Page 22 - Packaging News magazine March_April 2023

FOOD & DRINK PACKAGING
Reducing the
environmental
pawprint
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. Karen McKenzie reports.
Below: High quality graphics on flexible pouches create stand out in the competitive pet food aisle. All packaging by O F Packaging. Joy brand and pack design by Boxer & Co (see also page 56).
Opposite: Fold, Roll ‘n’ Recycle pet food bag.
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 peo- ple 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 com- prehensive 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 house- hold 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 manufactur- ing 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 manufac- turing 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 exist- ing 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 pro- duces 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 fin- ished 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 commit- ment 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”.
We’re helping brands create award- winning, industry-recognised packaging with end-of-life in mind, without compromising product protection.
JESSICA ANSELL, O F PACKAGING
22 ❙ MARCH – APRIL 2023
WWW.PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU