A significant area to focus environmental developments on is packaging. While the primary purpose of packaging is to protect products, the wider impact on key business areas is hard to miss. Having the right pack means reducing carbon emissions and product waste, while lowering costs and increasing productivity in your supply chain.

Achieving this delicate balance requires innovative approaches and a commitment to sustainable materials. This blog explores some sustainable packaging swaps that manufacturers can implement to create efficient, eco-friendly and protective packaging solutions.

Three reasons eco-friendly packaging is important for manufacturers

Eco-friendly packaging is no longer just a trend or something businesses can forget to consider. Consumers, governments and industries demand more sustainable practices as environmental awareness grows.

1. Environmental responsibility

Eco-friendly packaging is not just a beneficial practice but an essential strategy for manufacturers.

Not only do most businesses now have internal Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, but it also enhances their brand and (most importantly) protects the planet.

By adopting sustainable packaging solutions manufacturers can addresses environmental concerns whilst meeting regulatory and consumer demands. All while providing economic and competitive advantages across all industries.

2. Regulatory compliance

Depending on where you’re based, government legislation can differ. However, regulations around sustainable practices are not uncommon in most European countries. Some notable legislation is:

• UK Plastic Packaging Tax – This tax applies a levy to plastic packaging materials that contain less than 30% recycled content. Learn more here.
• EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – This directive requires at least 50,000 large companies within the EU, to create a report on their social and environmental impact actions from 2024 onwards. Learn more here.
• Extended Producer Responsibilities – This legislation shifts the cost of household packaging waste management to producers. Learn more here.

3. Economic Benefits

Manufacturers need to consider the long-term cost-saving benefits of eco-friendly packaging. For example, a less complex and purpose-built pack can reduce material usage, save space and lower transport costs, all while still providing high levels of protection.

How to choose the right sustainable packaging solution for your business

Selecting the right sustainable packaging solution is crucial for manufacturers aiming to balance environmental responsibility with operational efficiency. Here are some simple steps to follow when choosing the right sustainable solution:

• Assess your needs – Size, shape, weight and fragility will influence the type of packaging you need.
• Evaluate sustainable materials – While using recyclable materials would be beneficial, you should also consider what kind of protection you need. Sometimes, you do need to consider a more nuanced approach to find the right balance for your products.
• Consider holistic approaches to sustainability – Maybe a returnable solution would better suit your business; not only would it benefit your cost savings, but it would also lower wastage.

Once you have decided on a solution that suits your business, remember to review your packaging regularly. As innovations are continually launched, it’s important to keep up with any new technologies or regulations in sustainable packaging.

The 4R packaging principle

A widely adopted concept across many industries is the 4R principle, which you may want to consider also. For our industry, we think it’s important to design packaging that touches on these four points:

Reduce – Pack designs that are functional, easy to use, and fully protective. Most importantly, they use as little material as possible and are compact and light to help reduce waste and shipping costs. Reducing your pack size, weight or waste has the biggest impact in overall CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain

Reuse –Wherever opportunities for ‘closed loop’ operations exist, packs should be robust enough for multi-trip use and efficient longer-term investment.

Recycle – We use readily recyclable materials. Even existing packs can be redesigned to provide superior protection using more sustainable materials.

Recover – Where possible, design packaging using materials that can be recycled or composted rather than being thrown away. Learn more about designing for a circular economy.

Sustainable packaging swaps

Long-term sustainability in packaging involves more than using eco-friendly materials; it requires a comprehensive approach and nuanced discussions about the right solutions for your business.

We’d always recommend communicating with us directly for customised advice to suit your goals and industry.

The swaps we recommend will help you lower your overall carbon footprint, use less material and boost the sustainability of your supply chain.

Swapping wooden pallets for cardboard pallets

While wooden pallets are the most common type of pallet, hidden environmental costs should be considered. Made from soft and hard woods or plywood, they can be heavy and difficult to handle.

Corrugated cardboard pallets might be the solution for a lightweight alternative. The main area where you’ll see environmental improvement is during your shipping process. Whilst it’s not a direct enhancement, you’ll benefit from the knock-on effect of reduced carbon emissions and lower fuel consumption.

Benefits of corrugated cardboard pallets

• Lightweight
• Can hold up to 750kg
• Exempt from IPSM15 requirements
• Recyclable

Swapping timber crates for Tri-Mite system

Timber crates offer many advantages, such as strength and durability, but they tend to be heavier and bulkier than alternative materials, such as cardboard or plastic.

This can raise your shipping costs significantly, especially for air freight, and it may also restrict the amount of cargo in one shipment. Heavier weights often result in higher transportation emissions and increased energy usage.

The Tri-Mite system is a comparably strong but lightweight alternative. The containers are made with strong triple-wall corrugated cardboard, and thanks to the multi-trip locking fasteners, they are suitable for reusable applications.

Reusing packaging reduces environmental impact by minimising the energy used in recycling and remanufacturing, significantly lowering the overall impact per trip.

Benefits of corrugated Tri-Mite system

• Strong packaging solution
• Extra strength due to precise joints
• Easy stacking
• Made from recyclable materials
• Reusable
• High levels of product protection
• Reduces waste

Swapping foam inserts for cardboard fittings

Foam inserts protect your products during shipment, from transportation to handling. This lowers product damages for high-value or fragile items. Most foam inserts are made from some form of plastic, including polystyrene and polyethene.

If the intention is to reuse them, that can slightly offset the environmental impact, but they will likely need to be disposed of eventually. This can raise issues due to their non-biodegradability, and if not recycled properly, they will persist in landfills for long periods of time.

Cardboard fittings are an alternative solution that still offers high levels of product protection. Such as foam inserts, cardboard fittings will stop your products moving around during transport and offer sustainable benefits too. Cardboard is biodegradable and recyclable for end-of-life disposal.

Benefits of cardboard fittings

• More space efficient – can be supplied flat
• High levels of product protection
• 100% recyclable
• Biodegradable
• Custom made to limit movement during shipment

How Macfarlane Packaging can support your environmental goals

Balancing material usage with product protection requires innovative design and advanced manufacturing techniques, but the environmental and brand reputation benefits are well worth the effort.

As the industry continues to evolve, those who embrace sustainable practices will lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.

If you’d like custom advice to enhance your sustainability and improve your supply chain, get in touch today.

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While electronics can benefit from the protective properties of standard packaging solutions, they may need specialist protection from electrostatic discharge or ESD.

ESD-safe packaging comes in many forms and is popularly known as anti-static packaging or ESD packaging.

