in our new wet cat food plant that produces feline favourites such as Felix, Fancy Feast, Pro Plan and Purina. A second line is also being converted to mirror our new line. This will be finished later this year and will allow us to realise the full production potential of the expansion – increased capacity of 120 per cent.” She goes on to say, “This line will also allow us to start testing a number of new packaging materials for wet cat food – so watch this space.”
Nestlé has a demonstrated commitment to local manufacturing and support for the Central West community. With a dedicated and highly skilled team at Blayney bringing leading technology to the factory and continuing to use high quality ingredients in the product, De Wit is confident that Nestlé will continue to “enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them for years to come”.
Premium packs for prized pets
A walk down the pet food aisle will open your eyes to how trends have changed in recent years. Pets are increasingly treated as family members, and owners are ever more discerning when it comes to feeding their pets and, as such, are willing to pay more for high quality, nutrient-rich food. With global, local and niche brands all sharing the same supermarket shelf, competition has never been greater; this is where packaging comes into play. As more and more pet food brands launch premium ranges, the range of packaging has also grown, and flexible plastic packaging has emerged as one of the most popular formats, used for dry food and wet food.
As with any consumer goods purchases, pet owners’ purchasing habits are influenced by sustainability. PWC’s 2022 Sustainability in Retail and Consumer Goods Report found that sustainability has risen sharply and consumers now expect more from retail and consumer goods businesses. The survey revealed that Australian consumers have the desire to purchase from businesses with strong values and they seek products with traceable production and transparent origin, and products that are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
In 2021, Victorian packaging manufacturer O F Packaging announced a merger with sustainability solutions provider Close the Loop, creating Close the Loop Group. The collaboration has proved to be worthwhile – working together to help meet global sustainability legislation and contribute positively to the environment, the group has been heavily involved in the introduction of mono-based polymer solutions for soft plastics.
Jessica Ansell, marketing manager at O F Packaging says, “Moving towards simpler packaging specifications is a key part of the global sustainability strategy for packaging, and flexible packaging in particular has been a challenging area for the industry. As a business actively recovering post-consumer materials such as soft plastics with a primary focus on progression to a circular economy, Close the Loop Group is proud to be able to offer a range of mono-polymer alternatives to the market.”
O F Packaging offers a range of fully recyclable pet food packaging options including flat pouches, stand up pouches, quad seal/gusset bags and, of course, its PIDA Gold Award-winning Fold, Roll ‘n’ Recycle bags.
Ansell goes on to say, “We’re helping brands create award-winning, industry-recognised packaging with end-of-life in mind, without compromising product protection.”
Pet care trends may change in the future, but pet food packaging needs remain consistent.
Like human food, pet food must be packaged in a way to maintain nutrients and health benefits while also prolonging shelf life. If they are to stay relevant in this competitive market, manufacturers must promote their products with eye-catching designs and graphics to set themselves apart. This must all be done while not conflicting with sustainability trends and consumer values.
