Sapporo Breweries Adopts Reusable Packaging for Transport

Copyright Sapporo Breweries Ltd.

Sapporo Breweries Ltd., a major brewer in Japan, announced on June 9, 2004 that it has introduced newly developed reusable straps in place of packaging film to prevent breakage and loads from shifting during transport. The company aims to cut its annual consumption of packing film in half from the current level of 150 tons, by the end of 2005.

Under the conventional method, products in cartons are piled on a pallet, then wrapped with polyethylene film to keep them together, but this method has a negative impact on the environment when the wrapping is thrown away after use. To be more environmentally friendly, Sapporo Breweries developed two kinds of reusable packing straps, jointly with its affiliate companies and business partners. The "Load Lock Belt" and "Eco Band" are already in use in some areas of Japan.

"Load Lock Belt" method uses four corner guard posts, three buckles to affix to the posts and adjustable-length straps. "Eco Band" is a wide strap to stabilize an entire load of goods together. It is especially useful for protecting gift-boxed products. Both new packaging methods are easier and simpler to handle than the conventional packaging with film.

Sapporo Breweries intends to sell these newly developed reusable straps to other companies in the distribution industry, as they can help reduce costs in the long run.



Posted: 2004/09/01 02:58:46 PM
Japanese version