A guide to industrial packaging

Industrial packaging is an important part of the production process, allowing industrial-grade goods and products to be protected while they’re shipped and transported. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with various materials to choose between. Each product has its own requirements when it comes to packaging, so it’s important to know which type of industrial packaging works best in any given situation. WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING? Industrial packaging is designed to both store and protect industrial goods. It is often purpose-built or specifically tailored to suit particular products that are used on a large, industrial scale. This can be anything from chemicals to concrete, so there is a broad range of industrial packaging to suit the varied demands. Industrial packaging needs to be robust and heavy-duty. It should make transportation and storage easier, and it must be able to protect contents from bumps, dents, or spillage during transit. It is also required to label and track products, and in some cases to advertise them too. It often comes with instructions or warnings on the outside, relating to the product stored within. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL AND CONSUMER PACKAGING? The key difference between industrial and consumer packaging is the scale that’s involved. Industrial packaging is designed to hold large quantities of a single product, on a much larger scale than consumer packaging is designed for. For instance, a company might be selling a popular beverage. For the consumer, they would package this up in an easy-to-handle aluminium can. On an industrial level, the same beverage might need to be transported in much larger drums or containers, or bulk quantities of individual aluminium cans might be packaged together, then transported en masse in industrial-sized boxes to protect them. WHAT ARE THE KEY MATERIALS USED IN INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING? Industrial packaging comes in an array of shapes and sizes, but there are a few key materials commonly found in their designs. Steel Industrial packaging often needs to be strong, hardwearing, resilient and reusable. Steel fits all of those requirements, which is why it’s a great material for industrial transportation and storage. You most commonly find steel in the form of steel drums, which are used to transport liquids and semi-solids such as foodstuffs or oils. Steel frames are also used to provide extra layers of protection for industrial products. Plastic Industrial packaging often comes in the form of plastic, which is sturdy, reliable and reusable. Plastic drums are used to transport and store an array of liquids and foodstuffs, but they are also used to transport corrosive and hazardous chemicals (and hazardous waste). It is cheap to manufacture and can be easily moulded into a versatile range of shapes and sizes to fit many industrial needs. Cardboard Cardboard is one of the most commonly used materials found in industrial packaging. The most obvious use for cardboard is cardboard boxes. They are affordable, recyclable and come in a huge variety of sizes. Cardboard boxes are surprisingly resilient. If you have heavy items in need of protection, double-walled cardboard boxes provide a greater level of security. WHO NEEDS INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING? Industrial packaging is designed for industrial purposes. That means that it’s ordinarily used in a manufacturing or supply process. The products being transported are needed in large quantities in factories or warehouses, where they’re stored or become part in the next stage of the manufacturing process. For example, a large-scale food supplier might need industrial packaging to store and transport large quantities of spices or fillings to their customer. That customer then turns those items into a particular food item to be sold on supermarket shelves. WHEN SHOULD INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING BE USED? There are many scenarios where industrial packaging should be used, including the following common cases: When large quantities of a product need to be transported When large quantities of a product need to be stored in warehouses or similar destinations When hazardous items need to be stored or transported safely When large items need to be protected When heavy items need to be transported Many more similar scenarios involving industrial goods WHY IS INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING IMPORTANT? Industrial packaging is important for a variety of reasons. As mentioned above, it helps to protect products while they are being stored in warehouses and while they are being shipped to their destinations. In many cases, industrial packaging allows products to be stored and transported safely, especially if they’re potentially dangerous to human health (chemicals or hazardous substances, for instance). Even just for health and safety reasons, industrial packaging is indispensable. But it also helps to label products and organise large amounts of the same product. HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PACKAGING FOR YOUR PRODUCT? It’s important to choose the right packaging for your product. Choosing the best type will help to better protect your products during transit and storage. Picking the right industrial packaging will depend on a number of factors. You need to consider the following: How big or bulky is your product? How much does your product weigh? How delicate is your product? Is your product solid, liquid, or somewhere in between? Is your product corrosive or hazardous? For lightweight products, cardboard boxes might work best. For oils, steel drums could be a great option. For food or beverages, a large IBC (intermediate bulk container) might work well if you’re transporting a lot of product. In some cases, you might also have to follow industry or legal standards when packaging your product, to keep in line with health and safety procedures. This is particularly important if your products are potentially hazardous. At ITP Packaging, we stock a wide range of industrial packaging options. It is the cornerstone of our business, and our team has years of experience working in the field. For expert advice or to place your industrial packaging order, contact ITP Packaging and speak with a member of our professional staff.

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