Materials & compliance

What is the difference between rigid and flexible plastic packaging?

Short answer

Rigid packaging keeps its shape whether full or empty: trays, punnets, clamshells, bottles and blisters. Flexible packaging changes shape with its contents: bags, pouches, wraps and films. Many packs combine both, such as a rigid tray sealed with a flexible lidding film. AVI makes rigid PET and PVC sheet and thermoformed packs, and flexible barrier films for lidding and MAP.

Based on AVI Global Plast's own catalogue and production data · Reviewed by AVI technical team · Updated

Part of the guide: Pack types explained: punnets, clamshells, trays and more

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Compared

Rigid Flexible
Shape Holds its shape Follows the product
Protection High, crush-resistant Lower, unless padded
Display Clear, stackable shelf packs Printed bags and pouches
Material per pack Higher Lower
Recycling Good for single-material PET Harder for multi-layer films

Best of both

A rigid rPET tray with a thin lidding film, or a flowpack tray wrapped in film, uses less plastic than a lidded clamshell while still protecting the produce.

Related questions

What is the difference between rigid and flexible PVC?

Flexible PVC contains plasticisers that make it soft (hoses, cables, cling film); rigid PVC has none and is stiff, used for blisters, cards and pipes. AVI's PVC films are rigid.

Which uses less plastic?

Flexible packs usually weigh less per pack, but rigid packs protect soft produce better, stack, and are easier to recycle when made of one material.

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