Packaging materials: types and uses
Packaging materials are necessary for any supply chain. Choosing it correctly reduces space in the warehouse and facilitates the transport of goods.
As we have seen in
different entries on our blog, the packaging is everything necessary for
conditioning the products that will be shipped. This is to temporarily protect
and/or group them, thinking about their handling, transport and storage.
In other words, it is
the process by which merchandise is temporarily stored in packaging that will
protect it; while it reaches the final point of sale. These packages allow us
to have lasting product protection before the different external factors can
damage the merchandise, such as the weather, transportation, accidents or final
transfer.
Now, these packages
can be made of different materials. And each of them may work better for
certain types of products. In this sense, and to help you better choose your
packaging for your packaging process. In this post, we'll talk about the
different materials that can be used for packaging:
- Paper
- Carton
- Metal
- Textile
- Madera
Paper
Paper protective packaging is a versatile
and cost-effective method of transporting, protecting and preserving a wide
range of items. It is designed to be strong yet lightweight and can be
customized to meet specific product or customer needs.
This material is
mainly used for packaging products that give off more moisture. Among the main
types of packaging paper are:
- Kraft paper. It is a very common packaging paper and is
extracted from wood pulp. It is used above all to make bags for shops or
to package products; it works wonders thanks to its resistance.
- Grease-resistant paper. It is obtained by special
refining of the pasta (usually sulfite pasta). It is a protective
container for fats and, especially, to wrap food.
- Sulfurized paper. It is similar to grease-resistant
paper; however, this type of paper is more water-resistant. It is also
known as parchment paper and is used to wrap or package products or foods
that give off more moisture.
Carton
Cardboard is a
material obtained from the superposition of layers of paper. In turn, cellulose
fibers are extracted directly from wood or recycled paper. Although they share
an origin, cardboard is distinguished from the paper by being superior to the
latter in thickness and grammage.
And what is the
grammage? It is the weight of a square meter of paper or cardboard expressed in
grams (g/m2). In the packaging industry, it is considered that; the greater the
grammage of cardboard, the more resistance and safety it will offer during the
storage and transport processes. The main types of cardboard for packaging are:
- Corrugated or corrugated cardboard. It comprises a
combination of two sheets of paper called "layers" glued to a
sheet of corrugated cardboard. These three layers form a series of arches
that are connected; are well known for their ability to support heavy
weights.
- Cardboard. Cardboard is a material that is halfway
between cardboard and cardboard: it is thicker and more resistant than the
first but thinner and more pliable than the second. It stands out for its
flexibility and for the good printing results it provides.
- Compact cardboard. Compact cardboard is made by
pressing several layers of paper, so recycled paper predominates in its
manufacture. It is quite rigid and widely known in the binding sector.
- Papier-mache or gray cardboard. This is achieved by
mixing paper pulp and plaster, which results in a very rigid type of
cardboard that is immune to moisture. Its applications in the field of
packaging are circumstantial. For example, in boxes of electronic items.
Metal
In packaging, metals
are usually found in containers, indicated for international transport. This
type of packaging, being bulky, offers a great load capacity.
Also, it is worth
mentioning that metal is a resistant and solid material; Therefore, it offers a
guarantee to the transported products.
Finally, it should be
noted that although they are reusable, they are not biodegradable. It's also
important to remember that they can turn brown, and subjecting them to high
temperatures is not advisable.
Textile
The textiles used for
packaging and packaging come from vegetable fibers such as
jute, fique, hemp,
cotton and sisal. They are normally used to make bags and sacks,
and their purpose is
to store bulk products. Some of its main benefits are:
- Low cost.
- High availability in the market.
- Phytosanitary control.
Madera
This may be the
favorite packaging material for many mainly because one of its most remarkable
features is that it provides special protection, ideal for moving heavy goods.
In addition, this material
is so personalized that it is usually created according to the client's needs.
And in addition, it is designed with an organic material that preserves
durability and allows its customization for company advertising.
The main types of wood
packaging are:
- Wooden boxes. It is one of the most requested products
for transporting goods and storage. This is because the wooden boxes fully
guarantee the perfect condition of the merchandise, avoiding any damage.
- Wooden folding boxes. Folding boxes have a high level
of functionality and profitability.
- Removable boxes. These boxes can not only be
disassembled, but in addition, they can be used for other uses.
- Cardboard boxes reinforced with wood. This type of
packaging is highly recommended both for air transport and for
non-refundable packaging, or, what is the same, for single use. This is
because they are, in addition to stackable boxes; and, therefore, very
suitable for long-term transport or storage.
- Wooden cages. Cages are one of the most requested types
of packaging for transporting large-tonnage goods. Its structure has been
designed in such a way that it allows one to see its content and avoid any
damage.
- Wooden cribs. Wooden cradles are often used to
transport heavy goods, especially cylindrical ones. The type of load it
must contain in its manufacture and the necessary support conditions are
considered.
A good strapping system is ideal for any of the packaging materials
If you still do not
have a defined packaging process or want to optimize the one you already have,
remember that strapping is the best option. In addition, the automatic
strapping process will save you a lot of time. This means that your
productivity will increase.
At Britwrap, we provide the best
protective packaging all over the UK that will solve your packaging needs.
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