Materials

The Right Material Choice

Packaging is all about function. And functionality depends upon the right material choice. Our industry-leading materials experts are ready to work with you to find the best material for your application. They evaluate new materials as they come on the market and can demonstrate the merits of every material used in packaging today. We’ll show you traditional plastics as well as next-generation alternatives, including post-consumer recycled materials and resins derived entirely from plants, like our Greenware products.

Whether you’re selecting a stock product or collaborating with us on a custom packaging solution, the experts at Fabri-Kal will put the depth and breadth of their knowledge into your best packaging answer — beginning with the right material.

Learn more about materials below.

(PET, PCR PET)

Polyethylene Terephthalate

PET is clear, tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties. This resin is commonly used in beverage bottles and consumer product containers. Cleaned, recycled PET flakes and pellets are used for spinning fiber for carpet yarns, producing fiberfill and geo-textiles.

Resin Code

Properties

Clear and optically smooth surfaces
Excellent barrier to oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide
High impact capability and shatter resistance
Excellent resistance to most solvents
Capability for hot-filling

Fabri-Kal PET Products

(PP)

Polypropylene

Polypropylene has good chemical resistance, is strong, and has a high melting point making it good for hot-fill liquids. This resin is found in flexible and rigid packing, fibers and large molded parts for automotive and consumer products.

Resin Code

Properties

Easy to color or modify
High heat resistance
Steam barrier properties
Good impact and rigidity balance

Fabri-Kal PP Products

(PS)

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a versatile plastic that can be either rigid or foamed. General-purpose PS is clear, hard and brittle. It has a relatively low melting point. Typical applications include protective packaging, foodservice packaging, bottles and food containers. PS is often combined with rubber to make high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) which is used for packaging and durable applications requiring toughness, but not clarity.

Resin Code

Properties

Excellent moisture barrier for short shelf-life products
Low melting point
Significantly stiff in rigid forms
Low cost and easy to process

Fabri-Kal PS Products

(Other, PLA)

Polylactic Acid

Use of this code indicates that a package is made with a resin other than the six listed by the American Chemistry Council, or is made of more than one resin and used in a multi-layer combination.

PLA is made from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made from dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch, and starch is produced from annually-renewable plant sources. PLA is clear and strong like petroleum-based plastic.

Resin Code

Properties

Strong and durable
Bioplastic that is made from lactic acid
Provides excellent product clarity
Potential to break down into nutrient rich soil

Fabri-Kal PLA Products

(Plant Fiber Blend)

Wheat Straw

Greenware Plant Fiber Blend Containers are made with wheat straw. Wheat straw is an annually-renewable resource that is leftover after the grain is harvested each year. There is no disruption to the food chain and no deforestation with products made from wheat straw. All wheat straw resources are farmed close to our manufacturing facility, reducing transportation and emissions and environmental impact.

Material

Properties

Annually renewable natural resource
Naturally holds up to wet, heavy foods
Wide temperature range provides versatility

Fabri-Kal Wheat Straw Products

Greenware Plant Fiber Blend Containers

Source: American Chemistry Council

Find your next responsible packaging solution now.