When it comes to product transportation and striving for a greener future, the focus is very much on the method of transportation, engines, fuels, and how they are transported. For example, many businesses think about mixed transportation which is using rail, road, sea, and air. They also consider how best to stack their loads to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of plastic pallets as a sustainable option. 

However, transport packaging technology is often overlooked or not seen as something that can be changed to improve the environment and make transportation more efficient. Packaging technology is highly important for streamlining logistics processes and it also is a wonderful way to implement more sustainable strategies for your business. Discover the role of packaging technology in transportation and how you can adapt your packaging to meet the demands of your consumers, streamline your logistics, and strive for a greener future. 

What is packaging technology?

Packaging technology isn’t just about smart and intelligent packaging, but it’s actually the methods and materials used to protect and showcase products. This involves every stage of the product process, during storage, transport, and sale. It goes beyond functionality because packaging is a key way to communicate a brand’s identity and values. Packaging technology mixes engineering, marketing, technology, and environmental science to create unique solutions that best match industry demands. 

Packaging that focuses on creating a greener future

Recently, there has been a boom in creating sustainable packaging which focuses on creating a greener future. This is already in place across many industries to protect the environment and is something that will continue to grow into the future. Sustainability has always been a focus for many businesses as more consumers are already searching for eco-friendly values and shopping experiences. With packaging always being an issue as it primarily uses plastic, a steer to reduce plastic use is needed. A business should always strive for a greener future because, if we all work together, we can change the planet for the better. 

More than ever, plastic has been highlighted as a threat to the environment and ecosystems. Using sustainable packaging will not only position you as a caring and environmentally friendly brand but also will make a huge difference in reducing your impact on the environment. It is best to steer towards the trends of waste reduction, maximizing the use of box space, lower carbon footprint, and using recyclable or recycled materials. Try to minimize, and eventually banish, the use of plastic and utilize innovative technologies and materials to help make a better and healthier planet. 

Tech packaging driving the future

With the demand for everything your business does to be convenient and eco-friendly, unique upgrades and technological advancements are needed. Tech packaging is beginning to make a statement in all industries and is driving the future toward high-tech alternatives that are effective, convenient, and sustainable. Types that are currently being created that businesses are building on for the future are:

• Edible alternatives: Edible packaging is a bespoke and sustainable alternative that reduces the reliance on fossil fuels. This innovation will thrive in the future and reduce businesses’ carbon footprint. This alternative uses natural materials like algae, plant fibers, seaweed, and crops.
• Flexible, space-saving packaging: Packaging technology isn’t always about how consumers dispose of it. It’s also about how they are stored and transported. Businesses are starting flexible, space-saving packaging for easy stacking, storage, and efficiency. This is especially starting to occur in the food industry as it’s lightweight, durable, and adaptable. 
• Smart tech packaging: Smart packaging is starting to be introduced to the market and is rapidly growing in popularity. This is a trend that will definitely continue into the future. It makes packaging interactive through near-field communication, radio-frequency identification, ambient intelligence, smart LEDs/OLEDs, power sources, sensors, screens, and data capture. 

Advanced packaging to improve communication

Advanced packaging is growing in the world of transportation and will be the norm in the future. This improves communication at every stage of shipping which contributes to efficiency and customer experience. This type of packaging uses radio frequency identification tags and other sensors. Using this helps to create seamless interactions that can offer information between every part, such as packaging and consignor, packaging and consignee, packaging and content, and packaging and carrier. 

The communication between the packaging and consignor/consignee relates to location information and predicting deliveries. As for carriers, they are using real-time tracking to monitor the goods that are being transported. This is already making waves for transportation, making it quicker and easier, so businesses are looking to leverage this in the future.

Intelligent packaging to boost quality and safety 

There are a few advances in quality control and protection of transported goods through using intelligent packaging. This is expected to increase for businesses in the future as it’s a huge innovation that streamlines the shipping process. Intelligent packaging monitors the internal condition of packaged goods, providing vital information about the quality during transportation and storage. It helps highlight to the carrier or warehouse operator if the quality is deteriorating. This ensures that consumers get high-quality products from your business, keeping a positive reputation and highlighting your business value for excellence. 

Smart packaging implements hardware components, like time-temperature indicators (TTIs), freshness and ripeness sensors, and tags. This is critical for the food industry, especially to provide quality products and reduce global waste. 

Active packaging for better product protection

Active packaging is slowly becoming a presence for transportation and storage but is expected to be a popular packaging technology for all industries. This involves the release of substances to packaged food and products, the atmosphere surrounding it, or the absorption of substances. This helps to extend the shelf life of the packaged product or to help maintain or improve the condition. Active packaging can include anti-corrosion, moisture or oxygen absorbents, heat and cool functions, and antimicrobials. 

This packaging technology can also be made to respond to any changes in the internal or external atmosphere of the package. It uses signaling functions by implementing intelligent packaging. 

Packaging technology is continually transforming to meet the demands of consumers and ensure your business streamlines the logistics process. Advanced, active, and intelligent packaging is paving the way for simple transportation and a greener future. Packaging makes a huge difference in your business’s sustainability goals and your success too, so it’s vital to utilize these innovative packaging technologies to reap rewards!