Protein is no longer just for shakes and meal replacements. Today, it is becoming a core ingredient across food and beverage products, appearing in drinks, mixes, powders and more.

Over the past five years, protein innovation has accelerated across categories with new high and added-protein launches, reinforcing protein’s growing role across portfolios.

Protein as a Daily Essential
Protein is increasingly viewed as an everyday benefit rather than a muscle-building supplement. Today’s food and beverage products are delivering more protein per serving—often 15 grams or more—signaling that performance and functional benefit are becoming baseline expectations not niche differentiators.

The Rise of Protein+
Protein alone is no longer enough. The most successful innovations are utilizing protein as a foundation and layering additional benefits to create Protein+ products. These added benefits often include electrolytes for hydration, caffeine and B vitamins for energy, fiber and prebiotics for digestive support, collagen for joint and skin health and vitamins and minerals for immune support. This approach allows brands to expand offerings, refresh portfolios and introduce line extensions without launching entirely new brands.

Designing for Function and Performance
Historically, protein was limited to thick shakes and powders. Advances in clear protein technology are changing that by allowing protein to enter lighter, more refreshing beverage categories.

As protein and functional beverages continue to grow, Graham can help you move from concept to shelf with speed and confidence. Our extensive expertise in PET and barrier technologies combined with our robust stock bottle portfolio and custom design capabilities give you everything you need to launch and scale protein-forward products efficiently, delivering the clarity, performance and versatility today’s functional drinks demand.

Click here to find the right stock bottle for your next launch.

The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market, projected to reach $19.75 billion in 2024*, is experiencing steady market growth, driven by consumer preferences for convenience, taste and personalization.

Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, giving it a smoother, less acidic flavor than iced coffee, which is brewed hot and then chilled, leading to a bolder taste. Cold brew is preferred by Millennials and Gen Z who represent nearly half of all consumers.

Compared to hot coffee, ease of preparation is another selling point, as consumers are drawn to cold brew’s RTD convenience – a top priority for nearly a quarter of at-home coffee drinkers.

In fact, cold brew’s appeal extends beyond cafes and into homes, with pre-packaged cold brew products and concentrates, especially in multi-serve options like 48 oz bottles, make it easier for consumers to replicate the experience themselves. Premium offerings and coffee innovations, like seasonal blends and cold brew concentrates, are gaining traction in a market where creating a customized cup is king.

In addition to customization options, cold brew is also expected to benefit from the rising demand for functional beverages, where coffee products offer additional health or wellness benefits. Whether through added protein, vitamins, or energy-boosting ingredients, cold brew is well-positioned to cater to health-conscious consumers.

Despite inflation and economic challenges, the cold brew market continues to grow. Retail sales for cold brew products are forecast to expand further in the coming years. Brands that innovate with flavors, packaging and health-forward options are poised to go far with consumers.

Graham can help you break into this dynamic market with our new 48 oz fully-recyclable PET stock bottle featuring an innovative design and an ergonomic, contoured profile for a comfortable grip and easy pouring. Our best-in-class design team is here to support you whether you’re looking for a stock bottle or custom product.

To learn more about our options for cold brew and ready-to-drink coffee, contact sales@grahampackaging.com 

*All data sourced from Mintel’s US 2024 Coffee and RTD Coffee report.   

Last year was certainly something many of us never expected, but we can use the events of 2020 to help forecast what packaging trends we will see in 2021. When predicting what consumers and brands will look for this year, some clear trends have carried over, including a focus on e-commerce friendly options, sustainable packaging, and new and innovative technologies, including virtual reality.

Spotlight on E-commerce

E-commerce was a fast-growing commerce sector even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 pushed it into the spotlight in 2020 – and we don’t see that changing in 2021. E-commerce was already experiencing annual double-digit growth before the pandemic, increasing more than 36% year-over-year in Q3 of 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. We expect that to continue into 2021 as consumers look to purchase everything from groceries to home care online.

