Sustainability Goals: Why We Are Moving To Plastic Pallets

The benefits of the use of plastic pallets

Have you ever heard of the use of plastic pallets?

That’s right. 

You can now replace the typical wooden pallets in almost all light to heavy industrial use with plastic ones.

There are ample benefits not just for your sustainability goals but the total cost in the long run as well.

If you are still unsure or have not heard about plastics pallets and the benefits you could reap from using plastic pallets, then this article is for you.

How and Why the Use of Plastic Pallets? 

You can ship any products like wooden pallets can with plastic pallets—transportation, packaging, storage, and even to support displays in stores. 

No doubt, wood pallets are still in demand for it’s conventional and proven means to get the job done. 

However, demands for plastic pallets are also on the rise, for good reasons. 

Ironically, it’s not about using fewer plastics, but more about the benefits it offers. 

Usually, wood pallets are disposed of in a landfill at the end of their useful lives. Plastic pallets, on the other hand, last longer and are more durable. Plastic waste can produce new pallets that can be reused repeatedly, contributing to a closed-loop supply chain system. 

Plastic pallets support the circular business model because it keeps plastics back inside the supply chain.

What are some of the common disadvantages of wooden pallets compared to the use of plastic pallets?

  • Not durable – Pallets cannot be reused again and again. Being organic, the lifetime of wood pallet is short, and it will eventually rot (not built to last)
  • Damages and repairs – Once a wooden pallet is damaged, it is hard to salvage
  • Wooden pallets come from trees– the fewer trees chopped, the better it is for nature  
  • Protection of contamination– There is also contamination and infestation of insects and termites for the food and medical industry. Imagine wooden pallets in a damp and sugary condition at an ice cream factory. That does not sound very hygienic, right? 

 

What Are the Benefits of the Use of Plastic Pallets? 

Plastic pallets can be made from 100% recycled plastic and do what wood pallet does. 

It is best used to transport medication packages, fresh and frozen foods, and other items that require strict hygienic conditions. Pallets made of plastic do not absorb moisture as wood does. They are easy to wash, disinfect and clean – perfect for those who need sanitary and pristine conditions. 

Pallets made of plastics are eco-friendly since they are durable and have a longer useful life span than wood. Standard wooden pallets last around 3-5 years, while plastic pallets can last up to 10 years (or 250 trips). 

Users appreciate that plastic pallets can be reused many times without breaking, making them ideal for storage and re-use in warehouses. Besides being light, sleek, and splinter-free, they are also easy to handle. Its durability makes it an ideal choice for pallet wrapping machine usage.

TL,DR: Here is a list of benefits to gain by using plastic pallets:

  • Sustainable usage – Plastic pallets can be utilized repeatedly. If it gets dirty, it can easily be washed thoroughly and re-used. You can opt for 100% recycled materials too. 
  • Plastic pallets are easier to transport – Plastic pallets are less likely to become damaged after repeated transportations than wood pallets are. Compared to wooden pallets of the same size and design, plastic pallets weigh about 27% less. The lighter weight also means less shipping fees. 
  • Recyclable and reusable – You can easily recycle plastic pallets once worn out. It can be broken down and reproduced with 100% recycled material.
  • Safer for everyone – Plastic pallets are safer than wood pallets. You do not have to deal with splinters, nails, and broken panels. Your packages will be better protected, and operatives enjoy a safer working environment.
  • Infestation and insects free – There is no need to fumigate wooden pallets. Unlike wood, plastic pallets don’t have insect infestations nor contaminations. 
  • Hygienic and does not decompose – Plastic pallets play a significant role in dust sensitive item industries such as food & medical because they are susceptible to pollutants. Unlike wood, it does not absorb moisture, so there are no more concerns like rot, odour absorption, and fumigation. 

 

Conclusion: Moving Towards A Better Option 

Today, it is clear that plastic pallets have so much more to offer than traditional wood pallets.

With plastic pallets, you can gain more than you think. Over the long run, you save money and show that you care about the environment. 

Now is the right time to become part of the closed-loop supply chain. Together, we can shape the future of global supply chain solutions. 

Contact us at info@thongguan.com and let us show you how.

True Cost Of Film Packaging: It’s Less Than You Think

what is the true cost of film packaging

Do you know the true cost of film packaging for your business?

The question is one that is often asked but often left unanswered. With global e-commerce sales reaching $3.5 trillion in 2019, companies are looking to lower expenditures while taking advantage of this shift in momentum. 

When it comes to cost reduction, businesses will always cut the packaging cost. 

Thus, stretch film prices are often based on price per kilogram. 

The lower, the better. 

This seems sensible. 

After all, the function of films seems similar enough, so “cheaper” helps lower costs and does the job just as well, right? 

Wrong. And here’s why. In this article, we look at your costs holistically, starting from the true cost of your packaging.

