The commercial success of plastics as a packaging product is
due to a combination of flexibility (from film to rigid
applications), strength, lightness, stability, impermeability and ease
of sterilisation. These features make
plastics an ideal packaging material for all sorts of
commercial and industrial users.
Plastics food
packaging, for instance, does not affect the taste and quality
of the foodstuff. In fact, the barrier properties of plastics ensure
that food keeps its natural taste while protecting it from external
contamination. Moreover, the material's unparalleled
versatility is demonstrated in a multitude of
applications such as packaging films for fresh meats, bottles for
beverages, edible oils and sauces, fruit yoghurt cups or
margarine tubs.
The following are just some of the
benefits offered by plastics packaging:
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The lightest packaging material:
While over 50% of all European goods are packaged
in plastics, these plastics account only for 17% of all
packaging weight. Furthermore, this weight has been reduced by
28% over the past 10 years! Lightweight packaging means lighter loads or
fewer lorries needed to ship the same amount of products, helping to
reduce transportation energy, decrease emissions and lower shipping
costs. It also helps reduce the amount of waste
generated. |
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Food conservation and preservation:
Plastics packaging protects and preserves perishable food
for longer. It helps reducing waste and the use of
preservatives while maintaining the taste and nutritional value of food.
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Convenient and innovative:
nowadays pople want packaging with clear identification and
labelling which is easy to open and use. Plastics packaging evolves to
provide exactly that. In the near future, for instance, it will
integrate printable RFID (Radio-frequency identification) chips based
on conductive polymers, providing precious information on the quality
and status of products. |
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Safe and hygienic: Plastics
packaging protects against contamination of foods and medicine
and helps prevent the spreading of germs during manufacture,
distribution and display. Tamper-proof closures provide additional
protection and security, while transparent packaging allows people to
look at food without having to touch it, cutting down on bruising and
other damage. |
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