As consumers get used to ordering their items online, packaging must also adapt to meet these changes. Laundry bottles can’t leak when turned on their side, and pasta sauce bottles can’t crack during transport. When it comes to safe and durable shipping options, plastic packaging provides superior protection and preservation not found in other materials.

Sustainable Solutions

Consumers don’t only look for convenience when shopping, they also are seeking more socially conscious brands and sustainable options in 2021. Market research suggests that consumers are looking for sustainable packaging as a key driver of their purchasing decisions. In fact, according to a recent Euromonitor report, 69% of professionals expect consumers to be more concerned about sustainability than they were before COVID-19.

Consumer brands looking to stay ahead of the curve are also driving up demand for recycled content. Following in the footsteps of Europe, many large U.S. consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are pushing towards 100% recycled content in their packaging.

Additionally, legislation is driving the push for PCR and recycling. In September 2020, California passed the nation’s first plastics recycling law. This legislation calls for companies that produce bottles covered by the state’s container redemption program to use a minimum of 15% recycled plastic in their bottles by 2022, 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. With other states set to follow California’s lead, plastic manufacturers are seeking out new ways to capture and utilize additional post-consumer recycling material in their products.

Finally, brands are also realizing that in order to create a truly circular economy, they need to tell consumers how to recycle their plastic products. We expect to see more companies looking for ways to educate consumers, including placing How2Recycle labels on their packaging in an effort to increase successful recycling rates and allow manufacturers to collect and incorporate more recycled content into their bottles.

New and Innovative Technology

New technologies are pushing manufacturers to think and work differently in 2021. Virtual reality may seem like something that is more suited for the video game world than the packaging industry, but both virtual reality and augmented reality are two powerful technologies that many manufacturers, including Graham, are exploring. From remote assistance and maintenance, to training new employees, more and more companies are working on incorporating this potent technology even further into their operations.

Not only can augmented and virtual reality technologies be used internally by manufacturers for training and maintenance troubleshooting, but their use can also make a big difference in the end product sold by CPG companies to consumers. By having the ability to resolve problems quickly by leveraging global experts – wherever they happen to be in the world – manufacturers ultimately can save time and money creating the packaging solutions their customers need.

Additionally, the move for many to work from home will also have long-lasting effects on the use of new technology. According to Euromonitor, 64% of professionals think that working from home will become a long-term change. Technology is aiding in this shift of working environments. For example, our creative services department has begun using new technologies like digital whiteboards and live virtual design sessions with customers as remote work became the norm during the global pandemic.

In 2021, we can expect that these types of new technologies will continue to improve, ultimately creating even more innovative and sustainable solutions for consumers and brands.

Lancaster, Pa — (January 26, 2021) — Today, Graham Packaging, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, launches a new website and corporate identity. Founded more than 50 years ago, the company is reintroducing itself to reinforce and elevate its commitment to smart, sustainable packaging.

“I am thrilled to be part of this pivotal moment for Graham Packaging as we launch into a new era of inspired, one-of-a-kind packaging that poses minimal impact to the planet,” said Mike King, chief executive officer, Graham Packaging. “Our new branding and website reflect the drive and enthusiasm we all have to position ourselves as a leader and innovator of sustainable packaging solutions.”

With vibrant splashes of color and inspired insights from designers, the new Graham Packaging website exhibits the ingenuity and creative spirit that is the heart of its operations. The company’s ability to consistently “build a better bottle” is demonstrated through collaboration and innovative problem solving that results in both a happy customer and a cleaner world.

As a signatory to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation pledge, which aims to create a circular economy, Graham Packaging leads in the charge to create a wide range of sustainable packaging solutions. These include lightweighting through an innovative extrusion blow molding process, rescuing ocean-bound plastics and creating opaque resins that can be detected through recycling streams.

“Since the conversion of a metal oil can into safer, cleaner and lighter plastic packaging, Graham Packaging has consistently pushed the boundaries to deliver creative solutions that support global sustainability goals,” added King. “Our best days are ahead, knowing we have the people and technology in place to create sustainable solutions that care for future generations.”