In early 2014, the US folding carton sector looked as though it might begin to rebound. At that time, US exports of premium paperboard – SBS/SBB folding carton, liquid packaging board (LPB), and cup/plate stock – looked solid, and US converters had little incentive to source imported paperboard. US recycled grades were getting a boost by surging craft beer sales. US producers enjoyed a reputation for a quality product that could not be matched by many Asian (non-Japanese) suppliers, and longstanding supply relationships that had endured the financial crisis of 2008-2010 existed in the US and many foreign markets.

Food and beverage is the dominant market within the packaging industry. Consider the wide array of packages that fill a single grocery store — from corrugated boxes, plastic clamshells, and stand-up pouches to resealable tubs and moisture-resistant boxes. More than just containers, these packaging formats are designed for specific uses — such as promoting aesthetic appeal and brand recognition, or monitoring temperature and prolonging shelf life.

Demand is expected to rise for produce, meat, seafood, and poultry packaging through 2019. In addition, the demand for active and intelligent packaging is forecast to increase, with the growing need for more advanced packaging technologies such as specialized gas scavenging and moisture control. In this post, three research analysts from the Freedonia Group, an international market research company owned by MarketResearch.com, weigh in to highlight key packaging trends and interesting new developments to watch.

We asked a wide variety of market research professionals, executives, and consultants to explain how technology is changing market research. As you may suspect, we encountered conflicting points of view on this topic. While most responded positively, using words like “exciting,” “faster,” “cheaper,” and “easier” to describe the effects of technology on market research, a few others fell on the opposite side of the spectrum, citing reliability and quality concerns.

For a range of diverse viewpoints, read through the 23 different quotes from leading industry commentators below, and be sure to share your own thoughts in the comments section at the end.

The long-term care market in the United States reached $305 billion last year, according to a new report by Kalorama Information, a healthcare market research firm own by MarketResearch.com. Long-term care encompasses a continuum of services including home care, assisted living, hospice, and skilled nursing care. It is estimated that two out of five Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives. The vast majority of people using long-term care services are senior citizens.

The mechanical security industry, including locks, safes, and vaults, will grow 5.4 percent annually through 2020 to $6.1 billion. The large lock segment accounted for 72 percent of industry demand in 2015 and will drive growth. The recovering construction industry will support demand, while ongoing shifts to higher value electrified products, particularly door locks and door security hardware that are used with electronic access control systems, will assist gains, too. The need for electrified versions of mechanical security products will continue to rise as access control and other such systems are installed at more entry points. The newly published study Mechanical Security Products further discusses the markets.

The global demand for battery materials is projected to increase 8.3 percent per year to reach $46.8 billion in 2019, according to a new report by the Freedonia Group. A variety of factors are contributing to the growing demand, including the proliferation of mobile phones and tablets, the rising use of motor vehicles in developing countries, and the increasing production of hybrid and electric vehicles.

Batteries are manufactured using a broad range of materials. The major types are metals, chemicals, polymers, carbon and graphite, silicas, glass fibers, paper, rubber, and ceramics. Globally, metals accounted for 66 percent of materials demand in 2014, due to the large volumes of lead, zinc, steel, and nickel used in the battery industry. Read on to learn more about the market for battery materials and what changes analysts expect to see in the coming years.

Go ahead Baby Boomers, make my decade. In fact make everyone’s decade. No really, we need you to. We’re counting on it because frankly our retail infrastructure may not survive without you. Yeah, yeah, Millennials are the future and Generation Xers are doing their part to build on the foundations paved by previous generations, but you Boomers still have the economic Midas Touch. Looking ahead even four years into the future, it’s evident that as go Boomers so goes America.

Travel with me if you will to the year 2020 — no DeLorean time machine necessary (my apologies to Marty McFly and Doc Brown). A sliver of clairvoyant market research courtesy of Packaged Facts’ American Consumers in 2020 is all we need for the journey.  

In the next four years, the global market for mobile education is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21 percent, according to a report by TechNavio – Infiniti Research. With rising adoption of tablets and mobile devices, education tools are becoming increasingly digitized. A variety of new education apps have the potential to improve learning outcomes and help educators engage their classroom more effectively, but the market is already highly competitive. Large companies like Adobe and Blackboard dominate the industry, and high upfront costs often present a barrier to entry for new players.

Even so, a variety of new companies have appeared on the scene in the last several years — with a mission to revolutionize the way students learn, apply to college, and take classes. To find out about a range of new educational apps and online platforms, check out this post.

The U.S. demand for drug delivery products is projected to reach $251 billion in 2019, according to the Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company. Oral dosage formulations will remain the largest-selling group of drug delivery products over the long term, but patent expirations and competition from generic brands will soften the growth potential of this product segment overall. Drawing on key findings from Freedonia's recent study Drug Delivery Products, here’s a look at the market outlook for oral medications, including controlled-release formulations and niche applications.

MarketResearch.com is a leading provider of business intelligence, offering users access to timely information about hundreds of industries. In partnership with Kalorama Information, MarketResearch.com provides high-quality research and analysis to key decision makers in life science firms.

Life science market research includes broad topics such as biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics. New and established companies need to be aware of influential changes that may alter how healthcare is delivered and the patient's experience and outcomes. Our white papers and market research reports explain the market sectors and healthcare trends that matter most. Below is a list of our latest white papers with insights into this rapidly changing industry.