#4 Sustainability
In today’s eco-conscious era, many companies are committed to fostering a greener supply chain. While most environmental packaging regulations in the United States currently apply to consumer products, the United Kingdom has already started to extend sustainability standards to industrial companies. It’s only a matter of time before these standards become more widespread in North America. Environmental considerations in packaging decisions encompass factors such as:
- Energy consumption
- Emissions impacting air, water, or soil
- Generation of waste materials
- Advancement of recycling and packaging reuse initiatives
#3 Legislative mandates
Beyond sustainability requirements, governments often impose strict regulations on certain products. This primarily affects packaging for items like food, drugs, cosmetics, and potentially hazardous industrial components such as lithium-ion batteries or automotive parts. Packaging decision-makers must remain vigilant about these regulations and seamlessly incorporate them into their design processes.
#2 Operations
The nature of an organization’s operations can significantly influence packaging design choices, and these factors can fluctuate over time. Operational considerations encompass:
- Labor, materials, and cost constraints
- Ensuring safe and efficient transportation methods
- Accessibility to materials and adherence to packaging quality standards
It’s crucial to recognize that operational considerations are highly context-dependent, underscoring the necessity for customized packaging solutions.
#1 Customers
Customers are the #1 factor driving packaging design decisions. While customer preferences may not always align perfectly with those of the suppliers or manufacturers, contractual obligations often force companies to comply. Customers may stipulate specific material preferences, branding guidelines, and distinct performance criteria. These criteria often include rust-free, damage-free, contamination-free, and user-friendly packaging.
In the complex landscape of industrial packaging design, some factors are within control, while others are not. Collaborating with a packaging firm capable of delivering designs that are environmentally responsible, compliant with regulations, operationally efficient, and aligned with customer demands is essential. Packaging partnerships can significantly reduce costs and minimize waste.
If you’re interested in exploring how ProtecPac can assist you in creating the perfect packaging solutions for your needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your packaging challenges are our opportunities for innovation.