PACKAGING AND UNITIZATION

By
Beatrice Nyakeishiki

By
Beatrice Nyakeishiki
Packaging
Packaging and packing are words used interchangeably in trade. Packaging is the science, art,
and technology of enclosing/wrapping or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale,
and use. The packaging media may be either cartons, barrels, sacks, crates or any other form of
packaging material.

Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages.
Packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport/shipment,
warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Packaging contains, protects, preserves, transports,
informs, and sells. In many countries it is fully integrated into government, business,
institutional, industrial, and personal use.
Definition of key terms
• Primary/ consumer/retailer Package: Primary packaging is the term used to designate the layer of
packaging in immediate contact with the product; in other words, it is the first packaging layer in which
the product is contained. Its main purpose is to contain, protect/preserve and inform the customer. Eg
for alcoholic drinks like JW, beer, the primary packaging can be a can or the bottle. As such, primary
packaging is constructed both with the product itself and any existing secondary layers of packaging in
mind.
• Secondary Package: Secondary packaging is intended to protect not only the product, but also the
primary packaging, which often is the packaging most visible to the consumer in retail displays. Main
purpose is branding display and logistical purposes. The most common examples of secondary
packaging include cardboard cartons, cardboard boxes and cardboard/plastic crates.
• Tertiary Packaging: Tertiary packaging is the type which is typically not seen by consumers since it is
usually removed by retailers before products are displayed for sale. It facilitates protection, handling
and transportation of a series of sales units/ secondary packages in order to group everything into unit
loads during transit. Examples of tertiary packaging might include brown cardboard boxes, wood
pallets and shrink wrap.
•
Role of packaging
Product protection
Packaging protects the goods/objects enclosed in it from, among other things, breakage,
contamination, distortion, mechanical shock , vibration, electrostatic discharge, compression,
temperature, etc. This is important in countries where there may be conditions of heat, dust, etc
which could quickly harm the products.

A barrier from oxygen, water vapour, dust, etc., is often required. Modified atmospheres or
controlled atmospheres are also maintained in some food packages. Keeping the contents clean,
fresh, sterile and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary function.
Role of packaging con..

Differentiation. Packaging differentiates your brand from the competition. It contains

critical information such as your company name, logo and color schemes which help the
consumers to uniquely identify your products when compared to other brands in the market.
Well made packaging, featuring eye-catching designs is a great way to achieve real
differentiation

Containment Small objects are typically grouped together in one package for reasons of
efficiency. For example, a single box of 1000 pencils requires less physical handling than
1000 single pencils. Liquids, powders, and granular materials need containment.

Improving security — Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of
shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also
can have tamper- evident features to help indicate tampering. Packages can be engineered to
help reduce the risks of package pilferage:
Role of packaging con...

Information . Packaging conveys necessary information to the consumers

like the general features of the product, ingredients, net weight of the
contents, name and address of the manufacturer etc

Facilitating handling and transportation

One would find it difficult to handle products like powder, liquids, detergent etc
when they are not in a packed form. Thus, good packaging makes goods
convenient to carry and handle. Also, packaging reduces the cube space
occupied by the product and makes the product appear smaller. Reduced
occupied space cuts the freight cost in transportation.
Importance of packaging con..
• Improved cargo handling
The type of packing used should facilitate the most economic method of handling. This is
particularly relevant to awkwardly shaped cargoes. This applies from the time the cargo is
packaged which may be at the factory until it reaches the importer’s warehouse or the
distribution centre.
Factors considered when selecting a
packaging material
Durability and high quality.

Cost effective. Find products that offer the right balance between price and quality

Security. Go for products that have safety features and tamper evident seals

Sustainability and legally compliant. Choose products that are environmentally friendly and
legally compliant with logistics and shipping laws and regulation

