Mera previously packaged its dog biscuits in plastic buckets. The company has now switched to packaging from Smurfit Kappa made from corrugated cardboard and can save on plastic and storage space.
The search for alternative packaging for the biscuits had two reasons: Firstly, it was important to Mera to use more sustainable packaging. Secondly, it wanted to reduce the logistics and filling costs associated with the plastic buckets. These took up a large storage volume and could neither be filled automatically nor palletised. become.
In its search for a packaging partner, Mera turned to Smurfit Kappa. The alternative to the Mera plastic bucket is as follows: By switching to corrugated cardboard, Mera can completely dispense with the plastic bucket. Only the plastic bag inside is retained for reasons of freshness. The logistical problem in the warehouse and during filling has also been solved. Corrugated board takes up significantly less space in the warehouse than the plastic buckets. Thanks to automated, standardised processes, Mera can produce corrugated board with a standard erector. Automatic erecting, filling, closing and palletising leave.
From the consumer's point of view, the packaging functions like a conventional folding box, which has a practical carrying handle with a reinforcing strap. A flap that extends from the lid to the outside allows the end consumer to easily open and reseal the packaging.
Thanks to the new packaging solution, Mera, which was the first company in the pet food industry to be certified in accordance with the ZNU sustainability standard, saves 25 tonnes of plastic every year. The resource-saving changeover also leads to considerable cost savings for the company. Thanks to automated, standardised processes, Mera can reduce the Reduce logistics costs by 40 per cent and minimise logistical effort at the same time. Mera has passed on the cost savings achieved as a result of the changeover to the end consumer. The RRP has been reduced by 18 per cent from 22.99 euros to 18.99 euros.
There are several advantages to replacing plastic containers with corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard consists of over 80 per cent recycled paper and, with a current recycling rate of over 95 per cent, performs significantly better than plastic. There is a closed, established recycling loop for corrugated cardboard and it is lighter than many other packaging materials and takes up less space. takes up less space when folded during transport and in storage than plastic containers. The ability to fold and stack corrugated cardboard compactly can also reduce transport costs. Corrugated cardboard offers good protection for products. The corrugated structure of the cardboard serves as a Dampers and absorbs shocks during transport, which reduces the risk of damage to the products.
The approach of replacing plastic packaging with corrugated cardboard can be applied to the entire animal feed industry, as feed for cows, pigs, sheep, poultry or horses is also often sold in plastic packaging. The reason: the feed must be protected from light and moisture and must not lose its flavour. However, the Mera example shows that packaging concepts based on corrugated cardboard can also fulfil these conditions.
Source: Smurfit Kappa
