Month: February 2022

Flexible Packaging For The Retail Food Industry: Top 5 Benefits

Packaging has now become an integral part of diverse product life cycles. Multiple industries across the globe have embraced flexible packaging technology as it has only made the many advantages of packaging all the more evident. This new-age packaging brilliantly leverages the power of technology to provide businesses with easy access to tailored solutions for product protection and enhancement.

So, what exactly is flexible packaging? Flexible packaging involves any package made of materials that can yield when filled or closed. It can be easily modified in terms of shape, as and when required. The best part about flexible packaging is the impressive range of choices readily available. Each type of packaging material serves a very specific purpose when it comes to protecting or enhancing the appeal of different products and packaging. Flexible packaging is widely leveraged across industries for consumer, institutional, or industrial purposes.

What are flexible packaging materials? Flexible packaging products and films are mostly made from recyclable plastic, film, foil, and paper which makes them relatively lighter than rigid packaging. Here are some of the common flexible packaging examples:

1. Customizable packs and pouches for toiletries and cosmetics products
2. Durable packaging for liquid foods, pouches for instant foods, nuts, spices, sweets, and such
3. Shopping bags, pouches, shrink films, tubes, and sleeves

The next important question is – what is the role of flexible packaging for the retail food industry? When it comes to this dynamic sector, packaging is important not just in terms of product protection, but also product appeal and preservation. Flexible packaging can be easily molded in different shapes and sizes. Brands can create unique packaging for their products to make them more inviting. In addition, the packaging can help preserve the food for long periods by protecting it against contaminants lingering in the air.

Top 5 Benefits Of Flexible Packaging For The Retail Food Industry

1. Enhanced Food Safety:

In the matters of food, the first thing that both brands and consumers want is to ensure safety and hygiene. For retailers, there is the risk of food items getting contaminated before they take their place on shelves. This is where the benefits of flexible packaging come into the picture. The packaging products can be equipped with complementary materials that can act as additional thin barriers of protection. They can help protect the food inside from external threats like moisture in the air, UV rays, grease – all of which can lead to contamination and eventually render the food inedible.

Enhanced protection provided by this kind of packaging highly contributes to safeguarding consumers’ health. In addition, flexible packaging works wonders when it comes to prolonging product shelf life. Durable materials used in the making of the packages or pouches can help the food retain its characteristics under different temperatures. It can also keep the food from coming in contact with oxygen and carbon dioxide, making it safe for consumption.

2. Ease Of Use:

We are living and breathing in an era that celebrates hustle. Consumers today are juggling multiple tasks to keep up with their busy schedules. As such, when they invest in a product, their first and foremost priority is convenience, even when it comes to food packages. The best part about flexible food packaging is that it is incredibly lightweight – an advantage for both retailers and consumers. It is easy to carry and open as well. Most packages can be re-sealed with zip locks, making it convenient to store food items for later.

Flexible packaging offers consumers convenience on a silver platter; which is why it happens to be one of the most sought-after solutions among retailers in the food industry. It helps retailers provide consumers with convenient food packages that can be bought in smaller amounts as per their need and want from retail stores near them.

3. More Branding Avenues:

With flexible packaging at their disposal, companies can create unique packaging for their products to make them look more appealing. Unlike traditional packaging, flexible packaging can facilitate attractive designs – be it your average shopping bag or fancy container lid. It also helps companies explore and experiment with their packaging strategies, and allows them to set their product apart from the rest of the competition. The packs or pouches can be created in different shapes and sizes that best suit the product.

Brands can easily print important product-related information on the right surface of the package. The package can best represent the essence of the brand and communicate it to consumers via high-quality logos and taglines. This helps with enhancing brand recognition by adorning the package with relevant, clear designs and messaging.

4. Eco-friendly Packaging Solution:

Packaging no longer has to mean plastic waste. The flexible packaging sector has come a long way and is now home to sustainable packages that can be recycled easily. This helps keep used pouches or bags out of landfills. Flexible packaging films/products are designed for reuse, thanks to zipper and seal top closures. Consumers can keep using them for multiple things before they are discarded.

