The growing number of orders in e-commerce generates ever more packaging waste. In order to minimize this and to improve transport utilization, muesli provider Mymuesli relies on a sustainable packaging solution from Smurfit Kappa. Thus, the company saves about 50 % on packaging material and increases the transport volume per truck by 30 %.
In order to make its shipping more sustainable, Mymuesli, provider of customizable organic muesli, analysed and reorganized its entire packaging system in 2020/21. The previous manual dispatch of customer orders with prefabricated cardboard boxes and adhesive tape was not only labour-, material- and time-intensive – it also allowed little flexibility to respond to customer-specific order volumes. The company was also looking for new ways to reduce damage to the product packaging during the delivery process.
In close cooperation with Smurfit Kappa, a specialist for paper-based packaging solutions, Mymuesli evaluated all shipping-related processes and work steps – starting with the unfolding of the shipping cartons and the packaging of various breakfast products to the gluing and shipping itself. It became apparent that there was significant potential for optimization along this entire packaging and shipping process.
The choice fell on a highly innovative solution on the market: the CPV-Everest packaging machine from Sparck Technologies – a high-speed packaging machine for continuous corrugated board with a capacity of 1,100 packages per hour for multiple or individual order items. The CVP-Everest is an automated solution that produces precision-fit packaging thanks to its integrated 3D scanner. It is the right system for e-commerce businesses facing increasing order volumes and labour shortages. In addition, thanks to a special bottom/lid design, the machine offers a single-material solution with hot glue, which allows the carton to be opened via a perforation in the cardboard. This eliminates the need for adhesive tape to seal the carton.
In spring 2021, Mymuesli's innovative packaging unit went into operation for the first time in the German market. The resulting savings are considerable: 20 % of packaging material for the carton and unneeded filling material is avoided. In addition, the corrugated board waste can be returned to the Smurfit Kappa plant for the production of new corrugated board, resulting in a further material saving of around 30 %. Thanks to the reduction in volume, optimally adapted package sizes to the contents of the shipment, up to 30 % more packages fit into a truck load.
As a side effect of the customized parcel formats, the risk of the products being damaged during transport is reduced. In addition, 13,500 rolls of tape per year can be dispensed with. Equally important: During seasonal or marketing-specific shipping peaks, such as in the run-up to Christmas, Mymuesli can effortlessly increase its capacity thanks to an automated packaging line.
