Flexible Packaging

 To date, flexible packaging occupies a significant place in the market industry. This is due to factors such as improved service quality, increase shelf life of products, security, decoration, and variety of goods, comfort for the consumer (disposable flexible packaging is stable and easy to open), reduced weight and volume, ease of transportation, as well as marketing advertising. In addition, it is believed that the flexible packaging meets the requirements of environmental protection, since many materials used to produce it quickly and easily recycled.

Flexible packaging is used in various industries. The demand for flexible packaging can be explained by the fact that this type of packaging is a versatile, convenient, cost-effective and has a presentation. The main percentage of flexible packaging produced is consumed in the food industry, which is about 55% of the market. Also, flexible packaging is used in areas such as non-food items, household, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, automotive industry, consumer goods, gardening, building materials, etc.

 As already noted, the flexible packaging increasingly used in food industry. It is used for packing almost all kinds of products. These products are the frozen foods and cereals, pasta and dairy products, confectionery products, spices, tea, coffee and much more.

Flexible packaging, the main forms of which today can be called a film and extrusion coating, made of different polymers: LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, PVC, PP, PA, PVHD. Among the polymer films can distinguish the most common form - is tarmousadochnye and stretch film.

Shrink flexible film is used to preserve quality. It protects them from the influence of external factors and can store it in different terms. Used termousadochaya flexible films for food packaging, bottles, household items, magazines, and many other products. A great advantage of this package is the impossibility of opening and substitution, as re-pack the goods can only be only with the help of special equipment.

Stretch film is divided into two categories: food (PE and PVC), and pallets. Edible films used for packaging of convenience foods, confectionery, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, cereals, etc. More practical are PVC film. They have greater clarity and strength. In addition, the shelf life of products packaged in PVC film increases due to the fact that such a flexible package can pass the oxygen inside, and the partial moisture and carbon dioxide to pass out. However, it should be noted that the flexible packaging PVC has a cost higher than that of PE.

 Extrusion coating is used for packaging of various food and beverage. These coatings consist of films, combined with such materials as cardboard, paper, metal foil, which gives them strength and ensures great protection. In addition, this combination makes it possible to give a different shape and apply the graphics on the packaging. For transport packaging used pallet film that has the ability to reverse stretching up to 400% and has a high astringent effort. This is its advantage over traditional packaging. Also pallet film is resistant to puncture, deformation and rupture. For its production does not require sophisticated equipment. This film is transparent, which helps to control the safety of the goods. Another advantage of this package is the resistance to various temperatures.

Gaining momentum and more and more in demand, flexible packaging, which is made from paper bags, and with a stable bottom. This is due to an increase in consumer demand for final products and intermediates. In addition, one of the main uses of paper packaging, still remains the confectionery industry.

Flexible packaging, which is used in the cosmetic industry, is made of flexible plastic films and laminates (based on a polymer film), as well as paper and aluminum foil. Vacuum packing of goods (for example, such as powders, diapers), applies compression flexible packaging. The main requirements of this process are high-gloss surface, high strength and integrity. In the pharmaceutical industry primarily use flexible packaging blister, repeating the shape of the product. Made from a flexible packaging such as plastic film, PVC, PE, in combination with the blister foil, thermo, paper and cardboard. This package contains information on the manufacturer and product.

 For the packaging of medical devices, packages of snacks, confectionery, bread, coffee, fruit, and much more developed polyolefin plastomers for films which function as adhesive. They provide a low temperature bonding, the strength of hot-bonding, contribute to prevention and breaking strain, protect against exposure to environmental factors (oxygen, moisture, etc.). Plastomers have properties such as softness, flexibility, elasticity and ability to mix high. There are several companies that manufacture flexible packaging. Some of these companies have their own laboratories, design studios and high-tech equipment, without which this production becomes impossible. After the processing and printing of flexible packaging to meet high requirements, which differ depending on the type of product.

Predicted the emergence of innovations in the field of flexible packaging - are packages that are amenable to sterilization. We can say unequivocally that today more and more flexible packaging and is in demand, due to its accessibility, uniqueness and attractiveness, gradually replacing rigid packaging. In addition, it can be assumed that the flexible packaging will become even better as its producers, in order to remain competitive in the market of the production will constantly strive to meet the new challenges to the integration of customer requirements and to continually improve the products offered.