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging, the science behind it and discuss the different types of ESD packaging available.

Understanding anti-static packaging

So, what is anti-static packaging?

Anti-static packaging is packaging that can prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging products.

It will sometimes be referred to as conductive packaging, static dissipative packaging, ESD packaging or shielding packaging too. These different types of anti-static packaging all perform similar functions, which we’ll explain later in this article.

Anti-static packaging is often made from materials like polythene or PET films that have additives that prevent static electricity. It can also be made from cardboard with specialist coatings, as well as foam.

The science behind anti-static packaging

Static electricity (or electrostatic discharge) might not seem like a big deal in everyday life. You’ll get a small shock from touching another person or object and think nothing of it.

These shocks are created by electrostatic discharge moving between two objects (or people!). However, this static electricity can create a large amount of heat. This in turn can cause electronic devices to break or become faulty.

Due to this, electrostatic discharge is an extra risk during storage, shipping and transit. Which is where anti-static packaging comes in. It provides protection from the usual rigours of shipping AND can prevent the build-up of static charges, as well as dissipate them.

Why anti-static packaging is important

Electrostatic discharge damage can be costly. It’s estimated by the ESD Association that damages caused by static in the electronics industry can run up to $5 billion. Some major companies suggest that ESD is responsible for 25% electronics part failures too.

In essence, anti-static and ESD-safe packaging help prevent the costly risk that static-sensitive microchips, motherboard and other electronics components might encounter.

So, what types of anti-static packaging are there?

Types of anti-static packaging

Anti-static packaging is often used as a catch all term of packaging that prevents and resits electrostatic discharge. As mentioned earlier in this article, it also known as conductive packaging, shielding packaging and dissipative packaging.

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some technical differences:

• Anti-static packaging – this prevents electrostatic charges being created when products may rub against other objects or surfaces.
• Conductive packaging – this type of packaging conducts any potential static charges away from sensitive parts, keeping any flow of electricity under control. It does not accumulate static charges.
• Shielding packaging – this type of ESD-safe packaging provides a barrier that reduces electrostatic discharge.
• Dissipative packaging – this type of packaging slows down the flow of any static charges, rather than directing it like conductive packaging.

Across these types of anti-static packaging, the actual packing material can take many forms. Popular products include anti-static bags, anti-static bubble wrap, anti-static bubble bags and anti-static foam. Usually, these types of ESD packaging are coloured pink, so their distinguishable from their counterparts that aren’t ESD-safe.

Other anti-static shielding bags are metallised to provide protection as well.

In addition to these popular packaging products, you can also get anti-static packaging made from cardboard and corrugated plastic. Examples of these products include:

• Corstat® cardboard – this cardboard creates a Faraday Cage effect, protecting products inside it. It can be used to make anti-static boxes, layer pads, totes and dividers. It can also be used alongside anti-static foam fittings, to provide an all-round ESD-safe packaging solution.

• Corriplast® corrugated plastic – this corrugated plastic is Carbon loaded and provides protection from static charges. It’s very strong and durable, and is resistant to water, grease and other liquids. It’s also suitable for clean room environments. It can be made into boxes, collapsible totes dividers and layer pads, or custom designs.

The benefits of using anti-static, conductive and ESD packaging

Anti-static packaging can provide many benefits. Particularly if you’re an electronics manufacturer or are moving electronic components in industries like automotive, airspace and medical.  

Using ESD-safe packaging can deliver the following benefits:

• Reduced damages – anti-static packaging will ensure your products are protected from static damage, as well as the usual knocks, shocks and drops that could be experienced during handling and shipping.
• Reduced returns & reverse logistics – it can help reduce costly returns, reverse logistics and expensive product replacements by minimising the risk of damages.
• Improved productivity – the benefits provided by anti-static packaging will remove hassle from your packing operation by reducing the handling of returned goods. This will allow you to focus your resources elsewhere.
• Lower packaging costs – efficient, right-size anti-static packaging can help you lower your packing costs. Reducing damage will minimise replacement and reverse logistic costs in your operation too.

Specialist support developing anti-static packaging solutions

Are you looking for ESD-safe packaging?

At Macfarlane Packaging, we have extensive expertise in creating all sorts of packaging solutions. We have anti-static bubble bags, anti-static bubble wrap and anti-static foam rolls available from stock.

Plus, our specialist manufacturing brand can support you with custom packaging designs, including conductive packaging like Corriplast® corrugated plastic, anti-static inserts and conductive Corstat® cardboard packaging.

Get in touch today for more information.

The post A comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging and conductive packaging appeared first on Macfarlane Packaging.

On face value, this is a naturally occurring reaction, but it’s a costly one. In the UK alone, a University of Edinburgh study estimated that corrosion costs the economy up to £80 billion per year. Globally, this figure is thought to be over $2.5 trillion.

Many industries can be impacted by corrosion, including construction, automotive, aerospace and marine sectors. If you’re producing, storing, handling or shipping metal-based products in these industries, you’ll want to ensure it’s protected.

So, what’s the solution? Enter VCI packaging. In this article, we’ll help you understand what VCI packaging is, the different types of VCI packaging available and the advantages it offers.

What is VCI packaging?

VCI stands for volatile corrosion inhibitor. VCIs are substances that slowly release an anti-corrosion compound into a sealed air space, protecting exposed metal surfaces.

VCI packaging, or anti-corrosion packaging, are packaging materials that can protect metal products during storage, handling and shipping and help prevent them from corroding.

Anti-corrosion packaging is made by applying a thin, invisible layer of a VCI compound to packaging materials. This layer stops water, oxygen and other contaminants from breaking down the metal products.

Types of VCI packaging

So, now you know what VCI packaging is, what types of VCI packaging are available? There are lots of options to choose from! Below, we’ve outlined the key types of anti-corrosion packaging available:

VCI Bags

Perhaps the most popular VCI packaging product, VCI bags are made from polythene coated in chemical compounds that prevent corrosion.

For smaller applications, like packing tools, screws or small machine parts, volatile corrosion inhibitor grip seal bags are a good choice. If you need a volatile corrosion inhibitor bag for larger applications, you can opt for large lining bags for boxes, crates and pallet boxes. Sometimes these are called Dolav liners or gusseted VCI bags. Just like the grip seal bags, they provide rust prevention.

VCI Paper

Another popular anti-corrosive packaging product is VCI kraft paper. This rust inhibiting paper is supplied on a roll and one side of the paper is coated in VCI chemical. It’s suitable for protecting ferrous metal products during storage and shipping.

