Materials, Containers & Consumables
(188 companies)PMMI members that supply packaging materials and containers are featured in this category, ranging from flexible packaging materials (pre-made bags, labels, and rollstock) to rigid containers (bottles, cups and trays). Also included in this category are closures, folding carton converters, protective packaging, bulk packaging containers and consumables (adhesives, tape, stretch film, machine knives and ink) and other supplies.
Flexible Packaging (69 Companies)
Flexible packaging can be bags, wraps and films, made of one or more layers of plastic, foil, paper, or other materials that are usually lightweight or bendable in some way.
Flexible Packaging Types
Pre-made Bags
Pouches or bags that have already been converted and often pre-cut or formed into individual units for loading by machine or hand. A variety of bag and pouch sealing equipment is available for sealing pre-made bags, usually different from form/fill/and seal equipment, which also forms the bag inline before filling and sealing.
View 43 Companies
Finished Rollstock
Rolls of flexible packaging or labels that have already been converted from large webs and arrive from the converter preprinted with finished package graphics. These rolls are designed to be mounted onto either vertical or horizontal form/fill/seal equipment, flow wrappers, labelers and related equipment.
View 44 Companies
Films for Converting
Basic plastic or blown film that has not yet been converted, for later converting processes such as printing, laminating, slitting, or for multi-layer laminating with other webs.
View 40 Companies
Overwrap Films and Papers
A wide range of plastic and paper materials that serve to protect or envelop products. These materials can consist of clear films or unprinted papers, but they can also be printed. Overwrap films are considered to be distinct from shrink films.
View 23 Companies
Flexible Tubes
Any flexible, cylindrical tube, made of plastic or metal, that can be squeezed by the consumer or end user to force product out, such as tubes for toothpaste or hair gel, or pharmaceutical ointments. These tubes come from the manufacturer with a threaded opening on one end and are open at the other. After product is filled into the tube, the open end is sealed.
View 9 Companies
Zippers, Easy Open & Reseal
Features, most often on flexible bags or pouches, that include a liner and zipper feature so that the consumer can open the package by pulling on a thin string liner and/or reseal packages once opened, to maintain freshness.
View 22 Companies
Membranes & Seals
Any peelable foil, plastic, or other material used specifically in induction or conduction sealing machines, such as a membrane placed on the mouth of a bottle of nutraceuticals, or a foil seal over a can of potato crisps.
View 15 Companies
Thermoforming Films
Any film that is used on a flexible or semi-rigid thermoforming machine, either as part of a thermoform/fill/seal process or during package manufacturing, where a blister or clamshell is created through thermoforming.
View 17 Companies
Containers (35 Companies)
Any semi-rigid or rigid vessel that holds or contains raw product such as a liquid or solid. Many of the containers mentioned here can be used in a wide variety of applications; examples are for illustration purposes only.
Containers Types
Ampoules & Vials
Small glass or plastic containers, used mainly in medical and pharmaceutical packaging applications that often include measured doses.
View 1 Company
Bag-in-Box for Liquids
A plastic or multilayer bag that is housed in an outer corrugated box or metal wire container, often for bulk items, that allows for easier handling, shipment, and storage, such as a bag-in-box containing bulk tomato sauce shipped to food service operations.
View 2 Companies
Bottles & Jars
Any rigid plastic or glass container that is used for packaging a variety of liquids or solids. Bottles can also be made from aluminum or even paperboard, and include preform manufactures.
View 7 Companies
Cartridges & Rigid Tubes
Tubes are elongated rigid containers that dispense a wide range of products, such as tubes for caulk. Cartridges are packaging components that contain products but fit into some sort of larger delivery system, for example cartridges for injectable medicine applications.
View 4 Companies
Cans and Canisters
Cans are cylindrical metal containers, typically made from aluminum or steel (but also plastic) that are used for a wide variety of liquid and solids. A canister typically refers to a spiral-wound, paper-based container with a paper or plastic lid or overcap, for a wide range of dry products. A typical example is a paperboard canister for dry oatmeal.
View 6 Companies
Cups, Bowls & Tubs
Rigid, concave packaging containers in a variety of formats, sizes and materials, characterized by a wide opening that’s typically the same as the diameter or width of the package itself. Examples include tubs for margarine, microwavable plastic bowls for frozen meals, and Styrofoam cups for ramen.
View 24 Companies
Trays & Baskets
Trays are shallow, rigid or semi-rigid containers made from a variety of materials that support and contain food as well as non-food products. Examples include microwavable polypropylene trays for frozen dinners, clear trays for rows of cookies or crackers. Baskets (sometimes known as punnets) refer to open or mesh containers, typically plastic, that are designed for holding fresh fruit or vegetables. Note: this category is distinct from corrugated shipping trays (see Paperboard & Corrugated).
