What are Packaging Materials and Packaging Aids?
The terms packaging materials and packaging aids come from packaging technology and play a major role in logistics. Their purpose is to ensure the safe and damage-free transportation and storage of goods. However, these two terms refer to very different things.
Packaging materials directly protect and enclose the respective product. They are the containers in which products are packaged, such as bottles, cans, cartons, crates, or shrink/stretch films. Often, multiple types of packaging materials are combined.
Packaging aids, on the other hand, are used to secure, seal, or stabilize the primary packaging. They complement packaging materials to ensure safe transport and storage. Various materials are used, such as adhesive tapes, strapping bands, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, and filling materials. Even labels and stickers for inscriptions or instructions are considered packaging aids.
Typical Packaging Materials:
- Glass or plastic bottles
- Wood or metal crates
- Tin or plastic cans
- Cardboard boxes, cartons, and packaging paper
- Shrink or stretch films
Typical Packaging Aids:
- Filling materials
- Bubble wrap
- Styrofoam
- Adhesive tapes
- Strapping bands
Images:
Image: pluie_r / Shutterstock