Moreover, the production of flexible packaging does not involve the overconsumption of natural resources. The amount of waste produced and energy consumed in the making of these films is a lot less compared to that of rigid containers. It also generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions throughout its distribution than traditional packaging. Given that flexible packaging helps reduce food and plastic waste, it helps brands make good on their promise of adopting sustainable practices.

5. Rise Of E-commerce:

Today, online has become the way of the world, thanks to work-from-home office models. Consumers are now spending most of their time in their homes. The e-commerce industry can bring comfort and convenience to consumers in the form of food, right to their doorstep. From groceries to spices to instant food to beverages – everything is at the ready to be delivered online through a range of apps.

Flexible packaging not only benefits the consumers but also the retailers. How so? Large quantities of products can be securely shipped across long distances. Compared to rigid packaging, flexible packages are quite lightweight. They can accommodate themselves in smaller spaces or be bundled together to save space during transportation.

Contact Ecoplast Ltd – Excellent Food Flexible Packaging Solutions

With 40 years of experience, Ecoplast Ltd is one of India’s largest suppliers of multilayer co-extruded polyethylene and co-polymer films to the flexible packaging industry as well as a variety of other specialty applications across the globe. If you have been in search of the right packaging films manufacturers in India, our extensive range of premium films is at the ready.

Our services are now available in the global markets. We successfully run manufacturing and distribution operations in nine countries – India, Canada, USA, UK, Dubai, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, along with an active presence in all major regional markets. Browse through our premium products online, and select the ones that best suit your requirements. For any further queries, contact us at: +91-22-2683 3452 / +91-22-2683 1403, or drop an email at: [email protected]

Explore 8 Primary Types Of Medical Plastic Bags

Every industry out there is unique in its workings and offerings. However, there are some common factors that each industry has to prioritize, the most important ones on the list being – safety and hygiene. This rings true for industries that directly affect the consumers, for example – the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Given that consumers turn to this sector to embrace better health and reliable medical facilities, there lingers an extra weight of responsibility on its shoulders.

In the medical industry, hygiene always comes first. It has to reflect in the smallest of details, like packaging and storage. Owing to technological advancements and progressive approaches, the medical industry has been able to provide impeccable care to its professionals as well as consumers – from effective treatments to quick delivery of medications; from safe handling of equipment to easy disposal of contaminated wastes. One of the biggest contributors to the success of this sector’s sanitary practices is the varied types of medical plastic bags.

Medical-grade plastic bags are designed in a way that ensures safety from external factors that could hamper medical processes or reduce the efficacy of medical products. Of all the packaging options available out there, poly bags have proven to be the ideal options for several reasons, to name a few:

1. Compliance with medical-grade regulations
2. Highly customizable – can be manufactured in different thicknesses and sizes as per specific requirements
3. More durable than their alternative options, and are economical
4. They come in handy when it comes to labeling or branding
5. They are lightweight, and hence, are easy to transport and store in bulk

There is a diverse range of medical plastic bags out there, depending on their use. Let’s explore some of the main types to better understand their purpose, features, and the differences between them.

8 Different Types Of Medical Plastic Bags

 1. Pharmacy Bags:

The finest examples of medical plastic bags for packaging happen to be pharmaceutical bags. Made out of superior high-density polyethylene (HDPE), they are known to provide excellent patient privacy. Owing to the opaque nature of the material, patients can easily conceal all contents in the bag. These bags are also highly durable and they are equipped with a sealed closure that helps reduce any chances of tampering.

2. Ziploc (Re-closable) Bags:

Medical bags with a re-closable seal have been an absolute boon to the industry. They are used for diverse purposes – from carrying medications to storing important tools and equipment in them. The best part about them is that they can be easily manufactured in multiple sizes to suit different needs. Given that they are durable and function well at all temperatures, they come in handy when it comes to medical refrigeration or storing lab specimens.

3. Adhesive Closure Bags:

The primary reason for these bags being a sought-after option is that they can be re-seeded and used multiple times, without any reduction in the quality of the adhesive. Being made out of polyethylene, these bags are recyclable. In most cases, they are food-safe as well. The non-printed bags come with a two-wall construction. Adhesive closure bags provide a hassle-free opening and safe handling of the contents that are to be stored in them.

