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Protective Packaging
Protective packaging plays a key role in keeping your products safe in transit and preventing damage. Whether you need bubble wrap, packing paper, air cushioning, void fill, foam packaging, packing peanuts or edge protectors, Macfarlane Packaging supplies the full range of protective packaging materials.
Categories
Edge, Corner and Surface Protection
Edge protectors, corner protectors, L strips & mesh sleeves
Wood Wool & Vermiculite
Shop our wood wool & vermiculite range, ideal for eco-conscious packing
Pacplan® Machine
Pacplan® air pillows on demand with this efficient inflation system
Pacplan® Air Pillows
Pacplan® AirPillows are available in a range of sizes to protect your products
Fill-Air® Air Cushion Films
Fill-Air® air cushions available in a range of bag sizes for cushioning and void fill
NewAir I.B® & Bubble Wrap I.B®
NewAir I.B® & Bubble Wrap I.B® systems are innovative on-demand inflatable cushioning systems
Paper Cushioning Systems
Paper cushioning systems can enhance the speed of your packing operations
Ripac Air Pillow Films & Systems
Ripac air pillow films & systems offer a fast, flexible and cost-effective way to protect your products in transit.
Flexi Hex®
Custom Protective Packaging
Protective Automation & Void Fill Machines
Unsure about the right protective packaging solution for your products?
We're here to assist you in finding the perfect option for your needs. Explore our complimentary protective packaging guide, discover custom solutions, and more!
How to choose the right protective packaging
Design your own packing tape
Drastically improve productivity
Unpack productivity with packaging automation & machinery
Packaging automation can be the key to helping you save time and money. From small scale automation like electronic tape dispensers through to case erectors, case sealers and pallet wrappers, Macfarlane’s automation experts can recommend the machinery you need and supply it too…
Protective packaging associated services and products you may also find interesting
We’re here to help you get the packaging you need
As the UK's largest distributor of protective packaging materials, we help you choose the right protection for your products, from bubble wrap and foam to void fill and edge protectors.
Protective packaging helps protect your products from damage in transit, preventing associated expense. There are different types of protective packaging available, including bubble wrap, foam, air pillows and paper cushioning.
Protective packaging is crucial for ensuring your products reach your customers safely. If your goods are not adequately protected and suffer damage in transit, this can lead to increased costs, harm to the environment and damage to your brand reputation, potentially affecting future sales.
If you get your packaging materials right, your product is protected, you control costs, you minimise handling, protect the environment and deliver a great customer experience.
If you get your packaging materials right, your product is protected, you control costs, you minimise handling, protect the environment and deliver a great customer experience.
The right protective packaging solution not only safeguards your products but also helps reduce operational costs and minimise your environmental impact. By using only as much protective packaging materials as necessary, you save on material costs, reduce material waste, and ensure adequate transit protection for your items.
There are many eco-friendly options available, ranging from recyclable solutions to those featuring a high recycled content. Choosing these options further minimises your impact on the environment.
There are many eco-friendly options available, ranging from recyclable solutions to those featuring a high recycled content. Choosing these options further minimises your impact on the environment.
The type of protective packaging you need depends on the products you’re shipping.
Some factors that should influence which protective packaging you use are:
For example, if you are shipping nonfragile products, you may need a simple void fill option. In this instance, you could opt for loosefill packing chips or packing paper.
However, if you’re shipping items prone to damage, like glass bottles, you may want something heavier duty, like Flexi-Hex®.
You could also consider sustainability and recyclability when choosing your protective packaging materials.
If you need help finding the most suitable protective packaging solution, don't hesitate to get in touch via our live chat or by filling out our contact us request form.
You may also want to look at our comprehensive guide to protective packaging.
Some factors that should influence which protective packaging you use are:
- The size of your products
- The weight of your products
- How fragile your goods are (the more fragile, the more protection you need)
- If you’re shipping single items or multiple items in the same parcel
- How you want to present your products
For example, if you are shipping nonfragile products, you may need a simple void fill option. In this instance, you could opt for loosefill packing chips or packing paper.
