The Complete Guide to Food Packaging: From Polymer Science to Market Success

Jun 25
14 min read

By Fedor Sokirianskii

From Polymer Science to Market Success

FOREWORD: THE UNSEEN ART OF PRESERVATION

Food packaging is the silent guardian of our culinary world. It is the final act of creation in the kitchen, the first moment of truth with the consumer, and an invisible shield that protects a product's journey from production to plate. Yet, for too many food entrepreneurs and operations managers, packaging remains an afterthought—a necessary expense to be minimized rather than a strategic asset to be optimized.

This document exists to change that perspective forever. We will explore the complete ecosystem of food packaging, from the molecular structure of polymers to the practical realities of factory floors. This is not merely a technical manual; it is a strategic guide for those who understand that great food deserves great protection.

PART ONE: THE STRATEGIC FOUNDATION

Five Pillars of Packaging Wisdom

Before we dive into the science and technology, we must establish the philosophical framework that will guide every decision. These five principles are the foundation upon which successful packaging strategies are built.

1. EVERY PACKAGE MUST HAVE A "PASSPORT"

The passport is your technical specification—a comprehensive document that defines every requirement your packaging must meet. It considers the product's weight, dimensions, sensitivity to environmental factors, required shelf life, storage conditions, and transportation methods. Without this passport, you are navigating blind.

2. YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR PACKAGING ACCORDING TO THIS PASSPORT

The passport becomes your technical task, your brief to suppliers. It ensures that everyone is working toward the same goal and eliminates ambiguity. When you know exactly what you need, you can evaluate solutions with precision.

3. SUPPLIERS OFTEN OMIT CRITICAL INFORMATION

This is an uncomfortable truth, but an essential one. Packaging suppliers are sales organizations first. Their primary goal is to move their inventory and production capacity. You must approach every conversation with a skeptical, informed eye, verifying claims with independent testing and demanding technical data.

4. WORK EXCLUSIVELY WITH MANUFACTURERS

Cut out the middlemen. Distributors and resellers are order-takers; manufacturers are problem-solvers. A direct relationship with a manufacturer gives you access to genuine technical expertise, transparency about capabilities and limitations, and the ability to influence product development.

5. ANY EXPENSIVE SOLUTION CAN BE MADE AFFORDABLE

Price is not a fixed number. It is a goal to be achieved through strategic negotiation, volume planning, and relationship-building. The most sophisticated packaging can be brought within reach through intelligent procurement strategies.

The Sequential Steps of Packaging Creation

Creating successful packaging is not a chaotic process. It follows a logical sequence of steps, each building upon the last.

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Select a Market Prototype	Purchase competitor packaging for physical analysis
2	Draft Your Technical Specification	Define every requirement for your packaging
3	Conduct Comprehensive Market Analysis	Identify key players, capacities, and price points
4	Select Your Manufacturing Partner	Choose a manufacturer who can deliver and grow with you

STEP ONE: Select a Market Prototype

Begin by purchasing the packaging of market leaders and competitors. This is not about copying—it is about understanding. Physically examine their solutions. How thick is the material? What is the seal integrity? What is the print quality? This competitive intelligence forms the foundation of your own development.

STEP TWO: Draft Your Technical Specification

With the knowledge gained from your market analysis, you can now create your own passport—a detailed technical task that outlines every requirement for your product's packaging.

STEP THREE: Conduct a Comprehensive Market Analysis

Identify the key players in the supply chain. Who supplies whom? What are their capacities? What are their price points? Understanding the competitive landscape allows you to negotiate from a position of strength.

STEP FOUR: Select Your Manufacturing Partner

Choose a manufacturer who can deliver on your technical requirements and grow with your business.

Understanding Price Seasonality

One of the most overlooked factors in packaging procurement is price seasonality. Raw material prices fluctuate, and the cost of packaging can vary significantly throughout the year. A savvy buyer understands these rhythms and plans accordingly, purchasing during off-peak periods and securing contracts that protect against price volatility.

The Volume Paradox: Price Is Not Simply a Function of Volume

The conventional wisdom is that price is directly proportional to volume. While volume is a factor, it is not the only one. The best price is achieved through strategic relationship-building and long-term planning.