4. Sterilization Bags:

These bags are a common phenomenon for professionals belonging to the medical field. Tools cannot be left exposed once they have been used in medical environments like labs, clinics, or hospitals. This is where these tinted bags come to the rescue. They are commonly used for gas sterilization of various tools and equipment to contain contamination. The main purpose of these bags is to allow sterilizing chemicals, heat, vapor, or steam to do its job, rendering tools safe to be used again.

5. Dressing Disposal Bags:

This kind of disposal bag is mostly manufactured out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Almost every medical facility is home to hazardous and non-hazardous medical waste. It is incredibly important for the responsible departments to dispose of this waste to ensure maximum safety in the facilities. This is where the red-colored, non-printed bags come in handy. As the name suggests, dressing disposable bags are used to safely discard wound dressings or other medical wastes of a similar nature. They usually display the biohazard symbol and warnings.

6. Transfer Bags:

When medications are being transferred from their place of production to destined medical facilities, they have to be safeguarded until they reach the pharmacies or hospitals. Transfer bags are specially designed for this purpose – to help transfer drugs, without hampering the effect they are supposed to have in treatments. The bags are manufactured with durable materials and are equipped with ultra-strong adhesive to ensure tamper resistance and enhanced safety. They also come with labels that help manufacturers or pharmacists with keeping track of deliveries.

7. Specimen Bags:

These bags are commonly used to transfer specimens from hospitals to labs. Much like sterilization bags or waste bags, they also come with a hazard warning since the specimen still has to be tested for safety in most cases. What sets them apart from most other kinds of medical bags is the fact that they feature a three-wall construction to provide multiple layers of protection, both for the specimen stored inside and the person handling it. In addition, they also come with an outer pouch that is designed to store valuable documentation associated with the contents in the bag.

8. Water-Soluble Bags:

The bags are designed to help the medical staff with following the ideal hygiene standards in medical facilities. These bags are 100% soluble in water at 140°F, at the least. They are best known to comfortably store moist linens for hours, without any permanent damage. The bags can easily accommodate contaminated clothing and linens that are to be transferred to sterilizing centers. Water-soluble bags also keep the handler safe from the hazardous specimen being carried in them.

Contact Ecoplast Ltd – Leading Polyethylene Film Suppliers

Ecoplast Ltd. is a major supplier of polyethylene multilayer films to high-end markets, where its quality, technical support, and capacity to develop new film structures are well-known. Our expertise lies in designing and manufacturing Surface Protective Films for products such as steel, aluminum panels/profiles, carpets, tiles, glass. Here are the applications for the medical and pharmaceutical industry – syringes, needles, catheters, gloves, surgical instruments, operation theatre products, sutures, tablet packaging, release film for adhesive tapes, and such.

Our presence now extends beyond boundaries and our services are readily available in the global markets. We successfully run manufacturing and distribution operations in nine countries – India, Canada, USA, UK, Dubai, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, along with an active presence in all major regional markets. Browse through our premium products online, and select the ones that best suit your requirements. To know more, contact us at: +91-22-2683 3452 / +91-22-2683 1403, or drop an email at: [email protected]

Rigid Packaging vs Flexible Packaging: Which To Choose? 

We are now living and breathing in a new era fueled by automation and technology, both of which are enabling industries to embrace innovation like never before. The advancements are consequently helping sectors offer more effective solutions to their consumers. The packaging industry is one of the sectors that has evolved at a rapid pace, thanks to technology.

What’s more impressive about this sector is that it is a beautiful blend of both old and new tools, trends, and techniques. However, this is also why businesses find it difficult to pick a side when it comes to Rigid packaging vs. Flexible packaging. To help make the right choice for your business and its products, let’s explore the key differences between rigid packaging vs flexible packaging.

Before diving right into the differences, let’s have a quick look at what both the categories entail – their meaning, types, and benefits.

What Is Flexible Packaging?

