Cans for all at feeding time

New research commissioned by Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC has revealed an interesting shift in mealtime habits for UK consumers in that more of them are sharing their mealtimes with their pets.

This checks out: my elderly family dog gets fed around the same time as my Dad has his breakfast before work, and then has her ‘dinner’ around the normal lunchtime, with treats in the evening during mealtimes.

According to the research, 40 per cent of Millennials eat with their pets, versus 13 per cent of over-55s. Around 51 per cent of those Millennials surveyed said they eat with their pet because their pet is considered a family member – also a sentiment I agree with!

So where does metal packaging fit into all this? 

Kieren France, commercial director for North Europe at Sonoco, commented that the company is “seeing metal packaging play a central role in supporting these lifestyle changes. Younger consumers in particular are highly educated on recycling and are conscious of the impact less sustainable materials, like plastics, have on our planet. They expect packaging that aligns with their values. Unlike pouches, which are difficult to recycle, metal cans are infinitely recyclable and already compliant with upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements. This makes them a future-proof choice for wet pet food.”

Alongside sweet potato and the occasional chicken and rice, our dog mainly gets fed from cans of Chappie – she’s a sensitive girl so as well as being hypoallergenic and recommended by vets, the cans keep us in line with doing our bit for the environment. Plus, who wants pet food stinking out their waste bin when you can immediately rinse the packaging and add to the recycling bin? There have been advancements in this segment around cans and tins, though, with solutions like the Ecopeel lid coming into play as a hybrid alternative between traditional three-piece cans and plastic containers.

Single-serve formats are still popular, according to Sonoco’s research. Pet owners in the Millennials age bracket cited convenience (42 per cent), portion control (35 per cent) and reduced waste (41 per cent) as their top reasons for opting for this packaging type. They are also the most likely age group to feed pets outside their home, for instance when out at a café or the park (35 per cent).

France commented that “To keep pace with the demand and findings from this research,” Sonoco is investing in new production lines for 85g formats for pet food in the next year.  

And developments are not just limited to the UK – as you’ll read in our February issue of the magazine, Italy-based Easytech Packaging is advancing its operations in the lids and ends segment by entering the pet food market. From this article and the research findings above, it’s clear that the key to success in this area revolves around convenience, ease of opening, recyclability and high food safety standards. Well-designed packaging makes happy consumers, and in turn, happy pets!

Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
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