DS Smith Tecnicarton has revealed a fibre-based automotive chassis packaging solution for the automotive suppliers’ sector in Iberia, intended as a protective mono-material alternative to traditional metallic reusable solutions.
In contrast to the metallic packaging utilized by manufacturers to protect automotive chassis during the production, assembly, and transportation processes of an existing supply chain, DS Smith says the new solution is made from 100% corrugated cardboard materials and the structure comprises a recyclable box pallet folding system, a body, supporting base, and cover.
It states that supply chain disruptions including component shortages, production interruptions, transport delays, or sudden changes in supply flows can temporarily disrupt existing cycles and prevent the metal containers from being returned to the supplier in time. Tecnicarton’s solution aims to provide a ‘robust and quickly deployable’ alternative that enables suppliers to maintain operational continuity until their returnable packaging flows are restored.
The company adds that corrugated cardboard positioners are included at the base of the container and on the upper sides of the packaging structure to ensure that heavy-duty parts remain fixed and secure. The positioners are easy to replace when required and the structure also incorporates custom inserts and dividers to optimize space.
The design is said to be flexible and adaptable with benefits for transporting chassis parts as road or sea freight, retaining the same technical specifications and standards of performance as non-fibre packaging solutions for the same parts. The new solution is also ‘significantly lightweight’ with benefits for both handling and storage.
According to DS Smith, the packaging is easy to recycle due to being a mono-material solution, and its components do not require separation for different waste streams. It is also designed for the facilitation of direct-to-line delivery, and can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing and assembly processes, without repacking or intermediate handling.
DS Smith recently partnered with Elvial to introduce its fibre-based Fanfold packaging to customers across Greece’s industrial sector, designed to protect heavy aluminium products during transport. The solution is designed in an accordion-style structure to allow for the folding and adjustment of sizes and aims to provide robust and versatile protection for international freight.
Last month Emballageteknik collaborated with Stora Enso to adapt its wood-based Papira foam for transporting Thorlabs Sweden’s sensitive optical and electronic equipment, combining renewable design with shock protection. The Papira foam is designed to be a recyclable and biodegradable alternative to fossil-based foam, and was previously nominated for a Sustainability Award.
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