FLEXIBLE

PACKAGING
Arellano, Sarah Angel P.
Martin, Ma. Leslie D.
Perez, Jollyna Marinie
Partoza, Paul Adrian S.
Sotto, John Carlo
(BSHE-FPE 4A-G1 )
 What is Flexible Packaging?
According to the Flexible Packaging
Association, flexible packaging consists of
any package or part of a package that’s
shape can be readily changed. This
includes non-rigid structures such as bags,
pouches, shrink films, tubes, sleeves and
carded packaging.
Because it combines some of the most
beneficial qualities of plastic, film, paper
and aluminum foil, flexible packaging
offers a broad range of protective
properties while minimizing materials
and costs. Given these advantages, it
continues to be one of the fastest
growing segments of the packaging
industry.
Some of the leading options in flexible
packaging for foods include:

Pouches are versatile packages that can stand upright

on shelves, have airtight closures, are easy to pack and
place on store shelves, feature significant visibility
capabilities and are fully customizable.
*They also can have multiple layers of protection that are
customizable to accommodate nearly any product. The
downside to many layers is that once they reach their end-of-life
they are more difficult to recycle. This is because they must be
broken down to their singular polymer forms to be recyclable.
 POLYETHYLENE ( PE)
 It is the oldest thermoplastic film
 It can be: Transparent, Metallized, or White
 Thickness range between 25µ to 100µ
 Excellent heat sealability
 It is only suitable for flexo printing
 PE is a film with very low barrier properties
 It is only suitable to protect against moisture
 This material is mainly used as an inner layer for
laminates
 the most popular plastic in the world. This is the
polymer that makes grocery bags, shampoo bottles,
children's toys, and even bullet proof vests. For such a
versatile material, it has a very simple structure, the
simplest of all commercial polymers.
 It is also used as single layer to pack products requiring
low protection like: Frozen vegetables, Frozen Fish,
Napkins, …
 CAST POLYPROPYLENE
(CPP)
• It is very similar to PE but with better
machinability properties
• Thickness range between 20µ to 40µ
• It is transparent, but with a more
crystalic view compared to PE
• It has very low protection barrier values
• Better printability properties than PE,
but still must be printed in flexo
• Used as simple layer for applications
such as toast bread or cupcakes
• Not used as laminating layer
 BI-ORIENTED
POLYPROPYLENE
(BOPP)
• It is the most used thermoplastic film
• Thickness range between 15µ to 40µ (most between
20µ-30µ)
• It can be : transparent, white, opaque, metallized,
lacquered, pearly, …
• It has very lower heat sealing properties than PE or
CPP
• Better barrier properties than PE or CPP, but still low
• Excellent printability in flexo or rotogravure
• Used as simple- or laminated layer
• Used in Snacks, pasta, dish was powders, biscuits,
frozen food, …
 (BI) ORIENTED
POLYESTER (BOPET -
PET)
• Thickness: 12µ (recently found in 8/9µ)
• It has no heat sealing capability
• Very high barrier properties
• Excellent printability properties
• Used as part of a lamination
• Used in Cheese, meat, detergents, coffee,
soups, …
 ORIENTED
POLYAMIDE (OPA)
• Most usual thickness: 15µ
• It has no sealing properties (needs a
sealing layer)
• It has high protection barrier values
• Medium printability properties
• Used in laminations in combination (at
least) with a sealing layer
• Applications: Chesse & meat
(thermoforming), spaghetti, …,
• Pharma applications: Mainly in cold
forming, …
 PAPER
• It is not (obviously) a plastic film
• It has no sealing properties (needs a
sealing layer)
• It has no protection barrier values
• Printable in flexo and rotogravure
• Used in laminations in combination
(at least) with a sealing layer
• Applications: Sachets (Pharma &
Food), bread, Tea, Coffee, …
 ALUMINUM

Foil is (in some cases) a recyclable material, and

in other instances, such as when used in a multi-
layer packaging (like a pouch) it may not be. Foil
packaging keeps food fresh and safe by blocking
air, light, moisture and bacteria, thereby
increasing a product’s shelf life.
 ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
Flexible packaging is light-weight and easy to open, carry, store, and reseal
Flexible packaging extends the shelf life of many products, especially food,
and has a positive sustainability profile
Flexible packaging requires less energy to manufacture and to transport, and
generates smaller quantities of greenhouse gases on its way to market
Flexible packaging ultimately results in less consumer waste being sent to
landfills
Innovative
Widely extendible into diverse product categories
Maintains and indicates freshness
•
Offers consumer conveniences
Provides reclosure and dispensing options
Is easily transported and stored
Creates shelf appeal
Enables visibility of contents
Provides efficient product to package ratios
Uses less energy
Creates fewer emissions
Creates Less Waste In the First Place®
 How Are Food Companies Benefiting?
In each aspect of the food packaging process, there is a selection of options
in flexible packaging protection. Various materials and applications of flexible
packaging offer unadvantages to food and beverage brands across the market, with
competitive benefits deniable like:

 Convenience and ease of use. Flexible packaging is lightweight as well as

easy to open, carry, store and reseal with features like zip locks and spouts. The
convenience factor makes food products more attractive to consumers, which
translates to greater sales opportunities for brands.
 Extended shelf life. Flexible packaging extends the shelf life of many food
products because it leverages materials capable of maintaining appropriate
temperatures and controlling the transmission of oxygen, carbon dioxide,
ethylene and water vapors.
Food safety. Flexible packaging often incorporates barrier material that blocks
harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, moisture, grease, contamination and oxygen.

Environmental friendliness. Flexible packaging requires less energy to

manufacture and transport, and it generates smaller quantities of greenhouse gases on
its way to market. The recyclability and sustainability of some flexible packaging options,
as well as their minimization of materials, can boost product appeal to consumers who
prefer buying from companies that take steps to reduce their environmental impact and
ecological footprint.

Branding functionality and adaptability. Flexible packaging provides an opportunity for

brands to maximize shelf appeal, make their products more visible and employ creative
presentation and marketing options.