What plastic type is best for my product? That depends …

what-plastic-type-is-best-for-my-product-that-depends<p>We get this question all the time: what should I put my product in? A client has a product with a special list of ingredients that may or may not require a specific <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/plastic-comp.asp>plastic type</a>, and they just need to know from us, the plastic experts, the definitive answer to this question. The answer is &#8230; we&#8217;re not sure!</p> <p>Oh, that&#8217;s really helpful.</p> <p>Keep reading though because I&#8217;ll tell you why this question is so hard to answer. And I&#8217;ll tie it all up with some ideas on how we can all work together on identifying some plastic types that will work well with your product.</p> <p>Why we&#8217;re not sure.<br /> Essential oils are an excellent example of why we&#8217;re not sure. <a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2009/05/containers-for-essential-oils_18.html>In my article on essential oils</a>, you&#8217;ll read that essential oils in their pure form should not be stored in plastic. In fact, glass is really the only suitable package for pure essential oils. However, if those same essential oils are used as an ingredient in a lotion or cream, for instance, we&#8217;ve found that PET is a perfect plastic type for these kinds of products.</p> <p>How we CAN help.<br /> Over the years we&#8217;ve had a lot of experience with different kinds of products. We work with our customers continually on making suggestions and recommendations, but <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/disclaimer.asp>NEVER guarantees (click through for why)</a>. I know that&#8217;s not really comforting. But like the essential oils example, we don&#8217;t know how much you&#8217;ve diluted your oil, acid, solvent, adhesive, glue, etc, and therefore can&#8217;t guess how it will react. What wecan do is the following:</p> <ol> <li>Recommend what plastic types other customers in your industry have used</li> <li>Suggest a particular family of containers to test</li> <li>Urge you to <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/disclaimer.asp>test your product</a> with our container and/or closure</li> <li>Provide you with a <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/faq.asp#samples>free sample</a> (we offer a free sample of most of our items) to test</li> </ol> <p>How you can help yourself.<br /> Here are some additional ideas on how you can identify what plastic type will work best with your product:</p> <ol> <li>Call us at 1-800-473-4144 and ask if we have any suggestions or ideas.</li> <li>Research the different <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/plastic-comp.asp>plastic types</a> and get a general idea on which types to test.</li> <li>Go to the grocery store or competitor and look at what they&#8217;re using to package their product.</li> <li>Get a <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/Info/faq.asp#samples>sample</a> from us and test it.</li> <li>Research all applicable regulatory agencies on packaging in your industry.</li> </ol> <p>What do I look for when I test my product?<br /> When testing your product in our container or closure, here are the kinds of things that you want to look for:</p> <ol> <li>Does the container and lid combination create a leak-proof seal? Does my product leak when turned upside down? Does it leak when I shake it?</li> <li>Does my filled and sealed container <a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2009/09/fluorination-your-bottle-can-take.html>panel</a> over time? Does the shape of the container begin to distort over time? Fill your container and watch it over days, weeks, and months.</li> <li>Does my product weaken the structure of the plastic? Does the container start to feel flimsy or weak?</li> <li>Does my product taste or smell funny prior to expiration date? Do I need a <a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2009/09/fluorination-your-bottle-can-take.html>fluorinated</a> container?</li> </ol> <p>You&#8217;ve spent a long time getting your product developed. We know. Finding the right package and getting it decorated and getting it ready for market could take you just as long. Don&#8217;t get discouraged. Just remember it&#8217;s all part of the process.</p> <p>So, what IS the best plastic type for your product? The best answer: try it and see.</p>