However, if you’re shipping items prone to damage, like glass bottles, you may want something heavier duty, like Flexi-Hex®.
You could also consider sustainability and recyclability when choosing your protective packaging materials.
If you need help finding the most suitable protective packaging solution, don't hesitate to get in touch via our live chat or by filling out our contact us request form.
You may also want to look at our comprehensive guide to protective packaging.
This will depend on the protective packaging you’ve chosen to use. Anything paper-based will be recyclable at kerbside, if it does not have any special coatings.
Plastic-based protective packaging, like bubble wrap, while industrially recyclable, will be harder for the end consumer to recycle at home. It’s always worth directing people to RecycleNow website to check what they can recycle and applying clear recycling instructions to your packaging supplies.
Plastic-based protective packaging, like bubble wrap, while industrially recyclable, will be harder for the end consumer to recycle at home. It’s always worth directing people to RecycleNow website to check what they can recycle and applying clear recycling instructions to your packaging supplies.
Yes, we have a wide range of eco-friendly protective solutions available, including paper padding and void fill, as well as water soluble packing chips made from starch.
If you prefer using air pillows or cushioning, all our plastic protective products now include recycled content.
If you prefer using air pillows or cushioning, all our plastic protective products now include recycled content.
There is a wide range of protective packaging materials to choose from, including paper, plastic and foam protective packaging solutions. Which one to pick will depend on your product and packaging needs. Get in touch to discuss the best options for your requirements.
Recyclable, reusable, and high recycled content protective packaging products are also available. Talk to us to find out more.
Recyclable, reusable, and high recycled content protective packaging products are also available. Talk to us to find out more.
Discover our video guides
Bestselling protective
Looking for detailed packing advice?
Speak to one of our packaging specialist online, by email or by phone.
Call 0800 2 88 88 22 in the UK or
+353 (404) 37370 from Ireland during business hours.
Free standard delivery when you spend £150 / €150
We offer a wide range of delivery services and options to suit your business. Your delivery is in the safest of hands.
Register for a trade account with Macfarlane Packaging
We serve businesses of various sizes, allowing you to find the ideal packaging solutions for your requirements with ease.
Packaging advice to protect your products
Speak to one of our packaging specialist online, by email or over the phone 0800 2 88 88 22 in business hours.
Protective packaging for every product and parcel
No matter what you're shipping, our extensive range of protective packaging has you covered.
As a leading UK packaging distributor, Macfarlane Packaging offers a wide range of protective packaging materials to keep your products safe. From bubble wrap and air cushioning to void fill, foam, packing peanuts and edge protectors, we supply the full range.
Choose from supplies in a range of sizes to suit your products, plus eco-friendly options if sustainability matters to your business.
Our Innovation Labs and Design and Manufacturing teams have the expertise to develop bespoke protection that helps minimise damage and safeguard your reputation. We also offer custom protective packaging and automation, such as void fill machines.
If you can't find what you're looking for, our packaging experts are here to assist you with your protective packaging needs.
Contact us today to find out more.
Packaging advice, news and opinion
Protective packaging products and services to businesses throughout the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe
How UK manufacturers should pack automotive parts for transport
The automotive industry is often defined by its scale, yet that scale is easy to overlook in day-to-day operations. As the sector continues to evolve through electrification and global supply chain change, its economic and industrial influence remains significant worldwide.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the
How to pack wine bottles
With the festive season around the corner, wine, Champagne, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages are a popular gift choice, whether you're searching for a corporate present or a perfect treat for your loved ones.
Last year, 8.8 million wine bottles were sold in the UK, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. This represents a conti
A comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging and conductive packaging
Are you shipping fragile and sensitive electronics? Then you may be looking for packaging to protect your products during handling and transit.
While electronics can benefit from the protective properties of standard packaging solutions, they may need specialist protection from electrostatic discharge or ESD.
ESD-safe packaging comes in many
Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech
Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…
Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech
Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…
Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech
Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…