What is the process of using materials to protect a product during handling and storage called?

The process of using materials to protect a product during handling and storage is known as packaging. Packaging not only provides a protective layer for the product against external factors like moisture, dust, and physical damage but also aids in organizing the items for efficient storage and transportation. Proper packaging is crucial in logistics, as it ensures that products reach their destination in good condition, thereby minimizing loss and damage during transit.

While wrapping typically refers to the act of covering a product with a material, it does not encompass the broader scope that packaging entails, which includes the design, testing, and material choice specifically tailored for resilience during transportation and storage. Loading pertains more to the act of placing products onto transport vehicles, and labeling involves the application of identifying information, which is important for tracking and inventory but does not provide physical protection for the products. Thus, packaging is the most comprehensive term that captures the protective role materials play in logistics.