Blue Box Partners, the pan-European alliance of suppliers for corrugated board packaging solutions, has launched Ecogrip, a corrugated alternative to shrink wrap for the multi-packing of a wide range of bottles that builds on the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging.
Research has shown retailers, and consumers are wanting more sustainable packaging solutions when they make purchasing decisions. Moreover, the EU’s single-use plastic (SUP) directive, which came into force on 3rd July 2019, aims to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This has caused large brands and manufacturers to re-evaluate their packaging strategies and seek out alternatives.
Ecogrip is designed to replace single-use shrink-wrap plastic for bottles between 330 milliliter and 1.5 liter, providing a recyclable and biodegradable corrugate solution for multi-packs. Adaptable to the many different bottle styles on the market regardless of diameter, it provides brands, retailers and consumers with a sustainable multi-packing solution for four, six, or eight bottles.
The ergonomic design makes it easy to transport, handle, and store and the corrugated board can be customized through a variety of print technologies for maximum brand and on-shelf impact.
“Every business is now focused on sustainability,” said Armin Höttges, managing director at Blue Box Partners. “While we continue to see improvements in recycling rates for many packaging products, secondary packaging such as shrink-wrap falls into the category of single-use plastic, which can create issues if not disposed of responsibly.
“This has resulted in considerable pressure from governments, environmental groups and consumers – all of whom are demanding packaging which is more sustainable and the launch of Ecogrip now delivers a solution for brands that want an effective multi-packing option.”
Blue Box Partners is the alliance of VPK Group, Klingele Paper and Packaging Group, Hinojosa, and Cart-One, who together offer expertise and collective intelligence, delivering local solutions across Europe. Working with brands to develop packaging solutions that not only solve their current issues around single-use plastic but also provide sustainable packaging solutions for the long term, the launch of Ecogrip is the perfect example of the partnership.
Available through all Blue Box Partners members and with both manual and automated packing options, Ecogrip provides consumers, retailers, and brand owners with a complete solution for the sustainable multi-packing of bottles.
Blue Box Partners provides customers with optimal supplies of corrugated and paper packaging, delivering tailored support and service at a pan-European level. Established in 2006 as a customer-orientated alliance of four family-owned businesses: VPK Group (Belgium), Klingele Paper & Packaging Group (Germany), Hinojosa Packaging Solutions (Spain), and Cart-one (Italy), Blue Box Partners is driven by a united philosophy and strategy, focusing on the establishment of long-term, sustainable relationships with its customers and employees.
The alliance has a significant standing in the European packaging market with 100 production facilities, eight paper mills, a production capacity of 4.7 billion square meters of corrugated board, a paper production of 1.55 million tons, and a turnover of around EUR 2.8 billion.