The other side of the paper can be coated in moisture barriers to further protect products.

VCI Cardboard

A cost-effective alternative to using a regular box with a VCI lining bag is VCI cardboard. It works in a similar way to anti-corrosion paper. The corrugated board is coated in a thin layer of VCI molecules, which are clear and invisible to the eye.

VCI Stretch Wrap

If you’re palletising goods that need rust prevention, you can make use of VCI stretch wrap. It’s ideal for palletising large metal goods, like engines or items that have odd profiles.

Like other anti-corrosion packaging, VCI stretch wrap is made using VCI molecules that are mixed into the polymer when the film is manufactured.

VCI Bubble Wrap

If you need your products to be protected from corrosion as well as knocks and shocks during shipping, VCI bubble wrap could be the answer.

Like VCI stretch wrap, rust-preventing bubble wrap has volatile corrosion inhibiting chemicals mixed into the material during manufacturing.

VCI Fabric

VCI fabric or metal wrap is made from woven high density polythene that is coated one side with corrosion inhibiting chemicals. It can be used with ferrous metals to prevent rust and non-ferrous metals to prevent tarnishing and oxidisation. It can also provide general surface protection.

The advantages of using VCI packaging

It might seem like a no brainer if you’re shipping metal products, but there are lots of advantages when using VCI packaging. This type of packaging can…

• Protect your products from corrosion and oxidisation, helping them stay in the best condition possible during shipping, handling and transit.
• Minimise product replacements, as it prevents harmful corrosion that could spoil your products.
• Reduce your costs, as they’re more effectively protected, you’re cutting the expense of replacements and reverse logistics.
• Give you flexibility and versatility, if you’re packing more than one metal product, many types of VCI packaging can allow you to project a range of different SKUs.

Protecting your products from corrosion

If you’d like support protecting your products from corrosion, rust and oxidisation, the Macfarlane Packaging team are here to help!

Our experts can design and recommend VCI packaging material that will protect your products and reduce your costs. Get in touch today.  

The post Understanding VCI Packaging: A Guide appeared first on Macfarlane Packaging.

In 2023 the SMMT reported that the Automotive-related manufacturing sector in the UK was on track to reclaim it’s £100bn trading hub status by the end of the year.  In fact, the year ended with total manufacturing numbers up 17% on the previous year, with the UK producing  905,117 cars, 120.357 commerical vehicals and an estimated 1.6 million engines.  It was the industry’s best year since 2019.

Automotive-related manufacturing in the UK generates approximately £67 billion of turnover annually. The UK produced almost 860,000 cars and 1.6 million engines in 2021, as well as approximately 73,000 commercial vehicles.

And as estimates indicate that a single vehicle can have as many as 30,000 parts, ensuring you are using the correct packaging can be a significant challenge.

If you work within the automotive industry, this guide to car parts packaging provides you with a detailed overview of considerations and options. Whether you are responsible for packaging at an OEM, tier 1, tier 2 or tier 3 supplier, this article details a range of tried and trusted options that allow you to pack and ship car parts successfully.

Car parts packaging can take various forms. It can include everything from returnable containers within the supply chain to corrugated boxes used for aftermarket parts. Your packaging can be designed to improve handling, protect components in transit, and enhance the efficiency of production lines.

Considerations when packing and shipping automotive parts

Before looking at the varying types of car parts packaging, it is essential to consider several factors. The six primary considerations for car parts packaging are:

1. The weight of the product/part you are shipping
2. The fragility of the parts
3. How valuable are the items you are shipping
4. The packing and unpacking processes
5. How your parts (and packaging) are handled in the supply chain
6. Any impact on the environment

Weight of products

The weight of your parts or components is important when specifying your automotive packaging. Heavier items need more durable packaging to ensure it does not fail during transit. Lighter items should have their packaging optimised to minimise weight and reduce costs and CO2 emissions through the supply chain.

Fragility of parts

How delicate your car parts are also influences the best packaging for your business. You may require cushioning and inserts to minimise damage caused by handling in the supply chain, although even the more robust items still need protection. You should also consider protection for surface finishes on painted, polished or decorative surfaces.

How valuable are the items you are shipping

The packaging you use for shipping high-value infotainment units or gearboxes, for example, needs to be a different specification than that used for relatively cheap plastic trims or ancillaries.

Packing and unpacking processes

It is crucial to consider how quick and easy it is to pack and unpack your products. Does your car part packaging use much secondary packaging such as bags, inserts or films? Is it easy to pack multiple smaller parts in the same outer container? Are there any additional processes that packing teams need to carry out which may impact production times and efficiency?

How do transport providers handle parts during transit?

It is wise to consider how your items are handled within the supply chains. For example, are there many touchpoints that could result in mishandling? Does packaging need to look presentable at its final destination (e.g. for aftermarket parts or retail items)?

As well as how items are likely to be handled, it is also essential to consider the methods of transport and the possible environments your car parts packaging may encounter – will it be left outside or have the potential to get wet, for example?

Impact on the environment

The final consideration is the impact that your packaging has on the environment. Does it allow you to maximise transport efficiency, or are you shipping lots of empty space? Can any single-trip packaging be easily recycled by the end user? Would returnable or extendable packaging be most suitable?

Expendable vs returnable

This final point leads nicely to arguably the most important consideration for shipping car parts – whether to use expendable or returnable packaging.

But how do you decide which is best for your business?

Generally, the longer the distances involved in the logistics leg, the less practical it becomes to use returnable packaging. The vast majority of returnable automotive packaging is used within short loops and those with fixed arrival and distribution points.

Of course, you may not have reliable return transport, your parts are for use by the end consumer (hence the packaging cannot be returned), or it is not economical to return empty containers to your warehouse or manufacturing site.

Another point to consider at the outset is what different manufacturing plants or customers accept. Many do not have facilities to dispose of large volumes of single-trip packaging and only accept products in returnable packaging. Others may specify expendable packaging. It is vital to check what your customers want!

Returnable supply chain packaging

However, it is likely that, as part of an automotive supply chain, you will use returnable packaging of some description.

Due to the vast numbers of parts and overall throughput of vehicle manufacture, using returnable containers eliminates the generation of huge amounts of packaging waste compared with single-trip.

Returnable containers are typically more robust, providing better protection for parts, and are frequently industry standard sizes that allow for improved space efficiency in transport and production lines. They can also allow for safer stacking and handling.

And arguably the most crucial point, returnable packaging provides a lower cost per trip or lifetime cost than expendable packaging.