View 16 Companies
Blister & Clamshells
Companies that manufacture and supply empty clamshells, blisters or other thermoformed packages for later filling or loading on a packaging line (as opposed to those who make thermoform fill/seal equipment that forms the tray, fills and seals on a single machine.) Thermoformed packaging can be stock or custom.
View 10 Companies
Food Containers (Fresh & Prepared)
Companies that specialize in making empty rigid packages (often thermoformed) used by retail and fresh food service sectors, i.e., tubs used for fresh soup or deli items at a grocery store.
View 22 Companies
Closures, Lids & Dispensing (21 Companies)
Lids, caps, nozzles, lugs and other container parts used for functions such as sealing containers as well as re-opening and dispensing product.
Closures, Lids & Dispensing Types
Threaded Closures
Closures with an internal continuous thread that screws onto the neck of a container or fitment with a matching continuous thread.
View 9 Companies
Dispensing Closures
Multifunctional closures have movable parts for opening and reclosure, such as a closure on a bottle of lotion that allows the consumer to open, dispense product, and reclose.
View 11 Companies
Pumps & Spray Nozzles
Specialized closures that allow liquid products to be dispensed and dispersed from the package by manual force from the user or some sort of internal propellant. Includes mist and trigger sprayers, aerosol pumps, foam dispensers and related closures.
View 5 Companies
Lug Closures
Flat metal or plastic closures that have indentations on the interior rim of the closure that engage with coarse, often non-continuous threads or on bottles and jars that are removed by consumers with a single twist, such as metal lug closures on jars of pickles.
View 5 Companies
Overcaps
A type of closure that is placed on top of another closure, especially on dispensing closures, pumps, and spray nozzles, to cover the inner closure so it does not activate product dispersion, such as an overcap for a perfume bottle.
View 9 Companies
Lids
Any flat closure that goes on top of a canister, can or container, ranging from plastic lids for cans of peanuts to metal lids for paint cans to aluminum can lids.
View 12 Companies
Corks and Plugs
Corks are synthetic or natural stoppers used most frequently in sealing bottles of alcoholic beverages such as wine. Plugs are typically rubber stoppers inserted into vials or glass tubes.
View 2 Companies
Clip Closures, Ties & Staples
A wide range of specialized closure materials such as twist ties and plastic clips for bread bags and staples for large bags of potatoes.
View 4 Companies
ROPP Closure
Roll-on pilfer-proof (ROPP) closures are a type of non-threaded aluminum closure where the threads are formed in the process of applying the closure to a bottle or container by pressure rollers applying mechanical force.
View 5 Companies
Consumables (47 Companies)
Materials and tools used in packaging and processing operations in very high volumes during the course of regular operations.
Consumables Types
Adhesives
Any number of hot or cold-seal materials that are used to adhere different packaging materials together, such as in operations including but not limited to bottle labeling, carton sealing and case sealing.
View 14 Companies
Shrink Films
Rolls of clear or printed films that are used in numerous packaging applications that shrink and tightly wrap to conform to a product’s shape in heat tunnels. Shrink films can also be printed and converted into tubestock to be used as full-body shrink labels on rigid containers.
View 11 Companies
Stretch Wrap
Rolls of stretchable, clear film used to cover and protect a pallet load of cases or large bags.
View 8 Companies
Inks, Solvents & Toner
The consumable liquids used mainly in coding, printing, and labeling operations to print graphics and codes onto any primary or secondary package.
View 9 Companies
Thermal Transfer Supplies
Any consumables related to thermal-transfer style printing, including thermal-transfer ribbons.
View 3 Companies
Tape
Adhesive tapes used for any packaging application, such as heavy-duty tapes used in case sealing operations.
View 14 Companies
Strapping Materials
Highly durable plastic cables that are applied during end-of-line operations to contain one or more cases or products to unitize them into a single load for transport.
View 7 Companies
Machine Knives
Industrial knives, razors and blades that are used in a variety of converting, processing, and packaging operations, including but not limited to slitter knives used in slitter/rewinders, chopping knives used in food processing equipment, and knives that are used to cut and separate pouches on a form/fill/seal machine.
View 4 Companies
Paperboard & Corrugated (17 Companies)
Paper-fiber based packaging materials used for cartons, boxes, cases and related supplies.
Paperboard & Corrugated Types
Folding Cartons
Paperboard-based containers formed from flat sheets by a folding carton converter or manufacturer that are erected by the end user into a variety of shapes, styles and formats, such as a folding carton containing tea bags.
