Packaging is an 800 billion global industry. Flexible packaging types range from bags and bubble wrap to tubes, stand-up pouches and foam cushioning materials. Rigid packaging comprises blisters, bottles, cartridges, clam shells, pallets, trays, etc. Polymers are used in caps and closures, sacks, bags, labels, adhesives, rigid containers, films and other flexibles.

Plastics are the most important material type in the flexible packaging market with over 70 market share in Europe and North America. Packaging is a very important market for thermoplastics, comprising 40 of total demand in Europe and 25 of total demand in North America in 2000.

Plastics have increasingly replaced traditional materials in this sector because of their light weight and superior functionality. In rigid packaging polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has replaced glass in bottles for carbonated drinks, which has moved this resin from a speciality to a commodity plastic. New developments in materials include heat resistant and high barrier plastics which can replace metals and glass in other packaging applications.

However, most of the easy conversions from traditional materials to plastics have now been made. Unless some radical changes occur, such as the packaging of beer in plastic pouches or bottles, the market is likely to grow in line with global GDP.

The five volume polymers used in packaging are polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PET. Packaging is the major use for polyethylene and polypropylene. High density polyethylene is used in applications such as containers, milk and detergent bottles, bags and industrial wrapping. Low density polyethylene is used for pallet and agricultural film, bags, coatings and containers. Polypropylene is employed in film, crates and microwavable containers. Polystyrene finds use in jewel cases, trays and foam insulation, while PET is used in bottles, film and other food packaging applications.

A variety of speciality materials are used in packaging. New developments include liquid crystal polymers, which are high temperature resistant materials with excellent barrier properties. Ticona has produced Vectran materials that can be thermoformed and extruded on standard equipment. They are high cost, but the material loading can be much lower than, for example, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH).

This report includes a description of plastic material types and properties relevant to packaging. Tables of comparative data are found in Chapter 4. Materials are commonly used in combinations in multilayer structures to obtain a set of key properties and to reduce costs. Processing is important to material properties and methods are outlined here.

This clearly written report on Plastics in Packaging provides an overview of the plastic packaging supply chain from materials to disposal. Information is included on market sizes and trends relevant to this chain. It includes a review of key factors affecting the industry, such as the need for recycling, and new developments in plastics used in packaging.

Key features