Key takeaways
- Flexible Packaging Challenges: Despite its advantages, the flexible packaging industry faces hurdles like rising material costs, rapid technological changes, sustainability concerns, and the challenge of preserving perishable contents amidst varying environmental conditions.
- Benefits of Flexible Packaging: Flexible packaging offers product protection, cost-efficiency, and versatility, catering to modern consumer preferences while reducing environmental impact through lighter materials and efficient storage.
- Future Packaging Trends: The future of industrial packaging lies in sustainable solutions, smart packaging technology, and personalized customer experiences, driving innovation towards eco-friendly materials, smart sensors, and customizable designs.
- Types and Materials in Industrial Packaging: Industrial packaging encompasses various methods like heat shrink wrap, stretch wrap, strapping, boxing, and crating, utilizing materials such as plastic, metal, and paper, each serving unique purposes in ensuring product integrity and efficient logistics.
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:
Challenges faced by companies in the flexible packaging industry
Rise in costs: this includes paper plastic resins and adhesives
Some of the common raw materials used by flexible packaging companies include paper, plastic, resins, films, paperboard, and adhesives. In recent times, the flexible packaging industry has witnessed a steep rise in the prices of these raw materials. Also, the prices for polypropylene, used in resins, bottles, and packaging films have been on the rise due to reduced supply. This situation has affected the competitiveness of companies in the flexible packaging industry
Rapidly changing technology is a constant challenge
CPG companies are on a constant lookout for ways to cater to consumers’ demands and improve their offerings. They tend to rely on flexible packaging companies to innovate their offerings and attract more customers to the retail shelf. But, players in the flexible packaging industry often find it difficult to keep pace with these fast-changing demands. Furthermore, flexible packaging companies will also have to make constant technology upgrades to meet these demands, which would require huge capital investments.
Sustainability challenges: use of organic or sustainable materials
The flexible packaging industry has been facing flak from governmental organizations, consumers, and environmental groups due to the wastage created by the companies in this sector. Most of the materials used are often non-recyclable. To prevent themselves from being flagged by various stakeholders, flexible packaging companies have to account for designs that address environmental issues, end-of-life disposal, and reduction of greenhouse gas and water footprints. This could prove to be a costly process.
Perishability of contents: a challenge
Flexible packaging companies not only have the pressure to innovate in their offerings but at the same time must also ensure that their products are designed to protect the packaged contents from the external environment. Choosing a packaging material that can survive factors such as sunlight, UV rays, high and low temperature, humidity, moisture, and rain is a herculean task. Also, the environmental conditions vary from region to region. Hence, to design and implement a packaging material that meets all these parameters is most likely to put flexible packaging companies in a big dilemma.
Benefits of flexible packaging
Product Protection:
Flexible packaging is an effective way to safeguard the contents from external factors like moisture, light, and air. These elements can cause degradation in the quality and shelf life of products. By providing protection, the packaging helps retain the freshness and integrity of food and other sensitive items, thereby reducing waste and ensuring longer shelf life.
Cost-Efficiency:
Flexible packaging is generally lighter and uses less material than rigid packaging, resulting in reduced transportation costs and environmental impact. It also allows for efficient storage, as it can adapt to the shape of the product, resulting in less wasted space.
Versatility and Convenience:
Flexible packaging is a versatile option that can be customized to fit different product shapes and sizes. It often comes with resealable features, making it convenient for consumers to use and reseal, which is particularly advantageous for snacks and consumer goods. Moreover, its design flexibility allows for captivating branding and marketing opportunities.
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.
Types of industrial packaging
Heat Shrink Wrap
Shrink wrap is a type of plastic film that shrinks when exposed to heat. It is often used in packaging to ensure a secure and tight seal on products, protecting them from possible damage during transport and storage. PVC shrink tubes can reduce their size by up to 40%. In the heat shrink process, the product is covered with a film and then heated with a heat blower or oven. When the film heats up, it closely conforms to the shape of the product and forms a protection against moisture, dust and other impurities. One of the advantages of shrink film is its versatility, as it can be used to package a variety of products, such as food, electronics and machinery.
Stretch Wrap
Stretch wrap, also called stretch film, is a flexible plastic film that is commonly used to wrap and secure goods for transportation or storage. Unlike shrink wrap, which requires heat to shrink and conform to the shape of the item, stretch wrap can be easily rewrapped by hand or machine. Stretch wrap is used in several industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical and logistics. In the food and beverage sector, it acts as a layer for perishable goods such as fruit, vegetables and meat. In the pharmaceutical industry, flexible packaging protects medical devices and accessories. In addition, it plays a role in logistics operations by safely securing pallets during transportation to prevent possible damage or loss.
Strapping
Strapping, also called binding or bundling, is a method used to bind products during storage or transportation. This involves wrapping a material such as plastic or steel around the items and securing them tightly with buckles or seals. One of the advantages of edging is their ability to provide exceptional strength and security, making them ideal for heavy or bulky items. The strap can be used to secure bases containing bricks, wood or machinery, for example. In addition, it can be used to strengthen packages such as cardboard boxes or plastic bags, so that they do not break or tear during transportation.
Boxing and Crating
Boxes and crates are two common packaging methods for shipping and storing products. Although they may seem similar, there are differences between the two approaches. Boxing means placing the product in a cardboard box and securing it with tape or glue. This technique is often used for lighter items such as electronics or clothing. Box construction means building a wooden frame around the product and fixing it with nails or screws. This method is usually used for heavier items such as machinery or furniture.
Drums and Bulk Bins
Drums and bulk containers are often used in industrial packaging for transportation and storage of various products. Drums are cylindrical containers, usually made of steel, plastic or fiber, which are shaped and usually used to transport liquids or powders. Bulk containers function as large containers specially designed for the transport and storage of dry materials such as grains, seeds or pet food. Both drums and bulk containers play a role in securing contents during transport and storage so that products arrive intact and undamaged.
Materials used in industrial packaging
Industrial packaging is a vital component within industry supply chains, providing protection and efficiency in the movement of goods across various sectors. The packaging landscape offers a diverse array of materials, each boasting distinct advantages tailored to specific needs.
- Plastic, known for its durability and adaptability, dominates the market due to its ability to be molded into various shapes and sizes, ideal for accommodating products of diverse forms and dimensions. However, concerns arise regarding its environmental impact, as plastic is not biodegradable, contributing to environmental pollution and prompting calls for sustainable solutions.
- Metal packaging, revered for its sturdiness and resilience against extreme conditions, is a preferred choice for logistics operations, ensuring the safe transport and storage of goods, especially within challenging environments. Despite its reliability, the heaviness and higher production costs associated with metal packaging pose considerations for industry supply chains seeking packaging alternatives.
- Paper packaging emerges as a lightweight, eco-friendly option, widely embraced in the food industry and beyond. Its recyclability aligns with market trends favouring sustainable solutions and reduced environmental impact. However, its limitations in resilience compared to other materials highlight the need for careful consideration in certain industry applications.
As the global industrial packaging market evolves, driven by demand for packaged goods and shifting regulations concerning environmental concerns, there’s a growing emphasis on exploring recycled materials and implementing measures to lower emissions throughout the packaging lifecycle. Each material, be it plastic, metal, or paper, plays a vital role in meeting the diverse needs of industry supply chains while navigating the complexities of logistics and industry demands.
To know more about how companies in the flexible packaging industry can overcome these challenges
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.
