Plastics Overtaking Packaging Materials

Plastic has been used for decades to package anything from candy to perfume to novelty items. It might be hard to believe, but as recently as in the early 20th century; plastics usage in packaging was minimal. Today these petroleum-based products are used to secure everything from medical supplies to food to car parts. Despite their versatility, a relatively small number of plastics are used for packaging. Some have been around in various forms since 1933, while newer polymers have been developed to help address sustainability concerns.

Packaging a product correctly and attractively can be as important as the product itself. With the ability to be formed into any shape imaginable, listing plastic packaging products would seem an endless task. However, those myriad of shapes and sizes can actually be broken down into just four categories.

Thermoformed Packaging

Thermoforming is a plastic fabricating process which involves heating plastic sheets and forming it over a male or female mold. The two basic types of thermoforming processes - vacuum forming and