Roberts PolyPro products are lighter, more compact, and ship more units per pallet
Charlotte, NC - Roberts PolyPro, a division of ProMach, detailed today how its lightweight, compact handles and multipack beverage carriers support the sustainability efforts of its customers by reducing material consumption and improving cube utilization.
Roberts PolyPro extruded handles and multipack carriers consume on average 5 to 35 percent less resin compared to injection molded products. Material reduction is an important contributor to improving a package's sustainability. These Roberts PolyPro products are made from extruded HDPE resin and when used with either PET or HDPE bottles make the entire package - bottles and handle - 100 percent recyclable.
Roberts PolyPro orients multipack handles before shipment and in the case of single bottle handles uses a patented process of welding the handles together prior to shipment. This process results in 40 percent more handles on average per pallet than loose handles shipped in bulk. More units per pallet significantly decrease shipping costs, improve cube utilization, reduce the amount of corrugated board required, and lower over-the-road fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. There is also less damage to handles during shipment.
The following table is a comparative analysis between an extruded Roberts PolyPro two-pack carrier and an injection molded carrier. The carriers were used with 32 ounce juice containers.
Comparative analysis
| Comparison | Roberts PolyPro extruded two-pack carrier | Injection molded two-pack carrier | Difference between extruded and injection molded carrier |
| Part Weight | 5.40 grams | 9.23 grams | 41.5% less plastic |
| Pallet Count | 144,000 pieces | 47,520 pieces | 67% more handles per pallet |
| Pallets per shipment | 4 pallets (576,000 pieces) | 12 pallets (570,240 pieces) | 7 fewer pallets |
| Load weight | 5,600 lbs. | 12,084 lbs. | 6,484 lbs. less weight |
"To achieve the highest sustainability evaluation from retailers, it is essential to optimize all the upstream and downstream inputs and outputs to a package," said Chris Turner, Director of Sales, Plastics Division, Roberts PolyPro. "We evaluated the impact our handles and carriers have on bottles, jugs, and multipacks and developed products that are lighter, thinner, recyclable, and more efficient to transport. This is how we are supporting our customers' sustainability efforts."
For an individualized comparative analysis of material reduction and improved cube utilization between Roberts PolyPro extruded HDPE handles and other handles, contact Chris Turner at 980-297-3140 and visit Roberts PolyPro at www.robertspolypro.com.
About ProMach
ProMach is a family of best-in-class packaging and processing solution brands serving manufacturers of all sizes and geographies in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household and industrial goods industries. ProMach brands operate across the entire production line: processing, filling, bottling and capping, decorative labeling, flexibles and trays, pharma, handling and sterilizing, labeling and coding, and robotics and end of line. ProMach also provides systems and integration including turnkey solutions, design/build, engineering services, and productivity software to optimize production line design and deliver maximum uptime.
ProMach designs, manufactures, integrates, and supports the most sophisticated and advanced packaging and processing solutions in the global marketplace. Its diverse customer base, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller, privately-held businesses worldwide, depends on reliable, flexible, technologically advanced equipment and integrated solutions. ProMach is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities and offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. For more information about ProMach, visit www.ProMachBuilt.com and for more information on ProMach Careers, visit www.ProMachCareers.com.