Euro containers

Euro containers are the most commonly used returnable packaging for car parts and components. Often referred to as KLT containers or ALC (attached lid containers – when including a lid), these moulded plastic boxes are available in standard sizes to be compatible with most pallets, racking, conveyors and so on.

They are both cost-effective and robust, hence their popularity and widespread use.

Correx tote boxes

The main limitation of Euro containers, however, is their standard sizing. Fixed dimensions can sometimes mean wasted space within containers when shipping unusually shaped or sized items. This issue reduces transit efficiency (you are paying to ship fresh air) and can also mean adding a large volume of void fillers or other inserts. It also reduces assembly line part density.

As a result, a returnable packaging option that is growing fast in popularity is Correx tote boxes. The key benefit is that you can opt to manufacture them in custom sizes. This size flexibility means they can accommodate unusually shaped items or a defined number of parts for a specific assembly.

Correx totes are also lighter than moulded containers, which can help reduce transit costs and emissions. And, due to a range of material options, you can select to have them manufactured with strength comparable to euro containers or tailored to the requirements of specific items.

Expendable packaging

Despite the benefits of returnable car part packaging, there are scenarios where single trip or expendable packaging would be most suitable. As well as parts that ship directly to end users, there are uses within supply chains for these options. Particularly where parts travel long distances and/or return is difficult.

Heavy duty corrugated

Many businesses use corrugated packaging within automotive supply chains. It has the same advantage as Correx in that it allows for the production of custom-sized boxes. Bespoke sizing enables the benefits of space efficiency, lower transit costs, emissions etc.

Several heavy-duty material grades can provide surprising durability, including various double and even triple-wall materials.

Other benefits include easy printing of handling and other instructions directly onto the packs and, of course, cardboards’ ease of recycling.

Timber crates and cases

Timber crates are another option in certain parts of automotive supply chains. Like corrugated, they can be easily produced in bespoke sizes to accommodate specific parts. They are particularly suited to shipping larger panels, assemblies or even engine blocks.

Whilst they can offer some reusability, they are also more challenging to dispose of and more costly than cardboard equivalents.

Dunnage and inserts

Whether you use returnable or single-trip packaging to ship your car parts, you can enhance the performance and efficiency using dunnage – effectively different forms of inserts.

Inserts can allow for much-improved part density within an outer container and make packing and unpacking quicker and easier. Inserts also help minimise damage as they limit movement and prevent parts from colliding with each other. Inserts can also provide precise positioning of components to allow for robotic assembly.

Divisions

Simple divider sets manufactured using Correx or even cardboard can provide all of the benefits mentioned earlier. Usually created to suit a specific product or assembly process, you can choose the cell size and configuration (e.g. 4 x 4 cells within the container). Dividers can be removable and folded flat or integral to the construction of Correx totes or trays.

Textile dividers

Some parts – for example, interior fittings or painted parts – have decorative surfaces that customers can reject due to surface scuffs or marring. If this is a concern, using a material such as Bubble-board can eliminate this. The plastic material is laminated with spun-bond fabric to protect from scratches or foam to provide additional cushioning during shipment.

Custom inserts

For unusually shaped parts, custom fittings can provide a perfect fit for the item in question.

Vacuum-formed trays

Vacuum-formed trays are another option widely used to handle car parts and components. They have recesses moulded to the exact shape of the items they carry to provide protection and ease of packing/unpacking.

Foam

Finally, you can use various foam inserts for particularly delicate or high-value items. As per vacuum-formed trays, foam inserts can precisely match the contours of any part or component. They go a step further, however, in that they also provide excellent cushioning protection.

Specialist software even allows for the optimum level of protection to be engineered into the foam packaging – crucial for high-end parts that cost thousands of pounds.

Airsac cushioning protection

An inflatable packaging solution which moulds itself to your products, Airsac can be used on small automotive components or larger body panels for vehicles, such as doors and bonnets.  

Airsac utilises pockets of air to provide high levels of protection, making it extremely light and easy to handle. Available in a range of formats, such as a full bag or end cap, it can be used to replace traditional cushioning products like foam or stratocell.

As it’s inflated on demand, Airsac is an excellent way to remove bulky packaging from the packing process and free up storage space on site.

Protecting car electronics

As technology advances, more and more aspects of new vehicles rely on electronics and microchips. Everything from telematics, navigation, driver assistance systems and even infotainment units rely on increasingly sophisticated technologies.

But these parts and components can be susceptible to a different form of damage – electrostatic discharge (ESD).

What is ESD?

ESD is the transfer of an electrical charge between two objects. Whilst this occurs naturally, the heat generated during this process can cause significant damage to microchips and electronics. And whilst the effects may not be immediately apparent, latent damage can result in performance degradation and decreased lifespan of items that rely on electronics to function.

Conductive packaging options

Due to this, several anti-static and conductive packaging products are commonplace in automotive industries.

Corstat – a corrugated cardboard with a carbon coating – creates a “faraday cage” effect. This essentially channels any static around the outside of the packaging, protecting any items within.

Plastic options, including Corriplast conductive Correx and moulded plastics, operate similarly, whilst various ESD-safe foams are also available.

Other specialist car parts packaging

Several other specialist packaging applications are common within the automotive manufacturing industry.

VCI protection

A volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) is a material that protects metals from corrosion (i.e. rust). Vehicles use a considerable amount of metal components, so shipping these over long distances has the potential for this type of damage to occur.

Numerous VCI papers and bags are available to pack components in, whilst others may be coated in grease or similar substances to protect them during shipping. However, all these add another process to packing and unpacking operations.

An alternative is to coat your packaging with a VCI material, which can provide an equivalent level of protection.

Scuff protection

As mentioned earlier, inserts and dividers can be manufactured using material that prevents surface scuffing and marring. These properties are essential for painted, polished or coated parts or those which form part of the interior of a vehicle.

What is less well known is that cardboard can be surprisingly abrasive, although again, there are coatings for corrugated boxes that can help to minimise this.

Lithium batteries

A new challenge facing automotive manufacturers and parts suppliers is lithium batteries. Prevalent in electric vehicles, the UN classifies li-on batteries as hazardous goods. This classification requires specialist packaging that meets defined regulations (UN3480) to ship.

Options for this include returnable aluminium cases with specialist inserts that contain fires should batteries fail or malfunction during transportation.

Spares, eCommerce and retail

Of course, not all businesses in the automotive sector supply parts used directly in the manufacture of new vehicles. Many provide spares and aftermarket parts that go straight to service centres, garages and even consumers.

