The Future Of Eco-Friendly Packaging

With the emphasis today on sustainable packaging methods, Industry leaders & average consumers are thinking alike. There is a push for research and development across the board.Not surprisingly, the industry has responded quickly and with tremendous innovation, to get packaging products in the market that are eco-friendly and manufacturing friendly.

With this movement, we have seen the huge changes in how packaging materials are made compared to just a few years ago. What has changed? To us, the changes are relative to new thinking and better production processes such as these evolving developments.

1^st Development: Consumer Mandates For Eco-Friendly Packaging Products

  Unparalleled consumer mandates for sustainable containers, is motivating improvements as well as creating more maintainable resolutions. As a result, the container industry is exceeding expectations, which offers consumers a responsible choice. Packaging that is asthetically pleasing, has an excellent shelf life and will turn into compost within 3 months is the new norm. With packaging made from natural products through a joining process of paper and film technologies, packaging becomes both efficient and practical for many applications. This is a great alternative to petrochemicals and hazardous ingredients previously used. This,along with the accessibility of buying these products right here in the United States instead of buying overseas is creating a whole new market for American companies. Money that was previously invested in overseas products is now being re-invested in American companies, who are providing this valuable new technology.

2^nd Development: Materials That Perform Well In Today’s Climate 

Consumers have raised the bar for sustainable packaging manufacturers. Finding new resources and using more environmentally friendly materials has made it challenging to say the least. Through various testing methods, it has been recognized that biopolymers have reacted differently to the many stages on the production line.

Some were more likely to tear during the process or become sticky. Ongoing collaboration with manufacturers, new ideas have brought the fruition of biopolymers that do not tear as easily and allow for more flex and less cracking. This is an extremely important part of the food container process and for the shelf life of the products.

3^rd Development: More Efficient Machine Options 

With advancements in the types of eco-friendly products available in the printing & packaging industry, improvements in the processes has also improved. Lower sealing temperatures because of the use of bio-polymers instead of the old fashioned plastics has eliminated the need for high temp machines. They run faster and it creates a less stressful environment for the machines, which results in longer life and less maintenance.

We can see that with progress in the environmentally friendly packaging processes, companies are finding new ways to cut costs and meet the ever increasing demand for sustainable packaging for consumers. This ensures competition and eco-friendly growth for a long time to come.