Bryan Boatner
Chief Revenue Officer, Ranpak
Technology in the warehouse is entering a golden age of transformation, where cutting-edge robotics, computer vision and AI are all powering more advanced automation capabilities in response to the need for greater productivity.
While this transformation occurs across the many interconnected parts of the warehouse, the advancements in packaging automation offer another critical benefit beyond increased throughput and cost reduction.
By controlling material use, enabling more sustainable and recyclable packaging, as well as right-sizing and controlling the volumes of shipped packages, end-of-line packaging automation can make a significant impact on both operational and environmental efficiency.
How AI can boost packaging efficiency
While operational efficiency in packaging automation is being driven by some of the most exciting developing technologies, operations managers may not be considering how they can also create benefits from an environmental perspective. A good example is computer vision. When paired with AI, it can capture and react to information based on what solutions ‘see’ within each box.
Solutions like Ranpak’s DecisionTower with FillPak Trident™ combine these capabilities with a packaging converter to dispense precise amounts of paper packaging material, enabling material savings of up to 35%.
Environmental efficiency can be
one of the core benefits delivered
by new warehouse technology.
Smarter packaging cuts cost and emissions
Within a fully automated packaging line, additional void fill may not even be required after packages go through a right-sizing or height reduction process. When combined with a SKU analysis to consolidate the number of boxes used, height reduction systems like the Cut’it!™ EVO can reduce package volumes to the point that up to 25% more parcels can fit on the same pallet. This means that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions used to ship the same number of packages are significantly reduced, and shipping cost savings positively impact the bottom line.
Automation enhances sustainable packaging
As businesses look to integrate automation for increased throughput and cost savings, it’s important to remember that the right packaging automation solutions should enhance, not compromise, the use of sustainable materials. At Ranpak, we are speaking from over 50 years of experience in the sustainable packaging industry when we say that environmental efficiency can be one of the core benefits delivered by new warehouse technology.