In fact, the aftermarket industry in the UK accounts for £21.1 billion in turnover each year.

The packaging required for shipping these car parts faces different challenges. Firstly, it tends to be a single trip as there is no easy option for returning it. Being expendable means considerations surrounding recyclability must be balanced against ensuring it performs well within courier and postal networks and the multiple touchpoints these comprise.

In some instances, there may even be a requirement to add branding, instructions and other information, as some parts may be displayed within retail stores or be required to provide some form of limited “unboxing” experience.

As such, businesses typically use corrugated packaging for applications of this type.

Summary

Whether you work for an OEM, or a tier 1, 2 or 3 supplier, a team of packaging experts at GWP and Macfarlane Packaging is on hand to ensure you select the most suitable car parts packaging for your specific application.

Get in touch today for advice and guidance on sourcing the optimum packaging for your business.

The post How to pack automotive parts – updated appeared first on Macfarlane Packaging.

Wooden crates are typically built to order and meet international shipping standards for export.  They’re a popular packaging product across a range of industries. For example, large wooden crates are often used for shipping everything from aerospace parts through to medical instruments.

There are both benefits and drawbacks to using timber crates, which we will unpick in this blog. 

The benefits of using timber crates for shipment

Wooden crates have been used for the packaging and transportation of goods for many years. Their strength and durability make them a reliable option for safeguarding goods during transit, particularly for heavier or fragile items.

Strength and durability

Timber crates provide robust protection for goods during transit. Their sturdy construction withstands handling, stacking, and transportation, reducing the risk of damage to fragile or valuable items.

Customising timber crates

Timber crates can be tailored to fit the specific dimensions and requirements of the goods being shipped.

As well as being built to accommodate the precise size and shape of the cargo, they can also be fitted with:

• internal padding to protect your product
• timber struts to screw machinery in place
• handling features like bars, handholes or hooks to enable lifting or winching

Sustainable and reusable  

Timber crates come from forests managed responsibly and certified by organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These crates offer a sustainable packaging option. Wood is a renewable resource, and proper forestry practices promote forest conservation and biodiversity.

Wooden crates are reusable and can withstand multiple shipping cycles with minimal wear and tear. Once they are no longer needed, they can be recycled or reused. This helps to reduce waste and lessen the environmental impact. This is in comparison to single-use packaging materials.

The challenges of shipping in timber crates

Whilst timber crates offer many benefits, it’s worth noting that there are drawbacks too:

Labour intensive process

Timber crates can be labour intensive to build, load and close. Typically, a skilled operator with tools and hand protection is required to hammer in nails to assemble the crate. Packing takes up valuable time. It can also pose health and safety risks. These risks include manual handling and the risk of injury from wood splinters and sharp nails.

When the goods are delivered to their destination and the crate requires unpacking, they have the same impact.

Regulatory compliance for exporting goods

When exporting timber crates outside of the UK, they need to meet international shipping regulations and ISPM standards. This includes using heat treated wood or fumigated wood that is certified to the receiving country’s requirements.

The IPPC has established a regulation known as ISPM15. This rule mandates that wood used for international shipping must undergo treatment. Specifically, wood with a thickness of 6mm or more must be subjected to heat treatment to guarantee it is devoid of pests.

The impact on shipment weight

Timber crates tend to be heavier and bulkier compared to alternative packaging materials such as cardboard or plastic. This can raise your shipping costs significantly, especially for air freight.

It may also restrict the amount of cargo in one shipment.

Site storage of timber crates

Crates are a great option for heavy or fragile products, but they may not be the most versatile choice.  Storing them on site before shipping can use up a lot of warehouse space. It can also be a problem for customers if they are not part of a closed loop supply chain.

The advantages of replacing timber crates

Lighter materials can match or even surpass the resilience and protection of timber crates.  They can also improve how you store and assemble your pack. You can achieve this while still providing the same level of protection and reduce shipment weight and cost too!

Designers can create alternative packaging materials to withstand the challenges of transportation and provide excellent protection against impacts, moisture, and other potential hazards.

Switching from wood crating to a more user-friendly option can lead to cost savings in labour and shipping.

5 timber crate alternatives

When replacing timber crates, you need to consider a variety of factors. Choosing the right packaging material is crucial for enhancing sustainability and providing the right level of protection.

If you are shipping delicate items, you’ll need to incorporate material that provides excellent cushioning and shock absorption. Conversely, if you’re shipping heavy or bulky goods, you’ll need robust structural support.

Several alternatives to timber crates exist. These include:

Heavy duty corrugated cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is lightweight, inexpensive, and recyclable, making it a popular choice for shipping a wide variety of products. Heavy-duty corrugated material provides excellent protection and can include lockable fittings to secure products in place. These fittings not only make assembly quick and easy but also enhance the unpacking process upon arrival.

Corrugated cardboard provides the option to use recycled materials and is easily recyclable. It can be used as a foam replacement for corner protection and holding products in place too.

For storage, corrugated cardboard has the potential to fold flat, reducing the amount of warehouse space required.

Tri-Mite system

Tri-Mite containers are made with strong triple wall corrugated cardboard. They are built with precise joints for extra strength and easy stacking and make substantial use of recyclable materials. Containing multi-trip locking fasteners, they are suitable for reusable applications.

Tri-Mite cases can be fitted with internal supports and partitions made from corrugated board, foam or rigid plastics. Additional fitments, like handles, can be added to improve manual handling.

Airsac^® lined polyethylene fibre packs

For businesses circulating equipment for temporary loan, a lightweight alternative is a high-density polyethylene pack with removeable Airsac liners.

The packs can be made with castor wheels, pull straps, Velcro and clips for easy closure.  When not in use, the Airsac is removed and the pack can be laid flat in storage.  The pack is highly reusable, lightweight, easy to manoeuvre and significantly reduces manual handling risks.

Plastic crates

Plastic crates are lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture, making them suitable for a wide range of products. Highly reusable, they can are water resistant and washable for reuse.  It’s a great option for closed loop operations.

Metal crates

Metal crates, typically made from aluminium or steel, offer excellent strength and durability. They are resistant to moisture, pests, and damage, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications or transporting delicate goods. However, depending on the metal crates selected, they can be heavier and may require additional surface treatments to prevent corrosion.

How Macfarlane Packaging can help with timber crate replacement

At Macfarlane, we help customers minimise the impact of packaging on their logistics operation with lightweight replacements that offer high levels of protection, reduce weight, labour and storage costs associated with bulky timber crates.