Value of the goods High-value consignments usually attract more expensive packing than low-
value mechanism packing but this will also depend on the nature of the commodity. High-value
consignments such as valuables, paintings, etc require adequate security and attract high freight
rates. Therefore, such packing must be done professionally.
Nature of the transit Here we consider the type and the length of the transit. We must also take
into consideration the form of transport to be used during transit (e.g. road, rail, deep sea, short sea
and air). All these different modes of transport have varying characteristics which make varying
demand of the packaging of the goods.
Factors...
 Customs law requirements
This is particularly relevant to dangerous cargo where strict
regulations apply both by air and transport concerning the carrier’s
acceptance, packing, stowage, documentation, marking and carrier’s
liability. In most countries straw containers are unacceptable forms of
packing due to the risks of poor cleaning.
Re-sale value of the packaging material in the importer country
In some developing countries large drums, wooden cases, bags have
a modest resale value. This also applies to containers which can be
sold after the commodity has been delivered. This helps to offset the
packing costs.
Factors..
Nature of the cargo
This factor, together with the nature of the goods, are
two major factors which determine the type of packing
of an individual’s consignments. Cargo shipped in bulk
requires little or no packing while general merchandise
needs adequate packing. For example, apples can be
consigned in cases, boxes, cartons, etc. Cement, on
the other hand, may be shipped in ply paper bags or
containers. Motor vehicles can be delivered unpacked.
Factors...
General fragility of cargo
The more fragile the cargo becomes, the greater the degree of packing
required. This is very much related to the mode of transport
particularly air flight which has put limited packing limits.
Variation in temperature during the course of transit
Temperature variation can be quite expensive during transit and
packing needs must take into account the temperature factor.
Packing should be made in such a way that the cargo is given a
breathing space and it should aim at avoiding extensive condensation
and sweating.
Factors..
Insurance-accepting condition
Cargo which is particularly fragile, or which has a bad record in terms of
damage and pilferage may be subject to a prescribed packaging specification
by an insurance company. Otherwise, the insurer may refuse to cover the
cargo at a competitive cargo insurance premium.
Ease of handling and stowage
That is to say a particular way of packing goods may not favour quick and
easy handling. This goes parti- cularly to awkwardly shaped cargo which
inconveniences the packing speed, handling and storage. In addition, some
cargo of awkward shape may attract additional packing and handling charges
and in some circumstances shipping freight rate. Further still, such cargo is
more vulnerable to damage and can attract high cargo insurance premiums.
Factors....
The size and the weight of cargo
Basically, there are three main considerations to be observed when
determining the form a package should take and this includes size,
shape and strength.
The size of the package — This should be governed by the size
of the marketable unit e.g. a loaf of bread and a packet of
cigarettes. Some products are packed in small packets so as to
allow an average consumer to have access to that product e.g.
ladies’ perfumes.
Factors
The shape of the package — This is determined to a large extent
by the goods to be enclosed within the package.
The strength of certain products — Some products by their very
nature need protection by the pack- age e.g. eggs. On the other
hand, some products lend support to the package materials.
Factors...
Marketing consideration
A more of a riding consideration for consumer goods and industrial products is that the
package should fit into the overall market concept. On a company’s strategic level, it must
enhance and reinforce the company’s image with the customer. It should aim at putting
across some few cardinal points e.g. the nature, the price and the advantages of the
product. Packaging should also endeavour to generate further sales with the same customer
by performing satisfactorily while the product is in use. Additionally, one must bear in mind
any advertising motives to be accommodated in packaging.
Facilities available at the terminals
The terminals are airports, sea ports, warehouses, frontier ports, etc. Lifting equipment at
some sea ports and particularly airports may be limited in capacity. Accordingly, therefore,
the shipper may be compelled to dispatch his/her packages into parts instead of one integral
unit. Not all ports or airports have customs clearance facilities and this could lead to an
alternative terminal with differing equipment and capacity.
Factors...
Type or size of the container
The container can be aircraft, train, ferry, wagon or any other
transport unit. The size and the general nature of transport unit will
influence the dimension of the package, and its maximum weight and
shape.
Factors...
Marking of cargo
When packaging products, one should consider the type of marking he/she is to
make. Some packages need to be marked on all sides and therefore packaging
should provide for this. Sometimes some pack- aging materials may not favour a
particular way of marking.
The cost of packaging
This is becoming increasingly important in designing the type of packaging ways.
The exporter is const- antly exploring means of reducing packaging costs and
improving packaging techniques. Packaging there- fore is not only designed as a
form of protection to reduce the risk of goods being damaged in transit, but also
preventing pilferage and aid marketing.
Packaging materials

