Package engineering is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, materials science, project management, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with Research & Development, Manufacturing, Marketing, Graphic Design, Regulatory, Purchasing, Planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.
Since virtually every product needs packaging, engineers must design and develop packages and packaging materials that will protect a variety of products during transportation, handling, storage, and use. Packages must be able to withstand vibration, temperature, impact, humidity, and other external forces. Packaging Science Engineers help to insure that products stay safe from contaminants, arrive on store shelves in one piece, and are tamper and theft resistant.
Masters degree in packaging science is designed to prepare the graduate to work independently in the research, development, and application of new packaging materials and processes
The Packaging Industry needs graduates with expertise in graphic design, printing and marketing, warehousing and distribution, raw material production and distribution, conversion of raw materials into usable forms, and post-use recycling, reuse, conversion to energy and/or disposal
Masters programme in packaging technology is offered in universities like Clemson University, Michigan state University in USA