packaging testing to increase package sustainability
TRANSCRIPT
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Pre-Shipment testing; a critical tool for achieving sustainability
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To simulate real life in the lab under controlled yet accelerated conditions.
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Micom:• Third party laboratory• Dorval, QC• 15 years in business• 15 employees• 15 000 sq feet• ISTA accredited lab• ISTA technical council
member• Transport Canada• Standards Council of Canada • CGSB• PAC member
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Packaging Sustainability
• (2009) World food industry: $US: 4.2 trillions (USDA)• Only 43 % of food calories produced are consumed (International Waste
Management Institute)
• Damage to products in distribution within Europe estimated to be: $US 3 billion (EU, SRETS, final report1999).
• Worldwide annual losses in distribution: > $US 100 billions
$$$
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Packaging Sustainability
Environmental impacts• Waste• Product replacement (raw materials, extra manufacturing)• Additional distribution
Initiatives• ISTA –Responsible Packaging by Design Guide• PAC-NEXT• ASTM D-6198 – Standard Guide for Transport Packaging
Design• Large Retailers
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Packaging Sustainability vs Distribution:
LTL: E=MC2=Expect Movement, Contact and Compression
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Packaging Sustainability vs Distribution:
Small parcel= MC2 + Drops2
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Packaging Sustainability vs Distribution:
Emerging Markets:
E= MC2 + Drops2 + Cultural shock
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The Distribution Equation:
Distribution = Product + Packaging
Distribution = Product + PackagingDistribution = Product + Packaging
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Packaging Sustainability vs Distribution (3):
Distribution = Product + Packaging
• Product design should be done jointly with pkg design (team)
• The design should be done with the distribution environment in mind
• A well optimized design for one distribution channel may not work well for a different distribution channel
How do we define the stress levels?
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Test standards
ASTM D-4169
ISTA standards
Distribution Channel simulations: Field measurements
observations
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ASTM D-4169Standard Practice for Performance testing of Shipping
Containers and Systems• 18 Distribution cycles
• General - undefined distribution cycle• Single package without pallet or skid• Motor freight LTL unitized• Rail, TOFC and COFC• Air (Intercity) and motor freight (local) over 150 lb or
unitized• …
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ASTM D-4169
DC
Schedule (Hazard element)
Test
Level I = high intensityLevel III = low intensity
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ISTA standards
• 1 Series: Non-Simulation integrity Performance Tests (7)
• 2 Series: Partial Simulation Performance tests (3)• 3 Series: General Simulation Performance Tests (6)• 4 Series: Enhanced Simulation Performance Test
(1)• 5 …• 6 Series: Member Performance Tests (3)• 7…
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ISTA standards
• 2C: Furniture Packages• *3A: Small Parcel Delivery system• *3B: LTL (standard, cylindrical, palletized)• *3E: Unitized loads (truck loads)• 3F: Packaged Products for Distribution Center to
Retail Outlet Shipment (100 lb)• 3H: Products or Packaged-Products in Mechanically
Handled Bulk Transport Containers• 3K: Fast Moving Consumer Goods in the European
Retail Supply Chain
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ISTA standards
Member performance tests
• ISTA 6-FEDEX• ISTA 6-SamsClub
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ISTA standards
Enhanced simulation
• 4AB Packaged-Products for Shipment in Known Distribution Channels
• including vibration spectra for China and India
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Custom testing
• Data loggers 3 axes Drop heights Vibrations Temperature Relative humidity Atmospheric pressure GPS (link with Google Earth)
• Resonance search
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VALIDATE YOUR PACKAGING
TO TRUST IS GOOD, TO VALIDATE IS BETTER
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Laboratory testing
• Controlled conditions =• Reproducible • Allows to break down complex
distribution dynamics into individual test parameters
• Allows to observe in real time how the packaging reacts to the applied stress.
• More accurate assessment of the packaging design which can prevent over packaging.
• Representative results with limited number of samples.
Real Shipping Test
• Easy design of experiment• Easy to carry• Apparently cheap
• False feeling of security
• Uncontrolled conditions• No real time information.• Limited reproducibility
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Damage probability during trial shipment:
Damage rate: 10% 3%Success rate for first shipment: 90% 97%Success rate for 2nd shipment: 81% 94% “ “ “ 3rd : 73% 91% “ “ “ 4th : 66% 89% “ “ “ 5th : 59% 86% “ “ “ 6th : 53% 83% “ “ “ 22nd : 10% 51%
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SUMMARY:
• Rule #1: A sustainable package is package that allows the product to get to the end user in good condition
• Distribution: E = MC2 + other distribution hazards• Product and packaging development should be done
concurrently, not sequentially, as a function of the expected distribution channel(s)
Distribution = Product + Packaging
• Test standards can be used as design criteria for product/packaging designs
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Michel Comtois, President ([email protected])
1-888-99-MICOM
David Rousseau, Lab Manager([email protected])
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