Recalling products because of design flaws can be prevented, according to packaging researcher Roland ten Klooster, who will give a presentation on the subject.
Ten Klooster has developed a systematic plan for the development of packaging products that will help to avoid many of the minefields that have historically plagued the industry.
"There are a number of aspects that play a part in the development of packaging, my model helps the packaging designer to see, and use these aspects," said ten Klooster.In his thesis, which he will be presenting at the Technische Univesiteit Delft, Julianalaan, Netherlands on 30 September, Klooster stresses the need for packaging experts in the industry to be more vigilant. This is justified by the number of recalls caused by packaging mistakes, which shows that the subject cannot be taken lightly.
Every year there are number of product recalls caused by a wrong method of packaging or by packaging that does not properly adhere to safety and health codes for consumer products. Such mistakes, particularly in the food and beverage industry can lead to costly recalls and can even jeopardise the safety of the product.
"A possible cause for this could be the fact that everybody is trying to use the most environmentally friendly material, while this material might not be suitable for the packaging of product, thus compromising the safety of the packaging," said ten Klooster.
In the method that Klooster describes, questions are first asked about the physical attributes of the product. "Satay sauce, for example, cannot be stored in certain kinds of plastic bags, because certain types of plastic cannot tolerate the oil in the sauce," he said.
Klooster developed his model using information from about 100 design reports on packaging, and from industrial cases concerning packaging. He also had co-operation from people in the packaging industry, who helped in identifying and visualising the various steps in the process of packaging design.
The model he developed provides an insight into thinking processes and problem solving methods. "The first thing you notice is that people have many different backgrounds. These backgrounds influence the way they approach the packaging problem," said ten Klooster. "An integral model can provide the necessary support for whichever packaging employee uses it."
Klooster's method could help further professionalise the packaging industry. "It is strange that over €200 billion is spent every year on packaging materials by the European industry, and that there is very little expertise within companies in this area. It is clear that more expertise needs to be developed."
Klooster's thesis research, also points to the enormous savings that could be realised if less products had to be recalled, and less damage and decay occurred during transport and storage of food and beverages. "A recall for a wrongly packaged product is easy to prevent. My model not only reduces the chance for errors, but also offers the possibility to experiment with the packaging. With this method, innovative opportunities can be created to deal with environmental and cost issues."