The Chronology of Containerization
The development of flexible packaging has its roots deeply embedded in the history of human civilisation, with various materials serving as containers for food and other goods. One of the oldest forms of flexible packaging can be traced back to ancient China, where sheets of treated mulberry bark were used to wrap foods as early as the first or second century B.C. [1]
Fast forward to the 1890s, and toothpaste started to appear in collapsible metal tubes, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of modern flexible packaging. [1]
The use of fabrics as primitive clothing was also a precursor to flexible packaging. Furs were the first materials used, followed by fibers being matted into felts or woven to make garments, bags, and baskets. [1]
In the realm of packaging, double seam closures using a sealing compound were not available until 1888. [1]
Paper, with its versatility, printability, and sustainability advantages over plastics, played a crucial role in the evolution of modern flexible packaging. The widespread availability and printability of paper, facilitated by innovations such as the paper-making machine in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, set the foundation for using paper not only for communication but also for packaging. [1]
In modern flexible packaging, paper-based materials can be printed, laminated, and converted inline with films, foils, and laminates to create versatile packaging formats that maintain flexibility while improving functionality and sustainability. [1]
The historic role of paper in recycling practices, dating back to ancient Japan, supports its advantage in sustainable packaging development today, further fueling flexible packaging's shift towards environmentally friendly materials. [1]
Other significant milestones in the development of flexible packaging include the invention of the pop top/tear tab can lid in the 1950s, the first commercial cardboard box produced in England in 1817, and the discovery of the process of tin plating in Bohemia in A.D. 1200. [1]
From natural materials like gourds and shells to the modern-day use of paper, films, and foils, the evolution of flexible packaging is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of innovation. [1]
References:
[1] Flexible Packaging Association. (n.d.). History of Flexible Packaging. Retrieved from https://www.flexpack.org/about-flexible-packaging/history-of-flexible-packaging/ [2] American Chemical Society. (n.d.). The History of Plastics. Retrieved from https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/plastics.html [3] Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Paper Recycling. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/recycling/paper-recycling [4] National Geographic. (n.d.). A Brief History of Packaging. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/packaging/ [5] The British Library. (n.d.). Paper. Retrieved from https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/paper
