The food packaging industry is growing day by day. Plastic films are a popular choice for food packaging purposes. When people mention plastic films, they regard them as a single type of material. In reality, plastic films consist of a wide range of materials that vary in complexity based on a product’s requirements.
1. Advantages of Choosing Plastic Films
Today, several polymer types are currently used for foodstuff packaging. Plastics have emerged as the most preferred choice of packaging materials for various products- from food, beverages, chemicals, electronic items, and so on. They offer unique advantages over conventional materials:
Safety: Plastics are safer materials for packaging food products especially polyolefins which do not react with food.
Shelf Life: Plastics packaging material offer better shelf life
Cost: Plastics are the most cost-effective medium of packaging when compared with any other material, the cost of transportation is reduced considerably on account of lower weight and less damage
Convenience: Plastics can be converted in any form with various processing techniques, thus can pack any type of substances like liquids, powders, flakes, granules, solids.
Waste: Packaging in plastics reduces the wastage of various food products.
Aesthetics: A right choice of plastics packaging increased the aesthetic value of products and helps in brand identity
Handling and Storage: Products packed in plastics are easiest to handle and store as well as transport.
Plastic products are easy to recycle.
Every day there are new products packed in plastics replacing conventional products and when a thought is given to packing a new product the first choice that appears in the mind is Plastic packaging material.
2. Types of plastic for food packaging
High-Density Polyethylene
This material has superior resistance to the majority of solvents. It is the most prevalent plastic film in use.
Uses
- Bottles for storing water, juice as well as milk
- Margarine tubs
- Cereal box liners
- Bags for retail, trash as well as grocery
Low-Density Polyethylene
This is ideal for packaging applications involving heat sealing.
Uses
- Squeezable food bottles
- Bags for bread as well frozen food
- Flexible lids
Polypropylene
Possesses a high level of optical clarity.
Uses
- Salad dressing bottles
- Margarine tubs
- Yogurt containers
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
Prevents penetration of carbon dioxide, oxygen as well as water.
Uses
- Plastic bottles for storing carbonated drinks
- Bottles, jars as well as tubs
- Bags as well as snacks food wrappers
Polycarbonate
It is long-lasting, robust, transparent as well as resistant to heat.
Uses
- Big refillable/returnable water bottles as well as sterilizable baby bottles
Polyethylene naphthalate
It is ideal for preventing the transfer of odors as well as flavors.
Uses
- Bottles for beverages
Polystyrene
Offers a potent barrier to moisture and has high stiffness
Uses
- Food trays
- Bottles
- Plates
- Cups
- Lids
- Egg cartons
- Containers
- Disposable plastic silverware
The plastic film can be transparent or colored. Also, it comes in single as well as multi-layered versions. The technology exists for combining the film with different materials including aluminum and paper for enhancing the film’s properties as well as capabilities.
Union Packaging is a reputable and experienced supplier of PE, OPP, CPP, MCPP, PET, MPET, PA…. in the industry. We always try to research, develop and improve product quality, improve customer care ability to meet the increasing demands of the domestic and foreign packaging market. Please contact us now: 0987 437 469 – 0903 750 384 for specific advice and quotation.
UNION PACKAGING SOLUTION JOINT STOCK COMPANY
Address: No. 5, 3643A Street, Pham The Hien, Ward 7, District 8, HCMC
Tel: 0987 437 469 – 0903 750 384
Email: sales@hopnhatpack.com
Website: www.hopnhatpack.com – www.baobihopnhat.com