Understanding the true cost of film packaging means knowing the actual price of wrapping each pallet. 

Otherwise, you will most likely be spending more than you should. 

It matters not what you pay for your film coming in the front door; the only cost is the per pallet price going out.

In short, when you know the actual cost per pallet going out, the purchase price is not as important anymore. 

 

How Is The True Cost Of Film Packaging Calculated?

Businesses in the supply chain have lots of options when it comes to stretch film packaging these days. 

And indeed, everybody wants the lowest cost and best savings because besides delivery. After all, a profitable bottom line is essential, and one of the ways to do that is to keep packaging expenses at a minimum. 

Besides that, here is a list of costs that usually adds to your bottom line:

  • Packaging – Materials used and how pallets are wrapped when being shifted out 
  • Consumer Satisfaction and Brand Reputation – Goods that are damaged because of insufficient packaging doesn’t leave a good impression and damages your market authority
  • Transport Costs – Your packaging size, mode of transport, distance, weight, and requirements determine the shipping cost at the end of the day. 
  • Labour Expenses – How much labour it takes to wrap your packages? Some packaging materials could be more labour-intensive too. 
  • Product Replacement Expenses – Fragile products require attention and excellent care. It is expensive to replace them, and that requires more packaging protection to safeguard them. 
  • Floor Space – Space equals money. With more space, there are more storage capacities and work areas, resulting in higher yields and productivity. Creating additional space is beneficial to your business. 

 

Let’s Talk About The True Cost Of Stretch Film Packaging

As an experienced player in the supply chain, you probably already know that pallet wraps vary considerably in performance and requirements. Different pallet load profiles and wrap requirements require different amounts of wrap to secure the load. 

With these variations, there is no specific amount to pinpoint when evaluating roll prices. This is not the case of one size fits all. 

Indeed, everyone wants to keep packaging costs low. However, the overall cost of packaging goes further than mere materials costs. 

When the excitement of “low cost” dwindles, and look at the rationale, rolls could be priced that way because they mostly have less film. 

It may be because they are of lower quality too.

Less film does not just mean you have less film to utilize per roll. It also entails more ordering, extra roll changes, more transport, more cores, more pallets, more machine downtime, and more labour costs.  

That is a lot more and doesn’t seem to help with your sustainable goals, neither is for your overall cost. 

 

Film Quality: Stretchability and Quality Factors in Your Costing

Film quality is a factor we cannot exclude.   Here are some facts about it:

  • Averagely, businesses utilize 200% more stretch film than needed
  • 4% of all palletized goods damaged on arrival
  • 25% of accidents concerning trucks are caused by falling or moving cargo
  • Every film breakage averagely costs 15 Euros

Some stretch films on the market can stretch over 400%, while some fall short at 180%. Similarly, if your current machine setup can stretch up to 200%, it does not make sense to buy a film that can stretch 300%.  

Stretchability and roll price may be attractive. 

However, it does not mean that your total expenditure will also go down. It may just be the other way round. 

 

Here are a few other things you may need in your list when determining the cost of stretch film packaging.

Damages can be prevented through quality.

When you purchase poor quality films, you always worry about the unsafe environment of pallets falling over when on the road. This is because inferior films tend to tear easily, causing unwanted damages to goods. 

This is something you do not want to see in your delivery reports. 

Not only is it risky, but it also means potentially spending more than expected. 

Poorly graded stretch films don’t save cost. Instead, you will unnecessarily use more film than you should. Commonly, businesses use 20% more load packaging film than needed to ensure safe deliveries. 

However, this may not help in contributing to reaching your sustainable goals. 

The effects of these small details on the environment make us concerned. Living sustainably should be our goal. 

Poor quality stretch films may seem economical at first, but in truth, it costs more than meets the eye.

If your packaging material isn’t safe enough, your products may be damaged by the time they reach their destination. Additionally, there is compensation for damaged products returned. 

There goes the idea of saving because of choosing cheaper poor-quality films. 

In summary, what are the other costs of choosing cheaper stretch films?

  • Brand Image – Will it damage the reputation and image of your brand? 
  • Trustworthiness – Will your customers continue to trust you? 
  • Effectiveness – Will packaged goods be protected as they should? 
  • Additional Costs – Will there be worries of surprise costs that pop up due to damages or other matters? 
  • Protection – Will your goods truly be protected, and will your customers be satisfied with the effort you had given for protection? 
  • Goods – Will the film be suitable for the types of goods that you are packaging? 

Many factories, distribution centres, and companies that run a lot of automation tend to overlook the total cost of protective packaging when evaluating options. Choosing the wrong material could cost you even more, driving up unexpected product replacement, labour, shipping, and storage costs.

 

Quality Film Saves and Serves You Better

At Thong Guan, we can help businesses like you choose quality stretch films that fit your products, transportation, machinery, labour, and optimization needs through data and intelligent insights. 

