There are many factors to consider when selecting plastic packaging container materials. Due to the wide variety of plastics available, selecting the right material can be quite a complex task. You can use different materials to package the same product, or the same material to package different products, but the molding processes might vary.
For instance, when packaging shampoo, you might opt for PP or PVC materials; PET is great for packaging cooking oil or carbonated drinks; and HDPE can be molded into box-like containers through injection molding, while it can also be shaped into hollow containers for cosmetic packaging using blow molding.
Understanding the characteristics of the various plastics commonly used for packaging is crucial for making the right choice. The material of the plastic packaging container directly influences its fundamental properties. Even if two plastic containers look the same or similar, the differences in material can lead to significant variations in their performance. So, when choosing plastic containers, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of the relevant properties of the plastics involved.
The selection of plastic packaging container materials can generally be considered from the following five aspects:
1. Protection and Performance
Choose plastic packaging materials based on the characteristics of the items being packaged. Key factors include the strength, transparency, glossiness, breathability, moisture permeability, heat resistance, and acid-alkali resistance of the plastic.
2. Marketability
This aspect focuses primarily on aesthetics and promotional appeal.
3. Economics
From a cost perspective, it’s essential to select appropriate raw materials and processing methods.
4. Safety and Hygiene
Plastic materials must be hygienic, reliable, and non-toxic.
5. Waste Management
This is primarily about resource conservation and environmental protection, requiring us to adopt a sustainable development mindset. We need to consider not only current needs but also the long-term impacts on future generations. The fundamental requirement is to conserve resources as much as possible and avoid harmful effects on the environment.
When it comes to plastic packaging containers, the harmful environmental impact during their production process is not yet severe. However, we still have many issues to address regarding the relationship between plastic packaging containers and environmental protection.
Developed industrial countries have proposed the “3R1D” principle for plastic packaging materials after years of exploration, which is worth our consideration. The “3R” refers to reducing plastic packaging waste (reduce), reusing plastic packaging (reuse), and recycling plastic packaging (recycle). The “1D” stands for developing biodegradable plastic packaging materials (dissolve).