In today’s post, part two of our two-part series on paper honeycomb packaging, we’ll be showing you just some of the multitude of use cases for this amazing innovation.
If you haven’t already read part one of this series, we highly recommend you do before continuing as it will provide you with a much more valuable overview.
Here’s how paper honeycomb packaging, and its durable, lightweight construction is being used in various industries around the world:
Automotive Industry
Paper honeycomb packaging is frequently used in the automotive industry for shipping parts. Everything from engines and headlights to bumpers and filters can be shipped using paper honeycomb packaging that’s been die cut to shape. The use of returnable packaging for this application is often prohibited due to uneconomical costs involved.
In addition to being used for the shipping of car parts, paper honeycomb is also actually being incorporated into actual cars themselves.
In January this year, Ford Motor Company unveiled a new parcel shelf constructed using a honeycomb design, water-based glue and durable fibreglass sandwich layers. The resulting product can support 100 times its own weight, according to Ford, and has a positive impact on fuel efficiency.
Furniture Industry
You may not realise it, but a lot of wooden furniture incorporates paper honeycomb in its design. By sandwiching paper honeycomb between wooden boards, furniture manufacturers can reduce their reliance on limited natural raw materials. The finished weight of the product is also reduced, all without compromising the durability, rigidity and longevity of the piece.
Paper honeycomb packaging is then also used for ensuring the piece of furniture is delivered to the end consumer in all its glory.
Global Transport Industry
When Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania wanted to revolutionise its supply chain packaging, without compromising the safety of some of their more fragile products, they collaborated with packaging leader Smurfit Kappa.
At the time, Scania used packaging that comprised four different materials, including wooden pallets and expanded polystyrene (EPS), for transporting its large truck windows.
Smurfit Kappa designed a solution that saw the wooden pallets and EPS replaced with a completely sustainable, paper-based honeycomb one. The mono material solution utilises a paper honeycomb pallet and partnering cover to ensure the windows are protected at all times.
In addition to reducing the number of materials used in the packaging process, Scania also realised a 50% storage space saving.
Textile Industry
Using paper honeycomb panels that have small holes drilled or die cut in them, textile manufacturers are able to send precious materials, such as bobbins containing silk, all over the world.
The lightweight and robust paper honeycomb packaging ensures the cargo is kept safe at all times and doesn’t incur any excess shipping charges. Furthermore, because the honeycomb panels have been cut with bespoke holes, the packaging can be reused over and over again, which helps save both costs and the environment.
As you can see from just the examples we’ve highlighted above, paper honeycomb is an extremely versatile packaging material and can lend itself to all manner of uses across an abundance of industries.