Packaging is an aspect of everyday life that we may not pay attention to but we appreciate its use. Bags, boxes, tins, bottles, wrapping and pots are just some of those aforementioned aspects that packaging provides. Without them, goods and items would become damaged, spoiled and even cross-contaminated. But what else does packaging do? Get the packaging 411!
Category: general
All shops set to charge for plastic bags
In order to tackle what is being nicknamed as “throwaway culture” nearly all retailers, small or large could be made to charge 5p for plastic bags under proposed government plans.
All retailers in Wales and Scotland were already made to charge 5p for plastic bags when the rule first came into formation in 2015, however, in England, it was only retailers that employed more than 250 workers. Continue reading “All shops set to charge for plastic bags”
Packaging that appeals to the senses?
There is a lot happening in the industry of packaging.
A Switzerland-based additives manufacturer, of the healthcare packaging division of Clariant has brought out a product that is designed to rid any unpleasant smells from dietary supplement packaging.
With the introduction of the Aroma-Can canisters, which is based on Clariant’s desiccant canisters for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical packaging.
These Aroma-Can canisters will user an aroma technology that masks the slightly off-key smells associated with certain dietary supplements with a more appealing food-based aroma, with the aim of providing more “positive sensory experience when (consumers) open product packaging”.
Food-grade flavours, such as vanilla, orange, and lemon, are directly embedded into a plastic canister which is inserted into the product packaging.
“Smell can enhance or detract from the experience of using a product or the decision to make a repeat purchase,” said Robert Crossno, head of sales – Americas, Clariant Healthcare Packaging.
“Products such as fish oil tablets and herbal supplements often emit odours that are unpleasant or unappealing to end users. A favourable scene within the product packaging can mask unpleasant odours or help enhance odourless products such as vitamins.”
The company claims that although the new Aroma-Can has the same overall dimensions as standard desiccant canisters, its one-piece design makes it easier to process and assemble containers; and its greater surface area allows more aroma to permeate.
As it shares its form with standard desiccant canisters, Aroma-Can can be automatically inserted into packaging at rates of up to 300/minute using standard desiccant canisters insertion equipment.
Why Is the Correct Packaging so Important?
Using the correct packaging is crucial as it acts as a protector of the product that is its contents.
Not only that, but packaging is the encasement of products that can provide information, security and marketing benefits.
Continue reading “Why Is the Correct Packaging so Important?”
What you need to know about the plastic bag charge
The 5th October saw the 5p plastic bag charge come into action.
Shoppers are now required to pay 5p for every plastic bag they take from the supermarket, among other retail stores, this month.
The charge, something all retailers are now obliged to add to the total cost of our shopping, has been enforced to prevent our excessive consumption of plastic bags.
Every retailer with over 250 full-time equivalent employees will have to charge a minimum of 5p for the bags they provide for shopping in stores as well as deliveries.
The number of single-use plastic bags that had been handed out by the UK supermarkets increased for the fifth year, running to 8.5 billion, as presented by figures.
The amount has increased by 200 million on 2013 despite the average household already having up to, and often more than, 40 plastic bags kept in a miscellaneous drawer, research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found.
What are your thoughts on the plastic bag charge? Fretfoil packaging specialists can offer the solution to all of your packaging needs!
Functions of packaging
There are billions of pounds spent every year on packaging food and other various items.
Packaging is essential for the protection, safety and cleanliness of food and items, but there are a few of the many notable uses that we are going to be focusing on today.
Packaging…
Protects a product from contamination and damage
Every product that is to be package will need to be protected against the possibility of it being dropped, crushed or any vibration it may undergo during transportation. Delicate products will require tough packaging. It must also be protected against climate changes etc.
Keeps products together
There are some shapes that cannot be packaged simply, e.g. some fruits and vegetables. There are, however, certain types of packaging products that can simplify this seemingly impossible feat.
Benefits storage and stacking
On your weekly supermarket shop you will notice the way products and packaged goods are stored. Some stacked, or side by side – it is the packaging that makes this possible and simple.
Fretfoil Birmingham Packaging solutions can provide you with correct packaging that you need.
Shrink Wrap
Shrink wrap, also known as shrink film, is the material that is manufactured from polymer plastic film.
This allows the product to shrink tightly over the product it is covering when heat is applied.
