Collaboration between packaging companies drives progress in pallet wrap
A close working relationship between Mondi, Silbo and EW Technology has helped a switch from plastic film to paper.
Mondi collaborated with Silbo to upgrade its pallet wrapping from plastic stretch film to Mondi’s kraft paper Advantage StretchWrap.
Silbo installed the first EW Technology PaperWrap machine at its plant in Żory, Poland and provides more sustainable flexible packaging for its broad range of customers, including those supplying fruits and vegetables.
Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap is made with responsibly sourced fibres and does not contain plastic or coating. Made from wood as a renewable resource, it is fully recyclable in existing paper waste streams.
Mondi commissioned an independent life cycle assessment (LCA) which showed that Advantage StretchWrap performs better than standard plastic stretch film in several important environmental impact categories. The paper also has exceptional puncture-resistance combined with high stretch properties providing robust protection for a wide range of goods during transportation.
According to Mondi, a complete reel of Advantage StretchWrap can be applied to the fully automated machine without any need to re-wind. The larger dimensions of the Advantage StretchWrap reel mean that a replacement is only needed every 400-600 pallets compared to every 40-80 pallets for plastic wrapping saving time and money.
Marcin Śpiewok, CEO at Silbo, said the development not only supports its reputation for sustainability but will also benefit all of its customers and end-users.
“We are truly excited to be one of the first companies to introduce Advantage StretchWrap into our supply chain and have thoroughly enjoyed the whole process with Mondi and EW Technology,” added Spiewok.
Bartosz Babicz, product manager for Advantage StretchWrap at Mondi added that the “huge move for the whole packaging industry” and illustrates Mondi’s MAP2030 commitments – using paper as a renewable and recyclable material to keep materials in circulation and reduce waste.
“We have worked as a team to empower Silbo in its own goals to be more sustainable,” Babicz said. “Advantage StretchWrap offers an efficient alternative to plastic film and the products still get the same protection, with a very important benefit: the installation offers a sustainable solution for all of Silbo’s customers, improving the sustainability journey of all their pallets on a global scale.”
The assessment is based on an ISO 14044-compliant independent life cycle assessment study commissioned by Mondi comparing its Advantage StretchWrap paper to conventional plastic stretch film.
