Packaging is something that is incredibly common and used for a huge range of products. Packaging can even be used to the extreme, as seen earlier this year when many large supermarkets came under fire for using excessive packaging. Wrapping your product in swathes of plastic just doesn't cut it anymore. Not only could you come under fire from an environmental point of view, consumers are now demanding more from their packaging supplies. Bespoke packaging solutions are becoming more popular, and well thought-out, creative packaging design is key to product success.To reflect the changes in society's attitude to packaging, scientists are now starting to look at packaging in a new light.
They are undertaking experiments to develop new 'intelligent' forms that do more than just protect the product.Researchers from Strathclyde University are working on designs of an intelligent plastic material that changes colour when the food it covers starts to go off. They are hoping that this product will help to improve food safety and cut waste. As a nation, not only does the UK throw out the largest amount of excess packaging, we also waste an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of food each year.Another exciting development in packaging design is a new form of paper with the built-in ability to fight bacteria.
This has the potential to revolutionise packaging for certain products. For example, food will be able to stay fresh for longer, anti-bacterial products such as bandages and medical equipment with are able to stay germ-free, and shoes can be protected against odour. Scientists first discovered a material, known as grapheme, in 2004. Since then the race has been on to find a use for this product which is made from the thinnest possible sheets of carbon. It has been tested for use in solar cells, computer chips and sensors.
However it is its antibacterial effect that scientists think will make it an extremely useful product. It is also a very easy and cheap to product, meaning that it can be used as commonly as any other packaging product such as polyurethane foam. If or when the product comes to the market, it will open up a whole new line of products available from packaging manufacturers and will help to change the way retailers and consumers view packaging solutions.Hopefully these developments in packaging will continue and packaging will offer products even more functionality and added benefits.
