To protect products during transit, instead of aligning with traditional packaging methods, follow the smart packaging framework with RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), IoT sensors to trace the real-time status of the shipment, High-bursting factor lining, and water coating to protect the shipment from hostile weather conditions, and eco-friendly honeycomb paper to wrap.
Key Takeaways
- Traditional packaging might fail in the humid and rainy climate in India, as water can damage the paper, cardboard, and adhesive of the wrapping tape.
- When traditional packaging is combined with technologies like RFID, IoT sensors, and VCI materials, it is called smart packaging.
- Smart packaging helps the business to track the live status of their shipment and prevent theft and loss of goods.
Packaging is crucial to protect products during transit. Nowadays, people are moving away from traditional packaging methods with tapes and cardboard towards smart packaging methods.
What is Smart Packaging and Why Choose It?
Smart packaging refers to a technology-enhanced packaging method. When technology such as sensors, RFID, QR codes, and IoT (Internet of Things) is added to a traditional packaging system, it is called smart packaging.
There are several reasons why people are moving from traditional to smart packaging methods.
- With smart packaging, every product becomes easy to trace and track.
- Businesses can monitor the real-time status of their shipment.
- Products that require special handling, such as medicine or electronic products, can be handled safely with a smart packaging system because sensors can monitor conditions like humidity and temperature.
- Smart packaging reduces the probability of loss of goods and products.
Why Does Traditional Industrial Packaging Fail on Indian Roads?
Traditional packaging utilizes industrial products and methods to protect, transport, and market goods. In this method, multilayered corrugated fibreboards with double or triple walls, transparent courier bags, brown and transparent BOPP packaging tapes, honeycomb paper wrap, etc., are used to pack a product.
However, traditional packaging methods often fail on Indian roads for several reasons.
- Potholes and high-vibration transports: Indian roads have a higher number of potholes, and the condition of the roads is not that good, which causes delicate products to get damaged during transition by making the big transport, like a truck, vibrate aggressively.
- Extreme heat, humidity, and rain: Humidity and rain can damage traditional packaging. If the cardboard and wrapping tape for packing get drenched in rainwater, the product inside can get damaged.
- Rough manual loading and unloading: In India, shipments are not handled with proper care. While loading and unloading roughly, the product inside is most likely to break.
- Overloading and poor condition of the storage: Poor load distribution and overloading of commercial trucks create immense compression on individual packages.
What Are The Core Technologies Used in the Smart Packaging Method?
Beyond paper, cardboard, and wrapping tape for packing, a technology-enhanced smart packaging method allows you to track the shipment’s live status. Let’s discuss the technologies that are typically used in this method.
1. IoT Sensors and Real-Time Environmental Data Loggers
To transform a traditional package into an active tracking tool, IoT sensors and real-time environmental data loggers are used.
- When IoT sensors and data loggers are incorporated in smart packaging, it allows companies to continuously monitor shipping conditions, such as live updates on temperature, humidity, and location.
- Turning passive packaging into an active data source helps logistics teams to prevent potential damage before it ruins a shipment, ensuring quality control from factory to doorstep.
2. RFID and Enhanced QR Code Traceability
RFID and enhanced QR codes bridge the gap between physical products and digital platforms.
- To identify and track tags embedded in packaging materials without requiring a direct line of sight, Radio-Frequency Identification utilizes electromagnetic fields.
- Enhanced QR codes provide specific product data and initiate interactive user experiences.
3. Active Moisture and Corrosion Control
Active moisture and corrosion control is an essential feature in smart packaging.
- It utilizes a combination of desiccants, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) materials, and IoT sensors to eliminate moisture and release protective compounds.
- To prevent rust and degradation, VCI materials emit specialized chemical compounds that form a protective shield over the metal surface.
- To prevent microbial growth, absorbent materials, such as silica gel, clays, polyacrylate salts, and hydrogels, are integrated in the packaging.
4. High Bursting Factor (BF) Liners and Waterproof Coatings
High-performance liners and coatings can upgrade standard corrugated packaging into a smart one.
- High bursting factory liners significantly increase the structural strength of the packaging, which ensures the survival of the package during heavy transit.
- When specialized waterproof coatings are applied, it transforms standard cardboard into a resilient barrier that maintains the package’s durability in harsh environments.
5. Green Paper Wraps
In the smart packaging method, instead of using plastic packaging, eco-friendly paper wraps are used because of their features, such as being biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable.
- Honeycomb paper wraps are an eco-friendly option for smart packaging with advanced features like shock absorption, cushioning, and stretchability.
- Corrugated paper wraps are a biodegradable and recyclable alternative made from recycled kraft paper. They are good for packaging because of their shock-absorbent and flexible properties.
In conclusion, smart packaging methods with BF liners, waterproof coatings, eco-friendly paper wraps, RFID and QR technology, and IoT sensors can protect the shipment against the hostile conditions of Indian roads and unpredictable weather conditions.
See also: Marketing Automation for Businesses
Want To Ship Your Product Safely?
If you want to ship your product safely and are planning to choose smart packaging, receive the service from a professional and trusted shipping company for the best experience.
