Research Confirms Environmental Benefits of Hi-Cone System

Date:2009-4-26 14:12:00

Independent research has confirmed the environmental benefits of the ITW Hi-Cone multipack system over more traditional systems such as shrink wrap and carton board.

The study revealed that the Hi-Cone system was the most minimal multi-packaging solution on the market, making a positive environmental contribution at every stage of manufacture and usage. The findings demonstrated Hi-Cone’s advantages in helping to address the UK retail sector’s campaign, spearheaded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

The programme aims to design out packaging waste growth and deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by 2010.

The study, A Life-Cycle Assessment of Beverage Carriers, which was carried out by Franklin Associates, was based on the packaging of 600,000 x 500ml cans, the equivalent of 100,000 x six packs, in three types of beverage carriers: Hi-Cone six-pack multi-pack system, shrink wrap printed carriers manufactured from LDPE Resin, and paperboard carriers in unbleached kraft paperboard.

Included in the cradle-to-grave analysis was an evaluation of the energy requirements, environmental emissions and water usage associated with the manufacture and use of the beverage carriers. It analysed each major processing step, from the extraction of raw materials from the earth to final disposal.

The research concluded that the weight of a carrier system was a key determinant of its life-cycle/environmental burdens. The volume and weight of the Hi-Cone system compared very favourably with alternative materials, being up to one tenth less than carton board and a third less than shrink film.

Other results showing the performance of the three materials in energy consumption, atmospheric emissions, waterborne emissions, solid waste and water intake demonstrated the significant benefits of the Hi-Cone system against shrink and carton board.

Equally important was the fact Hi-Cone’s commitment to environmentally friendly Packaging now extends beyond material selection to include consideration of the total supply chain. Through its latest product developments, the company is enabling customers to make Packaging reductions at source. For example, the adoption of Hi-Cone’s new side-applied carriers as a replacement for the old-style rim-applied carriers for consumer/distribution packs eliminates the need for a cardboard tray.

ITW Hi-Cone is a leading multi-pack specialist that offers a wide range of pioneering packaging solutions for drink products. Hi-Cone carriers are non-toxic, recyclable and have been photodegradable since 1990.

Joan Torrents, sales and marketing manager for Hi-Cone, said: "We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. We are delighted with the results of this in-depth research, which proves the Hi-Cone system uses less energy in its production, emits fewer greenhouse gases and creates less waste at the point of disposal, thus establishing it as the most environmentally-friendly multi-packaging solution that exists in the market.

"At the same time we are also progressing with our own initiatives and will continue to work alongside our partners in the retail sector to achieve reductions in Packaging waste."