Greiner Packaging Slušovice s.r.o.
Summary:
Greiner Packaging Slušovice s.r.o. is a medium-sized company based in the Czech Republic, specializing in the production of plastic and composite packaging for the food industry. The company has been operating since 1992
Main description:
Redesign of the Pierot yogurt cup
The most significant change in the redesign of the Pierot yogurt cup. This redesign concerns the “black base” (foot) of the cup. In the new design, the foot was removed entirely. This change results in a reduction of 2.8 grams per cup, bringing the total weight of each cup down to just 7 grams. While this might seem like a small, cosmetic change on an individual basis, the impact becomes clear when we look at the scale of production. With the high demand for these cups, the redesign will lead to a savings of 48 tons of polypropylene annually.
In addition to reducing the amount of plastic used, the new design will also change the manufacturing process. Whereas the old Pierot cup was produced using injection molding, the new design will be produced through thermoforming. This shift enables the cups to stack more efficiently, meaning that the volume of cups needed for transportation will be significantly reduced.
In practical terms, this means that the company will now need only 27 trucks to transport the cups to the dairy, down from 145 trucks in the past. This reduction in the number of trucks used for transport leads to a 81% reduction in the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of the cups.
Resources needed:
The investment needed is not significant. Just technical design.
Environmental benefits:
- Reduction in plastic usage: The redesign of the Pierot cup has led to a reduction of 2.8 grams of plastic per cup, resulting in an annual saving of 48 tons of polypropylene.
- Lower carbon footprint from transportation: By improving the stacking of the cups, the company reduced the number of trucks needed for transport from 145 to 27, resulting in an 81% reduction in transportation-related CO2 emissions.
- Reduction in CO2 emissions: The change in the transport logistics and reduced truck usage leads to an annual savings of 108 tons of CO2, contributing to a significant reduction in the company’s overall environmental impact.
Economic benefits:
Cost savings on materials: The reduction in plastic usage translates directly into financial savings. The company saves on the costs of raw materials, with the annual 48 tons of polypropylene savings resulting in a significant reduction in material costs.
Reduced transportation costs: With the new packaging design, the company requires fewer trucks for delivery. The shift from 145 trucks to 27 leads to a reduction in logistics costs, including fuel, truck maintenance, and transportation management.
Improved production efficiency: The switch from injection molding to thermoforming not only improves the design but also optimizes the production process, making it more cost-effective.
Increased market competitiveness: By adopting sustainable packaging solutions, Greiner Packaging strengthens its position in the market, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and companies, which can lead to higher sales and improved brand loyalty.