Polyolefin is the most used shrink wrap material as it comes in an array of clarity, shrink ratio, strength and thickness. Polypropylene, Polyethylene, PVC and more compositions are other forms of shrink films.
Shrink wraps are able to be manufactured to shrink in either one direction, mono-directional or unidirectional, or in two directions, bidirectional.
In order for films to stretch, the molecules are oriented away from their initial random pattern when they have been warmed. When it is cooled, the film’s characteristics are set into that position until they are reheated which will cause it to shrink back toward its initial dimensions.
To view our other packaging materials, please visit the website.
Benefits of using stretch wrap
If you’ve never heard of the term ‘stretch wrap’, then maybe ‘cling film’ or ‘stretch film’ will sound familiar to you.
Whatever you call it, it is one of the simplest ways to secure and protect your goods for transportation, or storage.
There are many benefits of selecting stretch wrap as your protective wrap:
Increased product protection: By using stretch wrap, you are protecting your goods from exposure to dirt, dust and moisture, keeping the product in pristine condition, clean and dry and it is still entirely visible.
There are also special UVI stretch films that can protect from UV rays, when a product is being stored outdoors.
Reduction of product damage/increased load stability: Stretch wrap securely wraps the product, helping with a more stable load that will prevent the product from moving inside the tight packaging, and prevent damage to the product damage.
Improved shipping and handling efficiencies: The height of the stacking of products is increased, and this will maximise your cube space when storing or shipping a product as the stretch wrap, combined with angled boards allows a higher stacking load on pallets.
As it is a quick way of wrapping, more work time is allowed, increasing your work productivity.
Stretch wrap enables you wrap up oddly shaped loads, than cannot be stacked in a neat square configuration
Improved inventory control: Inventory can be improved by grouping like products together, reducing the possibility of product separation that could make inventory checks time consuming and inaccurate.
Again, as the wrap is clear, it allows the scanning system to scan straight through the packaging.
Recyclable: A majority of stretch wrap is 100% recyclable and, if kept reasonably intact and clean, can be recycled for cash, keeping it out of landfills, that are becoming much too overused.
For more information on packaging, and the services we offer, please visit our website!
Packaging your items to make sure they arrive in good condition
Packaging items can be difficult, so follow our great tips
When sending items through the post, the worry of transporting your items in a secure manner is always at the back of your mind. You want to ensure that the item arrives in prestige condition, so here are some things to keep at the front of your mind when packaging your items:
- It’s always good to choose a box that’s bigger than the item that you send so you can fill out the box with cushioning items.
- Pad the box out with bubble wrap to ensure the safety of the item.
- Use clear or brown packaging tape, which will reinforce the integrity of the item. Seal up the box with tape to ensure security.
- Label the package and include a return address. If you’re reusing an old box, cover any previous labels to ensure that no confusion is made.
Using a corrugated box as a form of packaging is a good idea
Irregular shaped items can be difficult to pack
- Metal/sharp items: Tape the address label to the item. Cover any sharp or protruding edges that could hurt anybody, and tape-on corrugated cardboard pieces to ensure safety.
- Fabric or wallpaper: Items that are usually rolled up travel better when they’re posted in corrugated boxes. If fabric roll is posted in a bag, ensure that the bag is tightly wrapped and taped to reduce any risk of tearing.
Note: These tips are general guidelines. We can’t be held responsible if your item is damaged in transit.
Polythene Films
What Polythene Films really are
Polyethylene or polythene (IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most common plastic in the world. The annual global production is approximately 80 million tonnes. Its primary use is in item packaging plastic bags, plastic films, containers including bottles or geomembranes,
Most common uses of Polythene Films
One reason that polyethylene film dominates all other materials used in packaging is its ability to self-seal under controlled heat. Or even heat shrink which for example, protects items by literally shrinking around them to form a seal in response to the application of heat.
This ability makes this film ideal for use in making tamper resistant packaging as well as to seal electrical wiring. Which in addition the polyethylene sheets can be sewn or stapled together or even bonded with glue.
Different types of Polythene Films variable
- Centre Folded Sheeting – Clear or Coloured, Plain & Printed
- Protection Films
- Lay Flat Tubing – Clear or Coloured, Plain & Printed
- Single Wound Sheeting – Clear or Coloured, Plain & Printed
- Builders Film
- Flame retardant film
- Anti static polythene film
- Uvi treated polythene film