Quality films mean more savings, less plastic waste, and a cleaner and greener world. Contact us at info@thongguan.com so we can talk about the true cost of your film packaging. 

Together we can achieve better Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), save cost, and reach sustainability goals.

Sustainability In The Plastic Industry: Is It Possible?

sustainability in the plastic industry

There is a growing movement around the topic of sustainability in the plastic industry. 

We know that many people have voiced their concerns about how plastic pollution and waste greatly affect the ocean’s pollution level. 

An alarming report by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation on the New Plastics Economy says that there would be more microplastics in the oceans than there are fish by 2050 and everyone is extremely concerned about it.

There is much pressure to reduce and stop using single-use plastics to reduce their harm to the environment, and the pandemic is not helping. 

The demand for plastics, including medical uses, is expected to increase by 40% in packaging and 17% in other applications.

However, unknown to some, there are equally many others who are standing up. 

They are heeding the call of going green and championing the need for sustainability. 

These unsung heroes are also the players from the plastic packaging industry because they care about the environment.

Following the circular economy and polymer recycling dialogue, International E-Chem Chairman Paul Hodges expressed that there’s still a lot of work that has to be done in a minimal time. 

“It’s very clear there’s a paradigm shift going on in the industry. Companies are waking up to the fact that waste plastics are a big issue — one that’s not going to go away. Single-use plastics are going to be in the firing line for the next few years — and business models simply must change”

This focus has gained substantial momentum, and we can see more players from the plastics supply chain committing to this movement as the world pushes for greener initiatives and circularity. 

Challenges faced by the plastic industry in the sustainability space

Undoubtedly, plastics are an essential part of our everyday lives, and they are here to stay. 

Plastic products come in all shapes and sizes, from the plastic bags we use to carry our groceries home to the packaging materials that come with our new gadgets and toys. 

Plastic also keeps us safe, as it is widely used in the medical field, especially during this dangerous time of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

We have seen an increase in its medical use in parts of the world, such as in Spain, Catalonia, and China, with an increment of 350% and 370%, respectively.

A survey research on plastic sustainability facts by ScienceDirect was conducted on several plastic manufacturing companies. This study aimed to discover the significant obstacles affecting sustainable plastic solid waste (PSW) recovery and recycling. 

The results of that study showed that the major obstacles were: 

  • Market share – Relatively small local and regional markets for recycled plastics

  • Cost and capacity – Lack of collection capacity 

  • Technology – Slow pace of technology upgrading

  • Quality and demand – Lack of quality testing facilities and high-quality demand for recycled materials

  • Legislation and environmental concerns – Negative society image towards the plastic industries and lack of design for the environment

How The Plastic Industry Is Working Towards Sustainability in The Plastic Industry

Even with such challenges, the production of plastic must still go on. 

Today we generate almost 400 million tons of plastics yearly. Global population increase and a growing middle class indicate that the need for packaging and plastic products is set to rise three-fold the amount in just a few decades.

Plastic still plays an essential role and meets the needs of businesses and daily life. It is a reliable and inexpensive way for stakeholders to produce everyday necessities to provide for the larger global community that is effective and inexpensive. 

There are some single-use plastics that can be totally eliminated like straws, plastic bags, plates, cutlery, and stir sticks—there are some plastics that are still very much needed, particularly stretch films. These are plastics that are helpful to keep our packages protected, secured, and safely delivered. 

Governments and stakeholders are working on strategic measures to tackle the challenges of the earth’s plastic woes to maintain sustainability in the plastic industry.

 

These are some of the efforts we, at Thong Guan, are taking towards our sustainability culture and strategy: 

Thong Guan is working towards sustainability and transformative goals because we believe in plastic circularity.

Please see the summary LiveGreen Launch & Sharing Session on Plastic & Sustainability

This is why we launch our #LiveGreen campaign to empower our commitment to making sustainability possible for our customers and partners in this industry. Here are some of our current efforts:

  • (RE:DO) Recycling and reuse of waste matter – Recycling post-industrial and post-consumer waste (PCW) will help put plastics back into life by being recycled and repurposed. Reducing the usage of virgin plastics will help reduce waste reduction from the number of new plastics that are manufactured daily. 

  • (RE:DUCE) Reduce – The reduction of plastics by using coreless products and thinner gauges will help reduce plastic waste. 

  • (TG Bio) Using biobased resources – Harnessing the force of renewable feedstock from raw materials like corn starch (PTH – Ethylene) into plastic will help lower synthetic materials with natural resources. Less artificial, more nature is good for our environment. 

  • (TG Bag2Earth) Compostable products – Self-composting plastic waste that breaks down will help combat typical plastic waste that never breaks down. Microbes will naturally consume these plastics. They will not end up lying somewhere in the ground forever like any regular plastic.

How can we make plastic more sustainable?

