Packaging hazardous materials involves a very minute concern and protective packaging for the materials. Keeping in mind the problems caused by the hazardous materials, the environmental policy and guidance department has made an act called as hmta, which specifies the conditions stated for hazardous materials packaging. This act was formulated keeping in mind certain issues that the packaging of hazardous materials must be adequate in strength as well as in quality to withstand normal transportation and that the packaging used must be compatible with the hazardous packaging materials and adequate considering the level of risk presented by the material. This kind of chemical packaging need requirements, which include seals, containment systems, material compatibility, and testing.

Food packaging has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors. Increasing public and regulatory demands regarding safety and environment seem to place some packaging materials, like cardboard and glass, and technologies related to their use in packaging, in an advantage. However, a whole range of polymer based packaging will continue to be relevant, often in respect of the same safety and health-sensitive food products, because plastic packaging materials are ideal for sale in small quantities that cater to a large segment of the population with limited purchasing power, besides travelers whose needs of convenience are best served by plastics.

Regulatory pressure from both within the country and abroad on manufacturers to reduce the quantum of packaging materials, ensure biodegradability and reuse/recycle material is likely to place paper and cardboards, paperboards etc at an advantage, though at present food and semi-processed foods as also fruits and vegetables are to a large extent packaged in polymer-based material. Glass, which too does not pose the problem of environmental degradation, is expected to become increasingly popular particularly for packaging of beverages, spirits, processed foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Where plastic packaging materials seem to score is their lightness, dimensional flexibility, low cost and ease of printing of consumer information and brand promotional logos and texts.

Flexible packaging includes laminated and printed multi-layered substrates and plastic shrink films. The packaging materials include wraps, carry bags, cold seals and other coating, confectionery films, flexographic printing, frozen food packaging, lidding and top web films, nappy bags, flexible packaging for foods and pouches, printed films and drug flexible packaging. Carry bags are wide flexible packaging material used in industrial, promotional and retail.