Plastic packaging plays a critical role in protecting products from damage and ensuring that they reach the consumer in good condition. Therefore, it is important to choose high-quality plastic packaging.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive analysis of the quality standards for plastic packaging. We will discuss the different criteria used to evaluate the quality of plastic packaging and explain how to achieve these criteria.

Basic Quality Standards for Plastic Packaging

The quality standards for plastic packaging depend on the type of product being packaged, as well as the expected storage and transportation conditions. However, there are some basic criteria that are used to evaluate the quality of plastic packaging in all cases.

• Leak-proofness: The packaging must be airtight to prevent the product from leaking. This can be achieved by using the appropriate plastic materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
• Durability: The packaging must be durable enough to withstand shocks and damage during storage and transportation. This can be achieved by using strong plastic materials, such as polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate (PC).
• Stability: The packaging must be stable when filled with the product. This can be achieved by using plastic materials with the appropriate weight and manufacturing techniques.
• Printability: In some cases, printability may be a quality standard for plastic packaging. The packaging must be printable in a clear and attractive way for customers. This can be achieved by using the appropriate plastic materials and manufacturing techniques.

Additional Quality Standards for Plastic Packaging

In addition to the basic criteria mentioned above, the quality standards for plastic packaging may also include other factors, such as:

• Safety: The packaging must be safe to use and should not cause any harm to the product or the consumer.
• Recyclability: The recyclability of plastic packaging can be an important factor, especially in the context of growing environmental concerns.
• Cost: The packaging must be reasonably priced.

Manufacturing Techniques for Ensuring Plastic Packaging Quality

There are a number of manufacturing techniques that can be used to ensure the quality of plastic packaging. These techniques include:

• Selection of materials: The appropriate plastic materials must be selected for the type of product being packaged and the expected storage and transportation conditions.
• Quality control of raw materials: The plastic materials used must be ensured to meet the required quality standards.
• Production monitoring: The production process must be monitored to ensure that the packaging meets the required quality standards.
• Testing of finished products: The finished products must be tested to ensure that they meet the required quality standards.

Conclusion

Plastic packaging plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and safety of products. By following the quality standards and manufacturing techniques outlined in this article, businesses can ensure that their plastic packaging meets the needs of their customers and protects their products from damage.

References

• Ferreira, V.C.C., et al. (2020). Quality assessment of plastic packaging for food products. Food Control, 115, 107196.

packaging plays a critical role in the success of a product. A product’s packaging can be used to target a specific demographic, create an emotional connection with customers, and even increase brand loyalty. Through effective packaging, a business can create a lasting impression on consumers and ultimately increase its sales.

In his study Khairuddin (2003), stated that  packaging plays a major role in the marketing strategy of the organization, and many products can be observed that have gained a competitive advantage as a result of changing their packaging, including soft drinks, perfumes, toothpaste, and canned goods, and some cases in which packaging can play a strategic role will be presented:

1. Change of packaging and packaging:

The marketer may change the packaging as a result of the development in the packaging materials industry, or because he feels that the existing design of the packaging does not keep pace with the times, especially when compared to competitors’ designs. A food production and packaging company in the United States changed the packaging design of its products without changing any other element of the marketing mix, resulting in the company’s sales jumping by 44%.

2. Multi-purpose packaging and packaging:

What is meant by the package and the multi-use packaging is the packaging that can be reused for purposes other than the original purpose of its use, including jam and honey containers, which can be used as cups for drinking or preserving food after the contents of the package run out, which would increase the company’s sales if the consumer prefers this type of package.

3. Multi-unit packaging:

Some companies may pack two or more units of goods in one package, to increase demand for the commodity at the point of consumption (e.g. in the consumer’s home).  

Basic functions of packaging:

There are four basic functions of packaging referred to by Smith and Taylor (2004):

1. Product protection and containment: The packaging must protect the product during storage, transportation, and use, for example, for pharmaceutical products, packaging must be created that protects against misuse by children (in the case of children using pharmaceutical products, chemicals, etc.).
2. Convenience and convenience in terms of ease of use (providing persuasion): The package must provide persuasion or suitability, especially when using, starting from opening the package, pressing it, using the product, and also when stacking, storing, and using in various places, it is necessary to use packages that are very convincing and appropriate for food products, every minute you spend improving the persuasion process can create a competitive advantage, Khairuddin added, (2003)  A good packaging must be characterized by its ability to facilitate the use of the commodity because the ease of use of the commodity means the satisfaction of the consumer, which in turn leads to higher sales and increased profitability.
3.  Marketing communications: Before focusing on the communication aspects of the packaging, it must be noted that the previous functions of packaging are all independent. The first and second functions, protection, preservation, persuasion, and convenience when used, are both indirectly related to each other. For example, if the product becomes  Damaged, distorted, or spoiled, so all that remains is a negative image despite advertising, publishing media, and promotional sales that claim the opposite. Similarly, if instructions for storage, opening, or use are not communicated to the consumer, the packaging loses its special ability to protect and persuade.

