Environmental awareness has been growing around the world for a number of years. It is a very important topic and has a massive impact on what products people buy. Businesses should therefore be monitoring it carefully and ensure they align with what consumers want. It is a good idea to look at various options, especially for flexible packaging. Laminating services can be really useful here.
Paper
One of the most significant changes in terms of flexible packaging is paperisation. This is the trend of businesses shifting to using paper instead of plastic. It is a popular move for a number of reasons. Most importantly, consumers see it is a positive for the environment because paper has a reputation for recyclability and sustainability. Plastic on the other hand is derided for being harmful and having a bigger carbon footprint.
There have been some really interesting advances when it comes to using paper for flexible packaging. Composites can be a viable option for various products. In fact, there are materials that can cater for an impressive selection of specifications. For example, you can choose paper composite to provide barrier and sealing properties. It can protect a product from moisture, oxygen, and light.
Not all sunshine
While there are some benefits with paperisation, it isn’t all positive. There are some drawbacks that make traditional plastic and laminating services attractive.
One factor is paper often requires more material to achieve the necessary level of strength and durability. It can have an impact on the packaging cost and amount of resources you need to use. Additionally, it can affect the dimensions of the packaging. Plastics can be thin but impressively durable.
Recycling can also be an issue with some paper composites. The problem is they can feature waxes or polymers. Including these non-fibre materials in paper pulp can have a massive impact. It can damage equipment, cause issues with recycling streams, and make the recycled paper much lower quality.
Some countries are taking measures to protect paper recycling and ensure the quality of products. For example, Germany has regulations that say the paper to plastic ratio must be at least 95-5. Therefore, only 5% can be non-fibrous material.
Ask us about laminating services
Flexible packaging is a fantastic product that works for various needs. However, it is important to choose the right materials. Paper composites can be good, but you must think about performance, cost, recycling, and sustainability. Some plastic solutions can still be a great choice.
At Foiling Services, we have a lot of experience with different types of laminate. This includes thicker films that give products some rigidity as well as thinner, flexible films. We can apply them to a massive array of sheet materials to help clients with many different applications.
So, if you want to learn more about our laminating services, including in regard to flexible packaging, speak to us.