Contact us today to find out more.

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If you’re involved in supply chain management, its likely you’ll have come across a pallet during your career. They may seem like a simple commodity product in the industry, but the right pallet can be an important factor in successful shipping.

In this article, we’ll cover the ultimate guide to pallets and pallet sizes. We’ll explain what a pallet is, the different types of pallets available, various pallet sizes and even how to choose the right pallet!

Understanding pallets and their uses

Pallets are flat platforms, usually made of wood or metal, that are used for supporting goods during storage, shipping and transportation. They are often light, strong and durable.

Traditionally, pallets are made in a double deck configuration – with a top deck of wood or plastic, supported bythree or four stringers. Stringers are supporting structures that help hold the weight of the load and allow a pallet to be picked up by a forklift or trolleys.

Pallets are an integral part of logistics, warehousing and export, allowing easy movement and storage of goods.

Type of pallets

There are lot of different pallets available. Often, pallets are either classified by the material they’re made from or their size. Here are some of the common types of pallets available:

Wooden pallets

Wooden pallets are the most common type of pallet you’ll come across. Classic “stringer” pallets (those manufactured from strips of wood) are usually made from a combination of soft wood like pine and hard woods like oak or from plywood.

Many wooden pallets you come across will be heat treated. Heat treating is when the wood is heated to at least 56°C, removing a significant portion of the moisture inside the wood.

Heat treated pallets minimise the risk of the wood rotting and cut the chance of insect infestations. In addition, they comply with International Phytosanitary Standard for Wood Packaging or IPSM15 requirements. If you’re shipping to countries in the EU, IPSM15 compliant pallets are a must!

Plastic pallets

Plastic pallets are made from moulded plastic.

They’re a reusable and washable alternative to wooden pallets. Plastic pallets can be made as stringer pallets or nestable pallets. Another advantage is that they do not need to comply with IPSM15 regulations.

As they’re washable, they’re popular in clean environments or closed loop systems, like pharmaceutical or medical production sites.

Presswood pallets

Presswood pallets are a type of wooden pallet. Also known as a moulded wood pallet, they are made by moulding wood fibres from wood byproducts at high pressure with resin.

The wood chips used to make presswood pallets are heat treated to high temperatures, so they are often IPSM15 compliant.

The design of presswood pallets also means they can be easily stacked to save space and can hold significant weight relative to how light they are.

Corrugated cardboard pallets

Less common that wooden pallets, are corrugated cardboard pallets.

They are a lightweight alternative to wooden pallets. Switching to a corrugated pallet can take weight out of your shipping process, reducing carbon emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

Corrugated pallets can hold up to 750kg and are exempt from IPSM15 requirements. Plus, they can be recycled, even at kerbside.

Metal pallets

Metal pallets are a heavy-duty alternative to wooden and plastic pallets.

Often manufactured from steel and aluminium, metal pallets are designed to hold the heaviest loads. They’re incredibly long lasting and can be  made in standard and euro pallet sizes.

Standard pallets

When someone refers to a standard pallet, this often refers to the standard size pallet in that country. In our case, this refers to UK standard pallet sizes.

Euro pallets

The term “euro pallet” refers to a pallet that meets European standard as specified by the UIC pallet working group. Pallets that conform to this size are eligible for the European Pallet Pool.

4-way and 2-way entry pallets

Pallets that are called 4-way or 2-way pallets refer to the number of sides of a pallet that a forklift can get under.

On a 2-way pallet, a forklift can get in two sides and on a 4-way pallet a forklift can access all four sides.

Pallet sizes and their importance

The size of a pallet directly impacts their overall capacity and compatibility with different transportation systems.

So, where you’re shipping to and from, as well as the size and weight of the goods can all dictate which pallet size you’ll need. The size and weight of the pallet you choose can also impact your shipping costs! 

Here are some of the most popular pallet sizes:

UK standard size pallets

In the UK, the dimensions of a standard pallet are 1200m x 1000mm. Pallets this size allow them to be used seamlessly with most UK warehouse racking and forklifts, plus they’re well optimised for transport.

UK standard pallet are 20% larger than Euro pallets. This pallet size is also commonly used throughout Asia.

Euro pallet sizes

Typical Euro pallet size dimensions are 1200mm x 800mm. This is the standard pallet size as specified by the European Pallet Association and can be identified by the abbreviation EPAL or EUR on the pallet.

Pallets that meet European pallet size specifications qualify for the aforementioned European Pallet Pool.  

Other pallet sizes

Some other globally recognised pallet sizes include:

• 1219x1016mm – most commonly used in North America
• 1165x1165mm – most commonly used in Australia
• 1067x1067mm – widely used across North America, Asia and Europe
• 1100x1100mm – most commonly used in Asia

Full, half and quarter pallets

The height of a pallet’s load will dictate if it is a full, half or quarter pallet.  A full pallet has a maximum height of 2200mm, a half pallet has a height of 1200mm, and a quarter pallet has a height of 800mm. These heights apply to both Euro and UK pallet sizes.

So, in the UK:

• A full pallet is 1200m x 1000mm x 1200mm high
• A half pallet is 1200m x 1000mm x 1000mm high
• A quarter pallet is 1200m x 1000mm x 800mm high

Maximum load weights for different pallet sizes

The maximum weight a pallet can hold often depends on the material it’s made from, as well as it’s sizes.

UK standard size wooden pallets can accommodate up to 1200kg. Whereas corrugated cardboard pallets will hold lighter loads up to 750kg. Depending on size, plastic pallets can hold up to 1000kg and presswood pallets can hold up to 1250kg. Some metal pallets may be able to hold more than this.

Choosing the right pallet

When choosing a pallet, it’s important to consider the product you’ll be transporting or storing, and the associated requirements in terms of weight, dimensions, and fragility.

You also need to think about the shipping conditions you need to transport your product through, as well as any country or region specific requirements.

Balancing quality and affordability is also crucial. While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest option, investing in durable pallets for sale will pay off in the long run by reducing the chances of damages and replacements.

For example, if you are operating in Europe, opting for heat treated wooden Euro pallets would make sense, as you can take advantage of the European Pallet Pool system, while complying with IPSM15 requirements. Alternatively, if you’re operating in a clean environment where pallets need washing, plastic pallets could be your go to.

Use and maintenance of pallets

Proper handling and maintenance of pallet types are essential for their longevity and the safe transportation of goods. Regular inspection and repair of damaged pallets, along with proper storage conditions, can maximise the lifespan of your pallets too.

