Don’t Pack Your Sensitive Products Without Proper Protection
Even with the thickest corrugated and a custom design, you still might run into a damaged product as a result of a significant bump or fall during shipping. Or maybe you have fragile or sensitive products to send out. So, how do you keep everything safe without blowing your budget on fancy packaging solutions? Polyethylene packing foam can help.
Polyethylene foam is different from polyurethane foam in that it’s denser and can have more strength and durability. If you are shipping electronic products, you can also get polyethylene foam in ESD or anti-static foams to help protect sensitive devices or flammable items from being damaged both externally and internally.
Polyethylene packing foam is just one type of foam you can choose from to use as your protective packaging. Each foam has its own unique properties that might make it the better-suited option for your business.
How Does Polyethylene Packing Foam Work?
Polyethylene foam is designed to be durable and last for a while. It’s a closed cell foam, which means that it’s a little less flexible and breathable than an open cell foam like polyurethane.
Polyethylene is a lightweight foam that is shatterproof and difficult to tear. It also has excellent buoyancy and doesn’t produce dust, making it a highly versatile option for businesses interested in implementing foam within their packaging.
The closed cell construction makes it perfect for products like electronics that need protection from liquids. Its low absorbency allows products to stay dry and resist water, chemicals, and even grease. Closed cell construction also means that polyethylene foam is impervious to mold, mildew, bacteria, and rot so you won’t have to worry about contamination.
Polyethylene foam is also often used for products that require strong shock absorbency because of its superior ability to dampen vibrations. If you’re shipping materials that need to stay at a certain temperature, this foam is also a good option for insulation. Combined with its ability to resist liquids, polyethylene foam protects products from the outside elements, so they arrive at their destination exactly how they left the warehouse.
Because of its sturdy and solid structure, polyethylene is often the foam of choice for protection within packaging materials. Polyethylene foam is usually manufactured in large buns, or rolls, which makes it easy to customize into whatever shape you need.
It can also be manufactured in several different ways depending on what you’re looking for. Foam is an easy material to manufacture and easy to customize, which makes it a good option for products that need flexible solutions for protection.
Polyethylene can be manufactured as planks, laminated, skived, crosslink, and roll stock. It is also available in a large range of colors and sizes to fit your needs best. Laminated polyethylene is one option that will provide strong and durable protection because it has an outer seal on top of closed cell construction.
For products that have to travel a great distance or even overseas, polyethylene is perfect due to its durability, liquid resistance, buoyancy, and strength.
One reason that polyethylene foam packaging is turned to time and time again is its ability to survive bumps, falls, and more and still return to its original shape. Polyethylene packaging can handle impacts over and over again and continue to maintain the original design. It can also be made into a wide variety of densities. Typically, polyethylene can be manufactured in densities from 1.2 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) to 9 pcf. Whether you need the ultimate protection or just enough to survive a quick shipment, polyethylene can keep your products safe.
This variety is what makes polyethylene, and foam packaging in general, popular because it can be applied to just about any product and maintain security throughout its entire journey.
Is Polyethylene Foam Packaging Right for Your Product?
Once your products leave your warehouse, their safety is out of your immediate control. But by using foam packaging, you can ensure that no matter what product you’re shipping, it is protected from even the worst falls with a custom foam mold. Foam packaging, especially polyethylene, offers versatility and the ability to keep even the most sensitive products safe. Cushioning for packaging can come in many forms. Foam, however, is often the best choice due to its multiple uses and benefits.
If you’re interested in using foam packaging as part of your packaging solutions, don’t order what you think is best online. Work with a packaging designer who will take time to understand your needs and your products to ensure you get the best fit and material for what you need.
