As our customers engage in their own sustainability programs and make changes to reduce primary and secondary packaging, we are actively working with them to ensure that their efforts are successful all the way through the supply chain.

At the Packaging Solution Center in Charlotte, our Atlantic team of engineers audit, test, optimize, and monitor customers’ end-of-line packaging, particularly their stretch wrapping operations. We use our Stretch Management System to verify that their products are effectively protected during transit, even with the changes and reductions they’ve made.

A recent GMA/FMI study tells us that damaged product from load failure costs $7.2 billion annually in the food & beverage and health & beauty industries alone. The cost to the environment is just as significant. Load failure causes excess waste in landfills and excess greenhouse gas emissions from loads being returned to the manufacturer due to damage. These environmental costs can be severely mitigated by eliminating load damage and failure.

CURRENT STATUS:

We use a four-step approach to stretch wrapping and end-of-line packaging. Our goals are to formulate a proven standard for optimal, minimal, successful packaging and then maintain that standard over the long term. We also offer training to educate our customers on the science of stretch wrapping.

Audit – We audit our customers’ stretch wrapping operations to get a baseline on film use, machine settings, and process efficiencies. We talk with operators and plant personnel to gather information and understand any chronic problems or tendencies specific to each wrapper.

Test – We use the TruMotion testing equipment and the Film Lab at the Packaging Solution Center to eliminate all unnecessary packaging and establish a proven standard for load containment.

Optimize – With the results from the audit and testing process, we replicate the proven standards inside the customers’ facilities. This involves adjustments to film and equipment as well as process improvements.

Monitor – MUST Monitoring is Atlantic’s patented hardware and software data recording system that monitors every load wrapped, records the amount of film that’s applied, and graphs this data in real time. This gives our experts the tools to communicate with customers and ensure that no load ever leaves their facility with improper stretch film application.

GOALS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

We advocate for high performance stretch film so our customers can use less material and still maintain successful load containment. We’re currently in the process of creating unique stretch film formulations based on our own Film Lab data and experience to bring what we consider to be the highest level of optimal film to the marketplace.

Our goal is to deliver high performance stretch film optimized with data-driven standards to ensure the least amount of material is needed for product protection.

As a supplier, we’re in a position to source more sustainable packaging materials for our customers’ applications. In addition to sourcing recyclable or sustainable materials whenever possible, we also promote the use of high-performance materials that require less applied material to provide the best possible protection. This lessens the impact on the environment and promotes healthier sustainability.

CURRENT STATUS:

Our approach to packaging is to promote high-performance materials that require less material to provide the best product protection. Our consulting and technical services optimize our customers’ equipment, application, and process to best utilize these high performance materials.

While the per unit cost for our customers is higher than that of commodity materials, we have shown a return on investment that ultimately reduces costs due to less material needed, optimized application, and successful unit load delivery.

In additon to promoting high performance materials, we also source sustainable materials, such as our Curbside Recyclable Mailers and LayerShield Sheets.

As we’ve expanded our footprint nationally, we’ve developed a full-service, in-house distribution network using our own trucks and drivers. This allows us to control and optimize economic and environmental logistics.

GOALS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

Packaging materials have a significant environmental impact and, as a supplier, we are in a position of influence to help our customers source more sustainable materials. With the right packaging materials and the right product protection, we have the ability to eliminate excess waste and damage.

While we have a strong start in this area, we have room for improvement in expanding our sources and in advocating for more recyclable, re-used, or reduced materials.