FPE: Flexibles cut packaging transport impact

- Reduced transport costs due to optimized use of materials

 

- Knock-on effects on roads and drivers from fewer truck journeys

 

Flexible packaging can help optimization the transportation of packaging between the converter, packaging facility and end user, helping reduce energy use in the final stages of the supply chain according to Flexible Packaging Europe.

 

Making the announcement to coincide with the European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2012, taking place June 18-22, industry forum Flexible Packaging Europe said flexible packaging can be assembled at the filling plant from rolls of material, removing the need to transport pre-formed, but empty, packaging.

 

Flexible Packaging Europe said this can save up to 25 truck journeys, as around 26 trucks are needed to transport the equivalent quantity of pre-formed packaging as can be carried in one truck loaded with rolled flexible pouch material.

 

In addition, optimized transportation of filled packs made from lighter and thinner materials means more products per truck load, resulting in less energy consumption.

 

Comparing the difference between transporting a beverage packed in a 0.2l flexible stand-up pouch with a 0.2l glass bottle, Flexible Packaging Europe said that a product packed in foil-laminated pouches requires half the number of standard truck loads due to the lower weight and reduced space between the products.

 

Energy savings translate directly to a reduced overall environmental impact.

 

The EU Sustainable Energy Week is the key annual event of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign, which contributes to achieving the EU 2020 climate and energy targets with regard to greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

 

Now in its seventh edition, the week provides a platform for a series of events and initiatives highlighting renewable energy and energy efficiency, including: a high-level policy conference in Brussels with 4 000 participants from more than 50 countries; a wide range of pan-EU events called Energy Days targeting stakeholders and/or the general public; and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding projects in Europe with high impact and replication potential in the area of energy efficiency and RE sources.

 

2012 will include more than 900 sustainable energy events in 52 countries, with almost 150 in Brussels, attracting thousands of participants. Known as Energy Days, these events will take place in all 27 EU countries plus a further 21 European countries and beyond, as far as Australia, El Salvador, Kosovo, Mexico and Sri Lanka.

 

Reduced truck loads along the supply chain also help reduce traffic congestion in cities and on highways, said Flexible Packaging Europe, with the knock-on effect of more fluid traffic flow and less frustration for drivers.

 

Flexible Packaging Europe said these benefits are achieved by optimizing the combination of different materials to maximize the practical functionality of packaging and optimize the cost whilst reducing the environmental impacts throughout the product’s lifecycle.

 

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