Yes indeed, we can make plastic more sustainable by recycling the reuse of other waste as raw materials to be reused as plastics again! We may not have reached the 100% mark yet, but with time and technology, we are surely getting there. It does take strategic effort from all stakeholders to spur changes of circularity in the plastic industry. 

The future of plastic manufacturing lies in creating more sustainable plastic products made from recycled, biobased, and compostable materials that can be reprocessed into new products or decomposed back into the earth. 

As a global plastic manufacturer, Thong Guan is also playing our part in innovating plastic products to be more environmentally friendly for all through our sustainable plastic products. 

We are committed to progress our #LiveGreen initiative to move the global plastic market to green-friendly objectives. 

Here are some ways that we can help you achieve your sustainable goals: 

Bolt – Dependable and Consistent

  • Our latest hand stretch film dispenser helps reduce the amount of film used and helps maximize shipping and shelf space. 

  • Bolt is consistent, easy to use, and comfortable when handling. It is a fatigue fighter that operators can use with ease. 

  • Lite and conveniently handles thin gauge stretch film to help you dispense pre-stretched film on a dispenser. 

  • The bolt handles light (as low as 5um) to heavy loads (7.4um gauge films are not an issue at all) and wraps to the bottom to keep your pallet safe and secure. 

Nano Zero – Zero Yet Mighty

  • Nano Zero is possibly the greenest stretch film you can get, especially when you order them bio-based.

  • Made without paper cores, you can potentially eliminate 200 grams per paper core. That a whopping 72 kg on a 360 cores pallet. 

  • It is cost-effective, strong, suitable for stretch film packaging, and makes achieving your sustainability goals much more attainable.

  • It is thin-gauge pre-stretched that prevents work hazards where operators can handle manual wrapping with ease. 

  • With its nano-layered structure properties, it is built for toughness.

Maxstrech Green – Uncompromised Quality For The Environment

  • Our Maxstrech Green from our Maxstretch series is cost-effective and uses less film consumption per pallet. 

  • Less film doesn’t mean lesser quality. It performs the same and lesser plastics into the environment. 

  • It uses film from 30% recycle contents and thin gauge (10 – 15 um and below), which will help reduce plastic waste. Its stiff film property enables you to gain optimal load containment and the ultimate performance for your machine film wraps. 

Compostable Plastic Bags – Reducing Carbon Emissions 

We also believe that flexible packaging like plastic bags should be made compostable and biodegradable to break down and decompose after it has served its purpose. It helps to reduce carbon emissions during the production process. 

Usually used for food waste, compostable bags are now gaining popularity. New Zealand has started a waste management initiative to separate food refuse in a special compostable bag and bin for food waste collection. Waste will then be sorted out and disposed of accordingly. 

Compostable bags will help break down single-use plastic to reduce plastic waste. 

Creating sustainability in the plastic industry with a circular economy 

When the inevitable usage of plastic increases, we must step up the plate to make a difference. One party alone cannot win this fight for sustainability and the building of circularity for remanufacturing. 

We invite all stakeholders in the plastics industry to join hands with us in promoting our cause to #LiveGreen while fulfilling consumer preferences for a cleaner and greener earth. 

Let us connect and show you how we can help you achieve your sustainability through waste reduction and economic feasibility goals too. 

Contact us at info@thongguan.com for more info on #LiveGreen programs or products.

The COVID-19 Vaccine’s Logistical Distribution Challenges in Malaysia

cold transport vaccine

Every country around the world is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries in Asia, including Malaysia, are also looking for modern solutions to overcome a variety of challenges in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Most countries have already signed a number of agreements with drug manufacturers to obtain vaccines as soon as possible. Yet, there are still many challenges to distributing the vaccines globally, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. 

The primary distribution challenge is associated with the fact that the vaccines from companies such as Pfizer need extremely low storage temperatures to ensure the proper efficacy. This requirement has resulted in numerous large-scale logistical issues in Malaysia and many other countries.

 

Storage Issues

Once the government obtains a sufficient number of vaccines, the next challenge is to store them without compromising their quality and efficacy. It is important to have essential medical equipment such as glass vials, syringes, and containers that can be used to store and transport vaccines.

The authorities must spend a considerable amount of money on establishing large pharmaceutical warehouses equipped with the required tools to store COVID-19 vaccines. The use of stretch films or stretch wraps has also increased because this type of packaging material is typically sturdy enough to package the common medical equipment.

Temperature Control

Maintaining cold temperatures for COVID-19 vaccine storage and transportation is important. Low-income markets are facing challenges in this area because controlling the temperature of the end-to-end pipeline is extremely difficult.

The government is obtaining help from global logistics companies such as UPS and DHL to ensure proper solutions are implemented to deal with the logistical challenges of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Companies are also looking for modern and innovative packaging solutions other than the traditional stretch film or stretch wrap. One of the best cold-chain wrapping solutions is Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films.

