Orbis Europe, an international manufacturer of innovative and sustainable plastic transport packaging, launched its reusable PlastiCorr boxes at Sustainability in Packaging Europe, last month in Barcelona.

It is the first direct replacement for single use corrugated packaging on the market requiring no changes to pack out quantity or logistics processes. PlastiCorr is ideal for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) applications with closed supply chain loops including inbound receiving and finished goods to co-pack. By switching from corrugated to plastic, users benefit from long-term cost savings, a significant overall reduction in the environmental impact and improved efficiency and cleanliness on site.

“With this reusable and recyclable solution, Orbis makes a huge step towards a coherent circular economy in FMCG supply chains,” said Jürgen Krahé, Senior Commercial Director EMEA at Orbis. “Our sustainability journey continues. PlastiCorr caters to companies’ sustainability targets while helping to save costs,” he added.

The plastic boxes are reusable up to 70 cycles through the supply chain for a significant ROI of 30 per cent or more.

Juergen Krahé, Senior Commercial Director

Less water usage

More than 65 per cent of all transport packaging in Germany is made from corrugated board. Thus, paper and cardboard account for the majority of packaging waste in the EU. But fibre corrugated recycling uses huge amounts of water every year. Krahé said: “With our new product, water consumption decreases by around 90 per cent. At the same time, we offer a more sustainable alternative in times of shortages in paper supply.”

Less downtimes

PlastiCorr is designed to perform identically as a single-use fibre corrugated box – with superior performance qualities. The all-plastic design eliminates dust and moisture issues common with corrugate for enhanced box durability and merchandise protection. All edges are sealed to reduce the potential harbour area for contaminants and improve safety and ergonomics. PlastiCorr works with most non-glue automated packaging lines and is compatible with existing box sealing methods (no residue tape, bands). The patented design offers repeatable, reliable performance: The Enfold technology allows box flaps to return to the straight position after each use, so the boxes stay within spec after multiple uses to reduce line downtime.

Sustainable

Orbis offers a sustainable way of handling of empty boxes during return shipment and storage: Custom sleeve packs are used to consolidate, orient and protect the reusable PlastiCorr boxes. Truck and warehouse utilisation can be optimised by double and triple stacking. At the end of the service life, PlastiCorr is 100 per cent recyclable. Orbis offers to buy back the plastic materials and uses them for new packaging production.

Orbis Europe engineers and manufactures durable and sustainable transport packaging solutions. The foldable large containers (FLCs), pallets and small load carriers are produced from recyclable and (partly) recycled plastics. Customised and standard solutions help streamline product flow along the entire supply chain. Therefore, companies from different industries, like industrial, automotive and FMCG, profit from long-term cost savings and CO2 reduction.

Orbis Corporation, headquartered in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (US), is part of Menasha Corporation in Neenah, Wisconsin (US). Menasha is one of the oldest family-owned manufacturers in the US (since 1849) and employs more than 6,000 employees at locations throughout Europe, the US, Mexico and Canada. Since 2016, Orbis represents its parent company in the EMEA region. In Germany, the Orbis GmbH is located in Hürth, near Cologne.