Corrugated of Course

Many elements help ensure that fresh produce is protected while it moves along the supply chain. Packaging must be efficient during transport and warehousing. In the picture the height of the corrugated tray in which the peppers are packed minimises movement and maximises protection to ensure that they arrive in perfect condition.

11 to 14 year old pupils studying Design and Technology in the UK have been invited to enter a school competition to design original corrugated board packaging. The competition is one of the modules on PaperWorks, the award winning multimedia schools resource developed by the Confederation of Paper Industries.

A new economic case study demonstrates a 25% annual cost savings from shipping tomatoes in corrugated versus shipping the same volume of tomatoes in reusable plastic containers (RPCs).

The study assesses total annual costs for using corrugated containers vs. RPCs to ship 144 million pounds of Roma tomatoes from Mexico to Houston, TX. Results of the detailed, activity-based accounting comparison show that corrugated saves $6.8 million annually.

During transport food products require protection from shock, vibration, temperature, etc. Some packaging materials are particularly designed to help protect and hence extend the life of food products such as fruit and vegetable. Corrugated packaging protects 75% of products transported in Europe. The reason is that it ensures that products do not suffer damage while keeping food clean, fresh, and safe, thereby avoiding waste.

The results of a recent UN study suggested that one-third of food production for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to about 1.3 billion tons per year. Mainly in emerging countries, much of the food is wasted even before it reaches the consumer, while in industrialised nations losses occur mainly at consumer level.

The European Commission has just launched a consultation entitled "What future for our food system?". Based on the observation that in Europe we waste about 89 million tons of food every year, the European Commission is asking for opinions on how to prevent and reduce food waste and use resources more efficiently.

At the ECR Conference in May we spoke to Jan Somers—CEO, GS1 Belgilux—and Steffie Defreyne—Junior Data Manager, GS1—about how digital technologies (like trustbox which GS1 has developed) are helping retailers and producers interact with the consumer. We captured their views on video.

We reported earlier on an ice pack for beer. Well here is another version: Miller Brands UK has developed a corrugated beer case for Miller Genuine Draft that expands when opened and holds ice to chill bottles before drinking.

Packaging delicate objects for transport, such as glass bottles, used to be time consuming. Two or more packaging layers were needed to keep the item safe and secure, and this increased handling time.

To address this issue, one of our members devised a bottle packaging solution – aptly called Care bottle packaging ­­– that halves handling time. Thanks to its one-piece delivery, it also reduces packaging materials by 20% and provides 5% savings in logistics. 

Summer still seems far away, but we’ll soon be enjoying those warm, light evenings again. There’s nothing like a refreshing ice-cold beer to drench your thirst as you sit outside.