 

Cold Chain Packaging with Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films

The following three factors impact cold-chain packaging solutions:

  1. If the product has to maintain particular physical qualities at a suitable temperature and other weather-related conditions, then cold-chain packaging solutions are useful in maintaining the ideal temperature. 
  2. The location at which the products are manufactured and where they are being transported heavily impacts the way a product is packaged. 
  3. The overall supply chain and distribution channels should be considered when choosing a suitable cold-chain packaging solution. 

The Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic cold-chain wrapping film is a highly useful packaging solution with maximum clarity and visibility, making it easier to examine the packaged products. Companies prefer it due to its reliable branding options.

Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films are beneficial in mitigating the challenges associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Malaysia because it can keep the products’ temperature within a specific range.

Generally, cold-chain temperatures range from 2°C to 8°C for goods such as fruits and environmentally sensitive products. However, in the case of the vaccines, like the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, having a –70°C cold chain is important.

Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films are much better than conventional stretch films or stretch wraps because it has additional clinging properties that make it suitable in freezing temperatures for a variety of products, including the vaccine.

Benefits of Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Film

Using Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Film allows manufacturers and distributors to keep products fresh and protect their quality during the entire storage and transportation process. As a result, companies are also able to cut down on temperature-based damages. 

Moreover, Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films are significantly stronger than a simple stretch film as it provides exceptional support and protection to products like glass vials. Even when Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic film is used in temperature-controlled rooms, the film will firmly stick to each other. 

In a Nutshell

Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films are one of the most reliable and efficient cold chain wrapping solutions that are beneficial for extremely low-temperature refrigerants like the COVID-19 vaccines.

Companies can rely on the Nano Arctic freezer film to resolve a variety of distribution challenges. This makes Thong Guan’s Nano Arctic Freezer Films extremely useful to store and transport COVID-19 vaccines in Malaysia while maintaining vaccines stability.

Optimized packaging: Selecting The Best Film For Your Loads

Optimized packaging for your load wraps

Did you know that 4% of transported goods are damaged upon arrival? Factories, warehouses, and businesses are now more aware of the importance of optimized packaging when it comes to pallet wrapping machines to avoid unwanted losses. 

While buyers are concerned about the condition of the goods they paid for, sellers are much affected and responsible for this. 

Even if damage did not occur at the seller or senders center, the primary fault usually goes to them, resulting in costly return cost and damage to their reputation.  

This is why optimizing your tertiary packaging is the way to help improve what you are already doing but better.

What Is Optimized Packaging? 

In a nutshell, packaging optimization means using smart packaging that fits your packaging needs designed to secure, contain, and protect your products. 

It is important that your packages are secured during logistic processes from warehouses, factories, in-store fulfillment centers, or manufacturers to a final destination usually determined by the buyer or due process.

What Should I Be Looking at For Optimized Unitization? 

So, what does optimization mean? Optimized packaging means using the right film for the suitable machine for the right amount of film when it comes to stretch film. 

The Right Amount of Film

Too thin of a film, and it will not protect the product. Too thick, and it will cost more and potentially damage the product if it’s packed too tightly.  

Optimizing a pallet properly depends on the film’s pre-stretch capabilities and the heaviness of the load. 

For example, when wrapping a heavy pallet of drinks of 1.5L bottle packs x 480 bottles per pallet, Newton R&D Center’s benchmark would be to use 450 grams of stretch film for optimum wrapping. If it is a smaller packed 500ml bottle packs x 1,200 bottles per pallet, our best benchmark is that your stretch film usage should only weigh 408 grams. 

What about lighter pallet wraps?

Light package wraps like packaging a pallet of tissue should be wrapped using a ring wrapper should only require 280-300 grams of stretch film (according to Newton R&D Center’s benchmark). 

The Right Machine 

As covered in our previous article on pairing your film to the right stretch wrapping machine, it is essential to match them to achieve optimum wraps. 

In summary, these machines are generally used and suitable for your wrapping needs 

  • Turntable Wrapper – The simplest form to wrap where the pallet is placed on a turntable that rotates while a pallet stretch film is delivered around the load. It is capable of 10– 20 loads per hour and ideal for A and B load types. 

  • Rotary Arm Wrapper – Operates by positioning loads under a rotating arm. The load stays secured and stationary while stretch film is revolved to wrap around the pallet. Suitable for all A, B, and C types of heavy and oversized loads.

  • Ring Wrapper – Excellent for unstable loads that required high throughput yield. When wrapping, the load remains stationary. The wrapping is done via rotating around the pallet not by an arm but through a large ring. 

Benefits of optimizing wrapping 

What are the benefits of packaging in supply chain management when optimizing wraps? Here are some important ones that could benefit you: 

  • Save cost – Don’t spend unnecessarily for more film when you can do better with less.

