If you are searching for a thermoforming partner who can help you navigate the future of one of the most unique and fast-growing industries and is not entirely sure how to get started or upgrade your current technology, BMG can be an excellent partner to help you on the path to success.
1. Plastic thermoforming offers something for every industry
The team at BMG has been engineering plastic thermoforming solutions for over 80 years. During this tenure as a market leader, we have served virtually any industry imaginable, including pharmaceutical and medical firms, electronics companies, specialty food companies, and many retail manufacturers. Plastic thermoforming is incredibly diverse, and with the right partner, you can meet just about any specification you have. Some clients need plastics with anti-static properties, while others need plastics suitable for downstream sterilization. Still, others need plastics approved to hold food products or beverages. With BMG, it’s easy to find a great end-to-end solution that is affordable and will add to your ROI.
2. There’s a perfect plastic for everything
Plenty of options are available for plastic packaging that will keep you in the wheelhouse of
eco-friendly solutions that you can opt for, including recycled plastic materials to reduce raw material extraction demand. We also know that the thermoplastics used for our water bottles are recyclable, but it might surprise you that virtually all thermoplastics can be recycled and reused. More and more recycling centers in the United States are accepting a more extensive range of thermoplastics, so be sure to check and see what types of plastics you can place in your recycling bins. Yet, it must be noted that there is a limit to the number of times plastic can be recycled (2-3 times), meaning even recycled content will sooner or later end up in landfill sites.
3. Some thermoplastics are biodegradable
Another green alternative would be to source biodegradable plastic materials. Biodegradability describes the extent to which a material can be decomposed by living microorganisms, producing water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Yet, bioplastics also include a subset known as microbial polyesters or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) — aha, have we now found an ethical source of bioplastics? PHAs are polyesters that are synthesized and stored by various bacteria and archaea. When these microorganisms are cultured in nutrient-limited nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, or oxygen concentrations with excess carbon, they produce biodegradable polyester chains. Yet, waste cooking and animal oils offer a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable option. Plus, bacteria have been genetically modified to create a more efficient process.
4. Recycling transforms thermoplastics into an array of products
While some of the plastics we use at our plastic thermoforming facility will be recycled and reused to make new packaging, this is not the only way recycled plastics are used. For instance, recycled plastics can be repurposed to make everything from rugs to dinner plates. Even clothing can be created using thermoplastics, not to mention your backyard patio furniture and the plastic playhouse or playground equipment your children enjoy using at the park. This is to say that not every recyclable Polimer needs to stay in the same vertical it was initially utilized in.
5. We can make plastics out of starch
While you can recycle almost all commonly used thermoplastics, some options are even more sustainable. Some thermoforming processes utilize starch-based bioplastics to create some types of packaging. These plastics are created from renewable resources and are readily biodegradable. While these are not an option for all plastic thermoforming projects, they are a good choice for some food containers, cups, and lids. This type of thermoplastic is known as PLA or polylactic acid. In the United States, corn starch is used to create PLA, and in other countries, other types of plants, such as sugarcane or tapioca, are used. Other items that can be made using starch substrates are clothing, diapers, upholstery, and even 3D printer filament. PLA needs to be processed separately from the trash in your regular trash bin, the recyclables in your recycling bin, and specific conditions for PLA to biodegrade over a few months.
6. Plastic thermoforming saves money, from point A To B
Choosing thermoplastics for your packaging is likely the most economical option available. While the material itself is generally less expensive than many other alternatives, there are additional benefits to consider. Thermoplastic packaging is lightweight, which is especially advantageous given the rising shipping costs; lighter packaging contributes to lower shipping expenses.
Moreover, we can create durable, protective packaging that is customized to fit the exact shape of your product. This tailored approach not only enhances product safety but can also lead to reduced packaging size, further lowering weight and saving you money in the long run.
Hey, we’re environmentally friendly. Let's talk at OneBMG.com
If you are searching for a plastics thermoforming process engineering company that can solve for your packaging process needs, and you’re not entirely sure what type of packaging machinery you want or need, plastic/paper thermoforming can be an excellent fit for virtually any kind of packaging solution, and BMG can walk you down the road to success!