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ABSTRACT

Marketing of any product is as important as the production itself. Once the product is processed it’s the major task making the product to be reached the final consumer. Packaging is the first activity, which is done with almost every product while marketing. The packaging industry is gaining importance day by day in the food industry. The selection of packaging material used needs to be selected very carefully taking into consideration the nature of the material to be packed. Depends on the type of product packaging is of different types includes primary, secondary, and territory packaging.  Packaging protects the product, it communicates symbolically, provides customer convenience, and also it helps to promote the products to the customers.

Keywords: Packaging material, importance, types of pack

Packaging is the foremost and important function of marketing. Generally, every product that is produced needs to be packed either for storage, handling,  transportation, preservation, or even for selling it to the ultimate consumer. The recently packing industry had raised its importance from the marketing point of view. During the pandemic situation of Covid-19 when the population is moving towards e-retail and e-commerce for fulfilling the requirements of their necessities and luxuries and also due to increase in demand especially for high quality safe and hygienic material the demand for the food packing industry had raised manifold. Packaging is a part of packing which means placing the goods in small packages like bags boxes, bottles, cartoons for sale to the ultimate customers.

The attractive packing of the product, itself remark as a silent salesman. It tells the customer everything about the product and attracts him to purchase it. Packing gives protection to the product and also prevents the product from damage and even helps to retain the taste of the product majorly the food items.  By using the good quality of the packaging material the shelf life of the product can be increased besides products can be conveniently handled for storage, transportation, and marketing purposes. the product and also it helps to maintain the standard of the product. The packaging of products can be done in various materials like plastics, papers, cardboards, aluminum foil, metal boxes, glass containers, bottles, tetra packs, etc. Packaging protects the product it communicates symbolically it provides customer convenience and also helps to promote the products to the customers.

Types of Packaging

 

Depending on the type of the product is packed and taking into consideration the target population, to whom you have to serve. The packaging of the products is majorly classified into three type’s i.e. primary packaging, secondary packaging, and tertiary packaging. The different levels/ types of packaging serve different purposes and also target different groups of customers. Along with that, the proper level of packaging ensures the products are efficiently preserved, handled, and protected.

 Primary packaging:

It is considered as sales packaging or consumer unit, as the product is packed here for the delivery to the final consumer. Here in primary packaging, it directly comes in contact with the product. The main purpose of primary packaging is to contain the product and protect or preserve the finished product against contamination. It is basically done taking into consideration the end user of the product i.e. consumer. The primary packaging makes it convenient for the consumer to handle the product and also it helps to give attractive look to the product. It also help to communicate the basic information like manufacturing date, price, best before and also direction for use. The material that does not have any chemical reactions with the food like glass, metal lid and plastic are used to do primary packaging.

Secondary packaging:

It is also known as group packaging, because here the consumer units’ i.e. primary packets are group together either for stocking purpose or for transportation of the bulk amount. The secondary packaging along with grouping also facilitates to handle the smaller units into single pack. It provide supplementary protection to the product and helps to safeguard the primary packaging, and also serve as shipping container for small shipments. Generally secondary packaging is done such that, it customized to make a product easily identifiable in ware house storage. The various materials like box, cardboards, carton, papers, plastic bags etc are used for it. Removal of secondary packaging does not affect the quality and quantity of the consumer products packed for the ultimate consumers.

Tertiary Packaging:

It is also known as secondary packaging. This type of packaging is generally done to facilitate the handling of large number of secondary packaging during the transportation process. It prevents the final product from physical damage during transportation. Tertiary packaging makes it easier the transportation of bulk or heavy loads safely and securely. The stretch wrapped pallet containing large number of secondary packed boxes helps to do the product shipping efficiently

Importance of Packaging

Packaging is the first and very important function performed in the marketing of the product. Generally, the products are packed with a view to prevent the quality and quantity of the final product and also help facilitate the handling of the product during transportation.

·    Packaging contributes in preserving the quality, nutrition and safety of food.

·    Helps in preventing the product from breakage, spoilage, leakage during the movement of product from the site of product to the ultimate consumer.

·    Packaging helps in compression of certain products like cotton, which reduces the bulkiness of the product.

·    During marketing of the product, the packing helps in handling and retailing of the products.

 Packaging Materials

The wide range of materials can be used for packing the product, depending on the type of products. Generally, glass, plastics, papers, jute bags, wooden boxes etc can be used depending on the types of product. The packaging material differs from product to product and also depending upon the degree of perishability of the product and the stage of marketing. The packaging materials used, must have protective strength to protect the goods from breakage, leakage or spoilage. The packing material should be attractive enough to tempt the over looker. Besides it should be economic from the point of view of producers and consumers. The packaging materials should be such that it can be used to alternative use after the use of contents. It should be bio-degradable and easy to dispose after use. The packaging material should protect the food till the duration of storage and transportation without affecting and deteriorating the quality of the food. The packaging material used for this packing of the food items should be used according to the characteristics of the food.

 The materials used for of the processed products

1.  Glass- Glass is the most common material used for packaging of the processed products. They are impermeable, non-porous and chemically inert with the product packed in it. To some extent it preserves the moisture of the commodity. It is most reliable and least toxic material used for packaging foods and drinks. Using glass materials packaging materials like bottles, jars, ampoule and pools etc. can be made and used. The milk and liquid products, semisolids like jam, jelly, squash, juices etc. are generally packed in the glass container.

 2.  Polyethylene - The material that has made a great inroads in the packaging of the processed products are polyethylene. It had become popular in packaging industry due to its low cost, light weight, flexibility and convenience to use. It is possible to convert it easily in semi rigid (polythene bags, carry bags, wraps, bags, pouches) or rigid containers (containers, cans, barrels, drums etc.). The solid and liquid and semi solid materials can be packed in it easily.

 3.  Wooden Based Packaging Materials- Products obtained from wood like paper and cardboards are widely used in the packaging industries. It is one of the oldest materials used as packaging material. It is generally used for packaging the dry food items. Light weight cheap and excellent printing capacity makes the paper widely used for the packaging industries. Though it is sensitive to moisture but by using paper is being coated with wax, its use can be extended for packing the fatty and semi-solid food items. The major importance of using paper is being easily availability, broad range of use, does not react with the items packed in it. Along with that the paper used for packaging can be disposed easily hence eco friendly to use. The papers can be converted in wrapping sheets, cardboard, boxes, cases etc.

 4.  Metal Based Packaging Materials- The metals used for packaging are malleable, ductile and can be changed in the desirable form or shapes. It can be used into another use when the container becomes empty. The containers can be made thick or thin as per requirement, it is tolerable to the high and low temperature and also it is easy to use. The metals can be converted into cans, boxes, aerosol containers, barrels, leads, rings etc.

 Conclusion

 

The importance of packaging industry is becoming popular in the food industry. During the pandemic situation it has increased manifold. There are so many packaging materials like glass material, polyethylene, wooden based packaging material and metal based materials available for packing the processed products. The selection of the material used should be done carefully taking into consideration the type of material to be packed in it. 

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PACKAGING OF THE PROCESSED PRODUCTS (1)_compressed.pdf