The global rise of e-commerce popularity has transformed packaging into a silent salesperson on virtual store shelves. With online reviews and social media holding immense power, brands are increasingly using packaging to make a positive first impression. Eye-catching design, clear product information, and sustainable materials all play a role in influencing purchase decisions and generating positive online buzz.
In today’s eco-conscious world, consumers are also increasingly looking for ways to make sustainable choices without sacrificing convenience. This is where flexible packaging steps in. Not only do they add value and marketability to products, but they are also produced with less carbon emissions, less product waste, and fewer materials sent to landfills. Some flexible packaging brands have even managed to incorporate biodegradability into their films, ensuring a faster decomposition process after its initial use.
So how exactly does flexible packaging promote sustainability? Don’t plastic films contribute to large waste disposals in the end?
Flexible Packaging and Sustainability
Pouches, wraps, and films often need a better rep for being non-recyclable or contributing to waste. However, the Flexible Packaging Association has found that many advancements in material science and responsible disposal practices are changing this narrative. Flexible packaging manufacturers have developed innovative ways to contribute to circularity, particularly in the way films are produced and recycled after use.
Flexible packaging is produced as thin as possible to use fewer materials than traditional rigid packaging like glass jars or metal cans. As a result, the production of flexible packaging will use less fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce water usage. Flexible materials also save transportation costs since they are shipped as flat sheets or large rolls of film. Their light weight allows for fewer trips and fewer vehicles dispatched during transportation.
To maximize its efficiency, flexible packaging is also manufactured with a higher product-to-package ratio. They may seem thin, but they are made of multiple layers that offer strength, puncture resistance, resealability, and easy printing for your product needs. And because they are flexible, these films can create packaging that is accessible for the disabled.
The Universal Appeal of Mono-Material
Recently, mono-material flexible packaging has become the predominant method for creating eco-friendly films. As the name suggests, these films contain one material type at its core, such as PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene). Both biaxially oriented and non-oriented films that use the same base polymer are considered mono-material films. Mono-material packaging has been shown to offer significant benefits in promoting a circular economy.
Innovations in mono-structure packaging design have managed to retain many features of multi-material packaging, such as elasticity and barrier properties, by substituting them using thin coatings. Thus, further increasing the competitive advantage of using a single polymer base for packaging films. Because single-material packaging can be mechanically recycled, it is also ideal for developing countries that may not yet possess the infrastructure for modern recycling options.
Attractive packaging not only grabs attention but also translates to a more satisfying customer experience, ultimately boosting brand loyalty and positive sentiment. In today’s digital age, packaging is no longer a container — it is also a strategic tool for brands to connect with consumers and build a strong brand image. For more information on durable, mono-material packaging, visit PT Argha Karya Prima Industry Tbk (https://arghakarya.com).
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