If you’re a food or drinks producer, packaging is an essential part of your business. But what do you know about the material used to package these products?
Here are five fascinating facts about glass packaging that you may not have known before.
Glass is the most hygienic material for packaging purposes
Unlike plastic—which can absorb odours, flavours and bacteria—glass does not contain any pores and so it cannot absorb these elements. It also does not react with its contents, so you can be sure that your product won’t be affected by its container.
Its antistatic properties make it super easy to sterilise, while its climate indifference means you won't have to worry no matter what your location.
The importance of headspace
The amount of headspace in a bottle or jar is important when filling with liquids such as spirits or sauces. Too much air in the container can cause oxidation and spoilage, while too little air can make it difficult to fill the container properly or leave room for expansion if the contents are pressurised (like with carbonated drinks).
The amount of 'head space' needed depends on what's inside - beer needs a bit more room for expansion compared to sweet treats like maple syrup. Alcoholic drinks require an allowance of 4-5%, whereas syrups should have 7% left after filling so it all fits once cooled down!
There’s a reason why some bottles are thicker than others
This is called ‘barrier properties’ which helps to protect the contents from oxygen and light entering into the bottle which can damage them over time. Thicker bottles also have better thermal shock resistance, meaning they are less likely to shatter if exposed to extreme temperatures suddenly.
The difference between ordinary glass bottles and sparkling wine bottles
Champagne and sparkling wine bottles are specially designed to be extra-sturdy, and are able to stand up against the high pressure from carbonation. Not only do they have thicker glass walls than standard bottles, but often feature a ‘punt’ or raised base which helps protect them during cork insertion and removal – talk about an added layer of security! Plus, these special bubbly containers need uniform distribution of the glass for optimal strength.
Some bottles bounce off the ground without breaking, while others shatter on impact
This has nothing to do with how hard they hit and everything to do with their shape! Bottles with rounded edges will deflect more energy when dropped compared to those with sharp edges. Round edged bottles spread out impact forces over a larger surface area - making them less likely to break due to shock waves travelling through them.
Glass packaging can offer many advantages when it comes to protecting your product from spoilage, including superior hygiene thanks to its lack of pores, plus barrier properties that protect against oxygen and light entering into the bottle over time - not only keeping your product safe but ensuring longevity too!
Additionally, depending on their shape and thickness different types of glass packaging provide various levels of protection from external factors such as temperature shocks or impacts from falling objects - ensuring that whatever your product is, it will remain safe inside until opened by its intended consumer!