That, in turn, has opened up opportunities to shift from ceramics to potentially far cheaper plastic packages.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

Even complex plastic packages are separated into their different plastic types and then sold off to a suitable customer who will reuse the material.

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Enter Ibiden, which decided to try to make plastic packages affordable.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

As we entered the nearest village, children gathered along the track waving and holding their hands out, and some of the DynCorp men tossed them gray plastic packages.

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Ibiden began mass- producing plastic microprocessor packages in 1996.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

Ibiden began mass producing plastic microprocessor packages in 1996.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

Until a couple of years ago, plastic chip packages either couldn't stand the heat put out by microprocessors or cost up to several times as much as ceramics to whip up with the necessary properties.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

Packages covered with a sealed layer of clear plastic are modified-atmosphere packages, which have a gas-filled space inside to help preserve freshness and color.

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Spinach, lettuce and other greens sold in plastic bags or clamshell packages have become one of the hottest growth areas in the food business.

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The tubes are stacked along the sides of the large conveyor-style robot that packages them into separate plastic pouches.

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