By For versatility and to extend the shelf life of the product.
Flexible packaging is a means of packaging products using non-rigid materials, which provides more economical and customizable options. It is a relatively new method in the packaging market and has grown popular due to its high efficiency and cost-effective nature. This packaging method uses a variety of flexible materials, including foil, plastic, and paper, to create pouches, bags, and other pliable product containers. Flexible packages are particularly useful in industries that require versatile packaging, such as the food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. It is a crucial part in the supply chain of many industries and products.
The basic concept: A package or container made of flexible or easily yielding materials that, when filled or closed, can be readily changed in shape.
Why Use Flexible Packaging?
The main reason for the shift towards flexible packaging is the growing demand for it among both retailers and consumers. And the reason! Well, it is easy to use, portable, light-weight and cost effective. Added to that flexibility it allows the designer to create a more appealing, eye-catching design that makes it stand out on the shelf.
From a business perspective
Flexible packaging is a solution and a big relief for businesses as it’s less expensive than rigid packaging. And, it also offers excellent durability and product protection. Polyolefin shrink films are a popular high-quality material that is frequently used especially in food packaging. They protect the food from any contamination and thereby increase shelf life.
From a customer perspective
Flexible packaging helps designers create attractive packages. These packages are more convenient for consumers to handle. Additionally, flexible packaging is a form of sustainable packaging. Only sustainable printing and material is used.
Flexible Packaging Material Options
Options are vast for flexible packaging but the most dominating ones in the market are:
Stand Up Pouches
It is an excellent alternative to traditional packaging. Their purpose, –standing upright on shelves. This packaging has an airtight closure. The best part is it is fully customizable to your needs.
Easy to pack and print. They have incredible branding capabilities through digital printing.
Flexible films
As there are many, here are the most widely used flexible films
(BOPP) Bi-axially-orientated Polypropylene Polymer – A layer that exhibits durability and resistance to moisture, along with the added benefit of clarity, making them the ideal choice when it comes to retail packaging.
(BOPE) Bi-axially-oriented Polyethylene – An ideal film when it comes to the packaging of products that require a high degree of stiffness. It has puncture resistance, excellent heat-seal strength, durability, and moisture resistance, along with the added benefit of transparency and high gloss.
(EAA) Ethylene Acrylic Acid – A tie layer between aluminum foil and other polymers.
(EVA) Ethylene Vinyl Acetate – An adhesive layer, moisture barrier, and heat-sealable food contact layer.
(EVOH) Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol – An oxygen barrier typically placed between PE/PP films, EVOH must be protected from moisture.
(PA) Polyamide – A film that works well as an outer layer, PA provides machinability, a gas/aroma barrier, heat resistance, and will not stick to a sealer bar.
(PC) Polycarbonate – A moisture and heat-resistant barrier with machinability.
(PE) Polyethylene – Properties like high chemical and impact resistance, low coefficient of friction, lightweight, and little to no moisture absorption make polyethylene films an excellent choice in flexible packaging, especially in the food industry.
Foil Packaging
Foils are used mainly by the food and pharmaceutical industries and keep food fresh and safe by blocking contaminants and increasing your products’ shelf life. It is also a recyclable material.
Additional Protective Packaging
Flexible packaging can be designed for all kinds of packaging needs – from small products to large equipment as they vary in size and shape. Flexible packaging can also be used to palletize bulk products.
Benefits of flexible packaging
360° Branding
Flexible packaging allows high-quality and high-impact graphics at every step of your business, so you can have 360-degree branding instead of being limited to the size of a label.
Endless Sizes and Shapes
Flexible ranges in size from small single-serve sachets to larger multi-use equipment and can be used in many markets, including pet food, snacks, coffee, detergents, and nutritional supplements.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Less waste, fewer costs, fewer CO2 emissions, and lightweight make it apt for eco-friendly environmental use.
According to the Flexible Packaging Association, “When you consider the full life cycle of packaging materials, in most cases, flexible packaging requires less energy to manufacture and transport, reduces product waste, and sends less material to landfills.”
Consumer Convenience
Flexible packaging is lightweight, and thus easy to handle, carry, and store. Plus, many pouches and bags are easy to open for easy snacking, pouring, and serving.
Flexible packaging has made its way into a variety of industries due to consumers’ growing demand to purchase more eco-friendly products and packaging. From pet food to medications, to vegetables, and more, the industry is rapidly growing. This perfect packaging can now be found wherever you purchase items like these and more.
Flexible packaging undergoes a manufacturing process that involves different steps that ensure that the final product is as intended. Various raw materials are used depending upon the type of product that has to be packaged. The whole manufacturing process requires various machines such as printing, lamination, roll-making machines, pouch making machines. And we, at Machine Dalal, have a wide selection of printing and packaging machines listed with us from sellers worldwide. The buyers can easily find the equipment as per their business needs and sellers quickly sell their equipment with a large pool of buyers readily available to them.
Machine Dalal platform is a trading platform that enables sellers and buyers of print, packaging and converting equipment to directly connect with each other, easily communicate and trade equipment quickly.
Visit the Machine Dalal website or simply download our app onto your Android or iOS smartphone.
