How to Choose the Right Plastic Box for Your Product?
Find out about the different types of plastic boxes available in the market to choose the right one for your retail products.
Plastic containers have been proven to be the cheapest and safest packaging options for any kind of product. They can withstand stress without affecting the quality of the product. Packaging has a vital role in the marketing of a product. A product’s stability and shelf life are directly linked with the container and the closure system. It is important for containers not to react with the product and keep the quality up to the mark until its consumption. The price and marketability of a product can be determined by its packaging. Let us understand it with an example. If a hot liquid is to be filled in plastic bottles, every type of plastic would not be suitable to withstand high temperature and can collapse. Chemicals and oils can react or dissolve the plastic container resulting in leaching of harmful compounds. Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and beverages especially require strong and nonreactive packaging. Colored or clear plastic boxes are ideal choices for packaging of food items, cosmetics, gift items, and everyday retail products.
Qualities of Plastic Packaging Material
Packaging materials need to be customizable. These should be flexible, non-brittle, nonreactive and should be able to withstand microwave heat. They should be easy to print and mold besides being recyclable and reusable. Printing is another marketing requisite and the clear plastic boxes should be able to retain printing. Distinctive characteristics required in packaging materials include gas retention, thermo-mechanical, flow assistance, morphology, visual and corporeal properties. The barrier to gas leakage is primarily required for the packaging of beverages and other food items. Clear plastic boxes are more eye-catchy due to lucidity and better visibility of inside objects.
Types of Plastic Containers
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the most common and widely used plastic-type for packaging due to its strength and durability. This is inert and can be colored as per requirement. This plastic can withstand high-temperature conditions.
Polypropylene (PP) is another widely used plastic-type. It is a good option for filling hot liquids and semisolids. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is flexible and used for making collapsible tubes.
K-resin polymer has a clear glassy appearance and containers made of this material resembles glass. It is good for the storage of spices and other kitchen items. K-resin plastic is very brittle and shatters on collision.
Polyethylene terephthalate or PET polymer is another good packaging option. It is mostly used in food and medicine industry for the storage of beverages and syrups. It is cheap and suitable for filling of hot liquids.
Polystyrene resembles k-resin in appearance and durability but not as brittle as k-resin. It is hard and slightly flexible while strong force is required to crack it.
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is the third most-produced plastic in the world. It is not good for storage of edibles. It is very resistant to chemicals and used for packaging of oxidizing and corrosive chemicals.
In the end, ensure the plastic boxes you choose are flexible and can fold well according to your unique requirements.
