The choice of packaging for a product extends beyond mere protection; it influences several factors such as cost, storage, transport, and customer appeal. As such, selecting the appropriate primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging is strategically crucial for any business.
In this article, we will explore essential concepts for selecting product packaging from a logistics perspective. What sets apart primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging? What functions does each serve?
Different Kinds of Packaging: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
Product packaging is categorized into different layers of materials:
1. Primary, Sales, or Consumption-Unit Packaging
Primary packaging is responsible for containing, storing, and protecting the product. It is the layer that comes into direct contact with the item, ensuring it remains in optimal conditions. This packaging represents the smallest unit for consumption, making it easier to sell the merchandise. It encompasses various forms: cans, jars, sacks, bottles, bags, and more.
- Primary packaging serves several functions:
- Identifies the product in accordance with regulations and provides usage instructions alongside critical information such as expiration dates.
- Represents the brand and enhances consumer appeal (depending on the product).
- Keeps the merchandise stable at the point of sale to prevent it from falling.
- Ensures isolation of the contents.
- Protects the goods using minimal materials.
2. Secondary or Grouped Packaging
Secondary packaging groups together primary packaging, offering additional protection and facilitating broader marketing of the product. Typically, it consists of cardboard boxes, although plastic can also be used. For instance, an individual milk carton is primary packaging, while the cardboard box containing several cartons qualifies as secondary packaging.
Secondary packaging is designed to:
- Withstand stacking (in warehouses and retail) and handling during transport, safeguarding the product from damage.
- Contain a specified quantity of products.
- Capture customers’ attention, especially when intended for direct public sale.
3. Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary packaging combines primary and secondary packaging to create larger unit loads, commonly in the forms of pallets, containers, and modular cardboard boxes.
The functions and characteristics of tertiary packaging include:
- Maintaining stability and enabling compact storage of loads.
- Enhancing the storage capacity of facilities and industrial vehicles.
- Utilizing authorized and durable materials.
Occasionally, tertiary packaging also plays a significant role in reinforcing brand image, particularly in e-commerce logistics, where the transport packaging can include visual brand elements, as seen with Amazon's recognizable parcels.
Factors That Determine Packaging Choice
Selecting the most suitable type of packaging aims to reduce both direct costs (material purchases and waste management) and indirect costs (packing processes, handling, storage, and losses from damage). Key factors influencing the selection of packaging types include:
- Product Characteristics
- Manufacturing and Packing Process
- Transport and Storage Handling
- Environmental Impact
- Points of Sale
According to Forbes Insights' report "The Empty Space Economy," a quarter of the space in every container and package sent and received annually is filled with… air! Consequently, 66% of executives surveyed believe they could save at least 25% of their packaging budget by eliminating that empty space.
Several strategies to achieve this include:
- Standardization of Packaging Measurements
- Automate the Selection and Handling of Packaging Material
An important factor in transport costs is dimensional weight, which calculates the space a package occupies relative to its weight. Transport agencies use this to set their rates for light yet bulky packages.
In this context, integrating warehouse management systems with pallet checkpoints, scales, automatic labelers, and cobots aids in the packing process. Based on inventory data, the WMS guides operators in selecting the appropriate packaging for each order.
Packaging for More Efficient Logistics
To pinpoint areas for improvement in packaging management, it’s advisable to categorize the various types of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging and analyze how potential modifications might affect each.
In the industry, assessing packaging optimization in terms of material, transport, handling, storage, waste management, and cost is essential. Having a comprehensive overview of the process enables you to select the most suitable logistics packaging tailored to your company's specific characteristics.