Types of Packaging Materials

Irrespective of the industry in which you operate, you will need high-quality packaging materials in order to give your product the winning edge. Market competition is at an all time high today and one small mistake in packaging design can cause a lot of financial as well as reputation damage. The fundamental requirement of coming up with a splendid packaging design is to get the most suitable packaging material for your need.

Different Types of Packaging Materials

Packaging materials are not only confined to cardboard boxes or plastic pouches. There are a lot of different types of packaging materials that can be used individually as well as in combinations to make sure that the product has the best package in terms of protection, convenience, branding, information transmission and presentation.

Let’s check out the different types of packaging materials and understand their usage.

Foam

Foam is used for packing gadgets, glass, furniture, television sets, and other products that have a sharp edge. The best thing about working with foam is that it can be customized to suit the contours and dimensions of the product. This way, you get exactly what you need and you save up costs at the same time.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a preferred packaging material for food packaging. Canned foods make the most of aluminum in producing cans and foils. However, a lot of energy and resources go into producing aluminum packaging material. So the only way to have a feasible packaging supply based on aluminum would be to recycle it as much as possible. This will not only help to control costs, but also bring sustainability into the equation.

Glass

Glass is used for preserving food like honey and jams. It is even used for consumables like whiskey, wine, beer and other beverages. Despite the obvious fragility that is a characteristic feature of glass, it is widely used across all industries. The best thing about this packaging material is that it can be recycled easily and put into use again.

Plastic

Plastic is the most common packaging material in the market today. It is strong, cheap, versatile, and cheap to manufacture. All of these factors make it one of the most preferred materials to work it. However, plastic takes at least 500 years to show signs of degradation and for this reason, plastic cannot be disposed safely. The uncontrolled wastage has led to a massive plastic pollution that is evident in landfills, in the oceans and cities. The need of the hour is to come up with packaging innovations like bioplastic which is eco-friendly and does not compromise any aspect of a basic packaging material.

Brick Carton

Brick carton is a highly durable, light and air-tight packaging material that is made up of several layers of plastic, paper and aluminum. Due to the complex composition of this packaging material, it is really difficult to recycle the material itself. It is a popular packaging material for beverages and fluids. With the growth and demand that is evident for this packaging material, it could soon become an industry standard for the food and beverage industry.

Cardboard

Cardboard is the most widely used packaging material in the world today. It is light, durable, cost effective and eco-friendly at the same time. It is available in the form of corrugated boxes, cardboard sheets and corrugated rolls. The feasibility of production and the eco-friendliness of this material make it a favorite for product manufacturers.