Flexible packaging more and more is used in the recent years for packaging of multiple consumer products. For the reasons outlined below, the use of flexible packaging has many obvious benefits over the other types of packaging such as rigid containers. Here are some of the benefits that people stand to gain when they adopt flexible packaging as their product packaging style.

Sustainability

There are numerous advantages to the use of flexible packaging over other kinds of packaging in terms of sustainability. Because it uses fewer materials in total, they are thrown away less and, consequently, end up in landfills. Flexible packaging is also normally lighter in weight which implies that the volume of emissions from transportation is minimized.

Different kinds of flexible packaging integrate recycled content within its manufacturing process. Some also utilize bio-based input materials instead of petroleum-based ones. Both of these can help towards achieving sustainable forms of sourcing and production. Recycling opportunities for post-consumer flexible packaging has also expanded in recent years to enable consumers to return the packaging material to stores for reuse after using the product. 

These sustainability benefits make flexible packaging the most suitable solution to be used by brands that are conscious of the environment and the impact that they have on it. The fact that consumers are demanding more sustainable products and services is rising day by day, and the green image that is associated with flexible packaging makes it a favorable packaging type.

Lower Costs

Moreover, the advantages of flexible packaging also embrace its potential to help brands cut their packaging expenses. In its production, this type of packaging involves the use of a small volume of material, and so it is cheaper than other types of packaging. It enables more consumption on better material and graphic designs so as to improve the company's image and market appeal.

Flexible packaging also has an added advantage where it comes to transportation costs and storage costs since it is lightweight and can assume small space by either collapsing or rolling them. This also gives extra help in budget control and improves the capability of the companies to have cheaper prices for consumers. The fact that flexible packaging media brings about a relatively streamlined supply chain chain means that when all the cost factors are considered, the advantage it brings is even more profound.

Adaptability and Innovation 

Flexible packaging is more malleable in terms of design compared to rigid packaging and it has greater potential for added creativity. Pouches, bags and other flexible packaging can be formed into any shape and size to make brand impressions more impactful. There is also bright printing which can help one make great prints that will grab the consumer's attention when making the purchase.

There are also virtually unlimited options for convenience aspects associated with flexible packaging, such as zippers, spouts, tear points, and so forth. Other improvements include: Use of rfid tags, oxygen scavenging films and antimicrobial films for increasing barrier protection and tracking/tracing features respectively. All of these adaptations would have been much more difficult to be implementable had it be done outside of flexible packaging solutions.

Extended Shelf Life

Apart from the above-discussed benefits, flexibility packaging makes for an excellent product preservation method. In multi-layer flexible packaging, one can also incorporate barrier films to enable them to counter elements such as oxygen, moisture and light degradation. This is the reason as to why products take longer to expire and therefore the food stays fresh for much longer.

For foods, this gives an obvious quality preservation until the time of consumption or rather use. Of course, extended shelf life benefits are not only useful for maintaining the edibility and safety of foods but also for keeping non-foods potent and effective for further durations too. Flexible packaging solutions assure the effectiveness of vitamins and pharmaceuticals for extended periods since they can be sealed properly for an extended duration. Manufacturers can be sure they can ship products without many concerns knowing flexible packaging can adequately protect the shipped products as they transit and are stored.

Improved Convenience and Portability

It also suggests convenience or portability benefits which are an obvious and inherent characteristic of flexible packaging. Bags, pouches and wraps are generally able to be opened without much difficulty, are suited for products which will be consumed in multiple doses, and are easily disposable. The flexibility in the products make it easier for them to be handled, transported, and stocked.

From the customer's perspectives, there is no more frustration of struggling with containers and their lids. The packaging with the flexible feature could be opened and accessed with one hand thus making the convenience of the product real. Other features such as spouts, tear notches and zippers all add to the convenience of use in any conditions or situation. This is particularly true because flexible packaging follows the shape of the remaining contents, taking little space. For these reasons, flexible packaging is very advantageous since it would allow brands to easily market and differentiate their products in a retail environment where such factors as ease and quickness are key.

Enhanced Merchandising Capabilities  

Another advantage of flexible packaging is the ability to expand which also creates opportunities for appropriate packaging and merchandising of the product in retail stores. Product packaging structures help differentiate products by positioning them in a way that they are easily conspicuous from other products on the shelves. The above distinction creates a higher brand visibility in a more congested retail environment as it is easier to be noticed.

Views of the product and the brand are also enhanced by the bright graphics and colors made possible by flexible packaging print solutions. It is important to underscore that more intense and vibrant colors are proven to enhance the packaging design performance substantially. This makes it possible to create visually appealing packing, which is not possible using more generic boxes or containers. While talking about shapes and colors / graphics flexibility opens a wide door of major merchandising options.

Rising in Popularity

Each of the above mentioned advantages and possibilities have contributed to flexible packaging solutions experiencing a sharp increase in popularity in innumerable consumer goods segments. Every edible product from food to cosmetics to consumer packaged products are increasingly using these highly functional packaging mediums. Moreover, the global flexible packaging demand is expected to rise markedly in the future as sustainability and convenience requirements pick up the pace.

With more brands shifting their stocks into FLP, it opens up a good chance of distinguishing with packaging formats relevant in changing consumer trends. Staying ahead of trends with production being environmentally friendly and increasing overall convenience will help place your products in a better position in the future. Such an increase in the use of flexible packaging thus means the market has met the contemporary needs of brands and consumers.

Implementing Flexible Packaging

If you believe that flexible packaging solutions are compatible with your goals and your target consumers, then it is high time to look for vendors who can provide the quality solutions you need. Prefer suppliers with a vertical integration for printing, laminating, and converting to elevate the ease of production. This will enable you to achieve the initial packaging concept up to the finished bags, pouch or wraps from one partner only. Consult with professionals about how customized flexible packaging can address each of the objectives that you have for sustainability, branding, utility, and cost.

The advantages stated above are very clear as to why flexible packaging should be considered from any brand to identify packaging improvements corresponding to new consumer trends. Flexibility is the key and as such, it is momentous that the packaging revolution is on. Approach the specialized packagers to harness all the opportunities that the highly functional and rapidly evolving packaging formats offer to your brand.