Flexible packaging involves any package made of materials that can yield when filled or closed. It can be easily modified in terms of shape, as and when required. The best part about flexible packaging is the impressive range of choices readily available. Each type of packaging material serves a very specific purpose when it comes to protecting or enhancing the appeal of different products and packaging. Flexible packaging is widely leveraged across industries for consumer, institutional, or industrial purposes.

Top 3 Types Of Flexible Packaging – Common Substrates

1. Low-density Polythene (LDPE):

LDPE is an incredibly flexible and lightweight plastic material. These films are known for their low-temperature flexibility, durability, corrosion resistance, chemical and impact resistance. They are quite easy to fabricate by using a high-pressure process.

 2. Bi-axially-orientated Polypropylene Polymer (BOPP):

These films exhibit unquestionable durability and resistance to moisture, and excellent clarity, making them the ideal choice for retail packaging.

3. Biaxially-oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET):

They are popular for their transparency, reflectivity, high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, gas and aroma barrier properties, and electrical insulation.

3 Benefits Of Flexible Packaging

1. Eco-friendly:

Flexible packaging films are designed for reuse, thanks to zipper and seal top closures. They are easy to recycle and help keep used pouches or bags out of landfills.

2. Lightweight:

Being lightweight, the films are easy to transport and are less likely to get damaged during shipping. This allows companies to ship more with higher profit margins.

3. Customizable:

Flexible packaging can be easily molded in different shapes and sizes. Brands can create unique packaging for their products to make them look more appealing.

Examples Of Flexible Packaging

Here are some common examples of flexible packaging:

 1. Personal Hygiene: 

Customizable packs, pouches for toiletries, hygiene, shampoo, soaps, creams, lotions, gels, cosmetics products, beauty products, and more.

2. Food & Beverage:

Durable packaging for liquid foods, pouches for dry foods, snacks and nuts, spices, chocolates and sweets, and packaging for bakery products.

4. Medical/Surgical:

Used in the production of quality syringes, needles, catheters, gloves, surgical Instruments, operation theater products, sutures, and more.

What Is Rigid Packaging?

Rigid packaging features products made out of heavier and often stronger materials as compared to flexible packaging. The products are mostly made from glass, hard plastics, cardboard, metal, and so on. They come in varied forms – cans, hard plastic and cardboard boxes, glass containers. As durable as they are, they also come with certain limitations. The first challenge is that their shape cannot be easily altered. Hence, there is very little room for customization. Secondly, they are way heavier and can prove to be more expensive.

Types Of Rigid Packaging

1. Paper & Paperboard:

Being easy to stack, paper and cardboard packaging is used largely in the retail industry. Corrugated cardboard is known to have superior structural stability for shipping and storing. Paper packaging comes in handy when it comes to marketing, given that it is incredibly easy to print on paper-based material.

2. Glass:

Glass is used in the packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and alcoholic beverages. Owing to its nonporous and nontoxic nature, glass has been used largely in the food and beverage industry for decades. It keeps external factors from contaminating food and beverages.

3. Aluminum:

Aluminum packages offer excellent production against light, UV rays, oils, and oxygen. The packaging comes in many forms – cans, foil, and aerosol products. Being non-toxic, it is often used to package medications. It can be used with laminates to provide thin barrier protection for food and beverages.

 Benefits Of Rigid Packaging

1. Superior Strength:

Given that rigid packaging items are made from stronger materials like hard plastics, they can provide enhanced protection to the products inside, when the packaging is handled carefully.

2. Luxurious Touch:

Rigid packaging items made out of glass can add a touch of luxury to products, especially when it comes to the food and beverage, cosmetics, and healthcare industries.

3. Fragile Items:

When it comes to transporting fragile or electronic items, manufacturers usually opt for rigid packages, complemented with more protective packaging inside.

Examples Of Rigid Packaging

Here are some common applications of rigid packaging:

1. Retail:

Durable packaging for cereal boxes, glass bottles of spirits, glass jars, aluminum cans, laundry detergent bottles, and such.

2. Industrial & Electronics:

Strong packaging for electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and similar parts.