View 12 Companies
Pre-made Gabletop Cartons
Gabletop style paperboard cartons that feature a pyramid-shaped closed top. Gabletop cartons are most commonly associated with milk and juice applications.
View 3 Companies
Corrugated Supplies
Ready-to-use boxes and shipping cases sold to packaging and processing operations that can be erected and filled with product.
View 9 Companies
Paperboard Supplies
Ready-to-use and pre-made paperboard and chipboard boxes sold to packaging and processing operations that can be filled with product and sealed.
View 2 Companies
Labels & Leaflets (18 Companies)
Labels are applied to flexible and rigid containers and contain instructions, branding, nutrition and product information. Leaflets are small, multi-page booklets that are folded and typically can be affixed to the exterior of the package.
Labels & Leaflets Types
Pressure-Sensitive Labels
Labels that have adhesive backing that adhere to packaging materials or containers when pressure is applied.
View 10 Companies
Pre-Gummed Labels
Also known as wet or water-activated labels, these labels feature a dried adhesive that activates adhesive properties after water is applied. Examples include labels for wine bottles.
View 1 Company
Non-adhesive Labels
Any type of label such as linerless or static cling that does not involve an adhesive.
View 7 Companies
In-Mold Labels
Labels that are placed onto the container during blow molding or injection molding so that they are an integral part of the container, such as an in-mold label on a plastic laundry bottle.
View 2 Companies
Extended Text Labels
Folded labels that are expanded after removing a peel to include information such as consumer health and safety information, usage instructions, legal disclaimers, or nutritional information.
View 5 Companies
Shrink Sleeve Labels & Bands
Plastic-based shrink film that is enveloped tightly around a product for its label, such as a full body label around a single-serve bottle of orange juice. Neck bands are shrink sleeves applied to the neck of a glass or plastic bottle to form a semi-rigid tamper-evident feature, such as bands around the neck of a bottle of salad dressing. Shrink bands can also be applied over the top of a closure to provide tamper deterrence and tamper evidence, such as a shrink sleeve over a bottle of aspirin or a bottle of water with a pop-up sport closure.
View 7 Companies
Stretch Sleeve Labels
Plastic labels with sufficient elasticity to maintain positioning, such as a wraparound sleeve label that is stretched and applied to a plastic container of cat litter.
View 4 Companies
Blank Labelstock
Unprinted labels sold on a roll for companies to print their own labeling information as part of a print-and-apply labeling operation.
View 11 Companies
Smart Tags
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and “smart labels” may include lot, barcode, identification and tracking systems into a single label, with or without an embedded battery. Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags are used in shoplifting deterrence applications.
View 5 Companies
Leaflets, Inserts & Outserts
Informational material such as bandoliers, coupons, instruction manuals and other printed material that is placed into a container.
View 3 Companies
Protective & Transport Packaging (15 Companies)
Materials designed to protect products, packages and contained pallets during storage and shipment.
Protective & Transport Packaging Types
Void Fill & Dunnage
Materials such as crinkle paper, cellulose wadding rolls, bubble cushioning material and packing peanuts that fill empty spaces or otherwise protect lightweight products within a shipping container from moving during shipment.
View 13 Companies
Cushioning
Materials that brace, secure and immobilize products during transit, such as expanded polystyrene or polypropylene, foam-in-place, or molded pulp.
View 12 Companies
Transport Packaging
Heavy-duty blocking and bracing materials used to secure pallets and heavy items during shipment and freight such as pallet stops, bulkheads, wooden crates, bases, corrugated packing boxes, lock corners, plywood crates and related items.
View 12 Companies
Corner Posts & Edge Protection
Rigid kraft materials such as pads and corner posts that are affixed along the edges of a pallet to protect cases contained on the pallet from damage during movement and shipment.
View 4 Companies
Temperature-Controlled Shipping
A variety of shipping packages such as foam cooler boxes and specialty containers for cold chain packaging applications, such as distribution of medicines or produce.
View 5 Companies
Bulk Packaging (12 Companies)
Containers that store or are used to distribute bulk items within a plant, for industrial distribution and related applications.
Bulk Packaging Types
Large Bags
Sacks and bags for a variety of applications and in a variety of formats, generally 50 lb and above. Examples might be a large bag of pet food or fertilizer. Valve bags are generally large, heavy duty paper bags used to contain building materials such as cement.
View 2 Companies
Drums
Cylindrical metal, plastic or composite paperboard containers for storage of bulk liquids, powders and related industrial materials or ingredients, typically 55 gallons.
