Packaging is a technique used for protecting products in distribution, storage, sale and use. It is also referred as a “coordinated system” used for packing different goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale and end use. It mainly protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells the product to the end-user. Packaging can be used for both large and small goods .For example, it includes everything from shelf displays to crates used during shipment to protect goods while they are on the move.

Packaging industry is one of the major industries in the world .It mainly deals with the design and production of packaging products. This industry also provides a large amount of employment opportunities to the line workers, designers, engineers, attorneys, and many other professionals such as designing new packaging products, modify packaging to address client concerns, and develop efficient methods of packaging production. Packaging industry gives employment to people with experience in design, manufacturing, to focus more on environmental concerns like reducing waste or controlling dangerous substances.

There are some companies in packaging industry that are mainly concerned on creating protected packaging to maintain the products safe from damage and not give much importance for presentation ,for example bubble wrap ,moulded foam etc. The classifications of packaging industry are done based on their shape , size or form packaging, method of packing, contents packed and materials used for packaging . Based on the materials used, the packaging industry can be broadly classified as rigid and flexible. Major materials used in rigid packaging are glass, tin, aluminium, wood and plastic whereas lightweight, durable and flexible materials like plastic films, paper and aluminium foils are used in flexible packaging.

Categories of packaging includes general packaging, glass packaging, metal packaging, packaging machinery, paper and board packaging , pharmaceutical packaging ,plastic packaging ,sustainable packaging ,beverage packaging, consumer goods packaging and food packaging .

Packaging Industry Current Trends

According to the “Global Packaging Survey 2012-2013” there are changes expected by the end-users in packaging types. According to the survey, 74% of senior level respondents gave importance to packaging design for a successful marketing campaign, 37% of respondents expect the demand for ‘bottles’ to increase over the next 12 months, while 25% expect the demand for ‘jars’ to increase as compared to glass packaging types .

Major Packaging Industry Players

Some of the major companies in package industry are Max India , Balmer Lawrie , Time Techno , ESS DEE , Jindal PolyFilm , Uflex , Polyplex Corp , Essel Propack, Flexituff Inter, ,Bilcare .