Logistics & Warehousing Firm

Aiming to find the optimal stretch film to use with existing machinery, Manupackaging UK demonstrated this logistics & warehousing firm could reduce their plastic consumption and spend without compromising performance.

In this STATS audit, the client’s goal was to identify the optimal thickness of film in terms of sustainability and performance that could be used with their existing machinery.

The client was already using a 15mu stretch film, which equated to an annual plastic consumption volume of 4 tonnes and a use of 154 grams of film per pallet. For a full and thorough comparison, we tested and analysed their film against our 15mu ATX+ and 12mu ATX stretch films.

While it could be initially perceived that only one of the options trialled offers the opportunity of reducing the client’s plastic consumption, our auditor successfully demonstrated that by using 12mu ATX the client could reduce their annual plastic consumption by nearly 30%, with a per-pallet material film use of 108 grams; however by using ATX+ they could still see a annual reduction in plastic volume of 17.5%. Despite being the same thickness as the client’s existing film, the refined and higher-performing blend of ATX+ means that it can be pre-stretched to a greater extent, still reducing plastic consumption per pallet to 127 grams while maintaining essential holding forces to keep palletised goods stable.

Manupackaging UK were also able to demonstrate that the client was spending about £0.35 per pallet with their existng 15mu film, but with either 15mu ATX+ of 12mu ATX options, this could be reduced to £0.21 – a total cost saving of around 40%. On the client’s’ enviromental footprint aspect, switching to either film trialled makes for an achievable average annual CO₂ reduction of 3.5 – 6 tonnes, and annual cardboard core waste volume reduction of up to 30%.

Based on the information that we were able to provide, the customer opted to switch from their existing 15mu film, to our 12mu ATX for maximum cost saving and environmental benefit, which we have helped implement and continue to work with the customer to ensure these are continually achieved.

(All data and figures correct at the time of auditing, and may not reflect current rates)