The Best Price: A Goal, Not a Given

The best price is not given—it is achieved. It requires a proactive approach:

Strategy	Action
Share Your Growth Story	Present a multi-year forecast to your supplier
Engage Your Colleagues	Consolidate orders with other businesses
Calculate Your Current Needs	Accurately project your immediate requirements
Show a One-Year Perspective	Demonstrate your twelve-month growth trajectory
Increase Your Order and Sell the Surplus	Achieve economies of scale and monetize the excess

The 30% Rule: Packaging's Share of Product Cost

Packaging can represent up to 30% of a product's total cost. This is an enormous figure that demands strategic attention. The key to reducing this cost is understanding the hierarchy of materials and making informed choices that balance performance with economics.

PART TWO: THE SCIENCE OF POLYMERS

Understanding Polymer Abbreviations

The packaging industry speaks a language of acronyms. Mastery of this vocabulary is the first step toward fluency in material science.

Abbreviation	Full Name	Description
EVA	Ethylene Vinyl Acetate	Flexible, used in cling films and adhesives
EVOH	Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol	Supreme barrier against oxygen
EPS	Expanded Polystyrene	Lightweight foam for insulation
HDPE	High Density Polyethylene	Rigid, opaque material for bottles and jugs
LDPE	Low Density Polyethylene	Classic flexible plastic for bags and wrap
LLDPE	Linear Low Density Polyethylene	High-strength polymer for stretch films
PA	Polyamide (Nylon)	Strong, puncture-resistant material
PET	Polyethylene Terephthalate	Crystal-clear plastic for bottles and trays
PP	Polypropylene	Versatile, heat-resistant polymer
PS	Polystyrene	Clear, brittle plastic for cups and cutlery
PVC	Polyvinyl Chloride	Tough, clear material for blister packs
PVDC	Polyvinylidene Chloride	Ultimate gas and moisture barrier

The Polyolefin Family: Workhorses of the Industry

Polyolefins are the most widely used polymers in packaging. They are prized for their accessibility, low cost, and remarkable versatility. The research and development in this field has focused on two primary areas:

Focus Area	Objective
Catalyst Development	Create new, high-efficiency catalysts for faster production
Polymer Modification	Add fillers and additives for tailored properties

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is the classic, familiar plastic. Produced through high-pressure polymerization, it has a highly branched molecular structure that gives it unique properties.

PRODUCTION PROCESS

LDPE is manufactured in autoclave or tubular reactors under extreme pressure (100-300 MPa) and temperature (100-300°C). The process is energy-intensive, but the result is a versatile material with broad application.

Parameter	Value
Pressure	100-300 MPa
Temperature	100-300°C
Initiator	Oxygen or peroxide
Density Range	917-939 kg/m³

PROPERTIES OF LDPE FILMS

Property	Characteristic
Flexibility	Soft and elastic with a waxy feel
Impact Resistance	Excellent resistance to tearing and impact
Cold Performance	Retains flexibility at temperatures as low as -60°C
Moisture Barrier	Water and vapor impermeable
Gas Barrier	Gas permeable—not suitable for oxygen-sensitive products
Chemical Resistance	Resists acids and alkalis
Chemical Sensitivity	Attacked by hydrocarbons, oils, and fats
Softening Temperature	Low (approximately 103-112°C)

GRADING AND SPECIFICATIONS

The GOST standard for LDPE uses an eight-digit classification system:

Digit Position	Meaning
1st	Indicates high-pressure processing (1)
2nd-3rd	Order number of the grade
4th	Homogenization (0 = none, 1 = melt-homogenized)
5th	Density group (1-9, from 900 to 970 kg/m³)
6th-8th	Ten times the melt flow index value

APPLICATIONS OF LDPE

Category	Applications
General Purpose	Agricultural films, greenhouse covers, silage wrap
Technical	Bags for fertilizers, industrial packaging
Food Contact	Food-grade films for packaging (specific grades)
Specialized	Heat-shrinkable films, cling films

CHALLENGES WITH LDPE

Environmental stress cracking is a significant concern. Certain chemicals, particularly some detergents and vegetable oils, can cause the material to crack and fail, especially when under stress. This phenomenon is mitigated by:

Using high-molecular-weight grades
Blending with other polymers
Avoiding stress concentrations in the final product

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)

LLDPE represents an evolutionary leap in polyethylene technology. Produced using a low-pressure process, it has a linear backbone with short, precisely placed branches.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF LLDPE

Property	Advantage over LDPE
Tensile Strength	Significantly higher
Puncture Resistance	Superior
Tear Resistance	Far more resistant
Melting Point	Higher (approximately 118°C)
Elasticity	Excellent melt elasticity

