Plastic Packaging Glossary: 48 Technical Terms from A to Z

Self-adhesive strip on the flap of a bag protected by a release liner. While OPP bags typically use a resealable peel-and-seal adhesive strip, Coex mailing bags feature a permanent hot-melt security tape that cannot be opened without visible damage. [14], [15]

See also: Mailing bag, OPP · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Converting machine that transforms extruded tubular or flat film into finished carrier bags, waste bags, flat bags or mailing bags using sealing bars, cutting blades, perforating knives and punch units. [26], [27]

See also: Sealing bar, Perforation, Blown film extrusion line · Related pages: Machinery, Spare parts, Guide: Buying used machinery

Manufacturing process in which molten polymer is forced through an annular die and inflated with compressed air into a vertically rising film bubble. After cooling, the tube is collapsed flat and wound as tubular film or slit into half-tubular or flat film. [9], [26]

See also: Blown film extrusion line, Coex film · Related pages: Machinery, Guide: Film thickness & materials

Production line for manufacturing mono- or multi-layer tubular films from plastic granules (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE). Core assemblies include the extruder with screw and barrel, blown film die head, cooling ring, collapsing frame, haul-off rollers and winder. [26]

See also: Blown film extrusion, Bag cutting and sealing machine, Regranulate / Recycling and pelletising line · Related pages: Machinery, Spare parts, Guide: Buying used machinery

Polypropylene film stretched in both machine and transverse directions. Biaxial orientation provides high tensile strength, a good water-vapour barrier and dimensional stability on high-speed packaging lines. [16]

See also: PP, OPP · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Inward-folded bottom section on carrier bags, mailing bags or flat bags. The bottom gusset gives the opened bag a wider base and extra depth for bulky items. [14], [15]

See also: Side gusset / Side-gusseted bag, Loop-handle carrier bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Mailing bags & OPP bags

Film produced by coextrusion in which two or more melt layers are bonded together inside the extrusion die. For mailing bags, this allows a white or grey printable outer layer combined with a black, opaque inner layer. [9], [14]

See also: Blown film extrusion, Mailing bag · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Physicochemical reaction of a metallic material with its environment – especially oxygen, humidity or salts – causing a measurable alteration of the metal (such as rust on ferrous metals) and impairing component function. [1], [5], [33]

See also: VCI · Related pages: VCI corrosion protection, Guide: VCI corrosion protection

European standard (DIN EN 13592:2017-05: Plastic sacks for household waste collection – Types, requirements and test methods). It defines dimensional, volume, puncture (dart drop), tensile and leakage test methods for plastic waste sacks and is routinely specified in public tenders. [7], [9]

See also: Refuse sack vs. Waste bag, Public tender / TED · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Waste bag featuring a circumferential plastic drawstring threaded through the top hem. Pulling the tape closes the filled bag cleanly and serves as a carrying handle. [9]

See also: Wave-top bag, Refuse sack vs. Waste bag · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Straight, continuous transverse heat seal across the bottom edge of a bag or sack. Flat-bottom sacks with side gussets lay out completely flat even in rectangular waste containers and wheelie bins. [6], [9]

See also: Star seal, Side gusset / Side-gusseted bag · Related pages: Waste bags, VCI corrosion protection, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Direct rotary relief printing process using flexible photopolymer or rubber printing plates and low-viscosity inks. It is the standard method for single- or multi-colour printing on carrier bags, mailing bags and waste bags. [26]

See also: T-shirt bag, Mailing bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Machinery, Guide: Buying used machinery

Requirements governing plastic materials and bags (such as OPP bags or produce knot bags) intended to come into direct contact with food. Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 establishes a Union list of authorised substances, migration limits and a mandatory Declaration of Compliance (DoC). [25]

See also: OPP, Produce bags on roll · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Film thickness & materials

German legal framework governing the placing on the market, take-back and recycling of packaging (VerpackG and the Packaging Law Implementation Act – VerpackDG – enacted alongside EU Regulation (EU) 2025/40). It regulates LUCID registration, system participation and the ban on lightweight plastic carrier bags from 15 to under 50 µm. [17], [18], [19], [20]

See also: LUCID / Central Agency Packaging Register, System participation, Lightweight plastic carrier bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Polyethylene produced in a low-pressure process (1 to 50 bar) with minimally branched molecular chains. HDPE films are stiffer, rustling to the touch and allow thinner gauges than LDPE, though they tear more easily once punctured. [8], [9]

See also: LDPE, MDPE, Produce bags on roll · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Waste bags, Guide: Film thickness & materials

International trade rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) defining the transfer of costs and risks between seller and buyer: EXW (Ex Works), FCA (Free Carrier incl. export clearance), DAP (Delivered at Place, untaxed) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid incl. import duties). [31]

See also: Public tender / TED · Related pages: Machinery, Guide: Buying used machinery

