Delkor Systems, Inc. has been a leader in sustainable packaging since the early 1990's.
Driven to create a more cost-effective secondary packaging concept for its customers,
Delkor developed the
Spot-Pak Flat Tray Packing System. By vastly reducing the amount
of corrugated material used, Delkor created a cost-saving alternative to RSC
corrugated cases — and it anticipated today's movement toward sustainable packaging.
With the emergence of sustainability as a driving force in the packaging industry,
Delkor has taken a proactive approach to the issue. For instance, Delkor engaged
the independent packaging engineering firm Allied Development Corporation of
Burnsville, MN to compare the cradle-to-grave environmental impact of Spot-Pak Flat
Trays vs. RSC corrugated cases when used to protect and transport six-unit packs of
a national brand hand lotion. When five million individual 10 oz. bottles are
packaged for distribution in this manner, the results are as dramatic and
revealing as might be seen when looking beneath the waterline of a North Atlantic iceberg.
- Spot-Pak produces 82% less material for landfill disposal
- Spot-Pak consumes 62% less process energy
- Spot-Pak production emits 55% less greenhouse gases
- Due to better pallet density, 11% less energy is needed to transport Spot-Pak shippers
- 11% less greenhouse gas emissions are released in the transportation of Spot-Pak shippers.
To improve on the Spot-Pak system, Delkor recently introduced a new, more sustainable formulation
of temporary bond adhesive, the material which stabilizes product containers on a Spot-Pak
flat tray during the packaging process. This new adhesive formulation is
about 75% based on naturally derived hydrogenated plant oil.
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Delkor Systems subscribes to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's definition of sustainable packaging, and actively pursues its goals in all its operations.
Sustainable packaging*:
- Is beneficial, safe & healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle;
- Meets market criteria for performance and cost;
- Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy;
- Maximizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials;
- Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices;
- Is made from materials healthy in all probable end-of-life scenarios;
- Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy;
- Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial cradle to cradle cycles.
*As defined by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Charlottesville, VA
