The Evolution of Protective Packaging Solutions

Protective packaging has come a long way. Over the decades, the packaging industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by advances in engineering, materials science and sustainability. Today’s solutions are lighter, stronger and more customizable than ever before, helping businesses protect products while boosting brand image, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact.

Great Northern Laminations^® is part of that evolution, delivering engineered paperboard edge protection and corner protection products designed to perform in the most demanding shipping scenarios. From VBoard^® to VGuard^®, Laminations continues to redefine what’s possible in shipping protection solutions.

The Move to Engineered Protection

Today’s protective packaging solutions focus on efficiency. Laminations’ engineered paperboard products are designed to absorb impact, stabilize loads and protect edges without unnecessary bulk. By replacing heavier alternatives, businesses can reduce shipping costs and improve handling throughout the supply chain.

These products are also easy to recycle, with most made from reclaimed materials. This shift reflects broader packaging industry trends where sustainability and performance go hand in hand.

Types of Protective Packaging

Today’s protective packaging comes in many forms:

• Edge protection prevents damage to the edges of palletized loads, boxes or strapped products during storage and transit.
• Corner protection reinforces vulnerable corners to absorb impacts and resist crushing.
• Surface protection shields product surfaces from abrasion or scuffs.
• Void fill and cushioning keep products from shifting inside cartons.
• Load stabilization works with strapping or stretch wrap to keep shipments secure.

Laminations focuses on edge and corner protection because these components often take the brunt of handling damage.

Modern Packaging Materials

One of the biggest packaging industry trends is the use of advanced paperboard technology. Laminations uses recycled fiber to create strong, lightweight products that can be customized for different applications.

No two products are alike, and neither are their protection needs. That’s why Laminations offers the ability to engineer custom solutions for a wide variety of products. Our team collaborates with customers to understand each item’s weight, shape and shipping environment, and then develops packaging components that provide the right balance of strength and efficiency.

Our ISTA Testing Lab allows us to simulate the stresses of shipping to make sure a design works. This testing process ensures customers get solutions they can trust in real-world conditions.

How Modern Shipping Protection Solutions Help Your Business

Did you know your packaging choices can directly influence your shipping costs, storage efficiency and even customer satisfaction? Heavy or oversized packaging can trigger higher freight rates, while inadequate protection can lead to damage claims.

By choosing the right types of protective packaging, you can:

• Reduce material weight to lower shipping charges.
• Improve load stability to prevent damage.
• Optimize packaging size for better warehouse utilization and easier stacking.
• Enhance product presentation upon delivery.

Because Laminations products are precisely engineered, they help customers achieve all of these benefits. Over time, that can mean a competitive advantage for your organization.

Packaging Industry Trends

The protective packaging industry is constantly evolving. Several trends are shaping the market today:

• Sustainability as a priority: Businesses are demanding recyclable and responsibly sourced materials.
• Customization for efficiency: Tailored designs reduce waste and improve performance.
• Testing for reliability: Verified performance ensures protection even in challenging shipping conditions.
• Lightweight solutions: Reducing weight without compromising strength saves money and energy.

Laminations is actively involved in each of these trends, ensuring our customers benefit from the latest advancements in protective packaging.

One of the strengths of Laminations’ protective packaging is its versatility. Our components protect everything from fragile manufactured goods to heavy industrial equipment. They can be used in combination with stretch film, strapping or shrink wrap, or integrated into more complex packaging systems.

For example, VBoard^® can be cut to precise lengths and used to reinforce bulk shipments, while VGuard^® adds surface protection for sensitive products. This adaptability means a single product line can serve multiple purposes across different shipping scenarios.

Better Protection for Every Shipment

At Laminations, we live by our corporate mission — we do what others can’t or won’t. That means solving tough packaging challenges with creativity and speed. Our customers know they can rely on us to deliver protection that works, whether they need a standard solution or a completely new design.

If your current shipping protection solutions aren’t meeting your needs, explore a better way. Browse our full range of products or contact Laminations today to find the right protective packaging for your application.