• Packaging can be made of many different materials, but the consumer packagingtends towards
bright plastic, while the industrial packaging tends towards dull cardboard.
• Some perfumes and alcoholic drinks come in very elaborate bottles that cost a lot more to
produce than the contents. With expensive consumer goods this might be acceptable, but itwould
certainly not work with basic products such as milk or sugar. So we have to consider thedesign and
materials of the packaging carefully.
• There are five main materials for packaging:
• Glass is easy to clean, reuse and recycle, but is fragile, relatively expensive and difficult tomake
• Plastic is light, strong and easy to clean, but can be expensive and difficult to make orreuse
• Paper/Cardboard is light, cheap and can be recycled, but has little strength and poor durability
• Wood is strong, durable, easy to use and can be reused, but it is heavy, bulky and difficultto clean
• Metal is strong and durable, but it is heavy and can be expensive.
Paper and cardboard

• Paper is widely used because it is low cost, holds its shape, and is easily decorated. Cardboard is
light, cheap and can be recycled, but has little strength and poor durability. All are recyclable.
glass
• Glass
• Commercially-available glass is made from silica, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate. Other
compounds can be added to give colour, sparkle or heat shock resistance.
• Glass is a popular and useful packaging material because it is:
• Sterilisable
• Barrier to moisture and gas
• Pressure resistant to a degree
• Can be moulded into a variety of shapes
• Transparent making the product visible
• Glass is also highly recyclable
• The most obvious drawback is fragility and the danger of broken glass. The transparency of glass can be a
problem where the product is degraded by [Link] can be directly decorated but is most commonly
labelled.
metal
• The metals used in packaging are predominantly tin-plate or aluminium and are used to make food and drink cans, aerosol
cans, tubes, drums and slip or hinged lid boxes for gift sets and selections of confectionery or biscuits. All packs are recyclable.
• Tin-plate is tin-plated steel and the most common material used in food cans. Steel can also be used un-plated or with
coatings.
• Aluminium is used for drinks cans, closures, trays, tubs and tubes. As foil it can be used in multi-laminate constructions or as a
blister pack or container seal.
• Metal can be exploited to produce the following packaging characteristics:
• Strong and unbending
• Barrier to gas and moisture
• Pressure resistant
• Temperature and pressure resistant / tolerant
• Corrosion resistance via coatings
• Sterilisable
• Directly decorated or labelled
• The limitations of metal packaging are in weight and shapes achievable, especially when compared to plastics. Metals can also
be expensive.
 Plastics

• Plastics can be used as single materials or in combination. Their properties

vary considerably but usually include:
• Lightweight
• Easily mouldable into almost limitless shapes
• Can produce rigid containers or flexible films
• Can be impact resistant
• Directly decorated or labelled
• Heat sealable
• The relative disadvantages of plastics are typically polymer specific and the
correct choice of polymer can to a practical degree mitigate the weakness.
wood
TYPES cont...
• Mostly used for pallets and crates (heavy duty products). Some lidded or
hinged boxes are produced e.g. cigars, gifts, tea, cheese. High value
spirits use wood and a few caps incorporate wood.
•
•
• The choice of these – or other materials – depends largely on the type of
products, movementand protection needed. This can be a difficult
decision, balancing many factors. You would, forexample, ordinarily
expect liquids to delivered in some form of plastic bottles. But this
wouldgive the wrong image for wine which is generally delivered in glass
bottles.
Containers
Methods con..
• Shrink Wrapping

Shrink wrapping is a simple and inexpensive

packaging process where a flexible plastic film -
when exposed to rising temperature - shrinks and
closely fits the contours of the package it
surrounds. It is mainly used on case good
shipments and isn’t used on a larger scale
because of the widespread popularity of stretch
wrapping.
Shrink Wrapping
Stretch wrapping
• is perhaps the most popular packaging technique, which
is used in a variety of industries to unitize pallet loads
for shipment. The process involves numerous wraps of
stretch wrap around a load of product to keep them
closely together during shipment, to help ensuring
damage-free transportation. The stretch wrap can be
applied either by hand held stretch wrapping tools or
by stretch wrapper machines.
Stretch wrapping
Stretch wrapping
Methods con..
• Strapping or banding, is when a polythene,
plastic or metal band is used to hold products
together as a unit. This method of unitization is
primarily used with high density and bulk
products, such as coils, lumber and ingots, but
also commonly used with cased product.
Strapping can be applied by either hand
strappers or strapping machines.
Strapping or banding