A lot will change for the packaging industry over the next few years. Legal requirements and fees in particular are casting their shadows ahead, for example with regard to the use of disposable packaging. Manufacturers and distributors need to rethink their approach here, otherwise it could be expensive.
The overarching theme of the circular economy is intended to Reduction of CO2-emissions caused by packaging This means saving resources and avoiding waste that ends up in nature. However, recycling disposable packaging is only a temporary solution, as many alternative materials are recycled only to a limited extent or not at all, or require more and more resources.
A general solution for reducing packaging waste and CO2-emissions are new reusable systems. These reusable containers still need to be redesigned, but new developments in the areas of energy, transport and cleaning also need to be taken into account. pacoon has been working for several years on the topic of how a new reusable system of the future would have to look like in order to turn the known disadvantages of reusable pools into advantages.
Logistical effort
The main issues here are the simple return, billing and tracking of containers, transport and hygienic cleaning before refilling. One problem here is the high Empty space percentage when transporting empty containers, partly also in the filled state.
The pacoon concept therefore aims to address the different points and harmonise the individual steps. A key feature of the new container concept is that it allows for Stackable and nestable function together with the transport containers. The aim is to save as much transport volume as possible, which can be up to 50 per cent compared to current carrier concepts. Transport containers from conventional systems are often only stackable and cannot be nested when empty.
One solution for many variants
For this reason, pacoon has developed a new container shape which, together with the carrier concept - a box frame and an intermediate tray - results in an overall concept. The flexibly variable individual elements in modular dimensions enable the flexible combination of product containers, trays and crate frames. This means that a large number of different container and transport units can be created with just a few variants of the individual elements.
The simple, open shape of the containers without a shoulder with a slightly tapered base shape allows very good utilisation of the space within a box. The Storage of the containers fixed in a special perforated tray during transport and thus prevents contact within the box as far as possible.
The special crate frame in the function of a swivel stacking container makes it possible to use two positions during handling by simply turning: stacking the crates on top of each other when full or stacking crates with empty containers nested inside each other when the lid has been removed.
In addition, the open container shape also allows easy filling and cleaning, thus reducing cleaning costs as well as variability when filling with different products. This reduces the complexity and variety of container types for easier sorting. Modular, standardised crate trays with hole openings in various diameters mean that many different container types can be used. common volumes of containers that vary in height and width can be covered. leave.
Market tests with partners
The next development step will be together with network partners adapted the concept to specially defined products and as part of a market test in the German retail sector. To this end, pacoon and its partners have developed a logistics and cleaning concept that allows various brands to be tested with the reusable containers in retail on a small scale and enables acceptance, return, industrial cleaning, sorting and provision for the bottlers.
Different products can be tested in parallel, such as jams and marmalades, sauces, purees, spreads, tinned products and even dry products. To this end, various discussions are underway with brand owners from the different product areas. Further development ideas for the reusable concept include Reusable lid closures, direct printing for branding with washable colours for crates and containers as well as the integration of digital codes to control the individual containers and for billing and tracking. Brand owners interested in testing the system can contact pacoon.
On 20 February, pacoon will provide information at the LinkedIn Webinar „How can you eliminate the disadvantages of today's reusable systems and containers?“ Interested parties about his reusable concept. You can register for this directly via LinkedIn.
