Food Packaging Materials : Comparison of Materials Used for Packaging Purposes

Abstract

Packaging industry was transformed significantly over couple of decades and the world’s dependency on plastic materials takes its toll. Packaging industry has direct effect on waste created by households since manufacturers choose packaging processes and materials. Littering and unsustainable waste management options are concerning society and create pressure on companies that operate globally. New materials are being developed and tested for regular packaging of commonly used goods.

Three common products packages are studied: chocolate, tea and milk packaging. Each of these products has various forms of a package design with the use of different materials, essentially based on product’s requirements and characteristics. This thesis’s objective is to analyse how certain packaging materials fulfill chosen functions. It was discovered that currently the packaging materials are fundamentally different than 50 years ago. Plastics continue to dominate the market while other materials for packaging such as paper and metals remain being commonly used, however, glass is becoming rare as a type of package material. In addition, packaging industry introduces new innovations in identification, recycling and monitoring of the environment, in forms of intelligent and active packaging combined with technology.