How to Choose the Right Plastic Packaging Solution for Your Products

Any product’s design must be meticulously executed. All design elements, including the packing materials, should be carefully considered because the packaging is an extension of the product itself.

When compared to other materials, plastic is frequently considered the best packaging solution. It is incredibly lightweight, strong, resilient, and cost-effective to produce. And contrary to popular opinion, it’s the most energy-efficient material to use in packing since it’s so lightweight and easy to make. Less fuel can be used to produce and ship more of it.

The world’s consumption of mass, energy, and glasshouse gas emissions would rise if this type of packaging was unavailable. Many goods would not get to the store or our houses without it since they wouldn’t last in good shape long enough to be consumed or used. So, until a more efficient solution comes around, plastic will still be the primary choice for packing products.

Here’s what to consider in order to choose the right plastic packaging solution for your products.

Rigid vs. Flexible

Plastic materials for packaging are typically separated into two categories – rigid and flexible. Both have benefits and drawbacks. Their production costs are very different, with flexible materials such as stretch wrap clearly winning. However, rigid packing is both more dependable and more aesthetically pleasing.

The increased quality, improved strength, lack of flavour interference, and the fact that it’s typically composed of easily recyclable materials are all advantages of rigid packaging. However, if you don’t use it again or recycle it, it has higher production costs, a larger carbon impact, and takes up more room. Plastic bottles and containers are the most widely used rigid packaging materials.

Flexible solutions may be tempting in light of this. Using them is also quite simple. Such materials are easily adaptable to any design concept and packages take up less room and require less material. Unfortunately, there are some significant drawbacks, including a difficult recycling process, materials that take more than a thousand years to decompose, and temperature-sensitive compounds.

However, today you can also have the option to choose biodegradable flexible plastic packaging. For instance, you can use 100% biodegradable eco-stretch wrap which offers all the advantages of regular stretch wrap minus the environmental impact.

Types of Plastic Used to Make Packaging

Certain types of products call for certain plastics. The following are the most popular varieties, their characteristics, and their uses.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

The most popular material used for packaging is HDPE. It is resilient, robust, and resistant to solvents and chemicals. Since HDPE has a greater tensile strength compared to other plastics, it is more resilient and able to resist higher temperatures.

Many industrial and domestic chemicals, including detergents and bleach, are packaged using HDPE due to its high chemical resistance. Bottles made of pigmented HDPE resist stress cracks better than those made of unpigmented HDPE. In contrast to the other varieties, HDPE is quite unique because it has very long, almost unbranched polymer chains, which make it extremely dense and, consequently, stronger and thicker than PET.

Unlike most plastics, HDPE is recyclable. It is also more stable than PET. Although some studies have indicated that it can leach additional compounds that mimic oestrogen and could affect a person’s hormonal system when exposed to ultraviolet light, it is still regarded as a safer option for use in foods and beverages.

Typical uses:

• bottles for drinks and beverages
• shampoo and conditioner bottles are cosmetic containers
• household cleaning supplies
• shopping bags
• box liners for cereal

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is resistant to bases, acids, and oils. It is easy to make, flexible and transparent. This type of plastic is a safe option for food and drinks.

Typical uses:

• heat-sealed bags
• trash bags
• plastic bags
• shrink wrap and stretch film
• bags of frozen and fresh produce
• movable lids

Polypropylene (PP)

PP has a high melting point, is chemically resistant, and transmits moisture slowly. Because of this, it works perfectly to hold hot liquids.

It’s used to make:

• pharmaceutical bottles
• syrup containers
• yoghurt bottles
• containers for deli and takeout meals
• bottle tops and closures

UV radiation breaks down polypropylene, making it unsuitable for use in environments with strong UV ray exposure. It is also difficult to paint on due to its surface, making printing difficult. When recycled, it is frequently used to create items for vehicles, tools, and containers.

Polyethylene Terephthalate

PET is transparent, durable, and has effective gas and moisture barriers. Another name for it is a wrinkle-free fibre. It is utilised in a variety of injection-moulded consumer product containers, including soft drink and single-use water bottles, bakery trays, snack packs, produce containers, and food-grade containers.

Although recycling systems are most likely to accept PET, this form of plastic contains antimony trioxide, a substance that is thought to be carcinogenic and capable of causing cancer in living tissue. The possibility of antimony release increases with the amount of time a liquid is left in a PET container. Warm interiors of vehicles, garages, and enclosed storage spaces might potentially cause the emission of dangerous material to rise.