Packaging, the technology and art of preparing a commodity for convenient transport, storage, and sale.
Materials used in the transport of substantial loads of goods include corrugated or solid cardboard for lighter materials, metal for liquid goods, and wood for heavy or bulky loads. Timber cases and crates are widely used for weights of more than 220 pounds (100 kg), while below this weight fibreboard, either solid or corrugated, is the favoured material. Wooden pallets have replaced crates in some instances.
Plastic has also been used extensively as an impact buffer and, because of its high durability and insulation qualities, as a shipping material for liquids and perishable foodstuffs. The most widely used material in the packaging of goods for consumers is the cardboard carton, since it is light in weight and inexpensive and can be easily manufactured, printed, and stored. Cartons are made in a great variety of shapes and sizes. Nearly half of these containers serve as containers of food.
Cans of tin-plated steel, both those that are permanently sealed and those with tops that can be lifted and replaced, are also used predominantly for food storage. Tin-plate containers are also used to hold paints and varnishes and tobacco, medical, and cosmetic products.
While such tin plate is durable and highly resistant to chemical and mechanical damage, aluminum is lighter and more malleable but interacts more readily with chemical agents. Aluminum provides bottle caps and easy-open tops for cans. Most aerosol (pressurized) containers, which deliver liquid products in the form of a spray, are based on metal cans.
Different Types of Packaging Methods
Different types of packaging methods are:
- Anti-corrosive Packaging
- Pharma Packaging
- Plastics Packaging
- Flexible Packaging
1) Anti-corrosive Packaging
Anti-corrosion refers to the protection of metal surfaces from corroding in high-risk (corrosive) environments.
Products can be protected against corrosion and avoid the tedious sequences using anti-corrosive packaging. Materials such as VCI bubble film, paper, oil, chips, and bags that are used as a part of anti-corrosive packaging helps to prevent goods from exposing to various climate zones.
Moreover, this packaging can be used in the scenarios such as export of goods over long distances, long-term storage of metal goods, and metals that are sensitive for corrosion. Several companies including VCORR Packsys Pvt. Ltd with product range VCI Oils, Stretch Films, and Bio-Degradable VCI Film etc provide anti-corrosive packaging.
Methods used for Anti-corrosive packaging are:
• Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) Papers and Films
• Aluminum barrier foil in combination with desiccants
• Coating methods (oils or liquids)
Anti-corrosive Packaging can be used in the following cases:
• Exporting/shipping goods by sea or moisture prone environments
• Storing metallic goods for extended periods of time
• Manufacturing metal goods sensitive to corrosion
• Shipping any unassembled parts
• CKD shipment e.g. of cars
• Temporarily laying of machines, planes
2) Pharma Packaging
Pharma Packaging, also known as the drug packaging, is the packaging processes used for pharmaceutical operations involving production through distribution channels to the end consumer. The packaging of Pharma products provides containment, drug safety, identity convenience of handling and delivery. The major role of pharmaceutical packaging is to provide life-saving drugs, surgical devices, blood and blood products, nutraceuticals, powders, liquid and dosage forms, solid and semisolid dosage forms. This kind of packaging is involved in dosing, dispensing etc.
Some companies such as Groninger & Co. GmbH with a product range of Syringe Filling Machine, Filling Line Isolators, Filling Pre-Sterilized Containers, and Vial Processing Machines etc provides Pharma packaging.
Methods used for Pharma Packaging are:
Different methods used for Pharma packaging are:
• Primary Packaging
• Secondary Packaging
• Tertiary packaging
We can find Pharma packaging in a wide variety of packages. Some of the common primary packages are:
• Blister packs
• Bottles
• Timed Dosing
• Counterfeiting
3) Plastics Packaging
Plastics Packaging is used for packaging a variety of items i.e. fragile or non-perishable products. Plastics packaging materials are used to cover the plastic related materials or products. Most Plastics Packaging companies recycle waste or scrap plastic for re-use in their own facilities, and even offer alternatives.
Without packing, these sophisticated goods with low shelf life will be easily affected by climatic conditions and eventually result in their malfunction or destruction. This packaging is done in such a way that no air or dust can sneak in and affect the goods.
Benefits of Plastics Packaging:
Here are the benefits of choosing plastics packaging:
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Sustainable
• Cost-effective
• Versatile
4) Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging can be made with flexible materials that can be packed, sealed and can retain the freshness of its content. Be it moulding the packages into a variety of shapes or preserving the flavor and safety of food or logistical aspects, all are covered under the flexible packaging.
This is the major benefit that makes flexible packaging the first choice for food packaging. The package can last for a very long time; if it is stored in the right conditions. Flexible packaging is environmentally friendly as it uses less material and less wastages to make it.
