Finite element analysis (FEA) - an effective and efficient design tool in food packaging industries: a review

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a powerful and prevalent numerical technique that has been developed into an indispensable modern technology in the modelling and simulation of various engineering processes, particularly in food packaging industries. The advent of advanced computing power and efficacy of FEA software packages, coupled with the reduced cost of the software packages has viably advanced the use of FEA to effectively and efficiently simulate various engineering design problems. In food packaging industries, finite element analysis is useful for simulating and studying the structural design of packages. Ventilated corrugated paperboard (VCP) packages are commonly used for handling fresh horticultural produce exposed to long term cold chain storage. Using FEA, different structural and geometrical variables of the VCP package (vent shapes, number, location and orientation) can be studied for continual optimisation of the packages. This numerical technique, validated with experimental results, helps package designers to improve the mechanical integrity and strength of the packages to protect the produce and package against damage. Advances in information and communication technologies will expand prospects by developing sophisticated and user-friendly software towards more holistic analyses of the performance of food packages. This review presents the state of the art research and new development of FEA in food packaging industries. The advantages of using FEA, as well as shortcomings and challenges encountered by the users of FEA in food and packaging industries are also highlighted.