The packaging industry has a close connection with almost every sector, from food to pharmaceuticals. A proper package can help protect and promote products. Yet, at the same time, it needs to meet the regulatory standards and adapt to consumer behaviors (which change often).
Besides, the community's concern about the environmental impact caused by non-disposal packaging has been raised, requiring businesses to come up with an eco-friendly solution.
This article will delve into the common problems in the packaging industry, suggest helpful solutions, and introduce EuroPlas as a partner for your business's future.
Follow along!
1. Common Problems of Packaging Industry
The packaging industry is facing several challenges, including:
- Sustainability and environmental impact
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), product packaging accounts for 29.9% of municipal solid waste landfills, which generate 80.1 million tons of rubbish annually. This highlights the need for sustainable packaging to address today's pollution issues.
Waste from packaging is an issue of concern
Many items are packaged in greater amounts than necessary, which increases their environmental footprint and causes waste and inefficiency. Besides, contamination and the absence of regionally consistent systems are the main causes of recycling problems. Thus, consumers and authorities are calling for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic packaging, which is a major contributor to the world's plastic pollution.
- Raw material shortages and rising costs
Not only in the packaging industry but also in other industries, the sharp decline in raw supplies is driving up prices, inflation, and expenditures. Cost prediction is challenging for packaging materials, including paper, plastics, and metals, because of price volatility brought on by supply chain interruptions, geopolitical issues, or consumer demand.
As a result, it raises the question of whether businesses can balance cost reduction with quality and functionality.
Durability is essential when designing product packaging to avoid breakage or damage, which might lead to dissatisfied customers and higher brand expenses.
Moreover, businesses who are pursuing sustainable packaging have to keep in mind that their packages need to meet eco-friendly requirements and safeguard the products they contain at the same time.
Each business also needs different packaging. For example, sturdy external packaging may be necessary for delicate items, such as baked bread, in order to prevent crushing. Multiple layers and air cushions are two options that can help protect products from damage.
- Design and recognition issues
Packaging is essential for customers to understand your product and category. From a branding standpoint, packaging has the potential to communicate your values, increase consumer familiarity, and produce a satisfying unboxing experience.
On the other hand, it may also be a squandered opportunity. To prevent misunderstanding, packaging designs and visuals must not be overly similar to those of different products.
Packaging is a way to present your brand
- Freshness, health and safety concerns
The food industry and the packaging industry have a close relationship. The food industry depends on freshness, but when producers ignore it, packing problems occur. Certain goods must be packaged to preserve their maximum flavor and freshness until they are purchased since they have a limited shelf life.
This health issue is crucial, especially if you deal with the food industry. Certain materials, like plastics, can leach harmful chemicals into food or beverages, posing health concerns due to their potential toxicity. Therefore, it's essential to use material in accordance with food safety regulations.
2. Solutions and Best Practices
Here are some helpful solutions to help your business grow in the packaging industry:
- Encourage sustainable development
Due to its cost-saving advantages and the trend toward sustainable purchasing, sustainable packaging is growing in popularity. According to a recent study, more than one-third of global consumers agree to pay more for sustainability.
Eco-friendly, biodegradable, compostable, and purposeful packaging are examples of sustainable packaging ideas. Utilizing sustainable materials like bamboo paper, stone paper, and organic woven labels can help reduce waste and reliance on plastic.
Examples of eco-friendly products
Using technology for source tracking, biodegradable materials, recycling programs, and digital printing to cut waste and improve quality are just a few of the eco-friendly practices that packaging companies must use to fulfill the increasing needs of consumers and the environment.
- Integrate automation and find trustworthy collaborative suppliers
Automation is a way to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce labor costs.
Besides, cooperating with reliable manufacturers, such as EuroPlas, can provide you with consistent material supply. They can maintain the same quality in every batch. Plus, they have many options for you to achieve aesthetic and functional packages.
BioNext - A sustainable solution for businesses
- Increase brand recognition smartly
In the packaging industry, not every time will the change of packages benefit the business. A consistent brand adds 20% to a product's value.
When Old Spice, a fragrance business, moved from glass to plastic containers to save weight and avoid breaking, they encountered inconsistencies. Customers did not like the alteration, though, because the plastic did not fit the fragrance's vintage branding, and several people likened it to wine in a box.
Thus, it's important to align the package's aesthetic design, customer expectations, and functionality.
Businesses can take advantage of technologies, such as smart packaging technology (QR codes or RFID tags), digital printing (for more customizable functions), and even AI & Data analytics to predict and customize according to customers' trends.
- Stay updated on regulations
Examine and confirm on a regular basis local and international packaging laws regarding materials, labeling, environmental effects, and health and safety requirements. Businesses should get eco-certifications for sustainable practices, such as FSC, Cradle to Cradle, or B Corp certification, to prove responsible packaging. Plus, you need to ensure that the product's packaging provides clear, factual information regarding its effects on the environment.
3. EuroPlas - The Solution You Need
While there are many challenges in the packaging industry, businesses have room to develop by applying new technologies, embracing sustainable practices, and working collaboratively with plastic suppliers.
As a leader in the masterbatch world, EuroPlas understands what businesses are facing, and we have boasted several options to help our clients achieve aesthetic, functional, and cost-effective products.
Products in the packaging industry are various. Yet, EuroPlas has solutions for all.
For example, our filler masterbatch not only improves several properties of end-products, such as stiffness, bend strength, and impact resistance but also saves production costs. By using filler masterbatch, manufacturers can significantly reduce the amount of expensive plastic resin required. It's a smart and economical choice for businesses looking to save costs.
Our filler masterbatch (from PP or PE resin) can be used to make shopping bags. Our products make the bags lightweight yet rigid and durable. Furthermore, by incorporating fillers like calcium carbonate or talc, the material cost per shopping bag is reduced without sacrificing strength or functionality.
Besides, if your business pursues an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic bags, consider filler masterbatch from EuroPlas, too. It’s suitable for non-woven bags, giving the bags the necessary mechanical strength and enhancing their surface finish and appearance.
Filler masterbatch from EuroPlas
On the other hand, if you are interested in sustainable development, take a look at our Bioplastic compound and Biofiller. They are a suitable choice for producing environmentally friendly products such as biodegradable packaging. Plus, we can customize based on your end-product requirements.
For more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with EuroPlas.