The pressure is mounting on the shipping industry to innovate and adapt measures that slash costs and improve efficiency. In this hour of critical need, thermoformed plastic containers have emerged as one of the key solutions. They are lightweight and impact-resistant, but they are also cost-effective in ways that could revolutionize shipping logistics. Keep reading for more.
Why Your Business Should Consider Thermoformed Plastic Containers for Shipping
Cost-effective customization
Thermoforming is a plastic shaping method that involves heating a sheet of plastic in an oven then forming the sheet over a mold and drawing a vacuum to solidify the form. Once cooled the molded parts are trimmed for functionality and design. As it turns out, this process is more effective than injection molding. It allows thermoforming companies to fabricate custom packaging at a fraction of the cost.
The big deal with thermoforming is that the process uses less expensive tools and molds. Expect massively reduced tooling costs. For example, if a company invests $50,000 in injection molding, thermoforming can reduce that to just $5,000.
This saving enables a company to invest more in case customization for optimal fit, and that’s where we come in. Our thermoformed plastic containers are specifically designed to fit products and improve logistics. Thermoforming makes it easy to make changes to the shape, size, and material of the packaging. This, in turn, allows for flexibility when businesses are designing packaging that will perfectly fit their products.
Based on client success reports, the level of customization possible with thermoformed plastics enhances operational efficiency in logistics in unimaginable ways. We’ll explore that later, but for now let’s look at the impact on the environment.
Read also: 6 Key Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Custom Case Manufacturer
Environmental benefits
Climate change is a hot-button issue. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that up to 30% of the industry’s carbon footprint could be shaved off if plastic waste is recycled into packaging.
The good news is that apart from being cost-efficient, custom thermoformed packaging is very environmentally friendly. The thermoforming process can use up to 50% of recycled plastics and this helps reduce demand for new plastic.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that up to 30% of the industry’s carbon footprint could be shaved off if plastic waste is recycled into packaging. The good news is that thermoformed plastic containers are made from up to 50% recycled plastics which dramatically reduces the need for new material. Additionally, the recyclable content of these containers helps companies save not just the environment, but build up their brand and their savings.
Now let’s get to the nuts and bolts and examine the operationality of thermoplastics. Are they at all feasible for the shipping industry?
Read Also: The Environmental Impact of Custom Cases
Enhanced operational efficiency in logistics
Thermoformed packaging could well be the best packaging invention in the shipping industry. Designed to be lightweight, thermoformed containers save on shipping costs and fuel consumption. Plastic shipping containers built with thermoformed parts can be as 30% lighter than traditionally used materials such as wood, metal, or fiberglass.
This data translates to significant cost savings. For a shipping company that transports thousands of units of merchandise the total weight of merchandise plus container will be 30% lower if they switch to thermoplastic containers. This means huge savings on fuel costs over time.
Additionally, thermoformed containers are custom designed which enables companies to save space. You can fit more products within one shipment and make fewer shipping rounds.
What Makes Thermoformed Plastic Containers Advantageous in Shipping
Polymer alignment
To understand how thermoformed plastic containers are revolutionary, we must examine their core strength. Custom thermoformed plastic containers have the strength advantage of polymer chain alignment.
During the process of thermoforming, the plastic’s long, stringy molecular chains realign. This alignment increases the plastic’s ability to resist cracking and stress. This sometimes increases the tensile strength of the material and makes it ideal for shipping items that are seriously sensitive to rough handling.
You can thus expect containers that can bend without breaking. For example, two of the most common thermoforming materials, PET and HDPE, have tensile strengths of 55-75 MPa. These strengths prevent the custom soft cases from tearing or cracking, even when handled with great force.
The strength developed through polymer alignment contributes a lot in ensuring not only durability but also longevity for the containers. It helps reduce the overall number of replacements and hence cuts long-term logistics costs. This makes thermoformed plastic containers a smart business investment for the logistics industry.
Impact resistance
Besides tensile strength, another important benefit of thermoformed plastic containers is impact resistance. There is a high risk of goods being shipped to be subjected to jolts and jumps. But thanks to the high impact resistance of thermoformed plastics hard cases that arise from their flexible molecular structure, you can minimize damage to shipments.
This feature makes it an ideal choice for manufacturers looking to balance cost-effective shipping with safety. With this kind of packaging, you can unlock a limitless list of logistics improvement ideas.
Chemical resistance
Thermoformed plastics have great resistance to chemical corrosion. Most of the polymers used in thermoforming are impervious to moisture, chemicals, and UV exposure that could degrade materials during shipment over very long distances. The chemical stability of the product thus maintains container functionality over time without breakdown from exposure to external elements.
Besides this, materials like polypropylene commonly used in thermoforming (using the vacuum forming process) can also withstand acids, bases, and other organic solvents in the environment. Both the container and what is contained therein will be protected. This is a raw deal for the transportation industry.
The Bottom Line: Thermoformed Plastic Containers are Efficiency and Economic
Add together the benefits – lower thermoforming costs compared to methods like injection molding, lighter shipping weight, improved durability, and environmental benefits – and the case is clear. You save thousands of dollars when you use thermoformed plastic containers.
According to a report by Statista, the demand for thermoplastics is expected to burgeon to 445.25 million metric tons in 2025. This suggests that more companies are beginning to realize the economic benefits of switching to thermoformed plastic containers for shipping logistics.
For a manufacturer, such plastic cases minimize product damage, thus increasing customer satisfaction while reducing return rates. To the consumer, thermoformed plastic containers mean peace of mind, knowing their purchases will arrive safely and undamaged.
Read Also : Why Custom Cases Are Essential for Your Bottom Line
A Sneak Peek into Vacuum-Forming
Vacuum-forming is quite similar to thermoforming but the process is much quicker and simpler. The heated plastic is forced on the mold using a pressure vacuum- it helps to produce designs in much more custom details.
The results of vacuum-forming in packaging are lightweight yet highly durable containers that can bear heavy loads and harsh treatment during shipment. Vacuum-formed plastic is more impact-resistant than conventional plastics.
This increased durability minimizes damage to the product while in transport, further enhancing shipping efficiency. For businesses in logistics, this advantage translates to faster returns and less product wastage. The bottom line is you get to save more money.
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