Eco Flex Solves Multiple, Tough Packaging Applications

by: Dennis Salazar

15 Sep 2009

One of the most unique forms of interior/protective packaging we offer is an incredibly green molded pulp product, rightly named “Eco-Flex”. What is truly exciting is our ability to utilize it for multiple uses within a single application, saving our customers space, money and costs resulting from shipment damage.

Glass Is Green but Vulnerable in Shipment

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A number of companies have re-discovered glass as an excellent container for organic and other health industry products. This leads to some interesting packaging challenges, especially when the product is shipped via UPS, FedEx and/or USPS. The potential damage problem is compounded when the product is valuable, heavy and it is shipped in less than full case quantities. You can see the problem in the photo when this client ships 6 ounce jars in the same box as their 20 ounce jars.

One Green Packaging Product – Three Great Uses

On applications like this, there are three possible applications:

Top and bottom cushioning – Eco Flex performs like a cluster of shock absorbers providing cushioning at the top and the bottom of this particular box. A box of glass jars is vulnerable to shattering when dropped and Eco Flex absorbs the impact and protects the product. In this case we combined it with heavy duty top and bottom pads so the corners would also be reinforced.
Void fill – when a 6 oz. jar is placed in the larger 20 oz. cell (cavity) of the partition, Eco Flex can help fill the space and provide additional protection for the smaller container, especially if the larger container shifts during shipment. The smaller jar is also shorter so additional (scrap) Eco Flex can be placed on top to prevent the 6 oz. jar from bouncing up and down within the partition cell.
Blocking and Bracing – partitions are designed to add strength vertically not horizontally so scrap Eco Flex pieces can also be used to help fill the air cell we designed in the perimeter of the box and surrounding the product. This creates critical blocking and bracing because once the partition crushes or fails, the integrity of the entire package is ruined.

Eco Flex is undisputedly green, inexpensive and very versatile. If you have an interior or protective packaging problem, there is a very good bet this unique product will help you solve it.