General packaging encompasses all the processes and materials used to enclose or protect products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Access Industries offers end-to-end packing solutions in modern facilities streamlined for maximum efficiency and productivity. The company is equipped to receive, assemble, pack and palletise.
Types of Packaging
Primary Packaging: The first layer that directly encloses the product, such as a bottle for a liquid or a wrapper for a candy bar. Access Industries’ packing solutions services are equipped to receive products in primary packaging to be prepared for secondary packaging and palletising for transport.
Secondary Packaging: The second layer of packaging that groups primary packaged products together. It often serves as a display mechanism in retail environments and can provide additional protection during transport. Access Industries specialises in secondary packing operating under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) conditions. Customers receive high quality services supported by quality management systems that are frequently tested.
Tertiary Packaging: Used for bulk handling and shipping, such as pallets or large boxes. Access has significant storage capacity and the ability to accept semi-trailers and containers direct from ports or from customer distribution centres. The company’s Seven Hills and Newcastle sites are equipped for large volume jobs that require palletising for transport.
Functions of packing
- Branding: Helps with brand visibility and marketing on store shelves.
- Protection: Safeguards products from physical damage, contamination, and environmental factors.
- Containment: Holds the product in place to prevent spillage or leakage.
- Convenience: Facilitates handling, transport, stacking, storage and consumer use.
- Communication: Provides information about the product, including branding, instructions, barcodes and regulatory information.
Access is equipped with labelling machines for multiple sizes and content requirements.
Types of packing services
Access Industries Packing Solutions offers the full range of packing services including:
- Labelling
- Blister packing
- Skin packing
- Bundle wrapping
- Shrink wrapping
- Filled display units
- Arrange and supply packing materials
- Temporary storage (temp controlled)
- Transport services
Examples of general and secondary packing
- Cartons: Boxes that hold multiple primary packaged items, like a box of cereal packs.
- Shrink Wrap: Plastic film wrapped around multiple items to keep them together.
- Trays: Rigid trays that hold several items, often used in food packaging.
- Displays: Designed to showcase products on retail shelves, such as POP (point of purchase) displays.
Access is equipped with all the machinery and expertise required to process all types of secondary packaging.
Sustainability Considerations
- Material Reduction: Using fewer materials to achieve the same protection and functionality.
- Recyclability: Choosing materials that can be easily recycled to reduce environmental impact.
- Biodegradability: Using materials that break down naturally over time.
- Reusable Packaging: Designing packaging that can be reused for other purposes, extending its lifecycle.
Brand owners have obligations to manage the environmental impact of their packaging waste. A reciprocal packaging partnership can be advantageous in helping brand owners take stewardship of their eco obligations.
Where possible, to minimise transportation and CO2 emissions, Access unloads and despatches in full semi-trailers. Most of the time unprinted recycled cardboard is used for their shippers, that are 80% recyclable.
The shrink film used by Access is soft plastic recyclable and all plastic waste is recycled. Access has recently introduced recycled stretch film for wrapping pallets. Look out for the “You can recycle me” label on your next pallet of stock from Access Industries.
Benefits of Secondary Packaging
Cost Efficiency: By grouping products together, secondary packaging can reduce handling costs and improve efficiency in logistics and storage.
Customer Experience: Well-designed secondary packaging can enhance the unboxing experience and contribute to customer satisfaction.
Retail Display: Attractive and functional secondary packaging can improve product visibility and attractiveness on retail shelves, driving sales.
Compliance: Secondary packaging often carries essential information needed for compliance with regulations, including handling instructions and safety warnings.
Access Industries – supporting local community
At the core of Access Industries is a dedication to serving the community. This commitment is not limited to providing packing solutions. It extends to enhancing lives and strengthening the local economy through providing inclusive job opportunities for people with disability.
Since its establishment in 1949, the organisation has utilised its diverse portfolio of business services, including packing solutions, not just for commercial purposes but also as a tool for positive social change.
The Access Industries Purpose remains to improve the lives of people with disability by providing opportunities for employment, as well as support in developing vocational and life skills.
Today, of its 600 or so employees, there are 260 supported employees, who work alongside their peers, receiving the individual support they need to achieve their employment goals.
The next time you seek packing solutions from Access, remember the stories they carry and the sustainable future they are helping to build.
Conclusion
General and secondary packaging play crucial roles in the lifecycle of a product, from production to consumer use. Effective packaging ensures product integrity, enhances brand recognition, and provides critical information while also addressing sustainability concerns in modern packaging practices.
Packing and packaging Q and A
What is the difference between primary and secondary packaging?
Common materials used for primary packaging include plastic, glass, metal, and paperboard. Secondary packaging materials prioritise strength and durability by supporting primary-packaged products during transport and storage and shelf life.
Are labels considered secondary packaging?
Secondary packaging is the term used to describe all the components of a prepackage that do not come into direct contact with the product. Essentially, these are labels, directions for use and folding cartons.
What are secondary packaging raw materials?
Secondary packaging is the layer of packaging that surrounds a product’s primary packaging (primary packaging often has direct contact with products such as food produce). It is typically made up of cardboard and plastic.
What is included in secondary packing?
Secondary packaging is any type of outer material that protects food, drink and consumer goods through transit. Secondary packaging tells your audience more about your product and surrounds primary packaging to ensure products stay in pristine condition.
What are the best examples of secondary packaging?
Common examples include cardboard cartons, cardboard boxes, cardboard/plastic crates, trays, paperboard cartons, shrink wrapped bundles, trayed PET bottles held with shrink wrap, taped or glued cardboard cartons containing cans of food, cans inside a paperboard carton, etc.