Course Title: Fundamentals of Flexible Packaging

     

    Course Duration: 2 Days / 6 hours per day

    Course Format:

    Combination of lectures with power point presentation, questionnaire sessions, case studies.

    Course Objectives:

    • Understand the basics of flexible packaging including materials, types, properties and functions.
    • Learn about the overview of manufacturing processes in flexible packaging.
    • Explore the various applications of flexible packaging across industries such as foods, Agriculture, and consumer goods.
    • Gain insights into quality control, sustainability, and recent trends in the industry.

    Target Audience:

    • New employees in the packaging industry.
    • Foods, agro-, and consumer-based industry professionals.
    • Planning, sales-marketing, and supply chain professionals of the packaging industry.
    • Raw Materials Supplying professionals in the packaging industry.
    • Individuals seeking a foundational understanding of flexible packaging.

    Day 1

    1. Flexible Packaging:

    • Flexible packaging, purposes and types.
    • Key advantages: versatility, lightweight, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

    2. Raw Materials Concept:

    • Key raw materials: Films, Ink, Chemicals, Adhesive, Plastic granules.
    • Properties of each material and their roles in different packaging formats.
    • Common packaging formats: pouch, sleeve, and reel.

    3. Overview of Production Processes:

    • Different machineries and roles in packaging processing.
    • Key processes used in flexible packaging manufacturing: blowing, printing, laminating, inspection, slitting, and pouch/bag making.
    • Used terms in flexible packaging.

    Day 2

    1. Introduction to Raw Material Testing in Flexible Packaging:

    • Testing and standards of raw materials.
    • Impact of raw materials quality in packaging finished goods and user products.

    2. Advanced Testing for Finished Goods in Flexible Packaging:

    • Barrier properties testing like moisture (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), light transmission (OD).
    • Chemical resistance testing (migration, chemical content test like using GC) for compatibility with packaging contents.
    • Mechanical properties testing like Tensile strength, elongation%, impact resistance, puncture resistance.
    • Microbiological testing to identify microbial agents in foods contact surface of packaging

    3. Recent Trends and Innovations in Flexible Packaging:

    • Eco-friendly biodegradable, compostable and edible packaging.
    • Intelligent and smart packaging.
    • Trends in e-commerce packaging and consumer convenience.

    4. Final Group Activity and Assessment:

    • Participants design a flexible packaging solution for a given product, considering material choice, sustainability, and functionality.
    • Presentation and feedback session.

    Course Materials:

    • Comprehensive course guide covering flexible packaging fundamentals.
    • Material samples and property charts.
    • Case studies on innovative packaging designs.
    • Access to relevant industry reports and sustainability guides.
    • Assessment and feedback forms.

    Evaluation and Feedback:

    • Daily quizzes and practical evaluations.
    • Final group project and presentation.
    • Participant feedback forms for continuous course improvement.

    This course provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of flexible packaging, offering participants a clear understanding of materials, processes, and applications, along with insights into quality control and sustainability trends.