CONVENIENCE TOPS PACKAGING POLL

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Consumers say convenience and versatility are the most important attributes in food packaging, according to a new poll sponsored by Eastman Chemical Co. Specifically, some 83% of those polled ranked the qualities as somewhat to very important. Most also said they would be willing to pay as much as 10% to 15% more for a given item if the packaging offered those particular benefits. The study, conducted by Better Decisions, Baltimore, also revealed that recyclability was somewhat to very important to 65% of those polled; storage and resealability to 73%; and environmental friendliness to 83%. Other preferences included leak-proof and freezer-compatible packaging. Eastman Chemical is the supplier of VersaTray plastic, used by manufacturers to produce dual-ovenable trays for the food industry.