Schoeller Allibert launches Interfold transit tray system

1 April 2013


Schoeller Allibert is launching a new folding reusable transit packaging system, aimed at helping retailers improve logistics efficiency and reduce cost in the food and grocery supply chain.

According to the Netherlands-based company, the new Interfold tray is specifically designed to transport and protect produce from Europe, while at the same time integrating with the nesting trays used as standard in the UK, including the company’s own bestselling Maxinest tray.

When fully loaded, Interfold trays can stack twelve high carrying a 15kg unit load.

And when empty, a specially designed catch system releases the sides, allowing the trays to be quickly folded to 16% of their original height, so that about 10,000 of the new Interfold trays can be carried on the return trip, compared to around 6,000 nesting trays, according to Schoeller Allibert.

“There is increasing demand for returnable transit packaging in the food and grocery sector because of its ability to deliver both cost and carbon savings,” says Simon Knights, commercial director at Schoeller Allibert.

“A large proportion of products that grocery retailers import from Europe are still arriving in the UK in cardboard containers,” he says, adding that this means retailers either have to decant the products into nesting trays, adding time and cost in double handling, or have to merchandise from the cardboard boxes.

“However, they still then have to pay for the disposal of the cardboard which is becoming increasingly expensive.”

The Interfold trays are said to fit standard distribution and display equipment, work with the latest filling, weighing and handling technology, and can be used in fridges and freezers.

Designed to protect, maintain quality and promote hygiene for fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables, pre-packaged meats, fish, prepared meals and other grocery items, the ventilated sides aid air flow, speeding cooling and helping to maintain a constant temperature.

“We know that grocery retailers have been considering the use of returnable folding boxes to improve this process, but they need a system that is compatible with the nesting trays already used in the UK,” says Knights.

“That’s why we have developed Interfold.”

Formed in January 2013 when Linpac Allibert and Schoeller Arca Systems were brought together, Schoeller Allibert is now the world’s largest manufacturer of reusable plastic packaging for materials handling, with more than 40 production and sales operations in nearly all European countries, the American continent and Asia.



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