  • Good for the environment – You are not over or under-consuming when you are optimizing. When you over-consume, access materials contribute to more wastage (more carbon footprint), while under-consuming isn’t a healthy option. When there is not enough film to optimize your wraps, your pallets become unstable and are prone to tip over and all, resulting in damaged and unsaleable goods. 

  • Enhance Production – Optimized wrapping can increase production in warehouses or distribution centers when there is no overwrapping of pallets. This saves time and boosts output. 

  • Minimizing product damage – With optimized wraps, you gain better load stability and containment. There will be lesser chances of damages in your warehouse and along the distribution journey. 

  • Increase employee productivity – Employees will also find it easier to handle packages that are optimized too. Packing is neat, tidy, and easy to handle too.

Using Machines to Optimize Your Wraps For Optimized Packaging

Different machines work with different types of loads. Generally, there are three types of pallet wrapping loads:

  • A Load – Stable, straight sides with up to 3″ protrusions.

  • B Load – Relatively stable with protrusions of up to 6″ inches or less

  • C Load – Oddly shaped with several protrusions (including sharp corners) of over 6″. Unstable.

How Do Thong Guan’s Products Fit into Your Load Type? 

Optimizing your loads can be quite a challenge, and we are here to help you with it. Here are some scenarios of how our machine film products can level up your wrapping process. If you already: 

  • Have your own machine, but your machine doesn’t pre-stretch much (less than 100%)?: Don’t worry, you don’t have to convert your machines to power pre-stretch yet. Our Maxstrech series would be best suited for such applications. Maxstretch comes with a 20% guaranteed load integrity/memory that is stiff for optimal load containment. With less film consumption, it helps you save cost and gains the best for your wraps. 

  • Have your own power pre-stretched machine that can pre-stretch 300% using 23um film?: Thong Guan’s NanoXecure is perfect for you. Xecure is a high holding force film at a thinner gauge where 14um film would handle and perform the same as a typical 20um film. Xecure’s 17um film can also efficiently perform as well as 23um films. Our nano series films are designed to have high holding force but with a thinner gauge so that you can save on film. 

  • Have an inline machine for fast wrapping environments?: When in high-speed wrapping environments, there must be no failure of film. Thong Guan’s Nano55 soft film pre-stretched up to 300% is designed for total cost savings and most suitable in such fast-paced wrap settings.

So How Do We Select the Best Film? 

Still unsure about selecting the right film for your stretch film machine for optimized packaging? Thong Guan has worked with Newton R&D Center to help factories, warehouses, distribution centers to select the right film with our Engage program. 

It is an effective seven steps program, which can help you make the right decision on selecting the right film

 

Alternatively, Newton R&D Center also has a program called protection plus, which is similar to our Engage program. 

Time to Engage: Optimize Packaging Solutions Today

The way you use your stretch film can significantly decrease potential damages, wastages, and unsalable goods. On the upside, it can also boost profit and increase customer satisfaction too. 

Remember: Optimize packaging starts with choosing the correct film, using the right amount of film, and utilizing the best wrapping method suitable for your packing needs. 

Having peace of mind when your loads leave your facility is easy. 

Let’s connect to show you how. Together we can optimize your wrapping process and increase your output to get the best value in return. 

Wait no more, engage us.

Contact us at info@thongguan.com for more info or to enquire more today.

Is Shrink Film Suitable to Wrap My Products?

Watermelon, papaya, melon, pineapple grape, fruit on the market shelf

Shrink films are often considered to be one of the best packaging materials because they allow you to keep your products safe and secure.

However, choosing the best solution can be challenging because there are several types of shrink films available on the market.

For businesses. it is important to conduct thorough research to make sure they are choosing the right type of stretch film to protect their products and improve the customer shopping experience. 

In this post, you will get to know about the major types of stretch films and their pros and cons. So, let’s get started:

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Pros

PVC is thin and light, which makes it significantly more affordable than the other shrink films.

It is capable of shrinking only in one direction and has high resistance to tears and punctures. PVC is quite attractive because it has a shiny texture

Cons

PVC is vulnerable to wrinkles and extreme softening at very high temperatures.Similarly, it can get too hard and brittle at very low temperatures.

Businesses also have to make sure that they are using PVC only with inedible products because it has chloride in it due to which can emit toxic fumes in heating and sealing.

This stretch film also has strict disposal standards to ensure proper disposal and sustainable development.

Polyolefin

Pros

Polyolefin has been approved by the regulatory organizations to package edible products because it does not have any toxic elements or components that can damage the food products.

Moreover, it does not produce any significant smell during the heating and sealing process.  Generally, the polyolefin is considered to be the best stretch wrap for irregularly shaped packages because it shrinks much more than other stretch films.

The glossy surface of the film gives an attractive look to the entire packaging. It is also a highly reliable stretch wrap when you want to store multiple products without getting worried about punctures and tears.

