Secure packaging with stretch film

If the film thickness or composition of stretch film changes, this could have an impact on the properties and handling. The Beumer stretch hood A also reliably processes thinner films and films with a higher proportion of recycled material.

Whether paint buckets, barrels, sacks or champagne cartons - the Beumer stretch hood A efficiently covers a wide variety of products on pallets with a highly stretchable stretch bonnet.

„This high-performance packaging system is the centrepiece of the packaging lines that we install for our customers. The goods are safely protected from environmental influences such as moisture, dirt and sun during handling and outdoor storage. The packaging also ensures that the products are firmly anchored to the pallet on the loading area of the lorry without slipping.“ Jörg Spiekermann, Sales Manager Palletising and Packaging Machines for the Consumer Goods division at the Beumer Group.

With an output of up to 110 pallets per hour the Stretch hood A can reliably wrap the stacks with a stretch film bonnet. Conventional films with thicknesses of 40 to 150 micrometres are used.

But what about films that Thinner, stiffer, softer or less stretchy are? More and more packaging plant operators are asking themselves these questions. This is because the new Packaging Act has been in force since the beginning of 2019, and this is changing a lot.

Germany will recycle more

The diverse properties of plastic can change when it comes to Recycling goes. In Germany, more than 90 per cent of all plastic waste is collected again, but only 43 per cent of this is recycled and subsequently reused. However, a total of 55 per cent, i.e. significantly more than half, ends up in waste incineration plants and is used to generate electricity and heat or is processed into substitute fuels.

EU policymakers and European recycling companies want to minimise the Significantly increase the proportion of recycled plastic. „Our goal is less plastic packaging and more recycling. To achieve this, we need everyone involved - manufacturers, retailers and consumers,“ emphasises Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze. „With the new law, we will recycle significantly more in Germany in future than before.“ For example, the recycling rate for plastic packaging will initially rise from 36 per cent to 58.5 per cent and then to 63 per cent by 2022. This means that operators of recycling plants must be able to prove that they recycle a corresponding proportion of the packaging they accept. This means that manufacturers of consumer goods, building materials and furniture, as well as film producers, will have to rethink their approach. At present, the majority of plastic is still obtained as a primary material from crude oil.

Thinner or with a higher proportion of recycled material

An economical solution for film suppliers is the Beumer Group the Recycling of own production waste is the result. The material is processed into regranulate and fed back into the production cycle. By using their own regranulates, manufacturers conserve resources, reduce emissions, minimise waste through reuse and thus avoid environmental pollution. Ideally, the quality can even match that of virgin material. „In this case, nothing changes for our packaging machine,“ emphasises Spiekermann.

Increasing the proportion of recycled material could also significantly change the properties of the films. The Beumer sales manager cites the example of a film manufacturer that favours higher quality while using less material. „Although the stretch films are thinner and less material is used, they are still more efficient than conventional films. This means that the packaged products are optimally secured,“ explains the expert. Spiekermann adds: „We have tested the film extensively with our Beumer stretch hood A. It also processes these thin films safely and reliably.“ This ensures a higher production throughput and fewer reel changes on the machine.

At their in-house research and development centre in Beckum, Beumer's experts carried out tests and analyses with the various films together with the film producers.

The processing of the stretch films works

The Beumer expert is certain that the all-clear can be given. The high-performance packaging system also allows users to cover their diverse products on pallets with a highly stretchable stretch bonnet. „The film lies like a second skin very close to the entire stack and therefore also provides the required stability with the new films we have tested,“ summarises Spiekermann.

http://www.beumer.com