SUSTAINABILITY COMBINING SUSTAINABILITY AND STABILITY
minimising agricultural impact, or reducing emissions across the supply chain. This push for sustainability isn’t limited to the products themselves but also the packaging they come in, and as regulations tighten and consumer expectations rise, producers are moving away from plastic-heavy formats and toward recyclable and minimal-material solutions. However, while this evolution is helping to
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support environmental goals, the push for eco-friendly packaging also creates new operational hurdles on the production line – particularly when it comes to conveying. One of the big advantages of traditional
beverage packaging formats, such as shrink- wrapped six-packs, was that they offered a stable, flat base that made conveying relatively easy. Modern alternatives like cardboard clips (e.g. keel clips) or glued multi- packs may be more sustainable, but this comes at a cost to stability. The products are more flexible, and the concave base of each six-pack can now sit directly on the conveyor. This means the group has a higher risk of tipping or becoming misaligned. Ted van der Hoeven, Technology Director at
Regal Rexnord, explained the impact of even small changes to the packaging format: “Transfers between conveyor sections become more difficult, and products are more likely to fall or jam if your system isn’t built for this kind of instability.” To accommodate these new
realities, manufacturers are having to rethink their conveying equipment, especially in areas where products must transfer smoothly from one section to another. Fortunately for manufacturers, Regal
Rexnord has developed several conveying solutions that directly address the impact of evolving packaging. These include modular chains and curve systems that allow for much shorter, smoother transfers, without the need for extra drives or intermediate components. One example of this is the Rexnord Curve
System with 1540 Series MatTop Chain. Designed for zero-tangent 90° and 180° curves, it offers the tightest inner radius and smallest product transfer gap on the market. That makes it ideally suited to handling unstable or lightweight packaging, even without additional support from plates or modules.
1 SEPTEMBER 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL 8 Beyond its
handling performance, the 1540 Curve System also reduces maintenance requirements. The bevel curve retention system ensures a flat conveying surface, while standard chain widths and a simple installation process allow for rapid deployment, even by a single technician. Of course, the shift toward sustainability
can go even deeper than the packaging materials. Manufacturers must now consider all aspects of their supply chain, and Regal Rexnord is also rethinking the design of the conveying systems themselves to reduce
The move towards more environmentally- friendly and sustainable product packaging can present challenges to traditional production methods. Regal Rexnord discusses some of the conveying innovations that can overcome these challenges
“This system really simplifies layout and
improves flexibility,” said van der Hoeven. “It enables safe, head-to-tail transfer even for delicate containers, and it’s easy to integrate into manufacturers’ existing lines.”
waste and improve lifecycle performance. “The nature of how conveying systems work
in the real world means that some areas see more traffic than others. This was an issue as, in the past, when one section of a curve wore down, you had to replace the entire curve structure,” explained van der Hoeven. “Now, we offer curves with replaceable wear strips. You only replace what’s actually worn out – which saves time, material, and cost. This makes it a much more sustainable approach.” As the food and beverage industry
continues to push for more sustainable, efficient, and adaptable operations, conveying systems will play a crucial supporting role. Packaging formats may change, but the need for reliable, precise, and low-maintenance movement of
goods remains constant. Whether it’s managing lightweight and unstable products, enabling smaller and
safer transfers, or reducing downtime through smarter system design, Regal Rexnord is helping manufacturers future-proof their production lines. By combining mechanical innovation with sustainability-focused thinking, the company ensures its customers are ready not just for today’s challenges, but for whatever comes next.
Regal Rexnord
RegalRexnord.com
ustainability in the food and beverage industry takes many forms, whether it’s using responsibly sourced ingredients,
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