counting, weighing and bagging


More Haste Less Waste – WRAP Up Your Packaging


Commitments With the pressure on to hit packaging waste reduction targets under the Waste and Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP) Courthauld Commitment, retailers and brands face the ongoing challenge of effectively protecting their products during storage and transportation while keeping materials to a minimum. With this in mind, Stuart Roberts from Sealed Air explains how companies can work towards reducing packaging waste while still providing the best possible protection for their products.


The typical journey of a product, incorporating pre and post-production, can often span thousands of miles, with the average product being subjected to multiple stresses and strains during both handling and transportation. Damage can commonly occur at several points throughout the distribution cycle including stacking, loading and unloading, containerising and transportation by truck, ship and aeroplane. Over the course of a typical journey, there are numerous distribution stages before the product reaches its destination, during which time it will be vulnerable to various forms of damage. The most common risks of damage include vibration, from the modes of transportation used and also impact stress, which can occur during


Pacepacker’s Total Bag Control (TBC) sack closing system


eliminates waste! Designed to handle paper, plastic, woven polypropylene, hessian and even nets, Pacepacker’s unique Total Bag Control (TBC) System, which supports and guides a bag throughout the closing process, accurately seals even the most difficult to handle sacks to create a consistent premium looking pack and eliminate sack waste. The TBC, which can be used for a wide variety of sack packing applications including agricultural produce,


both transit and handling. In the current economic climate, damaged products are not an option, so getting the maximum protection from a packaging solution is a high priority for manufacturing and distribution companies. Not only do damaged goods cost money but a company’s reputation is also on the line every time their packaging fails to measure up to the task. The right choice of packaging solution can enable companies to meet deadlines and maintain their reputation with consumers by reducing the number of damages incurred during transit and the journey to the shelf. To help companies achieve significant savings and avoid unnecessary damages during handling and distribution, an expert packaging company should be consulted and carry out a comprehensive testing process to find the right balance between providing maximum protection and minimal packaging. Testing often involves inspection of the product including size, volume and surface area. It is at this stage that the most appropriate form of packaging should be evaluated – whether it is paper, plastic or foam. Arriving at this decision involves analysis of several variables, including the cost of packaging against the cost of damage. To calculate this, it is advisable to have a packaging value analysis carried out to ascertain which solution will deliver the maximum financial benefit. For example, if a company is experiencing significant damage costs, then the introduction of a more premium or fit-for- purpose protective packaging solution will prove more cost effective in the long term as losses incurred via breakages and resulting redeliveries are reduced. Once the correct type of material has been identified, the best design for the specific


fresh produce, animal feed and confectionary closes up to 14 bags per minute in a range of sizes from 2Kg to 50Kg and runs independently or in conjunction with sack placers, most gross and nett weighing systems, and palletising systems also supplied by Pacepacker. The system’s single most important principle is that the TBC never lets go of the sack after it has been filled, which ensures that a good quality reliable seal is obtained time after time, even on irregular shaped and sized products. As found by premier animal feedstuffs manufacturer, I’Anson Bros Ltd, working as part of a turnkey system with Pacepacker’s sack placers and robot palletising equipment, the TBC provides the ultimate solution: “The Total Bag Control System has proven to be highly efficient; we have been able to virtually eliminate sack waste and totally eliminate customer complaints regarding product presentation. Coupled with the


product should be determined, with the consideration that it needs to maximise protection, while minimising the material used. Once this stage is completed, a number of tests should be performed, in-line with standards set out by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), to ensure the packaging solution will protect the product in ‘real’ terms. Before the testing procedure begins, the packaged product should be weighed to ascertain the drop height at which the product should stand and the speed at which it should be vibrated. At Sealed Air’s Packaging Design and Development Centres (PDDCs) across Europe, the test process includes a vibration test, during which the packaged product is placed on a fixed vibration table and subjected to 14,200 impacts. The procedure also includes a drop (shock) test, in which the product is dropped on all surfaces, from its most fragile base corner to its largest flat face. There is currently a wide range of protective packaging solutions available on the market each of which are assessed for optimum protection when determining the correct packaging solution for a given product. In order to maximise protection and minimise packaging, many companies are turning towards foam based protective packaging solutions. The liquid foam based solution, which moulds around a product within its outer packaging, has been chosen by a number of engineering, industrial and distribution companies to provide void fill, blocking & bracing and cushioning. Many companies are unaware of the options available, how much they could realistically cut back on packaging waste and – moreover – how much money it could save them.


installation of three Pacepacker palletiser robots, we have been able to reduce our packing staff by 40%, relocating them elsewhere within the operation,” comments Chairman and fourth family generation owner Chris I’Anson. The TBC is part of Pacepacker’s range of equipment which includes automated packing, filling, pick and place and robot palletising systems. • Accurately seals difficult to handle bags • Runs independently or in conjunction with production equipment • Minimal operator supervision required • Ideal for products including wholesale catering supplies (fresh or frozen prepared vegetables etc), fresh produce, confectionary, food ingredients, prepared mixes, animal feed For more information call 01371 811544, mail mail@pacepackerservices.com or visit www.pacepacker.com.


Packaging Gazette 17


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