PROCESSING CHARACTERISTICS

Factor	Consideration
Melt Flow	Narrow molecular weight distribution
Shear Stress	Lower critical level—requires larger die gaps
Power Requirement	Higher than LDPE
Extrusion Pressure	Increased compared to LDPE

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

The superior strength of LLDPE allows for significant material reduction:

Benefit	Impact
Material Savings	Films can be 20-40% thinner than LDPE
Performance	Maintains equivalent or superior properties
Environmental Impact	Reduced raw material consumption

APPLICATIONS OF LLDPE

Category	Applications
Industrial Packaging	Stretch films for pallet wrapping
Consumer Packaging	High-performance bags and wraps
Multilayer Films	Strength layer in complex structures
Agricultural	Greenhouse films, silage wrap
Specialty	Heavy-duty packaging, liners

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is the structural member of the polyethylene family. Produced through low-pressure polymerization with sophisticated catalysts, it has a linear structure with very few side branches, allowing the molecular chains to pack tightly together.

PRODUCTION METHODS

Method	Characteristics
Suspension Method	Catalyst suspended in liquid hydrocarbon; polymer precipitates as granular powder; requires solvent recovery
Gas-Phase Method	Ethylene, hydrogen, catalyst, and comonomer fed into reactor; no solvent recovery needed; more efficient and environmentally friendly

PROPERTIES OF HDPE

Property	Characteristic
Appearance	Dense, rigid, opaque
Feel	Papery, matte texture
Softening Point	High (approximately 121°C)
Moisture Barrier	Exceptional—5-6 times better than LDPE
Chemical Resistance	Superior, particularly to oils and fats
Cold Resistance	Brittle point around -60°C
Tensile Strength	High (22-26 MPa)
Elongation at Break	400-600%

HDPE GRADE NOTATION

The Stavrolen notation system is a detailed code describing the polymer's intended use:

Code	Meaning
EC	Electric cable
CP	Common pipes
PP	Pressure pipes
GP	Gas pipes
BM	Blow moulding
OT	Oriented tapes
IM	Injection moulding
FE	Film extrusion

APPLICATIONS OF HDPE

Category	Applications
Rigid Packaging	Milk jugs, detergent bottles, crates
Flexible Packaging	Films for heavy-duty bags
Industrial	Oriented tapes, strapping
Medical	Sterilizable packaging

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is perhaps the most versatile of all polyolefins. It shares many of polyethylene's favorable properties but surpasses it in several key areas.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF PP

Property	Characteristic
Melting Point	High (160-168°C)
Chemical Resistance	Excellent resistance to oils, fats, and acids
Stress Crack Resistance	Superior to PE
Clarity	High clarity and gloss possible
Electrical Properties	Excellent insulation characteristics

PP FILM TYPES

Type	Production Method	Characteristics
Cast Film	Extrusion through flat die with rapid cooling	Good clarity and gloss; quality decreases with thickness
Blown Film	Blown film extrusion	Balanced strength properties; moderate clarity
BOPP	Biaxially oriented after extrusion	Exceptional strength, clarity, and gas barrier

PROPERTIES OF PP FILMS

Property	Cast Film	BOPP Film
Tensile Strength	3.15 × 10⁵ Pa (MD)	1.0 × 10⁶ Pa (MD)
Elongation at Break	1000% (MD)	53% (MD)
Clarity	Good	Excellent
Cold Resistance	-20°C	-50°C
Sealing Temperature	140-205°C	140-205°C
Service Temperature	100-110°C	100-110°C

APPLICATIONS OF PP

Category	Applications
Rigid Packaging	Yogurt containers, microwaveable trays
Flexible Packaging	Snack food wrappers, confectionery packaging
Labels	Clear, tough labels for various products
Industrial	Non-woven fabrics, fibers

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The proportion of vinyl acetate is the key variable determining its properties.

PROPERTIES OF EVA BY VINYL ACETATE CONTENT

Content	Characteristics
Low (5-7%)	Flexible, similar to LDPE
Medium (10-14%)	Softer, more transparent
High (21-24%)	Rubber-like, excellent adhesive properties
Very High (26-30%)	Extremely soft, high tack

KEY PROPERTIES OF EVA

Property	Characteristic
Low Sealing Temperature	Excellent for high-speed packaging
Puncture Resistance	Superior to LDPE
Stress Crack Resistance	Excellent
Gas Permeability	High
Low-Temperature Properties	Excellent
Tackiness	Good cling characteristics
Weldability	Weldable by high-frequency methods
Safety	Physiologically harmless

APPLICATIONS OF EVA

Category	Applications
Packaging	Stretch cling films, ice bags
Adhesives	Hot-melt adhesives
Multilayer Films	Sealant layers
Agriculture	Greenhouse films, flexible covers

The Vinyl Polymers

Vinyl polymers incorporate other atoms or groups, such as chlorine or acetate, which dramatically alter their properties.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is a high-performance material with a complex reputation. In its rigid, unplasticized form, it is strong, tough, and an excellent barrier to gases. With plasticizers, it becomes flexible and is used for cling films.

