Types of packaging materials
There are many types of packaging on the market that adapt to the needs of each product, the dimensions, the characteristics, the design, the means of transport that supplies them, etc. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are also endless options and types of packaging materials for each of them.
Primary packaging: it is in immediate contact with the product and, in some cases, allows its direct consumption, such as those used in food.
Secondary packaging: it is an external wrapper that groups the primary packages, contributing to their visualization and protection.
Tertiary packaging: contains large quantities of products and allows their storage and transport in optimal conditions, during the distribution cycle.
Once you have classified which category your product belongs to, you will be able to choose the most suitable type of packaging material for it.
In this article we are going to tell you what the most common packaging materials are, according to these types of packaging and their characteristics.
Types of packaging materials that are most used
As we were saying, the types of packaging materials available on the market are endless. You can find light and cheap materials, such as packaging film, and other more consistent ones, such as those used to pack large industrial products.
According to this, we can classify them, Mono material packaging: created from a single material, such as a strap or a light cardboard box.
Multi-material packaging: formed, as its name suggests, by more than one material, and designed to offer resistance, stability and insulation during its transport chain, such as boxes that include polystyrene, foam or other elements to guarantee product safety.
Although we can also classify them from other perspectives, such as the functionality of the container and packaging (cushioning, product containment, product grouping…etc).
You can find light and cheap materials, such as packaging film, and other more consistent ones, such as those used to pack large industrial products.
According to this, we can classify them
Monomaterial packaging: created from a single material, such as a strap or a light cardboard box.
Multi-material packaging: formed, as its name suggests, by more than one material, and designed to offer resistance, stability and insulation during its transport chain, such as boxes that include polystyrene, foam or other elements to guarantee product safety.
Although we can also classify them from other perspectives, such as the functionality of the container and packaging (cushioning, product containment, product grouping…etc).
Plastic as packaging material
The success of plastic as a packaging material in the industry is due to a combination of versatility, resistance, impermeability, lightness, barrier protection, ease of sterilization and customization.
In the case of the use of plastics, we are not referring exclusively to packages considered primary that serve as a container for the product.
We also refer to other types of packaging made of plastic, such as a band for grouping, bubble wrap or adhesive tape for packaging, which do not have to be in direct contact with the product.
It is not surprising that when reading plastic you think of words such as: polluting, unsustainable, recycling difficulty… And it is normal. Today, the rise of biodegradable plastics opens a new path for this type of packaging.
Advantages of plastic as a packaging material:
- Versatility of shapes and sizes.
- Unbeatable customization and labeling options
- waterproof material
Cardboard as packaging material
In addition, with the growth of e-commerce, cardboard boxes occupy a leading position in the list of the most used packaging materials.
being the main material in the logistics processes of a large number of industries.
Advantages of cardboard as a packaging material:
- Resistant material with great impact absorption capacity.
- Economic
- Versatile, adapts to the needs of each product
- Offers customization options (print logos and colors)
- Lightweight, so it saves on shipping costs because it does not weigh
- Biodegradable and sometimes reusable material
- stackable boxes
Wood as wood packaging material
Wood packaging stands out for its great resistance and cushioning capacity against shocks and climatic factors.
which makes it the most suitable packaging material for long-distance international transport. This high resistance also optimizes the protection of fragile products during distribution:
Advantages of wood as a packaging material:
- It is strong and rigid
- reusable
- High protection capacity