The role of packaging is highlighted by its capability to preserve a product and trigger a sale. Flexible packaging is gaining ground in the field of primary packaging. Advancements in material science have allowed manufacturers to better create flexible packaging materials for the food and beverage industry. Today, flexible packaging companies are bringing pouches, foils, and films to the market on an unprecedented scale. (Source: Flexible packaging procurement market intelligence report). New product designs in the flexible packaging industry aim at minimizing waste, reducing costs, attracting customers, and maintaining the freshness and condition of your products on the store shelves. But keeping that aside, flexible packaging companies do have to endure various difficulties in their operations. Here are some of the key challenges faced by companies in the flexible packaging industry:
To know more about how companies in the flexible packaging industry can overcome these challenges
What is flexible packaging?
Flexible packaging utilizes non-rigid materials, offering economical and customizable packaging solutions that have grown in popularity due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It can be easily changed in shape when filled or during use. Flexible packaging is made from materials like paper, plastic, film, and aluminum foil. It includes items like bags, pouches, liners, wraps, and rollstock. Flexible packaging is common in the food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries because of its versatility. Flexible packaging makes life more convenient by providing product safety and extending shelf life.
Types of flexible packaging
01
- Heat Shrink Wrap
- Heat shrink wrap is a plastic film that shrinks tightly when heated, conforming to the shape of the item it covers for a secure, protective seal.
02
- Stretch Wrap
- Stretch wrap is a highly stretchable plastic film used to unitize, bundle, and protect products. Its elasticity keeps items tightly secured.
03
- Strapping
- Strapping/binding/bundling uses plastic or metal bands to secure items together for easier handling, protection, and stability during transit & storage.
04
- Boxing and Crating
- Boxing is packaging items in containers, often cardboard, and crating uses wooden, metal, or plastic crates for fragile or heavy items.
05
- Drums and Bulk Bins
- They are large cylindrical containers made of steel, plastic, or fiberboard for transporting bulk liquids or powders.
Benefits of flexible packaging
Protects & Preserves: Flexible packaging’s multi-layered design shields products from spoilage and damage. It extends shelf life, reduces food waste, and ensures products reach consumers in optimal condition. Its durability minimizes risks during shipping and handling, maintaining product integrity and boosting consumer satisfaction.
Resource Efficient: Using less material than rigid packaging, it lowers energy consumption and waste. Its lightweight nature minimizes transportation costs and fuel consumption, shrinking its environmental footprint. This efficiency aligns with consumer demand for eco-conscious options.
Convenient & Customizable: It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and offers features like resealable closures. With ample space for high-quality printing, brands can create appealing packaging. Customization options cater to specific product needs, enhancing marketing effectiveness.
Cost-Effective: Lower material needs cut manufacturing costs. Its light weight reduces transportation expenses, and efficient space usage lowers storage costs. Minimizing product damage reduces losses, making it a budget-friendly packaging solution.
Challenges faced by companies in the flexible packaging industry
- Rising raw material costs
- Rapid technological changes
- Sustainability challenges
- Perishability of contents
Rising raw material costs: The prices of common raw materials like paper, plastic, resins, films, paperboard, and adhesives have increased, affecting the competitiveness of flexible packaging companies. The rising costs are due to various factors, including reduced supply.
Rapid technological changes: Flexible packaging companies must constantly innovate to meet consumer demands, which requires continuous technology upgrades and significant capital investments.
Sustainability challenges: Flexible packaging companies face scrutiny due to waste and the non-recyclable nature of most materials. They must address environmental concerns, end-of-life disposal, and reducing greenhouse gas and water footprints, which can be costly. Achieving circularity remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
Perishability of contents: Flexible packaging must protect the packaged contents from external environmental factors like sunlight, UV rays, and temperature variations. Designing packaging that meets these parameters can be difficult
Modern packaging trends: Future of industrial packaging
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Materials:
As environmental awareness increases, there is a growing shift towards using eco-friendly and recyclable materials in packaging, which includes biodegradable plastics, compostable packaging, and an emphasis on reducing plastic waste. A more recent development in sustainable packaging films is the utilization of PCR content in the film structure’s polyethylene and/or polyester components which causes negligible harm to the environment.
Smart Packaging:
The use of technology in packaging is becoming increasingly popular. This includes the implementation of QR codes for tracking and authenticity verification, interactive packaging that engages consumers through augmented reality or QR code scanning, and the introduction of smart sensors to monitor product freshness and prevent tampering.
Personalization and Customization:
Brands are using digital printing and variable data printing to create personalized packaging for customers, which can enhance customer engagement and loyalty. For products sensitive to spoilage, oxidation, or other degradation reactions, the right film is key to achieving optimal shelf life. The right packaging material can even block UV rays.
Conclusion
The global industrial packaging market is at a pivotal juncture, driven by the burgeoning demand for packaged goods across sectors like the beverages sector. However, this growth is accompanied by mounting environmental concerns regarding packaging waste and its impact on the planet’s health, prompting a shift towards sustainable solutions and recyclable packaging materials. As stakeholders navigate through stringent regulations and evolving market trends, a concerted effort is underway to reduce the carbon footprint and embrace lower emissions practices throughout the packaging lifecycle. This entails exploring innovative materials such as recycled materials, alongside traditional options like plastic, metal, and paper, each offering unique benefits in terms of protection and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, the future of industrial packaging lies in personalized solutions that balance consumer preferences with ecological imperatives. By harnessing advancements in material science and technology, the industry is poised to usher in a new era of packaging characterized by efficiency, innovation, and a commitment to a greener future.
