packaging distribution l
void-fill commonly referred to as ‘peanuts’. Bio-based alternatives also entered the market in the 1990s. Benefits include light weight, lower cost and potential for re-use. Padded mailers can ship everything from books to parts. Plastic based alternatives, which are lightweight, waterproof and available in many sizes, are normally made from polyethylene and can include a bubble inner layer. ‘All paper’ padded mailers create their additional protection with macerated paper between the inner and outer layers. These are also available in a variety of sizes, are renewable and recyclable, and often offer a tear strip for easy opening.
Custom fabricated foam, foam-in- place, honeycomb structures and moulded pulp are suitable protective formats for large, unusual or awkward shaped products and can be tailored to fit their precise dimensions. Foam structures are made from polypropylene or polyethylene in a wide variety of densities and thicknesses. These products can be further converted (laminations) for added protection or to perform a specific function but more often the basic structures are custom fabricated into their final structural form. Clean and non-abrasive, sheet or plank form offers shock absorption, vibration dampening and cushioning to provide case inserts, end caps and bottom and
top cushioning for anything from electronics to household accessories. In terms of environmental initiatives, fabricated foam products also lend themselves to closed- loop supply
systems, returning used materials and avoiding them being sent to landfill.
Foam-in-place polyurethane is
moulded in real time by mixing two liquid chemicals contained in a thin, low-density polyethylene bag. The mixture expands rapidly around the product being
protected, providing a solution tailored to its precise dimensions. This form of packaging is ideal for larger, heavier and irregular shaped objects that are lower volume and require a high degree of protection. Hexagonal honeycomb structures are one of the most frequently used paper-based protective packaging forms. Made from 100% kraft paper (linerboard) and water-based adhesives, honeycomb structures are available in sheets, edge and corner protectors, runners, blocks and pallets, and offer excellent strength, superior
cushioning and blocking/bracing functions for a wide range of protective packaging
applications. Many
honeycomb structures include a percentage of recycled content. Moulded pulp protection solutions are also gaining greater attention. Made from a combination of recycled newspapers and corrugated, these are moulded into a variety of shapes to meet specific applications and can be shipped in a compact nesting profile, offering further environmental benefits in terms of reduced transportation impact.
Although protective packaging solutions are usually either paper- or plastic-based, customised solutions can be developed using both materials. Examples include kraft paper mailers lined with bubble to create cushioning protection, and insulated shippers, used for niche applications such as medical products and seafood, which can combine EPS foams, aluminium foil or metalised film, gel packs, bubble cushioning and more.
With so much choice, talking to a protective packaging professional is an important first step in the decision- making process. The supplier can then tailor a solution specifically for the needs of a particular application. Such dialogue is also vital in the ongoing development and enhancement of standard products to meet ever changing market requirements and ensure that all protective packaging solutions continue to provide the maximum balance of protection and cost-effectiveness. ●
www.pregis.com
www.PressOnShD.com October 2011 ShD 69
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76