Logistical Packaging

Our Answer to Facilitator's Question

Qns:Under what circumstances does film base wrapping become a prefer choice of logistical packaging instead of corrugated material.

Shrink Wrap VS. Corrugated Boxes (Cardboard)

STORING,

Corrugated packing collects moisture, which makes the load unstable and, therefore, unfit for top-on-top storage.

Film wrapping gives optimum stacking possibilities; up to eight layers is possible and also protects the pallet loads from dust and moisture.

http://www.appliancemagazine.com/editorial.php?article=61&zone=210&first=1

SHIPPING,

Film wrapping stabilises pallet loads and prevents split deliveries. In addition, it also protects the contents of the pallet from weather and dust in transit.

http://www.generalpackaging.co.uk/pm-shrinkwrap.asp

COST,
This link illustrates the cost comparison between film wrapping and corrugated packaging. http://aquatechnology.net/shrinkcomparison.html

The company is aqua technology company that requires packing of bottles to be done. The comparison is done based on the cost of packing 1,500,000 bottles per year. It shows that the cost of film wrapping is cheaper than that of corrugated packaging. Therefore it is fair to say that in general film wrapping is a cheaper alternative as compared to corrugated packaging.

FLEXIBILITY,

A shrink-wrapping system combines high quality modular construction with state-of-the-art process control.

Quick and easy change over and lack of change parts make it ideal for those companies who run production lines that are not dedicated or where regular pack and size changes take place.

Providing complete flexibility and ease of operation, the system can be expanded or simplified on the user's premises.

This means that the customer can upgrade their machine at any time in a simple, practical and cost effective way, whilst at the same time future-proofing their initial capital investment.

Re-Definition of Shrink Wrapping

What is Shrink Wrap/Film Base Wrapping?

Shrink wrap or shrink film, is a material made up of polymer plastic film.

When heat is applied to this material it shrinks tightly over whatever it was covering.

It is commonly used as an overwrap on many types of packaging: CDs, DVDs, cartons, books, beverage cans, large appliances, pallet loads or even food etc.

In addition, it is also used to cover boats after manufacture and for winter storage. Shrink bands are applied over parts of packages for tamper resistance or labels. It can also combine two packages or parts.

The most commonly used shrink wrap is polyolefin. It is available in a variety of thicknesses, clarities, strengths and shrink ratios. The two primary films are either crosslinked, or non crosslinked. Other shrink films include PVC and several other compositions.

A shrink film can be made to shrink in one direction (unidirectional or mono-directional) or in both directions (bidirectional).

Current trends are to improve film properties which may lead to reduced caliper (source reduction) and to improve process efficiency (cost and energy savings).

Corrugated Packaging

Corrugated packaging also contributes to simplifying the supply chain and increasing efficiency by:

Providing efficient handling

It is easy to erect and can be filled at high speed on automated packing lines. Thanks to its lightweight, knockdown ability and stackabililty, corrugated packaging is easy to transport, handle, store and to dispose of. It also optimises floor space allocated to storage at all points of the logistics chain. Furthermore, it offers efficient and user-friendly solutions for bringing the products to the shelves in the stores.

Transporting more of your product and cutting down the kilometers!

Using corrugated packaging provides maximum stacking and space use, which guarantees that each vehicle can take on its full capacity. This means fewer trucks on the road, less traffic, reduced CO2 emissions and real cost saving.

Compared to reusable systems, in an open loop system, corrugated single trip packaging is established to be the best packaging solution especially when it involves long distances because trucks can transport 3 times as many empty corrugated packaging and fit up to 30% more packaged goods on a pallet.

Tracing goods efficiently

Corrugated packaging strictly complies with the European legislation on traceability; by enabling the tracking and tracing of product packed, corrugated helps to guaranty food safety. It is well known that clear product identification boosts the efficiency of the whole logistics process.

Corrugated is an ideal packaging for printing all types of codes, either when packaging is manufactured or at the packing line, these codes are the key to computerised inventory systems which track the product through the chain.

Full traceability reduces stock loss and improves shelf availability of products, enhancing consumer satisfaction and loyalty. The industry is also investigating future issues such as the development of intelligent packaging, where key business developments especially on RFID are likely to take place in the coming years.

Offering a user friendly packaging solution

Corrugated packaging removes complexity in the chain: Corrugated is a simple and transparent packaging solution; there’s no hidden cost and it does not require washing, unnecessary administration work or extra storage space.

Source : http://www.fefco.org/

Other benefits of corrugated packaging can be found at http://www.corrugated.org/Basics/WhyCorrugated.aspx

Corrugated Packaging

What is Corrugated boxes?

Corrugated boxes are commonly known as cardboxes. Corrugated is made of paper and has an arched layer, called "fluting", between smooth sheets, called "liner." The corrugated most commonly used to make boxes has one layer of fluting between two smooth sheets.

Corrugated is an extremely durable, versatile, economical and lightweight material used for custom-manufactured shipping containers, packaging and point-of-purchase displays, in addition to numerous non-traditional applications ranging from pallets to children's toys to furniture.

It is a complete, high-performance material design, manufacturing and delivery system.

Corrugated is the preferred packaging material because it is:

Durable
Versatile
Lightweight
Sustainable
Environmentally Responsible
Made from a Renewable Resource
Customizable
Protective
Graphically Appealing
Cost-Effective

Source: http://www.corrugated.org/

The picture on the left is that of a standard 20Footer General Purpose Container. The 20 Footer container is the most common container worldwide. However, the 40-ft container is increasingly replacing it, particularly because transportation costs tend to vary more per container than per foot or ton.

As a general industry rule, ISO shipping containers are available in 20', 40', and 45’ sizes and are made of steel or aluminum. The height of a typical general purpose container is 8’6”. Containers that are 9'6" high are considered high cubes.

Types

Various container types are available for different needs:

General purpose dry van for boxes, cartons, cases, sacks, bales, pallets, drums in standard, high or half height
High cube palletwide containers for compatibility
Temperature controlled from −25 °C to +25 °C reefer
Open top bulktainers for bulk minerals, heavy machinery
Open side for loading oversize pallet
Flushfolding flat-rack containers for heavy and bulky semi-finished goods, out of gauge cargo
Platform or bolster for barrels and drums, crates, cable drums, out of gauge cargo, machinery, and processed timber
Ventilated containers for organic products requiring ventilation
Tank containers for bulk liquids and DG
Rolling floor for difficult to handle cargo
Gas bottle
Generator
Collapsible ISO
Swapbody