Emerging technologies that save energy, materials, time and inventory to highlight PACK EXPO International.

Sustainability, by definition, means using the earth’s resources wisely to conserve them for future generations. Reusing, reducing and recycling are at the heart of the sustainability intent. But businesses today are taking an even broader approach, one involving sound business practices. The following machinery manufactures, all exhibitors at PACK EXPO International 2008, demonstrate that, in addition to providing environmental benefits, sustainability also makes good business practice.

Sponsored and produced by PMMI, PACK EXPO International 2008 will be held November 9-13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The Arpac Group of Schiller Park, Ill. (Booth # S-2430), a manufacturer of shrink bundling, horizontal shrink, corrugated and stretch wrap machinery, has long been striving to reduce packaging weight and costs utilizing the breadth of its packaging solutions. The company remains committed to sustainability objectives for the good of its customers, for ongoing business and for the environment. Arpac’s sustainability initiative involves a five-pronged approach:

- Utilizing sustainable packaging materials: Customization expertise allows the company to quickly utilize new packaging materials and concepts with its machines. Arpac closely monitors new advances in packaging materials and has consistently been an early adopter of new packaging material technology, such as polylactic acid (PLA) films and other biodegradable materials. The company also points out that its ability to integrate other equipment into its machinery opens the door to taking advantage of new advances in “green” packaging technology.

- Building energy-efficient machinery: Compressed air is the most expensive method of motion control. Therefore, Arpac reduced compressed air consumption of the Brandpac shrink wrapping/bundling machines by eliminating air operated vortex cabinet coolers in favor of high efficiency air conditioners. Total energy saved was 20 percent for cooling. Also, many mechanical drive systems have now been replaced with servo-based systems, which the company says reduces energy load while increasing machine output. Further, heat tunnels have been redesigned to provide better air flow characteristics, resulting in a more energy-efficient shrinkage of film. The energy savings from this change amounts to 15 to 20 percent. Hot plate tunnels are now providing a better bottom seal while allowing the heat tunnels to run at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption by yet an additional 15 percent.

One customer benefiting from these types of energy savings is Glenview, Ill.-based Kraft Foods. “Finding ways to reduce energy demand is fully consistent with our drive to achieve efficiencies in all aspects of our business,” says Fred Sherriff, vice president of manufacturing technical services for Kraft. “It is also consistent with our efforts as a responsible corporate citizen to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.”

- Designing highly reliable machinery: A key driver for sustainability is the elimination of both material and time waste. Arpac points out that its machine designs are simple, allowing for quick and accurate changeovers with next to zero waste of time. The ruggedness of the machinery, as well as use of advanced control systems for remote monitoring, also supports less line downtime.

- Adopting sustainable and lean production: The Arpac Manufacturing Method is built upon a lean management backbone. The company has also switched from volatile organic compound (VOC) paints to powder-coat. Newly installed robotic welding methods are 90 percent faster, reducing total energy usage and eliminating waste due to welding errors.

- Providing customer support and training: Arpac University is a learning center where customers and distributors learn sustainability packaging and machine operation methods. Preventative maintenance programs are available. 

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