Honeywell Survey Shows Consumer Appetite for Aerosols Grows As Outdated Notions Fade
If ketchup in a squeezable bottle was the last food packaging revolution, could sprayable ketchup be the next one? It could be, according to a new survey commissioned by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) that looked at consumer attitudes toward aerosols and what applications they would like to see in the future. The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults found that two-thirds (66 percent) would use some type of food and household product if it were available as an aerosol.
The most popular among food items? Spray-on chocolate (11 percent), followed by spray-on salt (9 percent) and spray-on ketchup (8 percent). Demand for spray-on chocolate in households with children nearly doubles when compared to those with no children. The survey also found that the vast majority of consumers (93 percent) use aerosol products in some capacity, and that the perception of aerosols being harmful to the environment is fading.
"Not long ago, the thought of spray-on sunscreen was revolutionary," said David Cooper, global business director for Honeywell's Fluorine Products business, which has introduced an aerosol propellant with a lower global warming potential than others commonly in use. "Today, consumers' appetite for additional household and personal care products is growing across a broad spectrum of applications – from stain removers and hand sanitizers to condiments."
Among the survey's findings:
Ease of use is a big advantage: When asked why consumers choose aerosols, by far, the top reason was because they are easier to use and apply (44 percent). Those 65 and older are especially inclined to cite this as a reason to choose aerosols (58 percent), indicating the benefit of aerosols for older consumers who may struggle with traditional bottles or tubes.
Consumers are already big users of aerosols: Among household products available on the market today in aerosol form, air freshener (62 percent), bug spray (52 percent), non-stick food spray (51 percent) and furniture polish (35 percent) were the most commonly used items. In terms of personal care products, shaving cream (44 percent), hair spray (44 percent), deodorant (34 percent) and spray sunscreen (29 percent) were among the items that topped the list in aerosol purchases.
Concerns about aerosols are fading: Aerosols got a bad name in the 1970s when older aerosol technology was found to deplete the Earth's ozone layer, a problem addressed by new aerosol technologies. While some consumers still believe aerosols are harmful to the environment, the survey found less than half (40 percent) of consumers would be more likely to consider an aerosol product if they knew it would not affect the environment. That dropped to 29 percent when looking at consumers 18-24 years old.
Many of today's aerosol products do not cause the environmental issues that became a public concern in the 1970s, Cooper said. "Honeywell recently introduced the first new aerosol propellant in more than 20 years that does not deplete the ozone layer, and has significantly lower global warming impact than aerosol propellants commonly used today," he said.
Honeywell's Solstice® Propellant offers exceptional end-product performance while minimizing the impact on the environment. The new propellant can be used in various aerosol applications, including tire inflators, pressure dusters, freezer sprays, lubricants and cleaners, as well as personal care and household products.
Solstice Propellant is part of Honeywell's family of Solstice-branded products, which includes refrigerants used in cars and supermarkets, insulating materials for appliances such as refrigerators, and cleaning agents.
The new offerings are based on Honeywell's new hydrofluoro-olefin technology, which helps customers lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing end-product performance. These products have been developed and are being commercialized by Honeywell's Fluorine Products business, a leader in the manufacture and supply of non-ozone-depleting refrigerants used by top air-conditioning and refrigeration makers worldwide, blowing agents for energy-efficient foam insulation, and environmentally-preferable solvents used for industrial cleaning.
www.honeywell-solstice-propellants.com
