While packaging reminds us of the cardboard boxes, they are greatly different from a corrugated board. Cardboard is simply paper stock and do not make for good shipping containers. A corrugated box is the industry standard for transporting hazardous, fragile and is made of heavy-duty material. Corrugated boards are made of stronger materials which can withstand long journeys and can ensure that bumps and falls do not hamper the quality of the product inside.
Why Corrugated Packaging?
Several industries across the globe have greatly benefited from corrugated packaging because of the flexibility & durability corrugated box packaging offers. Additionally, some of the features and benefits of corrugated packaging include but are not limited to.
- It is customisable and branded artwork can be easily added to the boxes creating visual appeal and brand value.
- It also comes in a wide variety depending on the level of protection the product needs.
- It is extremely flexible and can even be used to pack awkwardly shaped products.
- It really helps in cutting down costs and is very environmentally friendly because of its recyclable property.
- It can resist all types of shock and impact that can happen in regions with poor road infrastructure such as the Indian subcontinent.
- It is also beneficial for industries where the product requires thermal insulation since this type of packaging keeps the moisture away from the products.
Having said that, let us take a quick glance into the five industries where corrugated packaging plays a huge role:
Electronics
Consumers often make their purchase decisions depending on how well an electronic product is packaged. Premium products look and feel like they have sturdy packaging, and this can really motivate the consumer to choose an electronic good over another.
Meanwhile, electronic products/appliances are sensitive and a simple bump during shipping could cause an irreversible damage to the product. Considering the market competition to ship in attractive packaging and the need for visual branding electronic companies and retailers stress on the importance of state-of-the-art corrugated packaging.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are part of our everyday diet and therefore the industry takes packaging very seriously. Hygiene becomes a key factor in ensuring that these products are free from germs and other health hazards.
These are also highly perishable and fragile products and their durability completely depends on the quality of corrugated packaging. For example, excess moisture can render a lot of fruits and vegetables inedible. The industry really harps on proper packaging to ensure that the products are “fresh” when they reach the consumer
Processed Foods & Beverages
Over the years, the market and the demand for processed food has increased exponentially. A drastic lifestyle change pattern has resulted in more and more people opting for processed food and some of them are even buying it online. This means that the industry’s main focus is to get the corrugated packaging right.
Faulty packaging can not only damage the product but could also, in some case, result in the health hazards. Long shipping time only means that a customer’s trust will completely depend on the quality of packaging the supplier is offering.
Consumer Durables
Consumer durables often last a lifetime, and this is exactly why they often require a hefty investment. A consumer, who is paying a large sum of money for these products which include all major household appliances, would expect proper and state of the art packaging. These products are also highly susceptible to damage and a minor impact can also cause an adverse effect. Consumers are likely to develop brand loyalty towards a consumer durables manufacturer if their packaging is on point.
Glassware and Crockery
Products made of glass and crockery are products are extremely fragile by nature and therefore shipping them means adding layers of protection in packaging. This is possible only by using customized corrugated boxes which can absorb a lot of impacts and can save the product inside. Corrugated box packaging will play a huge role in the future of logistics in the Indian subcontinent to cater to all kinds of road conditions, some of which could make transportation of fragile goods difficult.