PRODUCTION PROCESS

PVC is produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride using three primary methods:

Method	Characteristics
Suspension	Most common; water, emulsifier, catalyst; polymer precipitates as slurry
Bulk	Increasingly used for high-quality films; yields superior clarity
Emulsion	Used for specialized applications

PROCESSING CHALLENGES

Issue	Impact	Solution
Thermal Instability	Degrades at high temperatures	Specialized processing equipment
Corrosive Byproducts	Releases hydrochloric acid	Corrosion-resistant machinery
High Melt Viscosity	Difficult to extrude	Carefully designed extrusion heads

TYPES OF PVC FILMS

Type	Properties	Applications
Unplasticized	Rigid, high tensile strength, excellent clarity	Blister packs, rigid containers
Plasticized	Soft, flexible, stretchable	Cling films, household wraps

UNPLASTICIZED PVC PROPERTIES

Property	Characteristic
Strength	High tensile strength
Chemical Resistance	Resistant to oils, fats, acids, and alkalis
Clarity	Good, with excellent gloss
Barrier	Outstanding oxygen barrier
Printability	Printable without surface treatment
Weldability	High-frequency weldable
Tackiness	Minimal

PLASTICIZED PVC PROPERTIES

Property	Characteristic
Flexibility	Soft and stretchable
Clarity	Excellent
Low-Temperature	Good performance
Odor	Characteristic smell
Chemical Resistance	More susceptible to solvents
Printing	May require special inks due to plasticizer migration

APPLICATIONS OF PVC

Category	Applications
Rigid Packaging	Blister packs, clamshells, containers
Flexible Films	Cling films, shrink wrap
Industrial	Protective films
Medical	Sterilizable packaging

Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC)

PVDC represents the gold standard in barrier technology. It is a polymer with remarkable resistance to the permeation of gases and moisture.

PROPERTIES OF PVDC

Property	Characteristic
Gas Barrier	Excellent
Moisture Barrier	Excellent
Clarity	Good
Strength	High
Sealing Properties	Good (120-160°C)
Heat Stability	Unstable at prolonged temperatures above 60°C
Tear Resistance	High

PROCESSING CHALLENGES

Challenge	Impact	Solution
High Crystallinity	Rapid crystallization makes film brittle	Rapid cooling after extrusion
Processing Difficulty	Hard to extrude alone	Used as coating or co-extruded layer

APPLICATIONS OF PVDC

Category	Applications
High-Barrier Packaging	Meat, cheese, cured foods
Coatings	Applied to OPP, PET, cellophane
Multilayer Films	Co-extruded layers in complex structures

Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH)

EVOH is the ultimate oxygen barrier for transparent packaging.

PROPERTIES OF EVOH

Property	Characteristic
Oxygen Barrier	Outstanding when dry
Clarity	Excellent
Strength	Good tensile strength
Moisture Sensitivity	Becomes permeable when wet
Protection	Requires protection with polyolefin layers

APPLICATIONS OF EVOH

Category	Applications
High-Barrier Packaging	Multilayer films
Vacuum Packaging	Extended shelf life
MAP	Modified atmosphere packaging
Aseptic Packaging	Sterile packaging

PART THREE: ADVANCED FILM TECHNOLOGIES

Stretch Films

Stretch film, or "stretch wrap," is the workhorse of the logistics world. It is designed to be stretched around a load, holding it securely under tension.

TYPES OF STRETCH FILMS

Type	Stretch Ratio	Thickness	Key Properties
Hand Film	Up to 100%	15-20 µm	Good cling, satisfactory mechanicals
Machine Film	Up to 200%	17-23 µm	Excellent cling, good puncture resistance
Power Film	250%+	20-23 µm	Superior cling, low tear propagation
Pre-Stretched	200%+	6-10 µm	Excellent cling, low gel content

SILAGE FILM

Specialized variant used in agriculture to wrap bales of hay:

Property	Requirement
Stretch Ratio	Up to 75%
Thickness	25 µm
Cling	Excellent
Puncture Resistance	Excellent
UV Resistance	Minimum one year outdoor exposure
Holding Force	Excellent
Oxygen Permeability	Relatively low

Barrier Films and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Barrier films are the foundation of extended shelf life packaging. They are multilayer structures, each layer contributing a specific property.

