Q&A With a Flexible Packaging Material Expert: Top 6 Questions Answered
October 20, 2016
When it comes to perfecting your flexible packaging process, selection of proper packaging equipment and materials go hand in hand. As a packaging equipment manufacturer, we consider ourselves experts in the arena of machinery. But when it comes to packaging materials, film, and premade bags, we turn to our trusted expert source. Today we are doing a Q&A session with Wayne Shilka, VP of Innovation and Technical Support at Eagle Flexible Packaging, who will answer the top 6 questions they receive relating to flexible packaging materials.
Q. How does the weight of my product play a role in packaging material selection?
A. For vertical form fill seal machines, weight affects impact force and so plays a role in determining material type and thickness. But it is not only total fill weight; individual piece size, product shape and abrasiveness, and height of the drop must be considered as well.
For premade pouch filling machines, weight plays less of a role here, but still is considered. Material selection is more dependent on what the customer desires as a look and feel to the finished package.
Q. How can I extend the shelf life of my products?
A. You can extend the shelf life of your products by using films that provide:
- Enhanced moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR): A measure of the passage of water vapor through a substance.
and/or
- Enhanced oxygen transmission rate (OTR): A measure of the amount of oxygen that passes through a substance.
It is important that, when looking for extended shelf-life, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) be considered. For example, the effect of high O2 barrier films is lessened if the oxygen in the air that fills the ‘head-space’ is not eliminated, to a great extent, by gas flushing. An oxygen scavenger may also be considered for packages holding product that could be affected negatively by the presence of O2. Desiccant packs can be added to packages of product needing protection from moisture.
Q. What is the best packaging material for keeping my product from being exposed to light and moisture?
A. When it comes to protecting a product from light exposure, the best flexible packaging material choice would be foil. Next best would be metallized films and after that, heavy ink coverage. UV inhibiting films can be sourced, but come with a premium cost and require large minimum order quantities.
To protect your product from moisture, the best flexible packaging material choice would again be foil, followed again by metallized films. Next best choice would be polypropylene, HDPE, or LDPE. A variety of coatings, including PVdC, provide a good moisture barrier as well.
Q. I am currently hand filling my pouches. Are there entry level automated packaging machines that will help with this process?
A. We would caution that, often, you get what you pay for. There are a number of manufacturers that offer very low-cost entry level packaging equipment options, none of which we feel comfortable recommending. We can, however, make recommendations and can work with you to provide low-cost ways of getting into the automated filling of preformed pouches.
Q. Will your roll stock work on my current packaging equipment?
A. We are usually successful in providing a structure that will not only work on existing packaging equipment, but improve run rates, scrap/rework, and total cost. No matter what your flexible packaging machine of choice is, rest assured we can more often than not provide film and preformed pouches that will revolutionize your packaging process.
Q. What are the minimums and lead times for packaging film or preformed pouch orders?
A. Eagle Flexible Packaging does not have order minimums. If materials are commonly kept in our inventory, at widths that would be used efficiently, no problem. If we have to special order, we’d need to talk to a customer about any minimum order quantity (MOQ) that we’d have from our supplier that would go unused when filling their order. Likewise, if we would use something from inventory that would cause excessive scrap, we’d need to consider those cost implications and factor into our pricing.
For lead time, first-time orders generally take 4 – 6 weeks depending on material availability and receipt of approved art files. When reordering, orders are generally fulfilled within 4 weeks, if a forecast and plan have been determined so as to have material on hand. We try to work with our customers to develop that plan in order to minimize lead times.
About Eagle Flexible Packaging
A Viking Masek preferred film supplier partner, Eagle Flexible Packaging is among the most innovative providers of flexible packaging in the United States. Their experience and attention to detail will provide solutions that enhance brand awareness and increase the purchase appeal of your product. Your packaging goals become their goals; your success is their success. Recently featured on World's Greatest!, Eagle Flexible Packaging provides quick turnaround, both short-run and large scale production capabilities, material testing and validation, and more. Contact them for more information, and visit Eagle Flexible Packaging this November at Pack Expo in Chicago at booth N-6384.
About our Guest
Wayne Shilka
VP of Innovations and Technical Support
Eagle Flexible Packaging
