Classification of product packaging

In the world, there are many countries that have developed the packaging industry. People classified packaging by mainly two criteria: the manufacturing materials and purpose as well as the effect of the packaging on products and product circulation.

Classification of product packaging in several countries in the world

In Israel, the product packaging is divided by manufacturing materials. Therefore, the packaging is classified into plastic packaging, paper packaging and carton, tinplate and aluminum packaging, glass packaging, and others (mainly wood).
 
In Germany and the Netherlands, they classify product packaging into two basic criteria:

• Standard 1: Classification of packaging according to manufacturing materials including glass, iron and steel, aluminum, plastic, and mixed materials (mostly cartons);
• Standard 2: Classification according to the use purposes including commercial packaging (consisting of bags, boxes, bottles, and baskets), outer packaging (second), intermediate packaging (used for advertising), and transport packaging including trunks and bags (third)...

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The classification of packaging according to various criteria in Vietnam

According to usage criteria: packaging is divided into two types

• Inner packaging: this type of packaging that is used to pack goods directly contacts with the product as well as is often sold with a product. Thus, its value is added to the value of the product sold.
• Outer packaging (or shipping packaging): this kind has the effect of protecting the intact quantity and quality of products with the aim of serving the transport of products from the production place to the consumption place. It depends if the type of packaging that can be reused or not, its value is immediately or partially calculated into the value of the product consumed. 

 

According to the number of uses: packaging is divided into two types

• Single-use packaging: this is the kind of packaging used with the product. It means that it is merely used for the circulation of the product when the product is manufactured until the product is directly consumed. Therefore, its cost is totally calculated into the value of the product.
• Reusable packaging: this type is capable of serving several times of product circulation, so it is likely to be reused. Reusable packaging usually consists of outer packaging and inner packaging that is manufactured from sustainable materials (such as metal and synthetic plastic...). Their value is partially calculated into the value of the products consumed.

Classification by hardness (compressive strength) including hard packaging, semi-rigid packaging, and soft packaging

• Hard packaging: there is an ability to withstand mechanical impacts from the outside, the weight of the product inside, and keeping its shape when carrying out containing, transporting, and unloading.
• Semi-rigid packaging: this type has entire solidity when you conduct to contain and transport goods; however, it will be limited to a certain extent. It can be deformed under the weight of the goods, the impact of pressure when piling the goods, and mechanical impact (collision and vibration) during transportation. 
• Soft packaging: it is easily deformed due to the impact of cargo weight and mechanical impact from the outside, so it can be changed from its original shape. Though it is resistant to impacts and collisions during the loading and unloading process, this type is a means to transmit such bad effects to the goods. Hence, soft packaging is generally used for granular and powdered which are unaffected by the mechanical impact on product quality.

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Classified by packaging specialization

• Common packaging: it is the packaging that can be used to contain many kinds of various products.
• Specialized packaging: only used for packaging and containing a specific type of product which is physical and chemical properties as well as special states. For example gases, toxic chemicals, and inflammable substances...

 
Classified by manufacturing materials

This is the primary and popular classification of many researchers, production managers, businessmen, and environmental managers. According to this standard, the packaging is named after the materials making it. Consists of seven different groups:

• Wooden packaging

​Wooden packaging is characterized by ease of production, ease of use, relatively high durability, the ability to recover and reuse, and ease of exploitation of materials. However, this kind of packaging is relatively heavyweight, low moisture resistance (easily absorbing water), has a high risk of flame, and easier damage to rodents (termites, termites, and mice ...). The form of wooden packaging is usually boxes and containers being closed or having certain gaps.

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• Metal packaging:

This type addresses many issues of wooden packaging, but the material cost is large, as well as the weight of some metals, is so heavy. Therefore, it is often used for the kind of special products that is easy fire, explosion, volatile substances, toxic substances, and liquid products (for example gasoline, oil, oxygen, compressed hydrogen, pesticides …) Metal packaging is able to be used repeatedly.

• Wrapping with paper, carton, and board

This is a popular packaging currently on the international and domestic market. It accounts for about 70% of the packaging used. This type of packaging has the following properties: Physically: moisture-resistant (water-resistant), tear-resistant, folding and impact-resistant (high hardness); Chemical: chemical-resistant, heat-resistant (good heat resistance), poor ignition, resistant to insects and germs; Physiology: odorless, tasteless, non-toxic; Psychology: flat surface, easy to print decoration, easy to use. This type has the ability to recover materials to continue the production process of other types of packaging of goods
   

• Packaging made of glass and ceramics

Usually for containing liquid products such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, alcohol, soft drinks ... these types are non-toxic, non-reactive with goods, and have hardness certain, but very fragile when being bumped or shaken during transportation or loading.

• Textile packaging

The main materials are jute, hemp, cloth, and nylon yarn. This is a soft packaging often containing all kinds of granular products. It has certain durability and easy loading, but the a high risk of rodent insects and dirt.

• Rattan and bamboo packaging

This packaging is usually in the form of various baskets. They are a type of semi-rigid packaging with abundant sources of materials, simple production, and convenient use. The packaging is usually for transporting and containing vegetable products and some other products.

Packaging with artificial and synthetic materials such as packaging made from polymer, artificial rubber, plastic films, and hard plastic packaging ... Moreover, it also has a combination of many other materials in order to produce the packaging which ensures the requirements for storage and transportation of goods.

 
Classified by the origin of packaging

• Product packaging of manufactories: is the type of packaging used to pack products in the product consumption stage of the enterprise.
• Product packaging of commercial enterprises: is a type of packaging dividing goods into lots, synchronously assembled, and transported goods in the business of commercial enterprises. In addition to the above criteria, it is possible to classify packaging according to other criteria such as water permeability, quality level, the relative weight of the packaging, and geometric designs.

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Although the classification of packaging is relative, each classification method has a certain meaning in the study of production, use, management, and measures with a view to promoting the functions of the packaging for the national economy and the production and business activities of each enterprise.

KHANG THANH - ​HOUSE OF PACKAGING
Tel: +84 (0) 77 8878 222 ​
Email: info@khangthanh.com