Cons

Polyolefin is an expensive shrink film as it costs much more than a traditional PVC film. Moreover, you might have to perforate the polyolefin films in some situations to reduce or eliminate air pockets and bumpy areas on the films.

Polyethylene

Pros

There are many different benefits of polyethylene films, due to which they have become an extremely popular option for most organizations, stores, and warehouses. It is typically used to wrap multiple packages of heavy items like water bottles and beverages.

Moreover, polyethylene films are durable and can easily stretch much more than the other types of stretch films. It has also been approved by the experts to use for the packaging of the food products.

Another interesting aspect of polyethylene is the fact that its thickness can be scaled up to 1200 gauge. It means it is suitable for wrapping massive objects like boats and other similar vehicles for storage purposes.

Cons

A major disadvantage of using polyethylene is that it has a significantly low shrink rate, and its surface is not as clear as the other kinds of shrink films.

Moreover, polyethylene is more expensive than other stretch films, due to which it can be difficult for companies, especially small-scale businesses, to keep affording them over the long term.

 

Benefits of Using Stretch films to Wrap Your Products

Some of the many benefits that you can enjoy by using stretch films to wrap your products are:

1. Protection

The durability of the shrink films plays an important role in protecting and preserving the contents of the packaging. It allows you to easily ship your products and have peace of mind that the products will be transferred in a safe and secure manner.

They are also useful in increasing the shelf life of the perishable items and concealing the smell of the products.

2. Appeal

If you use attractive stretch wraps like Polyolefin films, they can make the entire packaging look much more appealing to the customers.

Modern technology also allows companies to customize the packaging at an affordable rate. These factors are important in the branding and long-term success of your business.

3. Sustainability

Great advancements are being made in the packaging industry, due to which a wide range of eco-friendly stretch films is available in the market. Companies have the option of switching to these stretch wraps to promote eco-friendliness and sustainability.

Types of Products That Can Be Wrapped with Shrink Film

Shrink film is a versatile packaging solution used across various industries due to its protective, tamper-evident, and cost-effective properties. It is widely applied to food products, ensuring freshness and hygiene for items like baked goods, fresh produce, and frozen foods. Many food manufacturers opt for FDA-approved polyolefin shrink film for safe and high-quality packaging.

Beverage Industry

In the beverage industry, shrink film is commonly used for bottled drinks and multipacks, keeping them securely bundled during storage and transportation. Its ability to conform tightly around products makes it ideal for packaging multi-unit beverage packs, such as bottled water, soft drinks, and canned beverages.

Retail and Consumer Goods

For retail and consumer goods, shrink film provides a clear, professional presentation while protecting items from dust, moisture, and tampering. It is frequently used for packaging electronics, cosmetics, personal care products, toys, and household items. The ability to apply branding or tamper-proof seals makes it a preferred choice for e-commerce and retail businesses.

Industrial and Warehouse Industry

Additionally, shrink film is extensively used in industrial and warehouse packaging for securing palletized goods, hardware, and machinery parts. It helps maintain product integrity, prevents shifting during transportation, and improves warehouse organization. Heavy-duty shrink films, such as polyethylene, provide extra durability and puncture resistance, making them suitable for wrapping large or irregularly shaped items.

Overall, shrink film is an efficient and reliable packaging material for a diverse range of products, offering protection, visibility, and cost-effectiveness in various industries.

The Bottom Line

Finding the right stretch films depends on the kind of business you have and the kind of products you pack.

Now that you are familiar with the various types of stretch wraps available on the market, you should have no issue choosing the right kind of stretch film for your business and products.

For further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialists.

Packaging Testing Methods: Optimizing Packaging Needs

packaging testing methods

Packing and packaging testing methods have become increasingly important considerations for e-commerce. 

Since the global COVID19 pandemic, many shoppers have switched their shopping habits. It is now the norm for end-users to order goods from both local and international sellers. 

It has pushed e-commerce trading in reaching new transactional volumes.

According to a report by Digital Commerce 360, online sales has added $105 billion in U.S. online revenue in 2020, accelerating its growth two years ahead of its expected development time.

The producers of e-commerce, like Amazon, Taobao, Lazada, and Shopee, have a tremendous volume of transactions, which are popular and highly in demand. 

Online shopping has also become increasingly fashionable. If the product’s delivered packaging does not look intact as promised, it will affect the platform’s reputation and product sales. 

To ensure you have the right results delivered, you need to make sure that your packaging is optimized. 

