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Nome del progetto:

Dutch company is looking for a solution to the following challenge: 'How can we load pallets stably without using wrapping foil?'

Stato: Idea
Data di creazione: 12-04-2023

Obbiettivi del progetto:

Short summary As one of the top logistics service providers in the world, the Dutch company is launching various initiatives and projects to minimise the organisation’s environmental impact at all its locations. One of these initiatives focuses on the wrapping foil used by the Dutch company. This is a stretch foil that is used only once for securely wrapping a pallet containing cardboard boxes. Upon receipt and unpacking, the foil is either discarded or recycled.

Full description The expected outcome of this challenge is a more sustainable alternative to the (already thinner) wrapping foil, or a climate-neutral alternative that no longer uses foil at all. The Dutch company receives, packs and ships products for its customers. These products are contained in cardboard boxes of varying sizes, which serve a functional as well as a decorative role and must therefore remain undamaged. The Dutch company frequently uses wrapping foil to transport pallets safely and in a stable way (pallets are a standardised tool for transporting goods). Products are stacked onto the pallet and then wrapped with foil to ensure stability, safety, handling and protection. The pallet must remain stable throughout its journey which means that after loading and transport, it must be delivered to the customer in its original form (straight stacked pallet containing boxes). It also needs to be easy to unpack without damaging the boxes. Incidentally, the pallets usually do not need to be waterproof. This is only necessary in exceptional cases, in which case they apply a top foil. When the Dutch company receives goods (= inbound), wrapping foil is released at their site. This foil is currently disposed of in pressurised containers and then recycled at a partner. When sending goods (= outbound), wrapping foil is also used. On top of that, some goods are repacked by the Dutch company and therefore sent out with new wrapping foil. The Dutch company believes that globally, all the wrapping foil used in the logistics industry is one of the biggest sources of pollution. Making plastic wrapping foil obsolete when shipping pallets is a priority for the Dutch company as it addresses the problem at the source. For this reason, The Dutch company is looking for a sustainable alternative whilst maintaining its original function. The Dutch company operates all over the world. The locations in the south of the Netherlands alone use almost 10 million metres of wrapping foil every year. The Dutch company has no visibility or control over what the recipient does with the used wrapping foil; it may be recycled properly but it may also end up in the environment somewhere. To get a grip on consumption, the Dutch company now uses thinner wrapping foil. This already means using 33% less plastic. Their next goal is to completely stop using wrapping foil all together. IMPORTANT NOTE: This technology request is part of an innovation challenge and is published on an open innovation platform and will close on the 31th of March. If an organization does express interest in collaboration with this company before closing date, it will be guided through this innovation platform and will be introduced to its moderator.

Advantages and innovations What is in it for you? • An innovation contract with a launching customer/partner! • Funding (€10,000 vouchers, to be spent in the regional ecosystem for e.g. testing, lab and demo facilities, IP consulting, etc.) • Coaching and counselling • A stage and free publicity • Knowledge and contact with experts • Access to a network of potential partners & customers, resources and research facilities

Technical Specification or Expertise Sought The expected outcome of this challenge is a more sustainable alternative to the (already thinner) wrapping foil, or a climate-neutral alternative that no longer uses foil at all. The innovation needs to be able to be applied by the whole company. The solution should have the potential to be used industry-wide. At a minimum, the innovation should meet the following requirements (must haves): • No more use of wrapping foil. • More durable than the currently used wrapping foil. • Create stability for the boxes on the pallet, also during transport and loading. • Be usable for both full and residual pallets (pallets that are not completely full); meaning the innovation should be usable for pallets of varying heights. • Protection; the contents of the boxes and the boxes themselves may not be damaged. • The palletised transport system should remain unchanged as this is a global standard in the logistics world. Nice-to-haves: • The innovation is not a disposable product. • The innovation is not a return system.

Contact / source: NEXT EEN Widgets (europa.eu)

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