Packaging And Packaging Materials: An Overview

Packaging: It is used for containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods. The most common type of material used for packaging is paper. Exporters in India maintain a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers for packaging of the products. The process consists of three layers.

Primary: It is the first stage where it first envelops the product and holds it
Secondary: It is outside the primary packaging, to group primary packages together.
Tertiary: It is used for bulk handling and shipping.

Objectives of Packaging:

• Physical Protection: The objects enclosed may require protection from among other things, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc
• Barrier Protection: A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required. Some packages contain desiccants or Oxygen absorbers to help extend shelf life. Keeping the contents clean, fresh, and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary function.
• Containment: Small objects are typically grouped together in one package for reasons of efficiency. Liquids, powders, and fluids need containment.
• Information Transmission: Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport, recycle, or dispose of the package or product. With pharmaceutical, food, medical, and chemical products, some types of information are required by governments.
• Marketing: The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product. Marketing communications and graphic design are applied to the surface of the package and (in many cases) the point of sale display.
• Security: Packaging can play an important role in increasing the security during shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering. They can be engineered to help reduce the risks of package pilferage. They may include authentication seals to help indicate that the package and contents are not counterfeit. Most importantly, they play an important role in activating anti-theft devices.
• Convenience: Packages can have features which add convenience in distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, enclosing, use, and reuse.
• Portion Control: Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages that are a more suitable size for individual households.

Packaging Material: Key to packaging is the material used for the purpose. Some of the popular packing materials are:

• Paper
• Foils
• Packaging Bags
• Plastic
• Laminated Sheets
• Thermo Cole
• Bottles
• Holograms
• Cartons
• Normal and Corrugated Boxes

Packaging Material Suppliers: Once the quality and the type of materials are finalized the next step is considered. The suppliers of these materials are located in and around the business area. The factors which play a pivotal role in deciding the supplier are:

• Distance from the business centre to cut the cost of traveling and transport
• Market presence of the chosen supplier
• Cost Price
• Consistency of the supplied quality
• Past experience

The Packaging Business:

As the sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and services grow at high rates the packaging industry is also growing in leaps and bounds. Packaging has evolved into a quicker and more efficient technique. Unlike in the past, it is now generally lighter in weight using lesser materials which are easier to open, dispense from, reseal, store, and dispose. Packaging has moved from a relatively small range of heavy, rigid containers made of wood, glass, and steel, to a broad array of rigid, semi rigid and flexible packaging options increasingly made from specialized lightweight materials.

As an industry, Packaging sector has witnessed the following changes:

• Second-tier cities have become centre of packaging activities.
• Environmental concerns continue to hamper polymer-based packaging growth.
• Cost advantages have made India a preferred packaging export hub.
• Inflation and high oil prices are gnawing into the margins of packaging companies.