PMMI study uncovers trends impacting secondary packaging
2008-12-05
With retailers demanding greater value, and bottom lines demanding reduced costs, secondary packaging is under the microscope, according to PMMI's latest original research.
The "Secondary Packaging Market Research Study" reports that every company that participated in the study is investigating and re-evaluating their secondary packaging containers.
Corrugated fiberboard is under particular consideration, the survey reports, because the amount used impacts overall costs. According to PMMI's research, 80% of companies are currently using regular slotted containers (RSCs) for secondary packaging, and that within that group, more than half (51%) are decreasing usage by anywhere from 5% to 60%.
Packaging professionals interviewed for the study largely (nearly 50%) predict a decrease in corrugated usage (with specially-designed cartons filling the void), and an additional 24% predict no change -- because packagers will strike a balance between light-weighting and strength. Another significant contingent, 21%, actually foresees an increase in the use of corrugated fiberboard material because of Internet sales.
Also under consideration are alternative materials and the recycled content in corrugated fiberboard. Each change impacts secondary packaging performance, as well as the machinery and primary packaging involved.
The report also mentions a long list of alternative materials, including the corn-based bio-plastic polylactic acid (PLA); Hexacomb, a honeycomb product made from container board and starch; thin-seal polypropylene; reductions in flute construction and micro flutes; and folding boxes in new ways to reduce corrugated fiberboard.
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