3M Makes Bid to Ditch the Box
b'
Over the last 100 years, one of the most overlooked, but crucial elements of any manufacturing supply chain is boxes. Specifically, cardboard boxes. Whether you\\u2019re Amazon, or Bob\\u2019s Discount Pet Supplies, cardboard boxes are literally the default way of packaging your products for transport.
But ever since manufacturers have been using boxes, there\\u2019s been the issue of wasted space and the need to add material to secure the product. Due to their square or rectangular shape, many types of products only occupy a small portion of the box they\\u2019re in. This is especially true amid the rapid rise of e-commerce. I can\\u2019t tell you how many times I\\u2019ve opened a box from an online order and just shook my head at how much space was wasted shipping one or two small items.
The folks over at 3M are tackling these issues in the form of a new packaging product that is, let\\u2019s say, outside the box. Last summer, the conglomerate\\u2019s Scotch Brand introduced its Flex & Seal Shipping Rolls, which are marketed as making shipping easier, especially for small businesses.
The shipping rolls are made out of three different layers of plastic developed by 3M \\u2014 an internal adhesive layer that sticks to itself, a middle cushioning layer similar to bubble wrap, and a rugged outside layer that is tear- and water-resistant. Together, the rolls allow a user to place any object less than 3 pounds inside the sticky side, fold over enough of the roll to envelop it and press the adhesive side together to form an enclosed package.
According to 3M, once sealed, the material is strong enough to stay in place during shipping, so no tape is required. Once sealed, you have about 30 seconds to reposition the item if you\\u2019d like, after which point the adhesive gets too strong to adjust without damaging it. This makes the package protected from tampering, while being easy enough to cut with scissors or tear open.
Just like wrapping paper, the rolls come in different sizes. As of mid-January, it\\u2019s available in 10, 20, 50 and 200 foot rolls.
3M promotes the Flex & Seal shipping rolls as saving businesses time on their manual packaging operations, which can involve finding the right-sized box, adding packaging peanuts or bubble wrap and closing the boxes with tape.
One of the big draws of cardboard boxes is that they are easily recyclable. And while Flex & Seal is recyclable, it\\u2019s limited in the way that plastic shopping bags are, in that only certain retail stores and recyclers can take them. 3M has said they\\u2019re working on making the material more eco-friendly.
But where Flex & Seal lacks in recyclability, it makes up for in space-saving. 3M touts that unlike cardboard boxes, shipping companies would be able to fit more this new type of package in a single truck, which would make such shipping supply chains more efficient and could potentially reduce emissions.
Flex & Seal isn\\u2019t the first product aimed at providing an alternative to boxes. Amazon has been using mailer bags for several years, and other shipping supplies providers have their own plastic and polyurethane bags that are quite similar in how they\\u2019re used. But Flex & Seal looks to be the first recyclable option meant for businesses to use for their own shipping.
Download and listen to the audio version below and click here to subscribe to the Today in Manufacturing podcast.
'