The marketing communication function of packaging can be divided into small groups of different functions:

1. Attract the attention of the shopper passing by the store.
2. Urging those who see the package that the content and content match the aspirations and hopes created by the advertising message, as the package itself convinces the consumer passing in front of it to buy, saying, “Buy me”
3. Building the personality of the brand and establishing links and links between it and the buyer.
4. Build loyalty with the consumer through packaging attributes that:
5. The most beautiful on the table.
6. Distinguish and easily remember a store that contains at least 9000 products.
7. Easier to use inside and outside the home compared to other competitors’ packaging.
8. It guides the consumer on how to use the product in order to maximize its benefits.
9. It provides the consumer with the necessary information such as instructions for use, ingredients produced, country of origin … Etcetera.
10. The silent salesman: The packaging must play the role of a salesman because it is the last tool, and sometimes it is the only opportunity to contact the consumer and sell the commodity to him. Other elements of the communication mix can be lost amid competition and a lot of loud commercial messages directed to attract the consumer’s attention, the packaging must scream at first and bravely to attract the consumer’s attention and then lower its voice to go back to make the product features  It comes to the fore. The packaging can create a dialogue with the consumer in different ways: attracting, arousing interest, arousing unconscious aspirations, and, above all, persuasion. The package can excite the consumer or remind him of an advertisement he has seen before about the same product,  through which the mental image remains in the consumer’s memory, and it is aroused through a close glimpse of the package, especially if the package includes some images from the advertisement.

 Smith and Taylor (2004) also added that  Heinz packaging is sometimes called trigger packs because they create dialogue and communication between them and the consumer,  which is more powerful and powerful than the sounds of strong advertisements, so the biggest designer of the packages Michael Peters called them the term (visual magnet) visual magnet for the package, meaning that the packaging must urge the consumer  On the purchase and thus breed has loyalty to a sign.

The study of Ashaduzzaman and Mahbub, 2016) added that packaging is the salesman of the product. The elements of verbal and visual packaging are among the tools of sales promotion, due to the change in the consumer’s lifestyle and reliance on self-service, and therefore they play a major role in the process of marketing communication with the consumer and thus affect his purchasing decision.

The above concludes that the role of packaging has changed from being just protecting and containing the product to a product promotion tool, due to the change in consumer lifestyle,  self-service dependence, and intense competition between the brands of one product, which prompted companies to rely on packaging and its elements in the process of marketing communication with the consumer and then influence his purchasing decision.

Sources:

 Khair El-Din, Omar Hassan (2003), “Marketing – Concepts and Strategies”, Ain Shams Library, Cairo.

Smith, P. and Taylor, J. (2004), Marketing communications An Integrated Approach 4th Edition.

Ashaduzzaman, D. and Mahbub, F., (2016), “Understanding the Role of Packaging Elements on Buying Detergent Powder in Dhaka City: A study on Bangladesh”, Asian Journal of Business Research, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp: 19-33.

When designing packages, there are several factors to consider, such as cost, size, materials, design, sustainability, and protection. Cost is an essential factor as it will determine how much the package will be sold for.

• Size is also important as it will affect how much product can be packaged in the container.
• Materials need to be chosen carefully as they will affect the durability of the package.
• Design should be considered as it will affect the aesthetics of the package.
• Finally, protection must be considered to ensure the safety of the product when it arrives at its destination.

All these factors should be taken into account when designing packages.

 Abdel Hamid’s study (2010) identified  the factors that must be considered in the  design of packaging packages:

1. Products to be packaged in terms of liquid – powder …. etc.), weight, size,  smell,  taste,  perishability, evaporation and flammability, and vulnerability to light, heat, atmospheric pressure, and humidity.
2. The means used for transport (railways – wagons – planes – maritime transport) and the extent of exposure of the commodity to light and dust. etc. during transport, the possibilities of exposure to breakage or loss, and the period of time used to transport it.
3. The storage period of the producer, intermediaries, and the last consumer until the use of the product.
4. Names, distinctive signs, and data must be shown on the outer cover.
5. Not in size with purchasing habits and storage locations in retail stores or at the latter consumer.
6. The material used in the manufacture of packaging.
7. Characteristics related to the speed and ease of opening and closing.
8. Attractiveness informs and the ability to draw attention and arouse desire.
9. Maximum costs allocated for the package.
10. The suitability of the colors to the nature of the commodity and the taste of the last consumer.
11. Failure to design packages in terms of weight or size to the consumer that the quantity of the commodity is greater than the actual quantity in the package. The law requires this in many countries and involves the writing of the net contents of the package of the commodity.  

While the study (Khairuddin, 2003) added the specifications of good packaging, which dealt with according to  the consumer  and distributor points of view, as follows:

1-Good packaging from a consumer point of view:

It must be characterized by safety in non-use, which means safety in the stage of non-use, as well as safety in the post-use stage, and safety in the post-use stage, is of particular importance as the disposal of the packaging must not cause effects or damage to aquatic or plant life or the like.

