Understanding Different Types of Packaging Materials

From the products on store shelves to the boxes things get shipped in, packaging plays a vital role in keeping items contained, protected and preserved. Designers often create packaging specifically to ensure the contents reach their destination safely and maintain quality and freshness. There are many materials used for packaging goods depending on their specific need and desired level of barrier protection, cushioning, and durability. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common packaging types and their typical applications.

Plastics

Plastic is one of the most widely used and versatile packaging materials available. Different polymers provide varying levels of clarity, rigidity, flexibility, and barrier protection suited for numerous products.

Polyethylene (PE) films and bags are popular for bagging bread, produce, frozen foods and more because of their moisture resistance. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) makes rigid containers ideal for bottling beverages, jars and clamshells. Polypropylene and polystyrene are ideal for yogurt cups, takeout containers, and deli containers requiring clarity.

Foams like expanded polystyrene (EPS) provide cushioning and insulation. According to the experts at Epsilyte, food packaging EPS is great for things like meat trays or shipping boxes needing temperature and shock protection.

Paperboard

Affordable and easily recycled, paperboard cartons and boxes are a packaging staple for storing and shipping everything from cereal and cracker boxes to corrugated shipping cases.

Different levels of thickness, coating and liner materials beef up paperboard’s functionality for protecting items during transport. Manufacturers specially design liquid packaging cartons made from laminated paperboard to contain milk, juices, and other beverages.

Metals

Metal cans, tins and rigid containers offer exceptional barrier protection against light, moisture and oxygen, which can degrade products over time. They provide great shelf life for canned goods like soups, beverages, and sauces.

Aluminum is the most common metal used for beverage cans because of its lightweight and recyclability. Meanwhile, steel is favored for canned foods and aerosol containers thanks to its strength and durability under pressure.

Glass

For premium product presentation and inert non-reactive packaging, glass containers are the ideal solution. Glass bottles and jars offer a high-end look and preserve flavors without leeching chemicals into the contents.

They protect light-sensitive foods and beverages like beer, wine, oils, and certain condiments. While fragile and heavy, glass is infinitely recyclable in a closed loop that allows new containers to be made entirely from recycled glass material.

Paper

Plain old paper makes versatile packaging through labels, laminates, composite containers, shipping sacks and more. Kraft paper serves a variety of purposes, including grocery bags and corrugated boxes, and it boasts impressive tear resistance.

Specialty coated papers provide grease and moisture barriers for food-safe packaging. Molded pulp or bagasse fiber trays replace plastic or foam for cradling produce and other products.

Laminates

Many modern packaging use laminated sheets or films combining different materials to leverage their unique protective advantages. This creates custom high-barrier structures to guard against moisture, gases, light, and other environmental factors.

For example, juice pouches and aseptic cartons laminate paperboard, plastic films, and aluminum foil into a single impervious yet portable container. Laminates allow tailoring the perfect package from multiple complementary materials.

Conclusion

With so many material options out there providing specialized protection and performance, it’s important for brands to carefully consider the optimal packaging choice. The right materials preserve product integrity, offer merchandizing appeal, and minimize environmental impacts throughout a package’s lifecycle.

Rigid or flexible, opaque or transparent, eco-friendly or conventional, there are optimal packaging solutions out there to meet any good’s particular set of needs. Understanding the unique properties of each common packaging substrate helps brands make smart decisions benefitting the product, consumer, and planet.