Packaging Failure Investigation

Investigating packaging problems

Packaging failures can result from the materials used, pack design and manufacture, product-pack interactions, handling or the conditions experienced during storage and distribution.

Our packaging specialists support failure investigations across a range of applications, including consumer products, healthcare and medical devices, food and beverage, and industrial packaging.

Smithers combines packaging expertise with physical, mechanical and chemical analysis to investigate problems and identify potential root causes. Depending on the issue, an investigation can draw on standard or bespoke testing and may consider the packaging material, individual components, complete pack and distribution environment.

Our experts can support investigations into issues including:

• Pack damage, deformation or loss of integrity
• Seal and closure failures
• Label, print and decoration failures
• Material cracking, tearing or other unexpected behaviour
• Product-pack compatibility and contamination issues
• Damage occurring during handling, storage or distribution
• Unexpected variation between packaging materials, components or suppliers

Where standard test methods are not appropriate, our specialists can develop bespoke approaches around the packaging, application and failure being investigated.

From investigation to next steps

Understanding the cause of a packaging failure can help inform material or design changes, supplier discussions, process improvements and subsequent validation.

Smithers can support the investigation from initial assessment and test selection through to interpretation of results and recommendations for further testing or technical evaluation.

Talk to an expert about a packaging failure

If your packaging is damaged, failing or not performing as expected, talk to our packaging specialists about the problem and the most appropriate approach to investigating the cause.