3. Food & Beverage:

Glass containers for packaged foods such as pickle jars, jams, etc. Metal cans and containers for beverages and canned food products.

 Key Differences Between Rigid Packaging & Flexible Packaging

Flexible Packaging	Rigid Packaging
Flexible packaging products and films are mostly made from recyclable plastic, film, foil, and paper which makes them relatively lighter than rigid packaging.	Rigid packaging products are heavier than flexible packaging because of the stronger/ denser materials like glass, hard plastics, cardboard, metal.
Flexible packaged items are more durable and their shelf life is much longer.	Rigid packaging can provide excellent protection against heat and other barriers.
Flexible packaging just can retain its characteristics and features in case of rough handling during the transport and shelving phase.	On the contrary, rigid packaging is more prone to dents, scratches. In extreme cases, the products can break upon falling and or during rough handling.
It is easy to customize flexible packaging items in any shape and finish to enhance their visual appeal for branding purposes.	The avenues for customization are quite limited when it comes to rigid packaging. The customization can come with extra costs.
Flexible packages are flat, can bend easily or be bundled together to save space.	Rigid packages generally take up more space as they cannot be squeezed together.

 

Ecoplast Ltd – Leading Flexible Packaging Manufacturers In India

We are one of India’s largest suppliers of multilayer co-extruded polyethylene and co-polymer films to the flexible packaging industry as well as a variety of other specialty applications. We hold expertise in designing and manufacturing Surface Protective Films that best protect products such as steel, aluminum panels/profiles, carpets, tiles, glass, and more.

Our services are now available in the global markets. We successfully run manufacturing and distribution operations in nine countries – India, Canada, USA, UK, Dubai, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, along with an active presence in all major regional markets. To know more, contact us at +91-22-2683 3452 / +91-22-2683 1403, or email us at: [email protected]

LDPE vs HDPE: Know The Key Differences 

Any and every industry is as good as the services and products it introduces to the market. The same rule applies to the flexible packaging industry as well. The key reason for the rise of this sector is the fact that it is home to many wonders – one of them being polyethylene films.

A Polyethylene (PE) film is essentially a plastic film made from ethylene, a hydrocarbon that is mainly obtained from natural gas or petroleum. Because of its wide use, polyethylene has many names in the market – ‘plastic sheeting’, ‘polyethylene sheet’, ‘poly sheeting’, or ‘poly film’. Today, Polyethylene sheeting is the most-sought after solution when it comes to plastic protection. What makes it so desirable is the fact that it can be customized to perfectly fit into a project’s requirement. The best part about Polyethylene films is that they come in enviable variations. They can also be manufactured in different colors or be transparent. In addition, plastic sheeting comes in a wide range of thicknesses. The thicker the virgin film, the stronger it is. The film gets thicker as the numbers of mils increase.

Given the many ideal options that fall under the polyethylene category, the task of choosing the right kind of material becomes a daunting task. One of the biggest challenges that manufacturers face is that of LDPE vs HDPE – two of the most popular types of polyethylene.  To help you make the right choice for your requirements, here is a closer look at what LDPE and HDPE mean, what are their features, applications, and most importantly, the key differences between the two. Let’s start with what these two terms entail.

What Is LDPE?

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is an incredibly flexible and lightweight plastic material that was first introduced as a packaging film in 1933. It is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene and is regarded as a highly flexible material with unique flow properties. The films are best known for their low-temperature flexibility, durability, corrosion resistance, chemical and impact resistance.

LDPE is quite easy to fabricate by using a high-pressure process via free radical polymerization. The films are the most sought-after in the food packaging industry because they ensure compliance with food safety standards, and are recyclable.

 What Is HDPE?

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) was first created by Karl Ziegler and Erhard Holzkamp in the 1950s. It has a denser form, and the end result is usually stiff plastic, thanks to its highly crystalline structure. It has a rigid structure with very little branching. This material does a great job of protecting the groundwater from toxic chemicals from oil drilling or from landfills.

HDPE is extremely easy to process and is economical as well. It is an opaque packaging leveraged for your everyday products like a shampoo bottle, lotion bottles, or flower pots; products that also demand a certain degree of marketing appeal.