When handling pallets, using correct lifting techniques and ensuring an evenly distributed load are paramount. Safety measures such as using protective equipment and providing training for employees on proper pallet handling techniques are also crucial.

Support with pallets and shipping packaging

At Macfarlane Packaging, we can provide an extensive range of pallets and pallet size packaging. This incudes Euro modular boxes and palletised containers to UK and Euro pallet standards. Get in touch today for further advice.

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Custom packing benches are a great solution to optimise your packing process, as they can be tailored exactly to your needs and customised according to specific requirements.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can maximise productivity by introducing custom pack benches to your operation. We will look at some of the main benefits of an efficient packing station and how bespoke packing benches can help achieve them.

We will also discuss ways you can customise your pack stations to fit your specific business needs, as well as investigate cost considerations and return on investment. 

The benefits of an efficient packing station

A well-organised packing area is crucial to ensuring your packing operation runs as smoothly as possible. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Increased efficiency and speed of packing

Your packers will be able to pack and dispatch products faster if they have all the necessary packing materials at hand. Disorganised shelves and misplaced items may cause delays and impact the speed of your packing lines. A well-organised packing area will help avoid mistakes and save your team time searching for products and packing materials they need for a fast and efficient product dispatch.

2. Maximised space utilisation

Organising and configuring your packing benches is essential to maximising room in your warehouse. Packaging stations that are tailored to your space will help optimise your warehouse floor.

Making sure your warehouse is laid out as efficiently as possible will not only help you better utilise space but also ensure your packers don’t need to walk long distances to pick up necessary items. This, in turn, will help enhance efficiency and avoid unnecessary downtime.

3. Enhanced packer comfort and safety

Ensure your team is comfortable and happy with their work area. It will be hard for them to pack efficiently if they are tired or need to twist a lot to pick up packing materials.

A well-organised pack bench with packing items organised between hip and shoulder height will help prevent fatigue and increase productivity.

Customisation to meet specific business needs

Custom pack benches can be tailored to your specific requirements, allowing you to simplify your packing processes, boost efficiency and make the most of your space.

There are many features to choose from and you may also want to consider adding some of the tools that can help you pack faster and more efficiently. Options include:

• Organisational tools, such as trays and dividers to keep packing materials in order and make them easy to find

• Efficiency tools, like dispensers, roll holders and cutters to maximise productivity
• Ergonomic tools, including adjustable monitor arms and keyboard droppers that reduce strain
• Mobility and stability tools, such as braked castors and levelling feet, ensuring benches can be moved if needed

Cost consideration and return on investment

Flexibility in the design of custom pack benches allows you to select solutions that meet not only your packing needs but also your budget. The benefits of custom packing benches will also help you save money in the long term, and this should be considered when calculating ROI.

With well-structured packing benches in place, your products can be shipped quickly, meeting deadlines, and satisfying your customers. A more efficient packing area will result in enhanced productivity, happier staff, and quicker product dispatch.

Custom packing benches available from Macfarlane

Our new range of custom pack benches have been designed to take up less space and increase efficiency in your packing processes.

To make things simple, you can choose from 4 main pack bench designs and add 20 additional part options for greater flexibility with your design.

Customisable pack benches are made from high-quality, heavy-duty steel to withstand even the toughest warehouse conditions. They are assembled to order in the UK, ensuring quality craftmanship, and delivered ready-to-use for ease and convenience.

Contact us today to find out more about our custom pack benches and the options available.

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With this in mind, our latest article considers the role of packaging, and packing processes, in workplace health and safety. With hundreds of thousands of people working in warehouses, many in packing roles, it’s an important topic!

In this blog, you’ll find out about health and safety in packaging industries and four packaging tips to improve health and safety in the workplace.

What is health and safety at work?

In essence, for businesses the term “health and safety” refers the prevention of accidents and ill health to employees and those who may be affected by their work.

In the UK, workers have a basic right to health and safety at work. This is set out in the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. Businesses must provide:

• Adequate training of staff to ensure health and safety procedures are understood and adhered to
• Adequate welfare provisions for staff at work
• A safe working environment that is properly maintained and where operations within it are conducted safely
• Suitable provision of relevant information, instruction and supervision

In addition to this, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to provide a workplace that is not only safe but also suitable for the duties that are being carried out within it.

The role of packaging in health and safety

So, what is packaging’s role in all this? Well, if you’re a business shipping products, you’re probably using packaging.  

The packaging materials, equipment and processes you use can influence your workers’ health and safety at work.

For example, if a box is the wrong size and needs cutting down, there is a risk of injury if a safety knife isn’t used and packing gloves aren’t being worn. The solution? Optimising your packaging so it’s an appropriate fit, alongside the correct safety equipment.

Another common area where packing processes can impact health and safety is repetitive movement and bending and stretching. These can influence your workers’ health in the long term, but there is packaging equipment and packing best practices that can help mitigate this!

The benefits of safe packaging practices

Safe packaging practices can benefit your business in lots of ways, including:

• Enhancing colleague welfare – when your packing staff clearly understand best practices and know the safest way to do their jobs, you can be confident that you’re safeguarding their welfare.
• Reducing accident incidents – logically, if your packing processes and materials are safe, you can reduce accidents associated to them.
• Improving productivity – making sure your team are comfortable, safe and have the right packaging to do their job can help make them more productive. Reduced downtime can ensure you’re getting more products out the door as efficiently as possible.
• Improving packing quality control – packaging best practices that will improve health and safety can also enhance your packing quality control. Doing things the right way can help minimise excess material waste and allow you to more effectively protect your products.
• Lowering costs – investing in safe packaging practices can help lower your costs in the long run. If you provide a safe environment, that is more productive, you can minimise staff turnover and effectively control associated costs. Plus, by reducing the risk of accidents, you can also mitigate the potential cost of workplace accidents.  

