July/August 2020
Industrial Packaging
Quality cross-bottling
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
9
In 1976 Schütz started reconditioning used
IBCs, and since 1980 has guaranteed the
worldwide collection of used industrial
packaging.
The prerequisite for this well-functioning circular
economy is a high capacity, closely linked
collection system with 50 production and service
locations around the globe.
Schütz says its Ticket Service has become the
largest producer-owned network for the collection
and reconditioning of emptied IBCs. The emptied
IBCs are fitted with original inner bottles and
components produced in a globally standardised,
eco-friendly process. The result is a 100 percent
compatible Recobulk in a standard specification
made from a Schütz Ecobulk.
Now, to expand the service Schütz is offering
cross-bottling –reconditioning IBCs from other
producers – to the same high standard.
As with the reconditioning of its own IBCs,
collected containers of other brands are evaluated
according to the last filling product. The basis is a
comprehensive internal product database with
more than 200,000 evaluated filling products
which is constantly updated. Possible residues are
removed and appropriately disposed of.
Subsequently the inner bottles are replaced.
The recyclable grid cage of the other producer is
extensively cleaned and if necessary repaired, and
then fitted with a new universal Schütz inner
bottle. The specially developed inner bottle has
been technically adapted to fit into the cages of
numerous IBC models on the market. The
inner bottle which was removed is
recycled in an internal recycling
system from which high quality HDPE
recyclate is generated and then used
within the closed cycle to produce
plastic components such as corner
protectors and plastic pallets for the
IBCs.
Furthermore, the Recontainer is
equipped with a new label plate
which has also been optimised for the
different grid cages, as adhesive
residues from labels are unavoidable
on the old label plates when they are
only cleaned. Further components such
as screw caps and discharge valves are
replaced with new original parts
during the inner bottle replacement
process. Thus, the packaging specialist
guarantees the highest quality in
cross-bottling.
The advantages include the fact that
customers using the Recontainer can rely
on Schütz’s proven standards when using this
packaging for their filling products. The IBCs are
delivered as a single-type standard specification.
At the same time Schütz is contributing to the
conservation of natural resources through the
eco-friendly reconditioning of IBCs from other
The inner bottle which was specially developed by Schütz has a shape
that has been technically adapted to fit into the cages of numerous IBC
models on the market
producers.
• Once again Schütz’s Brazilian subsidiary has
received the ‘BASF Award of Excellence’. This
acknowledges Brazilian suppliers who
implement outstanding projects for the
optimisation of processes in the supply chain.
The award winner for 2019 was
determined in three categories,
Innovation, Industry 4.0 and
Sustainability. Schütz Vasitex competed
in the category Sustainability, against 16
other companies which were nominated
for this 11th award by BASF. The
company had already received the Award
for Best Supplier from BASF two years
ago.
CEO Luiz Francisco da Cunha and sales
executive Renata Carvalho, both from
Schütz Vasitex were delighted about this
acknowledgement.
The reconditioning process for used
IBCs and drums already starts at the
BASF factory premises in Guaratinguetá,
in the east of the state of Sâo Paulo.
Schütz Vasitex has invested in facilities
here for the preparation of packaging –
including also contaminated agrochemical
packages – already on site for the optimal
reuse of components and recycling of materials.
The reconditioning then takes place in their
production facility with a service office in
Bonsucesso-Guarulhos.
Schütz Recobulk and F1 Reco drums are
produced here from recycled PE material by
Schütz Vasitex. The packaging unites sustainability
and performance and has been certified by the
Brazilian National Institute of Metrology
Standardisation and Industrial Quality INMETRO.
www.schuetz.net
Greif expands PCR products
Wherever possible, Greif is incorporating post-consumer resin (PCR) into its industrial
packaging products and increasing production capabilities for PCR products.
Containers made from PCR significantly reduce the need to use virgin resin — in some cases
eliminating it completely — which requires less energy to manufacture and no need to divert materials
headed to landfills by repurposing them into new products.
As part of its EcoBalance product line, Greif is now offering its open head 55-gallon plastic drums
made with PCR encapsulated with virgin resin. This 3-layer design solves the ‘odour’ problem with
traditional PCR drums while meeting customers’ sustainability goals.
Additionally, the PCR containers reduce CO2 emissions by 30-53 percent. In 2019, Greif’s EMEA
operations processed 7,500 tonnes of PCR to produce almost 1 million drums, pallets and drum
accessories. Those products include jerry cans, open head drums made with up to 75 percent PCR, and
IBCs made with up to 60 percent PCR.
Schütz’s Brazilian subsidiary received the ‘BASF Award of Excellence’
www.greif.com