2-The good packaging from the distributor’s point of view:

Good packaging should not lead to poor use of the display shelf space and helps to display the commodity easily inside the store so that it is easier for the buyer to see, examine and carry it, and perhaps the most important function that good packaging must provide at the level of distribution outlets is to attract consumer attention,  which helps to increase the turnover rate of the commodity and thus increase its profits.

Packaging Items:

Based on previous studies, the packaging elements are divided into visual elements – verbal elements – innovation, and this is what the figure shows:

Sources:

1-Abdel Hamid, Talaat Asaad, (2010), “Marketing Innovation – The Road to Balanced Profit in All Ages”, Faculty of Commerce – University of Mansoura (pp. 80-188).

2-Khari El-Din, Omar Hassan (2003), “Marketing – Concepts and Strategies”, Ain Shams Library, Cairo.

What is COP27?

United Nations (UN) climate summits are held every year, for governments to agree on steps to limit global temperature rises.

They are referred to as COPs, which stands for “Conference of the Parties”. The parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992.

COP27 is the 27th annual UN meeting on climate. It is taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh until 18 November.

• ‘Climate chaos’ warning as COP27 summit begins
• Sunak calls for a global push on ‘clean growth’

World leaders are discussing action to tackle climate change at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.

It follows a year of climate-related disasters and broken temperature records.

Why is COP27 important?

The world is warming because of emissions produced by humans, mostly from burning fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal.

Global temperatures have risen 1.1C and are heading towards 1.5C, according to the UN’s climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

If temperatures rise 1.7 to 1.8C above 1850s levels, the IPCC estimates that half the world’s population could be exposed to life-threatening heat and humidity.

To prevent this, 194 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to “pursue efforts” to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.

What will be discussed at COP27?

Ahead of the meeting, countries were asked to submit ambitious national climate plans. Only 25 have done so to date.

COP27 will focus on three main areas:

• Reducing emissions
• Helping countries to prepare for and deal with climate change
• Securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above

Some areas not fully resolved or covered at COP26 will be picked up:

• Loss and damage finance – money to help countries recover from the effects of climate change, rather than just prepare for it

Sadko Plast is Landing in Sharm El Sheikh for COP 27 from the 6th till the 17th of November 2022.

Stay Tuned to know more about Sadko plast’s Sustainability Projects & Investments.

ISO standards are internationally recognized specifications for products, services, and systems. They are put in place to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency, so they are clearly crucial to the packaging industry. In this article, we’ll look at which ISO standards are relevant for packaging companies, and what the benefits are of holding ISO accreditations

Which ISO Standards Are Important in the Packaging Industry?

There are several over-arching ISO standards that are important in the packaging industry, as well as specific standards related to packaging within particular sectors where regulations are more stringent.

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is a necessary quality management standard for many businesses. For packaging manufacturers, it gives a clear signal to customers that you are able to make ISO-quality packaging. It means that your company runs a fully integrated quality management system, and your management team can use the ISO 9001 standard’s eight quality management principles to drive optimal performance across your business.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 demonstrates a company’s commitment to the environment. Environmental impact is a key concern for many packaging companies, and the ISO 14001 accreditation supports environmental best practices. It means that companies are actively looking for ways to reduce waste through efficient working processes, designing packaging with minimal material usage, and using recycled and recyclable materials where possible.

Packaging Industry-Specific ISO Standards

There are also more specific ISO standards relating to packaging within particular industries. For example:

The ISO 15378 standard relates to primary packaging materials specifically for medicinal products. This standard provides particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001 with reference to good manufacturing practice (GMP). It helps medicinal packaging companies to reduce the risk of safety hazards and product contamination, and ensure product effectiveness and longevity.

ISO 13127 is relevant to companies that manufacture child-resistant packaging. It includes mechanical test methods for reclosable packaging systems.

ISO 13274 relates to transport packaging for dangerous goods. For example, it includes plastics compatibility testing for packaging and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

General Benefits of Holding ISO Accreditations

Holding ISO accreditations has general benefits for all companies, regardless of industry. These accreditations provide customers with the confidence that the products they are purchasing and using are safe, reliable, compliant, and good quality. ISO standards can also help to reduce costs in your business by increasing efficiency, opening access to new markets with international recognition, and improving environmental performance by reducing your ecological footprint.

Benefits to Packaging Companies of Holding ISO Accreditations

Quality is an important requirement for many packaging companies, and ISO accreditations support quality objectives. Adhering to ISO standards can:

• Be the difference between your products arriving safely or getting damaged
• Generate more sales
• Positively affect the reputation and success of your packaging company
• Help you exceed customer expectations
• Reduce costs through lean and efficient production management
• Provide a fully optimized solution to a packaging design brief
• Help you meet packaging regulations and legislation
• Solve problems in your workflows and boost productivity
• Bring an independent perspective to production