As manufacturers look for ways to cut their eco-footprint, Ranpak has introduced a recyclable paper pallet wrap to secure shipments while serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional single-use plastic stretch wrap.
The company, known for its sustainable packaging automation technology, debuted PaperWrap to the North American market at ProMat in Chicago.
Ranpak said the announcement comes because of a collaboration with PaperWrap – green by orange (GmbH), an Austrian company that created the product and several machines to work with it.
“It’s a partnership between Ranpak and PaperWrap, a European-based company who’s been selling this solution across Europe for the last two years,” said David Fitzmaurice, Ranpak’s business development leader, during an interview with Packaging OEM. “This solution is positioned to replace single-use plastic stretch wrap, with a tremendous sustainability story.”
PaperWrap advantages and recycling
To stretch and resist punctures during transit, PaperWrap uses Ad/Vantage StretchWrap from Mondi Group to stabilize pallet loads.
“The material is manufactured by Mondi, so it’s a third part of our partnership,” said Fitzmaurice. “It’s a proprietary high-strength material.”
According to Mondi, its Ad/Vantage Stretch Wrap offers 62% lower greenhouse gas emissions when compared to plastic film made with 50% recycled content.
“The physical properties of paper are a little bit different,” said Fitzmaurice. “It’s the rigidity of this material that locks your loads and gives it strength during the shipping cycle.”
Once used, the product can easily be recycled. “You cut it and introduce it into the recycling stream,” said Fitzmaurice.
Machinery for sustainable end-of-line packaging
PaperWrap has designed three different models to fit customer needs. These include automatic wrapping and the following features:
· Semi-automatic stand-alone units: Offers manual feeding with a minimal space requirement and can wrap up to 25 pallets per hour.
· Fully automatic stand-alone machines: Provides automatic in and out feeding and can handle up to 40 pallets per hour.
· Fully automatic line integration systems: Features automatic pallet transport along with automated options for end-of-line packaging. Has the ability to handle up to 70 pallets per hour.
“PaperWrap has built and designed this system from the bottom up with some patented functionality to run this system specific for paper stretch wrap material,” said Fitzmaurice.
With three different options, manufacturers do not need to retrofit existing machinery to keep up with the eco-friendly material.
Eco-conscious packaging materials
With consumer calls for more sustainable packaging, manufacturers are taking notice. Ranpak’s introduction of PaperWrap for the North American market joins other sustainable innovations that are revolutionizing the industry while keeping emissions low.
Smurfit Westrock’s paper pallet wrap features Nertop stretch kraft paper to stabilize pallet loads during transit.
Also, at ProMat, ExpandOS displayed its biodegradable, on-demand packaging filler machine and paper pyramids for cushioning during delivery.
Retail giant Amazon made the switch last year to remove single-use plastic air pillows in favor of sustainable paper filler.
Learn more
Ranpak’s PaperWrap offers businesses a future-ready solution by pairing its wrapping machinery with high-strength kraft paper. Companies can eliminate plastic while reducing damage during the delivery process. To learn more about PaperWrap, click here.
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