8 types of packaging materials to consider fo your business
Plastic film wrapping machine for packaging paper box
Does your business require packaging? If yes, you need to educate yourself on different packaging materials. When looking to package your products, it’s essential to know the type of material that fits your products. Some products are safe when packed in corrugated boxes while others are in vacuum packages.
It’s essential to research the best packaging material suitable for your products before purchasing or packing to avoid loss. Here, we discuss different types of packaging materials to help you choose better.
- Corrugated boxes
Corrugated boxes, also known as cardboards, are widely used to ship different products. Corrugated boxes come in different types based on durability and strength. But how do you identify a corrugated material?
A corrugated box comprises three layers of paper, an inside layer, a middle layer (fluting), and an outside layer. The middle layer or medium determines the rigidity and strength of a corrugated box. The primary raw material used to manufacture corrugated boards is highly recyclable and is created with high-precision machinery called corrugators.
Corrugated panels come in different types: single-faced, double faces, twin wall, and triple wall. They can be used for various packaging purposes due to their varying characteristics and strength that are suitable for different performances.
Corrugated board is cut and crafted into different sizes and shapes to create corrugated packaging. They can also be used to make pizza delivery boxes, among other things.
- Polypropylene
What is polypropylene, you may ask? Polypropylene is a thermoplastic made from a combination of propylene monomers. It’s among the best packaging materials for various reasons. First, it’s lightweight, meaning that it allows a good cover of the product without adding significant weight. Also, polypropylene is resistant to rodents and bacteria, meaning it’s resistant to rats, insects, mold, and other things.
Additionally, polypropylene is cost-cautious, flexible, and anti-static. With all these qualities, it’s evident that it’s a packaging material worth considering.
- Plastic boxes
Plastic is perhaps the most well-known and used packaging material. From packing peanuts to biscuits, this material is used to seal most products. Plastic packages are beneficial since they can be recycled and are more durable than paperboard boxes. Some types of plastic packages such as airtight plastic packaging containers can preserve food quality while eliminating contamination. Additionally, plastic packaging isn’t easy to break and can store food under extreme conditions.
Another reason why plastic is a better choice for many is its see-through aspect. You can view the product at any angle with plastic packaging without opening the package. Plastic packaging is lightweight, flexible, and can be merged with different coatings to enhance its look.
- Shrink wrap
Shrink wrap can be used as either primary or secondary packaging. You can opt to shrink-wrap around products such as CD cases or loose notebook papers or use this material to wrap the entire packages to hold them together for more effortless movement.
Shrink wrap serves more purposes than keeping the packages intact. It acts as impact resistance and protects the products against abrasion and puncture.
- Glass
Glass has been used for decades, especially in the food and beverage industry. It’s nonporous and non-toxic, so it doesn’t leach things into drinks and food. Glass is also an ideal packaging material in the food and drink industry since it preserves the freshness and flavor of the content for a prolonged period.
As per Packaging Outlook, 90% of most individuals in 2017 preferred liquids such as beer and packed in glass. The better part of using glass as a packing material is it can be crafted into attractive designs. Additionally, glass is 100% recyclable.
However, glass packaging has its disadvantages: it requires lots of energy and heat to manufacture, hence polluting the environment. Additionally, shipping glass requires a lot of care since they’re fragile and can break easily.
- Aluminum
This material is versatile and includes foil, aluminum cans, and aerosol products. Aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion and protects against ultraviolet, light, oxygen, and oils. Aluminum packages are mainly used for packaging food or medication due to their non-toxic nature and the ability to increase product shelf life.
On the other hand, aluminum is durable and lightweight, so it can be merged with laminates to provide thin barrier protection for food and medicine. By this, you can save on this material since you’ll only require fewer materials to pack your products.
- Rigid boxes
Catering and street fast food paper cups, plates and containers. Eco-friendly food packaging and cotton eco bags on gray background with copy space. Carering of nature and recycling concept.
Have you ever wondered about the kind of material used to package iPhones and other fancy retail products? You might have thought it must be cardboard but weren’t sure, considering its durability and premium appearance. This type of cardboard is known as a rigid box.
Rigid boxes are made of highly condensed paperboard four times thicker than paperboard used to construct a standard folding carton.
Unlike paperboard and corrugated boxes, rigid boxes are among the costliest box styles. Rigid boxes are handmade and don’t require dyes to look stunning. Due to their non-collapsible nature, they need higher volume during shipping, requiring higher shipping fees.
- Vacuum packaging
Vacuum packaging is an ideal option for products that require sealing, hence being an excellent option for perishable goods. Vacuum packaging is also suitable for food packaging since it eliminates oxygen from food, keeping bacteria, yeast, and mold at bay. Foods packed in vacuum packaging last longer in the freezer than those packed in other types of packaging.
If you’re looking forward to shipping perishable goods, vacuum packaging will be the ideal packaging material to fit your needs. You can also use vacuum packaging to ship medical products and other products required to be hermetically sealed.
Conclusion
Different packaging materials serve different purposes. Some packaging materials are ideal for shipping perishable goods while others are for smart gadgets. To ensure that your products get to the destination safely, you should understand which material suits your product.
The packaging materials mentioned above are but a few. Ensure to research first before settling on a given material to be sure that it’s the best material to pack your products.