View 1 Company
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) & Totes
One-way and reusable rigid industrial tanks that are mounted on pallets that are used to handle, transport and store materials and ingredients in processing and packaging operations from liquids to solids.
View 5 Companies
Liners
Plastic bags used to line corrugated cases or totes.
View 3 Companies
Pails
Plastic or metal containers that often have a flip-up metal carrying handle that are used for applications such as paint or foodservice applications.
View 2 Companies
Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs)
Also known as jumbo sacks, bulk bags, big bags and other names, these durable but flexible fabric containers are used for transporting bulk, dry material.
View 2 Companies
Bins & Crates
Wooden, paper, plastic, and steel bulk storage and transportation containers, often returnable in a closed loop application, that are used in a variety of industrial applications.
View 6 Companies
Handles & Carriers (4 Companies)
Packaging components designed to help the consumer transport one or more packages.
Handles & Carriers Types
Handles
Any plastic or paper material that is applied to a primary or secondary package to assist the consumer in transporting it.
View 3 Companies
Carriers
Plastic or paper material that holds or groups multiple containers together as a single, transportable stock-keeping unit, such as plastic carriers for cans of craft beer or paperboard carrying cases for six-packs of glass soda bottles.
View 3 Companies
Resins & Additives (3 Companies)
Primary chemicals used to form plastics and provide barrier properties to other packaging materials.
Resins & Additives Types
Resins
Primary form of plastic material, usually in pellet form, that is melted and converted into films or rigid containers using a variety of plastic converting machinery.
View 3 Companies
Additives
Chemicals that are added to plastics to enhance certain properties such as shelf life.
View 3 Companies
Coatings
Chemicals that are applied to packaging substrates to enhance printability, gloss, ink adherence and other characteristics.
View 3 Companies
Specialty Display Packaging (5 Companies)
Packaging that is designed for promotional purposes specific to retail applications.
Specialty Display Packaging Types
Point of Purchase (POP) Display
Corrugated stands, tilt shelf displays, shelf-ready shipping cases, countertop displays and other types of promotional packaging displays for retail applications.
View 5 Companies
Hang Tabs
Plastic and other materials that are affixed to packages so they can hang from rods and racks in retail environments.
View 1 Company
Ensemble Package Solutions
Highly customized specialty packages that often incorporate one or more different types of packaging material to yield a high-impact promotional package, often for variety packs or high-value specialty products.
View 1 Company
Intelligent Packaging Solutions
Specialty packaging materials involving technology including taggants, printed electronics, holographic, augmented reality, thermochromic materials, microbial display indicators and other smart packaging materials.
View 1 Company
More on Materials, Containers & Consumables
Explore the functionality and benefits of machinery used in producing materials, containers, and consumables for packaging, including flexible and rigid options, closures, and various packaging supplies.
Materials, Containers & Consumables encompass a broad range of packaging solutions, from flexible materials like pre-made bags, labels, and rollstock, to more rigid options such as bottles, cups, and trays. This category also includes essential items like closures, folding carton converters, protective packaging, and bulk packaging containers. Additionally, consumables such as adhesives, tape, stretch film, machine knives, and ink are integral components, supporting various stages of the packaging process.
The machinery designed for producing these materials and containers operates through a series of automated and semi-automated processes. For flexible materials, machines perform tasks such as extrusion, printing, and laminating to create diverse packaging formats. Rigid container machines handle injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming, techniques that shape plastics into durable packaging products. Closures and folding cartons are produced using precision cutting and assembly machinery, ensuring that each component fits securely and performs its function effectively.
These machines are utilized across multiple industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer goods. In the food sector, for example, flexible packaging is favored for its lightweight and customizable properties, which extend the shelf life of products while reducing material usage. Rigid containers are often chosen for their robustness and reusability, particularly in industrial applications where durability is paramount. Closures and folding cartons provide essential sealing and security for products, enhancing their integrity and shelf presence.
The benefits of using specialized machinery for materials, containers, and consumables are manifold. Efficiency is significantly enhanced, with machines capable of high-speed production runs that minimize human error and material waste. This automation not only speeds up the production process but also ensures consistency and quality across batches. Furthermore, the ability to customize machine operations for specific packaging needs allows manufacturers to respond swiftly to market trends and consumer demands, thereby maintaining competitiveness.
For professionals seeking to enhance their packaging operations, a wealth of options is available through various suppliers and manufacturers. The PMMI ProSource directory serves as a comprehensive resource, listing numerous companies that specialize in the production of packaging materials and machinery. Exploring this directory can provide
valuable insights into the latest technologies and services available, aiding in the decision-making process for procuring the most suitable machinery and materials for specific packaging needs.