According to the consumer, today’s packaging solutions are growing in importance of sustainability and convenience. One way to do this is by implementing a solution designed to fit the consumer’s needs by replacing traditional packaging, such as rigid solutions, with flexible packaging options. By 2018, it is estimated that the flexible packaging market will be worth $351 billion. With this in mind, it is important to review the benefits in using a flexible packaging solution for your product’s needs.
Lightweight- Over the last few years, lightweight packaging has gained importance, especially in the bottled water industry. More recently, PET bottles have gained in popularity due to its sustainability, but are not as lightweight as the consumer would like. For this reason, the development of lightweight and flexible pouches in order to replace bottles has gained in importance and popularity and will continue to do so over the next few years.
Printing- With rigid packaging, the costs related to marketing the product and printing are higher than with flexible packaging. With flexible printing, the printing options are not only endless, but are also easily changed, if need be. A new technology being developed is the ability to print security graphics. This will enable the printing of graphics on the product packaging that can be seen under certain lighting, and appear and disappear depending on environmental conditions.
Barriers- With flexible packaging, the use of barriers will allow for things such as oxygen, moisture, and aromas to be prevented from reaching the product and potentially ruining it. For many years, aluminum foil was used for these barriers, but is unfortunately susceptible to fractures, which then allows unwanted things like water and oxygen to enter the package and product. To prevent this problem, a new product called styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) has been developed to replace aluminum foil.
Uniqueness- Perhaps one of the biggest benefits to flexible packaging is the ability to make it into any shape, as well as the ability to include additional unique features such as handles, fitments, and opening features, all based on your product’s needs. In addition to unique characteristics, flexible packaging can come in different sizes as well. This has become a huge trend in the cereal world, especially with the development of the use of large flexible pouches in combination with high-end printing graphics, and the added benefit of the reclose feature.
Contact PreferPack today to get started on your ideal packaging solution. From corrugated cardboard, to custom packaging materials, PreferPack has the perfect solution not only for your product’s needs, but for your business as well.