Extruded Beverage Handles and Carriers Improve Sustainability Scores
November 12, 2009
Roberts PolyPro products are lighter, more compact, and ship more units per pallet
Charlotte, NC - Roberts PolyPro, a division of Pro Mach, detailed today how its lightweight, compact handles and multipack beverage carriers support the sustainability efforts of its customers by reducing material consumption and improving cube utilization.
Roberts PolyPro extruded handles and multipack carriers consume on average 5 to 35 percent less resin compared to injection molded products. Material reduction is an important contributor to improving a package's sustainability. These Roberts PolyPro products are made from extruded HDPE resin and when used with either PET or HDPE bottles make the entire package - bottles and handle - 100 percent recyclable.
Roberts PolyPro orients multipack handles before shipment and in the case of single bottle handles uses a patented process of welding the handles together prior to shipment. This process results in 40 percent more handles on average per pallet than loose handles shipped in bulk. More units per pallet significantly decrease shipping costs, improve cube utilization, reduce the amount of corrugated board required, and lower over-the-road fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. There is also less damage to handles during shipment.
The following table is a comparative analysis between an extruded Roberts PolyPro two-pack carrier and an injection molded carrier. The carriers were used with 32 ounce juice containers.
Comparative analysis
| Comparison | Roberts PolyPro extruded two-pack carrier | Injection molded two-pack carrier | Difference between extruded and injection molded carrier |
| Part Weight | 5.40 grams | 9.23 grams | 41.5% less plastic |
| Pallet Count | 144,000 pieces | 47,520 pieces | 67% more handles per pallet |
| Pallets per shipment | 4 pallets (576,000 pieces) |
12 pallets (570,240 pieces) |
7 fewer pallets |
| Load weight | 5,600 lbs. | 12,084 lbs. | 6,484 lbs. less weight |
"To achieve the highest sustainability evaluation from retailers, it is essential to optimize all the upstream and downstream inputs and outputs to a package," said Chris Turner, Director of Sales, Plastics Division, Roberts PolyPro. "We evaluated the impact our handles and carriers have on bottles, jugs, and multipacks and developed products that are lighter, thinner, recyclable, and more efficient to transport. This is how we are supporting our customers' sustainability efforts."
For an individualized comparative analysis of material reduction and improved cube utilization between Roberts PolyPro extruded HDPE handles and other handles, contact Chris Turner at 980-297-3140 and visit Roberts PolyPro at www.robertspolypro.com.
About Roberts PolyPro
Roberts PolyPro provides innovative product packaging solutions for the food and beverage, paperboard packaging and textile markets. They manufacture innovative plastic solutions including bottle carriers, box handles, pour spouts, j-hooks and more to enhance the function of consumer packaging, as well as a complete line of standard and custom packaging machinery to both apply their plastic solutions and to help paperboard manufacturers increase efficiency, eliminate labor, reduce repetitive motion injuries, boost productivity and save money. The company is based in Charlotte, NC, and has helped many Fortune 500 companies launch successful new products. Roberts PolyPro is a division of Pro Mach, a Cincinnati, Ohio based provider of integrated packaging products and solutions for food, beverage, household goods, pharmaceutical, and other diverse consumer and industrial companies. Through three business units and related divisions, Pro Mach provides equipment, training, installation, and parts in primary packaging, end-of-line packaging, and identification and tracking.
For more information about Pro Mach visit our website at www.ProMachInc.com.
Media Contact:
Jack Aguero
513-831-8778, ext 423
jaguero@ProMachInc.com
