Mondi joins forces with Beck Packautomaten to “revolutionize” e-commerce

26 May 2022 --- Mondi is collaborating with German machine supplier Beck Packautomaten to create a functional paper solution that has the potential to “revolutionize” e-commerce by replacing plastic packaging and creating right-sized packaging for a wide range of products. 

In recent years, the e-commerce market has grown significantly, accounting for approximately 20% of global retail sales in 2021. This means a wider variety of goods is being distributed, requiring packaging of different sizes, shapes and strengths.  

“All types of goods are being transported around the globe on a daily basis. The need to create bespoke packaging that reduces waste, protects the wide range of products and delivers on sustainability targets is enormous,” says Thomas Lunz, industry group manager functional paper, Mondi Functional Paper & Films.

“Our FunctionalBarrier Paper enables online retailers to continue reducing the use of unnecessary plastic following our approach of using paper where possible and plastic when useful.” 

E-commerce continues to rise 
Innova Market Insight pegged “Home Delivery Haven” as its top trend in 2021 after identifying e-commerce as a long-term market trajectory spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Home delivery is a trend continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.Mondi’s annual consumer trend research also showed that online retailers actively seek practical packaging solutions, ensure optimal protection of goods shipped, and are environmentally sustainable – 82% of customers prefer recyclable e-commerce packaging.

Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper is 95% paper and features enhanced barrier properties to guarantee premium product protection against water vapor and moisture. This is essential for many products being shipped, including electronic goods, says the company. 

The paper is made with higher strength, enabling it to carry heavier items without breakage. It is responsibly sourced, made of renewable materials and recyclable in existing recycling streams throughout Europe.

Automation machinery 
Beck’s automated packing machine ensures that products of different sizes are packed according to their requirements. The machine measures the packed goods and calculates the paper needed, reducing excess usage of the material and thereby minimizing waste and costs. 

Stable sealing of Mondi’s paper on all four sides of the packaging ensures that it meets logistics requirements and protects goods in transit - as successfully proven during tests in Mondi’s ISTA-certified lab in its Bupak plant.

“Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper has excellent runnability on our automated packing lines and is a sustainable solution that replaces plastic packaging for online shipments,” says Alexander Deharde, sales director, Beck Packautomaten. 

“In the first cooperation with a European fashion retailer, we reduced plastic use significantly and will be able to save them more than 45 tonnes of plastic every year once the switch is completed.”

By Louis Gore-Langton

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