Catering packaging is in a transition period. Heavy, rigid cardboard and plastic containers are on the solution. To a sizable degree, flexible presentation is sliding directly into take their place.
According to the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), it is the “second greatest packaging segment in the U.S.,” capturing almost a 20 percent share of the $164 billion market.
From small plants to major industries, flexible packaging makes up about 60 percent of shipments, says the FPA. And here are a few explanations why.
#1: Flexible Packaging Costs Less
Flexible food packaging requires fewer materials for production and costs less to manufacture than heavy, rigid plastics. They’re budget-smart, but without compromising quality.
Bag-in-box systems, for example, use notably less plastic than a rigid container of similar capacity, plus they cost much less. The Smart Pail system has the sturdiness of a rigid pail, but in a lighter, 2-part system with a thin, film seal rather than a bulky lid.
#2: Liners, Containers, and Lids Offer A lot of Choices
Flexibility doesn’t just describe the way Smart Pail and bag-in-box packaging can bend, flex and expand. They offer flexible design choices, as well.
Several styles of Smart Pail lid film are for sale to a variety of purposes. Pick from tamper-evident, peel and reseal, disposable and oxygen barrier films. Bag-in-box flexible packaging offers pillow-shape or form-fit liners, multiple film thicknesses and strengths, and several tap options.
#3: Lower Transportation Costs and Emissions Support Budget and Sustainability Goals
With fewer materials and a lighter product, shipping costs less. It’s much more cost-efficient to transport flexible materials than rigid containers. They’re significantly lighter, and adaptable containers take up less space. Some packaging collapses to lie flat, making transport even easier.
Smaller freight loads also put less pressure on the environment. They help you are doing your part toward fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less carbon footprint. Less transportation, lower freight costs, and cleaner air make everyone successful.
#4: Food Stays Protected and Enjoys an extended Shelf Life
If you need optimum food purity and protection from contamination, flexible packaging is your very best bet. Multi-layer liners are strong and durable, and high-barrier liners prevent oxygen infiltration to keep products fresher longer.
#5: There’s Virtually No Burden on Landfills
There’s no material that combines as many benefits with eco-friendliness as flexible packaging. It’s one of the most responsible choices that you can make. The Smart Pail system uses LLDPE or HDPE recyclable materialss and a corrugated container, which helps get rid of the amount of product your facility sends to a landfill.
#6 Flexible Packaging Conserves Space
Smart Pail and Bag-in-Box flexible food packaging components are designed to conserve space. That is true, whether they’re unfilled, stacked and waiting, or filled and ready for the end-user.
Numerous unfilled bags take up less space for storage than one empty rigid container. Even Smart Pail packaging nests and stacks smaller, requiring less room on a warehouse shelf or transport truck.
Consumer demand drives the popularity of flexible packaging, according to Packaging Digest. You can handle and fits neatly on a shelf. Cost, performance, and sustainability make it a good choice on the production end.
It’s the direction global food packaging is headed and once and for all reason. As technology improves, expect more choices, better performance and a larger existence in the food packaging industry.
