Pierre Chevalier, OSEO expert and CEO of Clareo“This sector is extremely sensitive to the economic climate, which is in pretty mediocre shape. (…). But cardboard boxes remain indispensable and even offer significant potential for development.” |
An essential link in the logistics chain, corrugated cardboard packaging is used to protect and transport consumer products. Placed on pallets, these boxes are first shipped to warehouses before being delivered to shops. Pierre Chevalier, an expert in packaging machines for the French body OSEO1, as well as a senior lecturer in packaging engineering at ESIEC2 and CEO of the French packaging innovation company CLAREO3, explains: “This sector is extremely sensitive to the economic climate, which is in pretty mediocre shape. The recession, rises in raw material costs and reductions in investment all penalize the market.”
But cardboard boxes remain indispensable and even offer significant potential for development. While some manufacturers are tending to reduce their packaging, the focus is often on primary packaging. “Cereal, for example, can be packaged in plastic bags without an outside rigid pack. In this case, cardboard boxes are used to place them on pallets, arranged as they would be on the supermarket shelf. This is known as ‘retail ready packaging’ (RRP),” explains Pierre Chevalier. It requires fewer logistic operations and is consequently less expensive. RRP is an option that is gaining ground, as long as it follows eco-design principles. It is also – and above all – the quest for ecological solutions that is thrusting corrugated cardboard into the spotlight. With an average recycled material content of 75%, it benefits from a very ‘green’ image. Acutely aware of the importance of environmental issues and obliged to comply with strict regulations, manufacturers are increasingly turning to this type of packaging. However, eco-design sometimes has an impact on marking. “The quality of the fibers and sheets used by cardboard-makers can lead to a blotting effect with inkjet marking,” he concludes. Automatic barcode reading and the quality of logo and graphic reproduction can sometimes suffer as a result. With its 5000 Series – and, in particular, instant drying hot melt inks – Markem-Imaje can offer the sector optimum and innovative solutions, reconciling environmental concerns with industrial logistics requirements.
1) French public network assisting innovation.
2) French School for Packaging Engineers
3) www.clareo.fr and www.eco-newpack.com
An Ideal PrinterNew trend, new challenge. Cardboard is increasingly recycled but industry still demands the same high standards: High-quality, high-contrast, reliable printing. With its 5800 printer, Markem-Imaje is more than up to the challenge. Scott Wood, large character inkjet Product Marketing Manager, highlights the printer’s advantages: “Thanks to its Touch Dry® hot melt ink, the 5800 is an ideal printer for use on recycled cardboard. This type of ink dries instantly on contact with the cardboard without running – a bit like candle wax. In comparison with a liquid ink, contrast remains excellent over time, since the ink doesn’t bleed or fade. This means that the legibility of barcodes is guaranteed throughout the lifetime of boxes.” The 5800 printer can be easily incorporated into production lines, box builders or carton gluers. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to work with and its USB connectivity simplifies data file transfer. |