Polyethylene produced in a high-pressure process (1,000 to 3,000 bar) with highly branched molecular chains. LDPE films are soft, flexible, highly puncture-resistant and offer high tear-propagation resistance. [8], [9]

See also: LLDPE, HDPE, Recyclate · Related pages: Waste bags, VCI corrosion protection, Guide: Film thickness & materials

Plastic carrier bag with a wall thickness below 50 micrometres, with or without handle (Directive (EU) 2015/720). In Germany, final distributors are prohibited from placing plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of 15 to under 50 µm on the market; permitted are bags from 50 µm upwards and very lightweight bags under 15 µm for loose food or hygiene. [17], [18], [23]

See also: German Packaging Law, Produce bags on roll, Single-Use Plastics Fund · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Catalytically produced polyethylene with short side branches, offering very high stretchability and tensile strength. It is used pure or blended with LDPE to increase puncture resistance and seal seam strength. [8], [9]

See also: LDPE, Coex film · Related pages: VCI corrosion protection, Waste bags, Guide: Film thickness & materials

Sturdy plastic carrier bag with flexible carrying loops heat-welded separately to the upper rim. Thanks to its higher wall thickness (from 50 µm in Germany), it is designed for repeated use in retail. [17], [18]

See also: Punched-handle bag, T-shirt bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Public electronic register maintained by the Central Agency Packaging Register (Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister – ZSVR) in Osnabrück, Germany. Any company commercially placing filled packaging or service packaging on the German market for the first time must register in LUCID beforehand. [19], [20], [21]

See also: German Packaging Law, System participation, Service packaging · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Opaque, water-repellent and tear-resistant shipping bag made from coextruded PE film with a permanent self-adhesive closure for e-commerce shipping of textiles, shoes and documents. Optionally equipped with a second adhesive strip and tear perforation for customer returns. [14]

See also: Coex film, Adhesive closure · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Medium-density polyethylene whose density and mechanical properties lie between LDPE and HDPE. MDPE combines a softer feel than HDPE with good tensile strength. [8]

See also: LDPE, HDPE · Related pages: Guide: Film thickness & materials

Unit of measurement for the wall or material thickness of plastic films, commonly referred to in the trade as 'micron' or 'my'. One micrometre equals one thousandth of a millimetre (1 µm = 0.001 mm; 50 µm = 0.05 mm). [9]

See also: LDPE, HDPE, Lightweight plastic carrier bag · Related pages: Guide: Film thickness & materials

Smallest economically producible order volume for custom-made film and bag runs, determined by setup effort on the extruder and printing press. At Pakzeno, custom-printed carrier bags are available starting from 250 kg per design. [17]

See also: Flexographic printing, T-shirt bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, VCI corrosion protection, Product finder

Longitudinally stretched polypropylene film with crystal-clear optics, high surface gloss and a crisp feel. OPP bags are used for visible retail presentation of textiles, printed matter, cards and food products. [15], [16]

See also: PP, BOPP, Adhesive closure · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Recycled plastic obtained from collected household, commercial or agricultural waste after its intended end-use. A defined minimum PCR share is required for ecolabels such as the German Blue Angel (at least 80% recycled plastic for waste bags). [9], [10], [11]

See also: Recyclate, PIR, Quality labels for waste bags · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Line of intermittent cuts produced by a toothed perforating blade between consecutive bags on a roll (e.g. waste bags or produce bags) for clean detachment. Micro-perforation refers to tiny vent holes allowing air to escape from packaged goods. [9], [15]

See also: Produce bags on roll, Bag cutting and sealing machine · Related pages: Waste bags, Spare parts

Recycled material derived from clean, single-grade production offcuts within the plastics processing industry, such as die-cut skeletons or edge trim from bag converting. Because PIR has not undergone consumer use, it offers highly uniform processing properties. [9], [10]

See also: Recyclate, PCR · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Semi-crystalline standard plastic from the polyolefin family that is stiffer, harder and more heat-resistant than polyethylene. In packaging, PP is primarily used for highly transparent flat and flap bags. [15], [16]

See also: OPP, BOPP · Related pages: Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Mailing bags & OPP bags

Option under German packaging law exclusively for unfilled service packaging (such as carrier bags), allowing the final distributor to require the supplier or upstream distributor to handle dual-system participation and confirm it on the invoice. The final distributor's own registration obligation in LUCID remains unaffected. [19], [20]

See also: Service packaging, System participation, LUCID / Central Agency Packaging Register · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Very thin, usually transparent bag on a tear-off roll with a wall thickness below 15 µm. Used in food retail as hygienic primary packaging for loose fruit, vegetables and bakery items, and exempt from the German plastic carrier bag ban. [17], [18], [23]

See also: Lightweight plastic carrier bag, Food contact compliance, Perforation · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Formal procurement procedure used by municipalities, public authorities and institutions to award supply contracts (e.g. framework agreements for waste sacks to DIN EN 13592) based on a bill of specifications. EU-wide tenders are published on the official portal TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). [7], [32]

