Choose Your Packaging Material Before Your Case Packing System

They say that the first impression is often also the last one. Good packaging does just that; it delivers a punchy first impression of your brand. In today’s highly competitive business climate, you need to invest in quality packaging that speaks volumes about its contents.

With the changing trends towards automation in the packaging industry, packaging materials are also evolving. Gone are the days when brown paper packages and tin cans were your only packing material options.

Packaging Materials Used

Thanks to Covid-19, customer preferences are changing towards human-hands-free packaged products that guarantee hygiene. These trends are changing the norms of the packing industry as well. From robotics and automation to the types of materials used for packaging your product.

Packaging materials used can be divided into these two main categories:

Flexible Packaging

Packaging done in any type of malleable material comes under flexible packaging. The basic rule here is that the container/bag/pouch should be able to modify its shape according to its contents after being filled and sealed.

The material of choice for most case packing systems for flexible packaging is plastic, although paper and fabric are also used. Around the 1950s, plastic’s mass adaptation began because of these two factors: 

• Increasing demand for packaged items such as ready-to-eat food items, grocery items, and single-use products.
• The introduction of new, low-cost packaging material available in the market called plastic.

It quickly became the material of choice because of its water-proof qualities, sturdy and flexible nature. Displacing other packaging materials common at the time, such as metals, wood, and paper. 

Here are some of the widely used flexible materials used by industrial case packing systems:

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Lightweight, transparent and sturdy, this material is usually used for making single-use bottles of all kinds. It's 100% recyclable, making it a top choice for environmentally conscious companies.

2. Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

This material is slightly more solid and inflexible than PET and is widely used in medical, electronics, and home goods industries.

3. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

One of the most widely used forms of plastics, HDPE is found in everything from shampoo bottles to pipe systems and chemical containers.

Pros and Cons of Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging beat its more ridged competitors when it comes to being cost-effective, lightweight, and durable during transport. After all, materials like tin or cardboard cost much more to transport and are more prone to water damage, corrosion and tears.

The highly versatile nature of flexible packaging materials makes them the safer bet for most food-related industries, especially since the introduction of food-grade plastic. It also increases shelf life and can be much easier to handle.

But, when it comes to case packing systems, that means that supple packaging material is also the hardest to manage by automated case packaging systems. You will want to partner with a company that specializes in flexible packaging when choosing at automated case packing machine for your line.  If the packaging system is slightly off, it will result in off-centered or crooked finished products.

There’s also more risk of improper sealing, bursts, leaks, and weak seam lines.

Another drawback is that some plastics can alter food flavors and smells.

Rigid Packaging

Rigid packaging includes all packaging made out of stiff material with fixed dimensions and shapes. Rigid packaging provides a fixed structure and support for products being packaged. Most flexible packaged items must also be packed in rigid packaging for safe transportation, storage, and handling. 

Rigid packaging comes in both re-useable and single-use materials. Here are some examples of ridged packaging:

1. Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes lend themselves well to semi-manual and robotic case packaging systems. It’s hard to find an industry that does not use this packaging staple. It's used for highly breakable items like wine bottles to bulk-sized packages of crisps.

2. Tins and Cans

Using tin cans for food preservation is not a recent technique. However, it’s still popular today to store food for more extended periods. Especially when high temperatures and long distances are involved. Canning lends itself well to a wide variety of foods without the need for refrigeration.

3. Glass

While glass has been used for hundreds of years to package food and drink, its use is not just for preservation. It's used to give a product a sense of high quality, weight, and luxury. Imagine pouring your favorite champagne from a plastic bottle. Kind of a buzz-kill, right?

Pros and Cons of Rigid Packaging

There’s no arguing the superior strength and structure that rigid packaging lends to its contents. They’re also least likely to leach flavor into food products. Most rigid packaging is highly recyclable. They give a sense of value and quality as well. 

Because of their fixed dimensions, automated case packaging systems are better able to handle the package. Automated case packing machines can easily fill, seal, and pick up packages made of rigid materials. They can also move through an assembly line or factory more efficiently.

But packaging made out of rigid materials can be costly, especially glass. The cost of transporting items in ridged packaging contributes to it being the pricier choice of packaging. Also, rigid means less elasticity. Think bent and torn cereal boxes and damaged packs of oatmeal. 

They take up more space, weigh more, and are more prone to breakage or dents in the case of tin cans. Round cans and glass bottles can’t be stacked as efficiently as ketchup pouches packed in flexible packaging. The end result is much higher shipping and handling expenses.

Paper and cardboard create 17% of the total waste each year. Rigid packaging material creates a much larger negative environmental impact than flexible packaging if it's not recycled. A huge drawback especially considering the shifting consumer trend toward sustainability.

Which Packing Material Is Right for Your Business?

Processors use many different materials to package products. The right packaging material for you depends on your specific needs, the market you’re trying to target, and your product. After packaging is chosen, BluePrint Automation, can help provide you with a case packaging system to pack your flexible or rigid product. 

No matter which packaging material or case packaging system you choose. Contact us now to get more information about what case packing system will best fit your brand.