Which type of plastic is commonly used for packaging?

Plastic packaging is practically everywhere. But have you ever wondered what kind of plastic these lightweight, durable packaging materials are?

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): Transparent, lightweight, and a beauty icon Thanks to its high transparency and strong toughness, it's become the standard for mineral water and carbonated beverage bottles. PET is not only acid- and alkali-resistant and impermeable, but also blocks oxygen, preventing beverages from spoiling. Even better, this plastic is recyclable. Many recycled beverage bottles are processed into fibers that can be turned into sportswear or carpets, contributing to an environmentally friendly recycling process.

Polypropylene (PP): A high-temperature resistant plastic This plastic can withstand temperatures exceeding 100°C and is a common material for microwaveable lunch boxes and yogurt cups. PP also boasts excellent oil resistance, making it a popular choice for crispy packaging of fatty foods like potato chips and nuts. While not as transparent as other plastics, PP offers strong impact resistance, is lightweight, and resists deformation, making it a common material in children's toys and medicine packaging box.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): A flexible and waterproof "special player" Although PVC is low-cost and highly waterproof, it has been gradually replaced due to environmental controversy, but it still has a place in certain applications. For example, raincoats, tablecloths, some toy packaging plastic clear box, and even the sheathing of wires and cables all rely on its excellent flexibility and waterproofness. However, PVC can release plasticizers during production and use, leading to its seldom-used use in food packaging, with a shift towards industrial and non-contact applications.

Polyethylene (PE): A gentle, protective "basic" Supermarket plastic wrap, plastic bags, and the film lining milk cartons are mostly made of polyethylene. This plastic comes in two types: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE is a tougher material, commonly used in laundry detergent bottles and detergent buckets, offering durability and drop resistance. LDPE is more flexible and suitable for applications requiring conformability or stretchability, such as food wrap. Its advantages lie in its chemical stability and ability to block moisture and odors, making it a versatile and effective everyday packaging material.

The diversity of clear box plastic packaging is essentially designed to meet the needs of different scenarios. The selection of appropriate plastic packaging materials needs to be determined based on specific packaging requirements and product characteristics.