Common Problems Ecommerce Business Face

What are some of the problems that e-commerce businesses may encounter? Some of these you may sound very familiar to you:

  • Customer complains. Customers can be your number one fan, but what happens when they have negative feedbacks on carton damages? Courier service providers and merchants will surely hear about it – worst still if they write on public reviews. 
  • Reduction in damages and product loss When a carton is damaged, your customers may raise a red flag and reject the shipment. That is an extra cost to revert shipment and to repackage your goods. You would also get your revenue on time when products go to market as planned. 
  • ISTA 6 –Series– Many companies are still unable to send goods to other countries because they cannot conduct ISTA testing standards as per customer’s requested for shipment documents. Logistically, you would need to show your datasheet to the related customs to prove that the goods are in good condition before allowing you to ship out. 
  • QC testing – Pay Attention to customer demands is essential, and some may want to change new packing types or even pick new vendors but want to maintain the package’s quality. To do that, they would need to know the packaging strength, like paper and cartons, to maintain proper quality control through testing. 
  • High Packing cost – The cost for packing is undoubtedly expensive but paying for the wrong one is worst. But how do you determine if you are paying for the most suitable packing for your needs? Testing your packaging will help identify the appropriate protection levels and optimize the amount of packaging materials – balancing your long-term cost. By sending a sample of your goods for various testing, results can help determine the best packing choice which works best for your packing cost.

Testing your Packaging Matters to Your Business

Testing your packaging is essential because some processes during the distribution cycle can risk the product’s stability. Carrying out rigorous tests to assess the packaging builds your goods’ marketability and confidence of your customers. 

Although a product can be technically perfect, packaging defects can lead to its failure. First impressions are essential and visual appeal is key in driving consumer behavior. 

Ensuring that your product packaging is perfect goes a long way. Without it, you risk product damage during shipping or even without the proper protection at all. 

Your product may be shipped in a condition that makes customers think twice about buying from you again.

Your packaging must be strong enough to withstand the demands of environmental and transportation conditions while remaining safe and secure, as promised. Testing your packages gives you confidence that your packaging will be able to safeguard your goods from damage or degradation during the distribution and shipping process. 

Ultimately, it builds the satisfaction of your customers, contributing to increased market share. 

What Are the Best Packaging Testing Methods to Optimize Your Delivery?

The best packaging testing methods are those that can simulate the actual process cycle that your distribution goes through. 

Here is how Newton Research & Development Centre can help optimize your packaging testing to get the best value in return. We are equipped with the latest equipment and can provide reports when we work with our various packaging testing methods. 

We can help simulate the journey of your package from the manufacturer to your customer’s doorstep. 

Which Packaging Testing Methods Should You Go For?

Newton offers a one-stop solution for product packaging testing services that reproduce the routine and climatical settings that goods may face during shipping and storage. 

Every package is unique in content, weight, and delivery distance, which will impact your delivery performance. We make it a point to ensure these variables are factored in and diagnose to ascertain your product’s susceptibility to damages. 

So how exactly are these packages for e-commerce tested? Packages will be subjected to a series of tests following a set of procedures. Packaging testing methods include:

  • Atmospheric conditioning at ambient temperature/humidity
  • Atmospheric conditioning at controlled temperature/humidity 
  • Shock testing via drop tests
  • Random vibration testing with top load
  • Shock testing via drop (including drop on hazard)
  • Integrity testing via leak detection (for liquids only)
  • Types of packaging tested under this method
  • Individually packaged products (non-palletized) weighing 70 lbs. (31.75 kg) or less when prepared for e-commerce shipment.

Your Next Step with Newton for Packaging Testing Service

  • Newton is your one-stop solution. Other packaging testing labs out there can also conduct transportation tests for packaging but only limited to limited testing (like drop testing and temperature conditioning). Newton can help you cover a broader testing range because we are equipped with almost a full range of advanced testing to optimize your packaging, as mentioned above. 
  • All in one place to test – When you test your packages with us, you save time and costs. We are your one-stop solution. We help determine the best-suited packaging for your business through packing testing methods to utilize your savings on other important aspects of your business. 
  • ISTA updated – Newton Research & Development Centre is a ISTA member, and we are an ISTA certified lab. We are certified to professionally advise you on the latest ISTA requirements and information vital for your packaging needs. 

Newton Can Help You

Pandemic or not, e-commerce is here to stay as it has become a way of life. There will be many more blooming businesses utilizing packaging to reach their customers locally and internationally. 

The question is, how would you remain competitive, and how your packaging plays an essential role in delivering your promise to your customers? 

Partnering with packaging testing labs like Newton Research & Development Centre can help you simulate and replicate packaging conditions so that you won’t be caught by unwanted surprises which may disrupt your business flow and productivity. 

A problem in your packing is the last thing that you want to worry about.  

Let us optimize your packing decisions using data technology combined with the right packing testing methods to fulfill your packaging needs. 

Let’s connect and get you on track so that you can run ahead in this rapidly, ever-growing e-commerce market. 

Contact us at info@newton-centre.my for more info or to enquire more today.


** This article is contributed by Newton Research & Development Centre, our trusted partner for Thong Guan’s ENGAGE program.