The Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, 3rd Edition

This title provides information on every stage of the packaging process and an extensive bibliography written by renowned experts from around the world. This revised edition reflects recent changes and developments in the field and contains over 1,200 pages and more than 250 articles.

The most important function of packaging is to protect various contents of differing nature from physical damage, losses or deterioration, and facilitate their distribution to consumers. Performance and safety are, thus, critical considerations. Packages must clearly identify the product within, and attractive design and ease-of-use (unpacking or dispensing the product) have increasingly become necessary qualities.

However, these functions and qualities must be performed at minimum cost, as the package itself often has no residual value to the consumer after being opened. The result is that the packaging industry and its related technologies are multifaceted and challenging.

The new articles cover recent advances and developments in the field, including:

• Advanced packaging materials including: antimicrobial materials, biobased materials, nanocomposite materials, ceramic coated films, perforated films

• Advanced packaging and related technologies: active and intelligent packaging, radio frequency identification (RFID), controlled release packaging, smart blending, nanotechnology and biosensor technology

• Health, safety and environmental concerns: permeability and migration from packaging materials, lipid oxidation, light protection, package integrity inspection, sustainable packaging and recycling

• New articles on various aspects important to packaging: sustainable packaging, migration, lipid oxidation, light protection and intellectual property