Over the years, there has been a real evolution in packaging. With sustainability being the main topic, companies have changed the way they do business. This includes manufacturing and packaging their products in an eco-friendlier way. Eco-friendliness has compelled companies to revisit their processes, from manufacturing to packaging, all in order to align with an environmentally-conscious approach. One such revolution in the packaging sector is cold seal packaging. This type of packaging has many advantages. Read on to learn what those advantages are.
What is cold seal packaging?
You may be wondering, what is cold seal packaging? Well, cold seal packaging basically means that the packaging only needs pressure to be sealed perfectly. The two separate films are sealed together using a cold seal adhesive. One of the films holds the company’s graphics and information, while the other film holds the product. A blister, for example. The cold seal adhesive, typically water-based and solvent-free, bonds the films together. Cold seal packaging is a great solution when it comes to sustainability in packaging. Particularly, this approach is beneficial for companies that lack specialized knowledge in packaging. It offers an uncomplicated, trouble-free packaging process that can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on packaging logistics, allowing operations to focus on their core competencies.
Cold seal vs heat seal: the paradigm shift
Over the past years, heat seal packaging was the preferred method due to its simplicity: it does not require any additional materials like adhesives. Today, however, the energy-intensive nature of heat sealing, as well as the potential to negatively impact certain products, has led to a shift towards cold seal packaging.
Cold seal does not require any heat during the process, resulting in significantly less energy consumption. Quick change-overs are feasible as cooling down and reheating the sealing machine is not necessary, making the process much faster and more efficient. Additionally, with only one parameter – pressure – to consider, setup scrap is minimized, and the process is optimized for both small and large volumes.
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Advantages of cold seal packaging
Cold sealing is a real revolution in the world of packaging, but what is cold seal packaging going to do for your business? In other words, what are the biggest advantages?
Eco-friendly
Cold seal packaging’s appeal extends beyond its simplicity and efficiency: it is an eco-friendly solution that aligns with the rising consumer demand for sustainable products and practices. Highly recycled content cardboard and 100% post-consumer recycled plastic are commonly used in cold seal packaging. The plastic content is sandwiched between two layers of cardboard, minimizing its use and eliminating the need for specific sealing properties. The result is a packaging solution that reduces the environmental footprint by minimizing waste and promoting recycling.
The Ecobliss cold seal adhesive is water-based and solvent-free, contributing to the environmental sustainability of the process. After opening, the components separate cleanly and completely, allowing for easy recycling and further reducing the packaging's impact on the environments.
Fast and easy cold seal
Cold seal packaging stands out for its quick change-overs since the sealing machine does not need to cool down and re-heat. Besides this, the seal is instantly created as soon as the pressure is applied, making it a fast and easy process. Cold seal packaging can be up to 10 times faster than heat seal.
The sealing process is reliable, fast in setup, and virtually devoid of setup or running spoils. This makes it a favored solution, whether you need to package several thousand or millions of products.
Customization and versatility
Cold seal packaging can be adapted to the requirements of the customer, to optimise shelf presentation and maximizing the communication area. The entire surface, and all its packaging components, can be customised according to the desired design. Moreover, cold seal packaging can be tailored to include additional features such as free-standing packaging, security tags, dispenser function, multi-panel packaging, and more. This flexibility opens up a world of opportunities for brands to enhance their customer interaction and engagement through innovative packaging design.
Consumer experience
An often-overlooked aspect of packaging is the consumer experience, but not with cold seal packaging. The reduced plastic content not only contributes to sustainability, but also optimizes shelf presentation. The product's visibility is maximized, and the communication area is expanded because the entire board surface can be printed. This results in a package that stands out on the shelf and effectively communicates the brand message.
Even the act of opening the package is considered in the cold seal process. Various easy opening possibilities can be proposed, creating a pleasant experience for the consumer. Moreover, when opening the packaging, the plastic part and the carton are fully and perfectly separated, facilitating easy recycling. Curious about other functionalities of packaging? This blog elaborates on the functionalities of packaging in marketing.
Energy efficiency
Eliminating the heating element reduces energy consumption significantly, whichis not only cost-effective but also better for the environment.
Product safety
By avoiding heat, cold seal packaging is ideal for products that could be damagedor degraded by high temperatures, such as certain pharmaceuticals.
Versatility
Cold seal packaging is adaptable to various packaging designs and can be used with different materials, providing effective solutions across multiple sectors.
Key applications of cold seal packaging
Pharmaceuticals: In the pharmaceutical industry,maintaining the chemical integrity of medications is paramount. Cold seal packaging protects sensitive drugs from heat, ensuring they are safelydelivered to consumers without degradation.
Retail: Various retail products benefit from cold seal packaging due to its quick and secure sealing capabilities in combination with the versatility it offers.
A comprehensive solution
Whether you are a small business owner seeking a simple, low-cost solution or a large corporation aiming to streamline your high-volume packaging process, cold seal packaging offers a solution that is not only efficient and scalable but also sustainable and consumer-friendly. Ecobliss, the blister packaging expert, provides a comprehensive solution, guiding businesses through the development process, performing the realization of the packaging components, and supplying the required equipment for perfect implementation in the production process.
Cold seal packaging is a sophisticated solution that plays a crucial role in pharmaceuticals and retail applications. It offers a blend of versatility,safety, and environmental benefits, making it an attractive option for companies looking to improve their packaging. Want to learn more about our cold seal packaging? Request a sample or get in touch with the team. Hopefully these advantages have convinced you of choosing the cold seal technique for the packaging of your products. Curious about more sustainable packaging trends? Then be sure to read our blog on the sustainable packaging trends for 2023!
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