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Packaging engineering

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Testing modified atmosphere in a plastic bag of carrots
Military shipping container being drop tested
Engineers developing methods of molding packaging components from renewable resources such as straw[1]
Package design involves interactions of several factors

Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. Package engineering includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.[2]

Engineers develop packages from a wide variety of rigid and flexible materials. Some materials have scores or creases to allow controlled folding into package shapes (sometimes resembling origami[3]). Packaging involves extrusion, thermoforming, molding and other processing technologies. Packages are often developed for high speed fabrication, filling, processing, and shipment. Packaging engineers use principles of structural analysis and thermal analysis in their evaluations.

Several recent studies have shed light on various aspects of packaging and materials science. Al-Kindi (2021) and Cheng et al. (2022) have recently reported on the evolution of selecting suitable green packaging materials and the incorporation of anthocyanins into polymer films, respectively. These findings should be of interest to stakeholders in the packaging industry who may commonly assume that conventional materials are sufficient for packaging needs. In discussions of packaging, one key issue has been identifying eco-friendly materials that maintain product integrity. On the one hand, Al-Kindi's study emphasizes factors like biodegradability and composability, while Cheng et al. highlight the potential of anthocyanin-incorporated films for color indication. On the other hand, both studies acknowledge limitations, such as exclusion of certain factors or a focus on specific properties. Others even have discovered advancements in sustainable packaging; however, the issue of comprehensive lifecycle assessments for packaging materials remains under-researched.

Education

Some packaging engineers have backgrounds in other science, engineering, or design disciplines while some have college degrees specializing in this field.[4]

Formal packaging programs might be listed as package engineering, packaging science, packaging technology, etc. BE, BS, MS, M.Tech and PhD programs are available. Students in a packaging program typically begin with generalized science, business, and engineering classes before progressing into industry-specific topics such as shelf life stability, corrugated box design, cushioning, engineering design, labeling regulations, project management, food safety,[5] robotics, RFID tags, quality management, package testing, packaging machinery,[6][7] tamper-evident methods,[8] recycling, computer-aided design,[9] etc.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Wood, Marcia (April 2002). "Leftover Straw Gets New Life". Agricultural Research.
  2. ^ Johnson, C (1995). "In-House Testing of Computer Packaging". In Fiedler, R M (ed.). Distribution Packaging Technology. IoPP.
  3. ^ Merali, Zeeya (17 June 2011), "Origami Engineer Flexes to Create Stronger, More Agile Materials", Science, 332 (6036): 1376–1377, Bibcode:2011Sci...332.1376M, doi:10.1126/science.332.6036.1376, PMID 21680824
  4. ^ "Packaging Directory-Packaging Schools". Packaging world. Retrieved 14 Feb 2015.
  5. ^ Lee, Ki-Eun; Kim, An; Lyu, Lee (November 1998). "Effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging in preserving a prepared ready-to-eat food". Packaging Technology and Science. 21 (7): 417–423. doi:10.1002/pts.821.
  6. ^ Braglia, Maracello; Frosolini, Montanari (January 2003). "Fuzzy logic controller in a packaging plant". Packaging Technology and Science. 16 (1): 21–35. doi:10.1002/pts.608.
  7. ^ Hicks, A. J.; Medland, Mullineux (September 2001). "A constraint-based approach to the modelling and analysis of packaging machinery". Packaging Technology and Science. 14 (5): 183–225. doi:10.1002/pts.553.
  8. ^ Johnston, R.G. (July 1997). "Effective Vulnerability Assessment of Tamper-Indicating Seals". Journal of Testing and Evaluation. 25 (4): 451. doi:10.1520/jte11883j. S2CID 111289045.
  9. ^ Han, Jongkoo; Park (January 2007). "Finite element analysis of vent/hand hole designs for corrugated fibreboard boxes". Packaging Technology and Science. 20 (1): 39–47. doi:10.1002/pts.741.

Bibliography

  • Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
  • Hanlon, Kelsey, and Forcinio, "Handbook of Package Engineering", CRC Press, 1998
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