What factors should be considered when choosing rigid packaging such as jars or jerry cans?

Choosing rigid packaging depends on product compatibility with the container material, required capacity, closure type, structural strength for transport and stacking, and whether the container needs certification, such as UN approval for hazardous goods, alongside branding and labelling requirements.

Material compatibility comes first: the container resin, whether HDPE, PP, or PET, needs to be chemically compatible with the product it will hold, since some products can degrade certain plastics or leach from the container over time if the wrong material is selected. Capacity and shape should match both the product’s dosing or usage pattern and practical handling; jerry cans in the 5 to 20 litre range are common for industrial and agrochemical liquids, while jars in smaller sizes suit cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical products.

Closure type affects both function and safety, with options ranging from simple screw tops to tamper-evident, child-resistant, or induction-seal closures depending on the product and regulatory category. Structural integrity for stacking and transport matters especially for industrial and export products, where containers need to withstand palletised storage and shipping stress without deforming or leaking. For hazardous liquids such as certain chemicals or agrochemicals, UN certification confirming the container has passed drop, stacking, and pressure tests for hazardous goods transport may be a regulatory requirement rather than an optional feature. Finally, whether the container will carry a separately applied label or an in-mould label affects both the container design and the overall production process.