THE PRINCIPLE OF BARRIER FILMS

Single polymer films rarely possess all required properties. By combining several polymers, we can create structures that offer:

Requirement	Purpose
Mechanical Strength	Durability and protection
Barrier	Oxygen and moisture resistance
Sealability	Heat sealing capability
Printability	Branding and information
Clarity	Consumer appeal

COMMON MULTILAYER STRUCTURES

Structure	Application	Notes
PET/PVDC/PE	High barrier for perishable foods	PVDC provides oxygen barrier
PA/EVOH/PE	Vacuum and MAP packaging	EVOH provides exceptional oxygen barrier
PET/Al/PE	Ultra-high barrier packaging	Aluminum provides perfect gas and light barrier
OPP/PE/Al/PE	Laminated barrier packaging	Economical alternative

OXYGEN PERMEABILITY OF BARRIER MATERIALS

Material	Oxygen Permeability (cm³/m²/24h/atm)	Classification
Aluminum Foil	0	Ultimate Barrier
Metallized Film	0.2 – 6	Ultra-High Barrier
EVOH (Dry)	0.11 – 0.80	Ultra-High Barrier
PVDC	0.16 – 2.46	High Barrier
EVOH (100% Humidity)	8 – 16	High Barrier
Oriented PET	25	Moderate Barrier
PET	50	Moderate Barrier
Nylon	70	Low Barrier

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

MAP is a technique where the air inside a package is replaced with a controlled mixture of gases.

GAS COMPOSITION AND EFFECTS

Gas	Effect
Carbon Dioxide	Inhibits growth of spoilage bacteria and fungi
Nitrogen	Inert gas displaces oxygen, prevents oxidation
Oxygen	Small amounts maintain color of fresh red meat

TYPES OF GAS MODIFICATION

Type	Description
Controlled Atmosphere (CA)	Actively monitored and adjusted; used in storage facilities
Modified Atmosphere (MA)	Fixed gas composition; used in retail packaging
Self-Regulating (SCA)	Exploits product's own metabolism
Carbon Dioxide (CDA)	High CO₂ (>60%) for fresh meat
Compensated Vacuum	Air removed but small gas volume remains

MULTILAYER FILM EXAMPLES WITH PERMEABILITY DATA

Barrier Material	Structure	Thickness (µm)	O₂ Permeability
Aluminum Foil	NLY/PE/Al/PE	135	0.01
Aluminum Foil	PO/Al	123	0.1 – 0.5
Metallized	Al/PET	12.5	2 – 3
Metallized	PE/Al/PO	110	0.1 – 0.2
Ceramic Coating	PET/SiOx/PET	0.5	0.5
PVDC	PEP/PVDC/PE	125	0.1
PVDC	LDPE/EVA/PVDC/EVA/PVDC	50	0.2
EVOH	EVA/PE/Eval/PE/EVA	254	4
EVOH	PET/EVOH/PE	93	3
EVOH	Nylon 6/EVOH/Nylon 6	200	0.3 – 1.5

The Art and Science of Lamination

Creating a multi-layer film is a sophisticated engineering challenge.

LAMINATION TECHNOLOGIES

Method	Process	Applications
Wet Lamination	Adhesive applied, water evaporated	Aluminum foil to paper/cardboard
Dry Lamination	Solvent-based adhesive, solvent evaporated	High-end laminates of PET/LDPE
Solventless Lamination	Reactive adhesive, no solvent	Environmentally friendly, efficient
Extrusion Lamination	Molten polymer as adhesive	Large-scale production

EXTRUSION COATING

The final step in many lamination processes:

Aspect	Description
Process	Molten polymer applied directly to substrate
Substrates	Paper, aluminum foil
Purpose	Provides sealable surface or enhances barrier

ADHESION CHALLENGES

Challenge	Solution
Low Surface Energy	Corona discharge treatment
Incompatible Materials	Tie layers (special adhesive polymers)

PART FOUR: IDENTIFICATION OF POLYMER MATERIALS

Visual and Physical Inspection

A trained eye can often distinguish between materials by their feel, clarity, and sound.