Primary Differences Between LDPE vs. HDPE

LDPE	HDPE
LDPE is softer and more flexible than HDPE, making it ideal for diverse applications.	HDPE is rigid and durable and offers better chemical resistance.
It also has a lower melting point (115° C) and hence is not resistant to higher temperatures.	Its higher melting point (135° C). This allows it to withstand higher temperatures than LDPE.
LDPE comes as both opaque and translucent.	HDPE is generally opaque.
LDPE features low crystallinity, making it a more flexible option as compared to HDPE.	The crystalline structure allows HDPE to feature better rigidity and greater strength even under pressure.
LDPE is produced by compressing monomer ethylene gas in an autoclave or tubular reactor to facilitate polymerization—i.e., the linking of monomers into polymer chains.	HDPE is created by heating petroleum to very high temperatures. This process releases the ethylene gas monomers, which then combine to form polymer chains.
LDPE has more branching in its polymer chains.	HDPE has less branching in its polymer chains.
LDPE is classified under recycling number 4.	HDPE under recycling number 2.
LDPE features excellent chemical resistance, flexibility, and waterproofing capacity.	HDPE is known for exhibiting high impact strength and durability.
Common LDPE Applications: 1. Plastic bags 2. Water bottles and pipes 3. Waterproof carton lining, plastic wraps, heavy-duty sacks 4. Plastic parts for computer components 5. Corrosion protection layer for work surfaces	Common HDPE Applications: 1. Bottle caps, milk bottles, and bulk containers for industrial use 2. Fibers for ropes, nets, and industrial fabrics 3. Stronger pipes and tubing 4. Plastic chairs and tables 5. Toys, trash bins, and ice cube containers

LDPE vs. HDPE Recycling

Being born out of polyethylene, both LDPE and HDPE are recyclable. LDPE is classified under recycling number 4, and HDPE under recycling number 2. Even though they are both recyclable, a different approach has to be adopted during their processing.

There are times when LDPE can also be more difficult to recycle. This is when the end-product is softer and runs the minor risk of getting caught in recycling machinery. On the contrary, HDPE is easy to transport and can be just as easily processed through recycling equipment.

LDPE vs. HDPE Examples

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is commonly used to manufacture plastic products like shopping bags. The notable thing about LDPE is that it is soft, puncture-resistant, highly transparent, and heat sealable, making it the ideal choice for wrapping products, tubing, and packaging of auto parts. The slightly denser version of LDPE is used to manufacture packaging bags for sharper objects. LDPE is also used to manufacture lids for canned products, grocery bags, and plastic wraps and films. It works well for processing techniques such as extrusion, blowing, or injection as well.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) features a much denser form, and the end result is usually stiff and stronger plastic sheets, thanks to its highly crystalline structure. It is commonly used to manufacture garbage and recycling bins, milk and laundry detergent holders, ice cube containers, cutting boards, toys, and such. In addition, it is used in the making of fibers for ropes, nets, and industrial fabrics. The HDPE plastic does a great job of protecting the groundwater from toxic chemicals from oil drilling or from landfills.

Contact Ecoplast Ltd – Leading Polyethylene Film Manufacturers

Ecoplast Ltd is one of India’s most respected and largest polyethylene film suppliers (multilayer co-extruded polyethylene and co-polymer films). We cater to the flexible packaging industry as well as a variety of other specialty applications around the world. Over the last 40 years, we have mastered the art of designing and manufacturing Surface Protective Films that protect products such as steel, aluminum panels/profiles, carpets, tiles, glass, and all kinds of substrates from dust, scratches, and other environmental impacts.

Here are our key offerings:

• EcoGen™ (Lamination Films)
• EcoProtect™ (Surface Protection Films)
• EcoBond™ (Adhesive Films)
• EcoPrime™ (Speciality Films)

Browse through our premium PE products online and benefit from their many features. If doubts still linger, feel free to give us a call at +91-22-2683 3452 / +91-22-2683 1403, or drop an email at: [email protected]