How is Plastic and Corrugated Food Packaging Created?
What do you know about how plastic and corrugated food packaging get created? You can read about it here in this brief overview.
The global food packaging market reached $346.5 billion in 2021, making it one of the largest manufacturing industries in the world. However, most people don’t think about what is on the outside of their food.
As a manufacturing professional, understanding packaging creation gives you a leg up in your job search.
Start by reading this guide to food packaging production.
What is Food Packaging Used For?
Packaged foods include manufactured items, so products in the grocery store that didn’t come from a farm or its natural environment have packaging.
While some fresh fruits and vegetables do contain packaging on occasion, processed food make up the majority of packaged food.
The main reasons for packaging processed food include:
- Protection from insects, rodents, and bacteria
- Preservation to keep food from spoiling faster
- Ease of use to help customers store and consume products
- Proper labeling of ingredients and expiration dates
Covering food also helps during the transportation of food to keep it from bending, smashing, and breaking.
Types of Food Packaging
Food packaging supplies come in many forms, depending on the type of food and the company making it.
The two main types of food packaging, however, are plastic and corrugated cardboard. Both styles are extremely versatile. Manufacturing machines mold and shape it into any form to protect food products by wrapping them tightly.
Making Plastic Packaging
Food packaging companies choose plastic because it is cheap and easy to make.
All plastic begins with basic elements such as oil, natural gas, or plants that turn into ethane or propane. However, there are thousands of plastic types. The manufacturing process determines the type of plastic it becomes.
Most food packaging such as condiment bottles use polypropylene or plastic films in the manufacturing process.
Before melting, plastics begin as small resins. Once melted, machines mold plastics into proper shapes. For plastic film, machines blow or cast melted plastic into thin sheets.
Making Corrugated Packaging
Corrugated cardboard is great for custom food packaging as it can be folded into any shape to wrap the product. They are also a sustainable choice because of their biodegradability.
Making corrugated packaging begins with wood chips that are placed through steam rollers to make paper. Then the paper is put through another roller to layer the paper into corrugated cardboard.
The cardboard is then manipulated into different shapes like boxes and tubing for various purposes. Cardboard covers food or acts as a protective barrier in transit inside larger containers.
Start Your Food Packaging Manufacturer Career
Now that you know how food packaging is created, you may be interested in being part of the process. Even though machines do most of the manufacturing, this industry needs skilled workers to be a part of the supply chain
Start your new career by browsing our job board. If you need help narrowing your search, then contact our experts today for assistance.
