Protective packaging

Reducing manufacturing and distribution costs and improving efficiency

What is protective packaging

Protective packaging, also known as reusable protective packaging and returnable protective packaging and returnable transport items (RTIs) is durable, lightweight protective containers used to transport fragile, high-value products and components within the supply chain.

Made of EPP or EPS foam protective packaging can either be modified off-the-shelf solutions or bespoke custom solutions designed and manufactured by Columbus.

Protective packaging is also designed to expedite component storage and handling within the manufacturing process.

Protective packaging - key benefits

Benefits of using protective packaging for storage, transportation and work in progress include:

Protection

Protective packaging protects fragile high-value components from damage or even destruction and minimises the cost of repair or replacement.

Damage to valuable and mission-critical components can impact on the manufacturing and supply processes which in turn will will have a financial impact on all businesses within the supply chain.

Improve efficiency

Protective packaging not only protects it can make storage and handling much easier improving work in progress efficiency.

Reduces environmental impact

Protective packaging reduces waste in several ways: Reducing loss or damage reduces the energy to repair or replace damaged items. Reusable protective packaging reduces materials required to protect products and components during storage, manufacture transit, work in progress and distribution. reducing production of protective materials reduces CO2 emissions and product transferred to landfill.

Closed-loop management

Choosing the right protective packaging significantly improves materials handling efficiencies in particular warehousing, work in progress or manufacture and distribution.

Reliability

Reducing damage during storage, transit, work in progress and distribution improves reliability and dependability with customers trusting you to deliver and therefore leading to further business.

Typical applications of protective packaging

Cellular foam is an excellent material for protecting fragile components during handling and transit for example scratch and vibration sensitive electronic items.

Cellular foam can be both moulded or fabricated depending on the quantity required with little or no tooling costs.