Four packaging tips to improve health and safety

Now you understand packaging’s role in health and safety, and the benefits safe packaging practices offer, what should you consider? Here are four actionable packaging tips to improve health and safety:

1. Implement right-size packaging to avoid manual adjustments – when packaging materials are too big or small, it can be tempting for packers to adjust them. Cutting down boxes or bags can be a common occurrence in warehouses. The ideal solution is providing a range of right-size packaging, which does not need to be adjusted, removing any risk associated with manual adjustments. Alternatively, you should provide specialist safety cutting knives and gloves, as well as other protective equipment.
2. Store packaging materials in the “power zone” on pack benches – a great way to minmise repetitive strains and movements is making use of the “power zone” space on your packing benches. This is the space above hip height and no higher than shoulder height. Storing your packaging materials in this “power zone” means there’s less risk of your team bending or overextending, which could result in injury. Keeping packing materials in this area can also boost productivity, as it’s within easy reach.
3. Make sure to provide packing equipment that minimises risks – kitting out your packing area with appropriate equipment is another way to reduce health and safety risks. For example, using anti-fatigue mats on hard warehouse floors lessens strain on your staff’s legs. The abovementioned safety knives and gloves minimise the risk of cuts too. Providing trolleys or conveyors to carry heavier packaging materials or finished packs can also reduce strain.
4. Consider introducing packaging automation – automating some or all your packing processes can reduce health and safety risks too. Packaging machinery like case erectors, case sealers, pallet wrappers and right-size cartoning systems can reduce strains on workers usually associated with manual processes. Many systems often come with inbuilt safety features too!  

Support with best practice packaging materials, equipment and processes

If you’re looking for support with the right packaging materials for your products or for equipment recommendations, our experts are here to help you.

We can provide advice about packaging best practices, materials and equipment that can not only improve your health and safety at work but also lower your costs and reduce your environmental impact.

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However, although many will likely have seen it used for estate agent signs, you may not have considered how you can use Correx® for packaging.

This article provides an explanation of what Correx® packaging is, its typical applications, and the range of benefits it can provide for your business.

Correx® packaging

So, what is Correx® packaging?

Correx® is a corrugated plastic (polypropylene) material. Manufactured by Corplex, it is available in various thicknesses and strengths, plus a wide range of different colours.

Specialist packaging companies can convert the material similarly to corrugated cardboard, including die-cutting. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as plastic cardboard. As a result, many of the packaging products produced using cardboard can be manufactured using Correx® instead.

However, its properties mean that Correx® packaging can also be used in various industries and applications where cardboard is unsuitable.

Advantages of Correx® packaging

So, what are the advantages of using Correx® packaging? Well, there are many unique benefits that the material and packaging produced using it possess.

Durability and strength

Firstly, Correx® packaging provides a considerably higher degree of strength and durability than cardboard.

This means that Correx® boxes and other products have a longer lifespan than cardboard equivalents, which are typically only used for single-trip applications. Therefore, Correx® packing is suitable for returnable packaging applications in industrial supply chains, where tote boxes and containers are used across 100s of trips.

This reusability also means that Correx® packaging typically has a lower lifetime cost per trip than cardboard.

The other significant benefit of the material is that it is stronger, can carry greater weight, and provides improved protection for contents.

Water-resistant

Besides increased protection from mishandling and impact, Correx® packaging is also water resistant.

Besides helping to protect contents by keeping them dry, it also means that Correx® is suited to conditions that may be damp or be exposed to inclement weather.

Similarly, Correx® is also resistant to most chemicals, which are generally inert and unreactive.

Easy to clean

Being resistant to both water and chemicals, and coupled with the smooth surfaces, means that Correx® packaging is easy to clean. This benefit can help extend the life of any returnable packaging you use.

This also means that Correx® packaging can be suitable for clean room use. In fact, several additional benefits lend the material to this type of application. Correx® is suitable for sterilisation (including EtO, gamma, and autoclave methods) and does not shed fibres that could potentially contaminate samples.

Size flexibility

Whilst Correx® boxes can offer excellent strength and performance, moulded plastic options such as euro containers are typically more robust and competitively priced.

However, Correx® packaging has one key advantage over moulded plastic options: the size flexibility it offers.

As with corrugated cardboard boxes, Correx® packs can be designed and manufactured in almost any size and shape. This has numerous benefits.

Firstly, tailoring the size to your specific products can help increase protection. Secondly, it ensures your handling containers are more space efficient – you are not paying to store, ship or handle empty space within the box. Thirdly, this space efficiency can significantly reduce your transportation costs. And finally, it can help reduce your carbon emissions (due to shipping more products per load).

Bright colours and print

Correx® is available in a range of bold colours, including blue, red, green, yellow, white, silver and black. You can also specify bespoke hues, subject to minimum order quantities.

However, even if you are using a standard colour, Correx® packaging provides a bold, vibrant appearance that can attract attention from potential customers.

Correx® can also be easily printed using screen or digital print methods. This allows you to add your company branding, handling instructions, safety symbols, and other important or useful information.

What applications are there for Correx®?

So, considering these benefits, what applications is Correx® packaging suited to?

Returnable packaging

Perhaps the most obvious and common application for Correx® packaging is in returnable supply chains. Particularly popular in automotive and aerospace, Correx® tote boxes, containers, and dividers are widely used to transport parts, assemblies, components and finished products between manufacturing sites.

The size flexibility, ease of handling and longevity make them perfect for this application.

Handling

Similarly to supply chain packaging, Correx® is an excellent choice for in plant handling and lineside storage of parts and components.

Parts can be easily brought to staff working on production lines, with dividers allowing for easy unpacking and quick visual stock checks.

Picking bins

A different yet equally popular application for Correx® is for manufacturing picking bins.

Picking bins are effectively open-front boxes, often stackable, that are placed into warehouse racking to organise product inventory. They allow order pickers and fulfilment teams to quickly locate and “pick” items to fulfil orders. As such, their popularity amongst eCommerce businesses and third-party logistic companies has grown rapidly over the past ten years.

Medical and pharmaceutical

As mentioned previously, Correx® is a strong option for medical, clean room and pharmaceutical applications.

Benefits include no shedding of fibres, ease of sterilisation, ability to be cleaned and reused, plus the broad range of designs and custom sizes.

Consumer packaging

Finally, due to its bold colours and suitable printing surfaces, Correx® can be used for retail and consumer applications.

However, due to the additional cost compared with corrugated and the increased difficulty for end users to recycle, it is best suited to added-value packaging applications (i.e., where the consumer retains the pack for ongoing storage and organisation of the purchased products).

Correx® has even been successfully used for long-term in-store FSDUs (free-standing display units) and point of sale.

Summary

Correx® packaging can be a great option for many businesses and applications, potentially reducing long-term costs, lessening environmental impact, and providing improved usability and presentation.

GWP Correx®, part of Macfarlane Packaging since 2021, are one of the UK’s largest converters of Correx® material. With experienced designers, extensive customer support and a team of material and product experts, you can not only source the widest range of Correx® packaging but also request advice on the optimum solution for your specific application.

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