See also: DIN EN 13592, Quality labels for waste bags · Related pages: Waste bags, Product finder

Flat or gusseted retail bag with a handle opening punched into the upper edge (often reinforced with an internal patch). It provides a smooth advertising surface for specialist retail, boutiques, pharmacies and trade fairs. [17]

See also: T-shirt bag, Loop-handle carrier bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Recognised certifications for recycled content in waste sacks in Germany. The 'Blue Angel' (Blauer Engel) ecolabel requires at least 80% recycled plastic, while 'RAL-GZ 720 (% Recycled Plastic)' verifies the percentage sourced from household packaging collection. [11], [12], [13]

See also: PCR, Recyclate, DIN EN 13592 · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Secondary raw material recovered from used plastic waste or industrial production offcuts by sorting, washing and remelting. Depending on origin, a distinction is made between post-consumer recyclate (PCR) and post-industrial recyclate (PIR). [9], [10]

See also: PCR, PIR, Regranulate / Recycling and pelletising line · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

In German trade terminology, 'Müllbeutel' (bin liners) generally refers to thinner bags of smaller to medium capacity (approx. 10 to 60 litres) for offices, washrooms and households. 'Müllsäcke' (refuse sacks) denotes heavy-duty, large-volume sacks (e.g. 70 to 240 litres; standard 120 l size = 700 × 1100 mm) for commercial, industrial and municipal collection. [7], [9], [11]

See also: DIN EN 13592, Drawstring waste bag, LDPE · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Plant that shreds, melts, degasses, filters and pelletises film scrap and production offcuts into reusable plastic granules (regranulate), which can be fed back into blown film extrusion. [9], [10]

See also: Recyclate, PIR, PCR · Related pages: Machinery, Guide: Buying used machinery

Heated tooling assembly in bag cutting and packaging machines that forms the bottom or side weld seam through controlled temperature, contact pressure and dwell time. Sealing bars, band heaters and temperature controllers are among the primary wear and spare parts. [27]

See also: Bag cutting and sealing machine, Flat bottom seal · Related pages: Spare parts, Machinery, Guide: Buying used machinery

Packaging that is filled only at the point of sale by the final distributor to enable or assist the handover of goods to the consumer – such as carrier bags, produce knot bags for fruit and vegetables, or takeaway bags in hospitality. [20]

See also: Pre-participation, System participation, LUCID / Central Agency Packaging Register · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Bag or sack with longitudinal inward folds along both sides. When filled, the side gussets expand to increase volume so the bag fits bulky parts, small load carriers (KLT) or rectangular waste bins. [3], [6], [11]

See also: Bottom gusset, Flat bottom seal · Related pages: VCI corrosion protection, Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

Fund administered by the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) under the Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG), into which producers of certain single-use plastic products pay an annual levy to cover municipal cleaning and waste collection costs. Annex 1 No. 5 includes lightweight plastic carrier bags below 50 µm. [17], [22]

See also: SUP Directive, Lightweight plastic carrier bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Bottom construction on roll-type waste bags where the folded film tube is heat-sealed into a single central point in a star pattern. This allows the bag to conform smoothly to round bins and distributes load evenly. [7], [9]

See also: Flat bottom seal, Side gusset / Side-gusseted bag · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags

European Single-Use Plastics Directive aimed at preventing and reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. It forms the legal basis for extended producer responsibility schemes and national laws such as Germany's Single-Use Plastics Fund Act. [17], [24]

See also: Single-Use Plastics Fund, German Packaging Law · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Legal obligation for initial distributors of retail, grouped, shipping and service packaging that accumulates as waste with private final consumers in Germany to participate in a dual system to finance collection and recovery. [19], [20]

See also: LUCID / Central Agency Packaging Register, Service packaging, Pre-participation · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Mailing bags & OPP bags, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Side-gusseted carrier bag with two die-cut handle straps shaped like a sleeveless vest. For the German market, T-shirt bags are supplied from 50 µm wall thickness to comply with packaging law; custom printing is available from 250 kg per design. [17], [18]

See also: Punched-handle bag, Loop-handle carrier bag, Lightweight plastic carrier bag · Related pages: Carrier bags & HoReCa, Guide: Carrier bags & German Packaging Act

Volatile corrosion inhibitor integrated into polyethylene carrier films. Inside a closed package, the active agent sublimates into the airspace, forms an invisible protective layer on the metal surface and evaporates without residue once unpacked. [1], [2], [5]

See also: Corrosion, LDPE, Side gusset / Side-gusseted bag · Related pages: VCI corrosion protection, Guide: VCI corrosion protection

Waste bag with a wave-shaped die-cut top edge. The protruding wave flaps allow the user to tie the filled bag closed with a knot without needing a separate drawstring. [9]

See also: Drawstring waste bag, Refuse sack vs. Waste bag · Related pages: Waste bags, Guide: Selecting waste bags