Stretch Wrap Packaging System to Reduce Carbon Footprint and Energy Costs for EM Pharma

TrakRap has secured a contract with consumer healthcare products supplier EM Pharma to replace its existing shrink wrap heat tunnels with a new stretch wrap packaging system that will deliver significant energy savings and lessen environmental impact, without any capital expenditure.

Although new to the market, the TrakRap system has already begun to make waves in the packaging sector, with the company securing contracts with companies of all sizes across sectors including food, drink and pharmaceuticals.

The TrakRap system uses bespoke 100% recyclable polymer film to wrap products and bond the pack together. Removing the requirement for heat tunnels, the system uses 90% less energy than traditional shrink wrapping, which also makes it more suitable for ambient, chilled, frozen or volatile products. TrakRap trays, developed with ReelVision, work with the film and allow for up to 40% less cartonboard to be used, resulting in lighter weight, 100% recyclable retail ready packaging (RRP) for retailers.

EM Pharma was looking for a packaging solution to reduce its carbon footprint and cut energy costs, whilst being flexible enough to cope with upscaled production.

Kevan Abley, Managing Director of EM Pharma, said: “Secondary packaging for the pharmaceutical sector presents a unique spread of challenges. Constant new product development means that new lines can be added on a weekly basis and the breadth of our product range means that our machinery has to adapt to different pack sizes and configurations. Increasingly, major retailers are discouraging the use of RPET trays for sustainability reasons, so we had to find a method of packaging that protected the product, presented it on the shelf and ticked the sustainability box.  

“Our heat tunnels consume huge amounts of energy and contribute to an uncomfortable working environment with soaring temperatures and noise. We were also very aware that we were wasting large amounts of film when wrapping smaller packs. After researching our options, we realised that the best approach was to take a holistic view of secondary packaging, looking at the whole process — the film, machinery and tray, rather than each individual element. This led us to stretch film wrapping, which completely eliminates heat from the wrapping process. It allows us to be very responsive, and is easily configured to different pack sizes, eliminating film waste.”

Martin Leeming, Managing Director of TrakRap, said: “Our client base is growing fast and we are delighted to add EM Pharma to that list. Increasing consumer pressure and EU regulations on improving recyclability has seen the Trakrap system fast becoming the go to sustainable wrapping alternative.”

TRAKRAP Ltd, +44 1695 555576, info@trakrap.com, www.trakrap.com.