Month: January 2019

Function of food packaging

Food packaging is an integral part of food products. Food packaging and food packaging box protect food, prevent the damage of biological, chemical and physical external factors during the circulation of food from the factory to the consumer. It can also have the function of maintaining the stable quality of the food itself. The consumption of convenience foods is the first to express the appearance of food, to attract consumption, and to have value other than material cost. The China Printing Cloud Platform provides a one-stop online solution for food packaging design to food packaging printing, and combines different product requirements to provide an economical, hygienic and fast food packaging printing solution.

Many companies need to print decorative patterns, patterns or text on the packaging to make the product more attractive or more illustrative. Good packaging enables products to establish a high-quality image, improve product competitiveness, and promote product sales. It can effectively increase the propaganda of enterprises and increase the influence of enterprises.

How to Expand Recycling of PET Thermoform Packaging in Europe

Supply/demand situation

In America, for a packaging material to be collected for recycling, there has to be “enough” generated in the waste stream to economically justify the collection and reprocessing costs associated thereto. And, there has to be a demand for the recyclate.

In the EU, there are a handful of deposit schemes—Germany, Switzerland, Denmark—and other programs that manage the collection of all plastic packaging via Green Dot fees and other financial contributions.

According to Petcore Europe: “The market for PET thermoforms is growing as it continues to replace other materials. Currently, the total EU, Switzerland and Norway market for PET thermoforms is estimated to be 1 to 1.1 million tons of PET virgin and rPET, including imports.”

Considering demand, Petcore Europe reports that PET thermoforms is the No.1 end market for post-consumer recycled PET. This demand has reached higher numbers than the PET bottle to bottle and fibers end markets.

According to Paolo Glerean, co-lead of Petcore Europe’s Thermoform working group, the reasons for this are twofold: (1) PET bottle-to-bottle usually requires an additional reprocessing step and, at the price virgin PET reached, the cost of food-grade rPET is more expensive than virgin; and (2) quality hot washed flake is good in the EU and can be used to produce sheets for thermoforming. Consequently, it’s easier and more economical to recycle rPET into thermoforms than bottles.

In 2016, a total of 490 kiloton of rPET was recycled into new thermoforms, which means an average recycle content in PET thermoforms of more than 45%. The report concludes, “The most obvious market for rPET coming from thermoforms is to use them for the manufacture of new thermoforms.”

FROM: Dordan

Why Can’t You Recycle Clamshell Containers Made of PET?

According to the National Association for PET Container Resources, or NAPCOR, single-layer thermoplastic PET clamshells could indeed—theoretically, at least—be recycled along with the PET soda bottles we’ve all been recycling for years.
I should note, however, that the Association of Plastics Recyclers says NAPCOR is full of shit—the two applications use different formulations that melt at different temperatures.

It doesn’t really matter either way, because the real problem is that you and rest of the public tend not to know the difference between a single-layer thermoplastic PET clamshell and a hole in the ground—and the people who work at recycling centers don’t do a whole lot better.

There are so many different kinds of plastic formed into clamshell packaging that even trained recycling techs have a tough time telling them apart. And if the item has an adhesive sticker, or a peel-off film, or one of those sanitary napkins that are put under steaks, it’s not usable even if it’s exactly the right kind of plastic.

Types of Clamshell Packaging

The Bifold Clamshell is the traditional clamshell with two components (front and back or right and left). Generally, one of the sides will be the cavity while the other side is flat to hold the product in place. The most common clamshell design is a front/back design with the front having the cavity and the back being flat.

 Tri-fold Clamshells provide the customer with the ability to have the package stand by itself or hang. Due to the added material required for the Trifold, these are more expensive compared to the Bifold, but customers enjoy the versatility this design provides.

Quadfold Clamshells packing provide the highest level of protection due to the multiple layers of material. If the product is going to have a difficult transit to its destination, then the additional levels of security are worth exploring.

Benefits of Plastic Clamshell Packaging

There are many plastic clamshell packaging options available. Constructed from two pieces of plastic that completely surround a product, they can provide protection for the contained product. Depending on the product and the specifics needed, clamshells can be sealed to provide airtight protection. Additionally, clamshells can be constructed from transparent plastic, making the product inside visible to the consumer. What are some additional benefits of clamshell packaging?

Attractive: Plastic clamshells create a simple, one-piece design. Clamshells can increase your product’s attractiveness and aesthetic appeal. Similar to other packaging choices, such as blister cards, clamshells allow graphic cards to be inserted, which can, in turn, improve the attractiveness of the product. Other ways in which clamshells can be customized to improve the visual appeal of the packaging is printing the brand logo or other designs directly onto the plastic or dying the plastic a specific color. Clamshell packaging allows companies the freedom and ability to customize their packaging to attract consumers.
Transparent: Not only are consumers looking for an attractive product, they also feel more confident about making a purchase when they can verify the content and condition of the product inside the packaging. Many brands elect for clamshells because it is an affordable way to provide consumers with peace of mind when shopping for a product. Packaging designers can help create strategic cutouts to display specific parts of a product, providing consumers with added visibility.
Enhanced Security: Because of the protection that is offered by clamshell packaging, many companies elect to use it to secure high-end products. It is common to see clamshell packaging in retail settings, as it protects the product inside from outside tampering. Also, plastic clamshells can prevent damage and temperature changes that the product is exposed to during shipping and handling. This is especially important for food, drug and other highly regulated products, as exposure can result in lost revenue and possible legal consequences. Clamshell packaging also reduces the risk of damage and contamination, as products are protected against poor storage conditions and improper handling.
Ease of Use: One of the biggest disadvantages consumers experience with plastic packaging is that they can be very difficult to open. While this feature is ideal for transportation to shelving, it is less ideal for consumers. Compared to other types of plastic packaging, clamshell packaging provides consumers with easy access to the product inside. Clamshell packaging is more easily opened and can be resealed if necessary.
Versatility: Plastic packaging is widely used for a variety of products due to its customizability to accommodate and protect products regardless of size or shape.