A subdivision of the packaging hierarchy . The packaging layer specifies how a particular material is to be packed. It is described by a packaging unit .
The packaging layer illustrates the relationships between individual types of packaging in a hierarchy, while the packaging unit emphasizes the properties of a type of packaging.
The following is a possible scenario for packing a liquid product:
Primary packaging layer: bottle
Middle packaging layer: box
Outer packaging layer for shipment: pallet
However, a packaging hierarchy can also be made up of more than three packaging layers. The names of the packaging layers are identical to those of their respective packaging units.