This paper is described on general view of packaging materials in Japan and recent trends and some problems in paper and paperboard for packaging.
Total production amounts of packaging materials in Japan in 1991 is 22, 124 thousant tons and its 54.7% is used for paper and paperboard packaging, so Japanese peoples dissipate the packaging mareials about 150 kg/year·person and 46, 000 yen/year·person.
Amounts of paper and paperboard for packaging is about 43% to total production amount of paper and paperboard in Japan.
Role of physical propertis in packaging science is very important from view point of converting, distribution, storage and commercial uses which is somewhat different from imformation media of paper such as printing or reprographic papers.
For example, shape and handling of catonboxes or corrugated boxes depend on stiffness or rigidity of paper and it is very important to analyze bending property of paper and paperboard from view of physical meaning.
Recycls of packaging materials is also very important for natural resourses and in Japan, 50% of paper and paperboard, 43% of aluminum can, 44% of steel can and 49% of glass bottle are now recycled and in future 55% of paper and paperboard, 60% of aluminum can, 60% of steel can and 55% glass bottle are going to be recycled in 1995 or 1996.
This paper is also discussed the degradation properties of packaging materials from view point of landfill, especially desposed paperboard materials. Degradation properties of several kinds of paperboard container under outdoor and laboratory conditions are introduced on fundamental observations.