EXTERNAL CHARACTERISTICS

Material	Feel	Clarity	Sound	Tear Resistance
LDPE	Soft, waxy, greasy	Transparent, matte	Quiet	High
HDPE	Rigid, papery, less greasy	Translucent, matte	Quiet	High
PP	Dry, smooth	Transparent or translucent	Moderate rustle	High
PVC	Dry, smooth	Transparent	Moderate rustle	High
PVDC	Dry, smooth	Transparent	Moderate rustle	High
OPS	Dry, smooth, stiff	Transparent	Loud rustle	High
PA	Dry, smooth	Translucent	Soft rustle	Low
PET	Dry, smooth, stiff	Transparent	Loud rustle	Low
Cellophane	Dry, smooth, stiff	Highly transparent	Loud rustle	Low

Physical and Mechanical Testing

DENSITY TEST

Material	Density (kg/m³)	Floats in Water?
LDPE	910-930	Yes
HDPE	940-960	Yes (barely)
PP	900-920	Yes
PVC	1370-1420	No
PET	1360-1400	No
PA	1100-1150	No
Cellophane	1400	No

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AT 20°C

Material	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Water Vapor Permeability (g/m²/24h)
LDPE	10-16	150-600	15-20
HDPE	20-32	400-800	4-6
PP	30-35	200-800	10-20
PVC	47-53	30-100	30-40
PET	60-80	50-75	25-30
Cellophane	50-70	15-30	5-15

The Fire Test

Perhaps the most dramatic and informative identification method is the burn test.

Material	Flammability	Flame Color	Smell	Behavior
LDPE	Burns readily	Blue/yellow, no soot	Paraffin	Drips and melts
HDPE	Burns readily	Blue/yellow, no soot	Paraffin	Drips and melts
PP	Burns readily	Blue/yellow, no soot	Paraffin, slightly acrid	Drips and melts
PVC	Self-extinguishing	Greenish, heavy soot	Hydrochloric acid	Decomposes
PVDC	Self-extinguishing	Greenish, heavy soot	Hydrochloric acid	Decomposes
PET	Self-extinguishing	Yellow, smoky	Slightly sweet	Melts and drips
PA	Self-extinguishing	Blue, yellow	Burnt horn	Melts and drips
Cellophane	Burns readily	White	Burnt paper	Ash remains

Chemical Analysis

When visual and physical tests are inconclusive, chemical analysis is used.

Method	Process	Outcome
Pyrolysis	Heating sample without oxygen	Breaks polymer into monomers
Chromatography	Analyzing pyrolysis gases	Identifies specific polymer
Spectroscopy	Measuring chemical signatures	Confirms polymer identity

PART FIVE: A BUYER'S GUIDE TO FOOD PACKAGING

Packaging Matrix: Matching Material to Product

Product	PS	PP	EPS	SSP	DSP
Hot Drinks	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Cold Drinks	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Cakes & Desserts	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Barbecue	●●●	★★★	★★★	●●●	●●●
Cold Deli	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Hot Deli	●●●	★★★	★★★	●●●	●●●
Fried Foods	●●●	★★★	★★★	●●●	●●●
Fruits	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Pasta Dishes	●●●	★★★	★★★	★★★	●●●
Salads	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Sandwiches	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Soups	●●●	★★★	★★★	★★★	●●●
Sushi	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●	●●●
Hot Sides	★★★	●●●	●●●	★★★	★★★
Cold Sides	●●●	★★★	●●●	●●●	●●●

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS:

●●● = Highly Suitable | ★★★ = Less Suitable
PS = Polystyrene
PP = Polypropylene
EPS = Expanded Polystyrene
SSP = Single-Sided Poly
DSP = Double-Sided Poly

Product	rPET	PET	PLA Coated Paper	Crystalline PLA	Bagasse
Hot Drinks	★★★	★★★	●●●	●●●	★★★
Cold Drinks	★★★	★★★	●●●	●●●	★★★
Cakes & Desserts	★★★	★★★	●●●	★★★	★★★
Barbecue	★★★	★★★	●●●	★★★	★★★
Cold Deli	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Hot Deli	★★★	★★★	●●●	★★★	★★★
Fried Foods	★★★	★★★	●●●	★★★	●●●
Fruits	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Pasta Dishes	★★★	★★★	●●●	★★★	★★★
Salads	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Sandwiches	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Soups	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Sushi	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Hot Sides	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★
Cold Sides	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★