Plastic has been studied for decades, but it started to be produced industrially in the 1930s. Today, this partly recyclable material is manufactured to the tune of several hundred thousand tons per year.
But why is plastic massively used by industries? Hygiene, safety, conservation qualities, resistance… Let’s analyze here, one after the other, the reasons which lead to choose plastic as a packaging material.
Plastic, an ally of hygiene and conservation
Widely used for packaging in the food industry, plastic quickly appears as a reliable material in terms of hygiene and safety. In addition to being economical, it has many qualities that promote the proper preservation of food. Indeed, a well-packaged food is a food that can be consumed safely!
During transportation and storage of foodstuffs, plastic protects them from light (especially ultraviolet rays) as well as from microbes and mould. Did you know that, for example, the shelf life of beef can be extended by 5 to 10 days. This can be even longer if you choose one of the most advanced plastic packaging solutions. Finally, its lightness is a real asset for the transport of products.
Highly resistant to heat and cold, plastic is an ideal ally for various preservation techniques such as sterilization, vacuum packaging or freeze-drying (a drying method consisting of freezing a food and then placing it under vacuum).
Moreover, the transparency of plastic allows the product to be viewed without having to open it, thus guaranteeing the preservation of the hygiene and safety of the foodstuffs.
Finally, plastic is a good partner in the fight against food waste. Its packaging qualities extend the shelf life of food and preserve its flavors and nutritional properties. It also protects the most fragile products such as fruit during transport, and therefore limits losses.
Plastic, a highly resistant material
Did you know that firefighters’ helmets and outfits are made of plastic (in a type suitable for personal protective equipment)? This says a lot about the reliability and strength of this material, which also has the advantage of being lightweight. Chosen by professionals exposed to the dangers of fire or collapses, plastic has a strong insulating power and great robustness, which allows to absorb shocks.
Did you know that it needs 150°C more than wood to burn?
It is this same robustness and resistance to low and high temperatures that makes us choose PVC, especially for water distribution pipes, for a durable and safe solution.
These examples of the use of plastic for the manufacture of elements exposed to extreme conditions demonstrate the reliability of this “barrier” material that preserves its container.
For packaging, the assembly of different plastic materials can be adapted to meet the specific packaging needs of each product.
Indeed, plastic films can be made of multiple components, used in single or multiple layers, each material providing mechanical strength, temperature resistance or sealing properties.
It is also necessary to choose a reliable closing system, which will reinforce the security and the hermeticity of the packaging. Welding, repositionable adhesive, single or multi-track zip, with or without slider, etc.
Finally, several plastics are now recyclable, a characteristic that adds to the list of reasons to choose it for food packaging, textile products or even medicines.
To find out more about Flexico’s waste management policy, visit Flexico, an eco-responsible player.
