In the second quarter, the paper market mainly composed of corrugated paper, box board paper and waste yellow paper showed a rising trend. The paper market will continue to show a strong trend in the next three quarters. With the eighth round of price rising tide of Jiulong, the base paper has been soaring. How to do with the high cost of corrugated paper packaging? The alternative packaging promoted by Europe and America has gradually come into people’s sight.
In response to the price rise of corrugated base paper, the use of alternative packaging
To offset costs, most of the large businesses in the FMCG, catering and retail industries are beginning to use the alternatives mentioned below. Most of the large companies in the market have begun to use imitation cow cards instead of cow cards to save costs. In Europe, the increment of imitation card produced with recycled cardboard is usually 20% – 25% higher than that of Kraft.
Redesign
The overall material consumption can be reduced by harmonizing specifications, selecting appropriate cardboard combinations, merging SKUs, and determining the effective number of runs. Some FMCG companies have established in-house teams to review the above, especially in the wake of recent price increases, while others have contacted third-party packaging consultants / designers.
Lightweight
Lightweight has existed in the market for some time. After the recent price rise, it has attracted people’s attention. FMCG companies are working closely with paperboard manufacturers to look for lightweight opportunities.
Using alternative products
In Europe, as wooden / plastic cases can be recycled and reused, people are more and more interested. FMCG companies in Europe have been exploring opportunities to use recyclable Wooden / plastic boxes for their downstream distribution.
Shrink packaging is the most common in beverage industry. It is more common in the Asia Pacific region than in Europe and North America. It has a low ability to withstand damage, therefore, only certain types of product packaging is preferred.
Pallets are not common as separate packaging / transportation materials. It is used with corrugated paper and is used extensively when using shrink wrap.
In order to save cost, some departments are using imitation cow card instead of cow card to save cost. In Europe, the increment of imitation card produced with recycled cardboard is usually 20% – 25% higher than that of Kraft.
Substitute for corrugated packaging
Tray
Pallets are a form of three-level packaging. Pallet is a flat structure, which is used as the basis of commodity unification in the supply chain. Pallets are mainly used to stack, store, protect and transport materials through material handling equipment. Pallets are usually used with shrink wrap.
Crates
A crate is a large box usually made of wood, plastic or metal to protect large and bulky items during transportation. The increase in returnable transit solutions has increased the use of crates in developed countries.
Shrink wrap
It can be used as primary packaging when directly packaging products; it can be used as secondary packaging when bundling products with smaller packaging; it can be used as tertiary packaging when it is used for logistics distribution.
Shrink wrap
Sustainability: Sustainability remains a key focus area for the use of shrink wrap and for increasing product shelf life. Industry trends focus on improving these factors. The growing demand for composite packaging and the demand for high growth sectors of the food and beverage industry, such as bottled water and packaged food, are expected to continue to drive the growth of heat shrinkable packaging.
Material: shrink wrap is made of polymer plastic film. When heated, it contracts tightly on the product as a durable third tier packaging material.
Technology: shrink packaging is a simple process, only need to use the correct film can seal the product and heat, can be used as waterproof, weatherproof and tamper proof packaging.
Application: shrink wrap is usually used as the outer packaging of many types of packaging, including trays and beverage cans.
Recyclability: shrink wrap is considered environmentally friendly because shrink wrap plastic is recyclable after use and can be remanufactured for future use.
Effect of shrink film and paperboard on Environment
raw material
Most of the corrugated board is made from pine or birch pulp and has a high content of recycled ingredients. These types of trees are easy to grow under various conditions and grow faster than hardwood trees. As a result, these trees can be harvested sustainably from properly managed forests. Recycled corrugated board can contain up to 100% recycled materials. Shrink packaging is made of LDPE, while LDPE is made of petroleum, which is a non renewable resource.
Recyclability
Corrugated board is one of the most widely recycled materials on the earth. Some cardboard is made from 100% recycled materials, and corrugated board is considered one of the most “green” packaging solutions available at present due to its average recovery rate of 70% – 80%. Generally, the recyclable shrink packaging will eventually enter the garbage container and then into the landfill, and the contents will eventually enter the plastic packaging recycling bin, making it non recyclable. The recovery rate of shrink wrap is low because only about 4% – 5% of plastic shrink wrap and other LDPE and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) can be recovered in the United States. However, through effective recycling programs, shrink packaging can go further in recycling.
Reusability
Most corrugated boxes and similar packages have flexible corners, so they can be folded and folded before recycling
Post time: Jul-16-2020