Sunday, 30 April 2017

Packaging has to be halal, too

As the name suggests, halal packaging involves using halal-certified raw materials for packaging materials and halal-certified lubricants for packaging machinery. Considering that packaging for food and cosmetics may be in direct contact with the products they showcase, the need for halal packaging becomes essential.

Transparency Market Research explains that polymers used for packaging are produced from petroleum-based raw materials. However, substances are added to the polymers to improve their properties, such elasticity, prevention of condensation in a cold environment, or durability. For halal consumers, additives which are derived from non-halal sources, such as animals which are not permitted for slaughtering according to Islamic law, or from permitted animals that were not slaughtered in accordance with Islamic slaughtering rules, are prohibited. Similarly, lubricants used in packaging machinery should strictly avoid the use of porcine stearates.

According to Transparency Market Research, major growth drivers for the halal packaging market include: a growing global Muslim population, increased marketability of products for the Muslim consumer due to halal certification, and improved awareness about halal-certified products and services. However, the increased cost of products in case of carrying out customised halal packaging can pose a threat to the market growth. The Middle East/North Africa, South and Southeast Asia are anticipated to lead the overall halal packaging market.

Halal packaging refers to polymer resins that contain additives derived from halal sources which have a certificate guaranteeing that the halal integrity of the polymer resins is maintained throughout the entire supply chain.

As per the halal packaging practices, a qualitative investigation for screening and identifying any trace of animal-based element used in additives is conducted during the manufacturing process, and if any such element is found, it is subsequently substituted with equivalent additives from halal sources. The polymer resins are themselves analysed for the presence of animal-based elements, such as animal fats and pig derivatives, to ensure that the polymer resins are completely free from animal based ingredients. Enclosures may be required in the manufacturing facility to protect the processing or manufacturing units from external contamination. Manufacturers may also have to adopt a system for maintaining a halal ingredients database and procedures.

Major market players in halal packaging market include MM Karton, Varsity Packaging, and Al Halal Packaging. Cardia Bioplastics, a supplier of sustainable resins to the global plastic and packaging industries, received halal certification for its range of Biohybrid resins in 2012.

Interested?

Buy the Transparency Market Research Halal Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 report

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the halal ingredients market