Packaging Types: Primary, Secondary & Tertiary

Packaging is a key element in protecting warehouse goods. Its main function is to secure and group together the stored products.

The concept of packaging refers to the elements that protect and bundle together goods for their transport, storage and handling. During supply chain processes, products are exposed to a series of potential risks that packaging must minimize. 

Risks maybe due to environmental conditions (extreme temperatures or humidity). handling errors (such as crashes, scratches, crushing), storage deterioration (such as expiry, erosion, corrosion) or others such as theft and robbery. These risks can vary significantly depending on the type of load that is being stored.(e.g. storage of chemical materials).

The main storage functions in the supply chain can be summarized as follows:

• Protect the goods in all phases of the supply chain.
• Facilitate the handling of products with a correct grouping.
• Communicate the characteristics of the goods to ensure their correct handling.
• Packaging occasionally also servers to communicate and building of the brand loyalty to the end customer and promotes the company’s brand image.

Types of Packaging: primary, secondary and tertiary packaging 

Types of packaging are mainly organized by the place each one occupies in the different protection layers for the product.

Primary Packaging

Primary packing is the type of packaging that is in direct contact with the products. Its main purpose is to protect them and maintain their ideal characteristics. The primary packaging of a product is the first material or layer wrapped around it and the one that defines its smallest unit of sale.

Apart from keeping the product in good condition, it is important that the primary packaging is eye-catching and appealing as it will be the first image that the customer will be on contact with when receiving the product. The is particularly important in consumer and online sales products.

It is packaging of little relevance to the day-to-day operations of the warehouse since it will be covered and grouped together with secondary and tertiary packaging.

The below are examples of primary packaging of goods:

• Milk cartons.
• Plastic bottles for detergents.
• Cardboard boxes for furniture.

Secondary Packaging

The purpose of secondary packaging is to create unit loads grouping various types of primary packaging to make storage, transport and handling easier.

Generally, this type of packaging adds reinforcement to bundle together and secure the individual units of sale. Secondary packaging is usually presented as cardboard boxes or other materials of different sizes and thicknesses but also as plastic film.

An example of secondary packaging is plastic film for wrapping water bottles together.

Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging will be the outer layer, the final and largest piece of packaging, which consists of grouping of products of primary and secondary packaging.

The most common type of tertiary packaging is pallets of various materials and rigid cardboard boxes.

How to determine the packaging for each product

When choosing the suitable packaging for each product, the below variables should be considered:

• One of the priorities must be cost optimization. The direct cost of packaging must not affect the profitability of the product. The most efficient packaging will be that which secures and protects the product with the lowest cost possible.
• The chosen packaging must help to reduce the storage, transport and handling times in all phases of the supply chain.
• The type of product will define the type of chosen packaging. It will therefore be necessary to consider whether the product is perishable or not, whether it is liquid solid or even gaseous product and its weight and size.
• Chemicals or products with hazardous characteristics must have a special packaging that secures them
• The growing global concern for waste reduction in packaging and for companies to make packaging more sustainable.