Plastic in The Food Industry

Plastic in The Food Industry Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials around the world, and the food industry is one of the biggest consumers of it. For food producers and retailers, plastic is an essential material and helps contribute to the packaging and transportation of nearly every product you see on the shelves. Although there are other alternatives for plastic packaging, like cardboard, glass, and metal, the benefits of plastic packaging highly outweigh those of alternatives. For example, plastic is lightweight, inexpensive, and promotes hygeine for products whilst on shelves and being transported. Benefits of Using Plastic in The Food Industry Versatile Plastic is the most versatile packaging material; it can be made transparent so shoppers can see what they are buying, but it can also be made opaque. Plastic can be manufactured into a range of different shapes and sizes and can be made stretchy or solid to fit or protect the item being packaged. Recyclable Nearly all plastic packaging can be recycled, meaning once it has been used, it won’t just be thrown away, it will be reused and repurposed. Resistant Plastic is resistant to chemicals and acid, meaning it can store hazardous chemicals. Not only are they resistant, but plastic packaging creates safety when handling those chemicals; other materials like glass would easily shatter when dropped, unlike plastic. Some food products contain acids, but plastic packaging ensures these products can be stored without contamination. Cost Plastic is the most inexpensive packaging material when compared to alternatives such as metal and glass. This is ideal for food packaging, as most products are packed and transported in bulk, so would require large quantities of plastic all at once. Lightweight Plastics are very lightweight materials, which is perfect for the food industry as products can be transported around in vehicles or by hand without an extreme added weight. Long Lasting Plastic takes years to break down, meaning it can last for long periods without any damage. Although food products aren’t left out on shelves for years, this is a great benefit to have, so food products will be protected throughout their shelf life. Here at Rayda, we use plastic to manufacture extruded plastic products. To discuss plastic manufacturing or any general product enquiries, please contact our team today.

For more information on Plastic in The Food Industry talk to Rayda Plastics Ltd