Secure your pallets with paper wrap - MHD

A specialist industrial packaging company based in Australia and New Zealand, Aurora Process Solutions, tells MHD about its latest pallet-related innovations.

Aurora Process Solutions, through its partnership with Robopack, is leading the charge in transforming how companies wrap their pallets, making the process more efficient and sustainable.

Cutting costs with advanced technology

Pallet wrapping might seem like a minor aspect of the supply chain, but Braden Goddin, Marketing Manager at Aurora Process Solutions, emphasises that it’s an area ripe for optimisation.

“The key way our pallet wrappers contribute to reducing cost per pallet is by utilising software and mechanical innovations designed to minimise the amount of wrap used, without compromising load containment,” explains Braden.

A central feature of Robopack’s pallet wrappers is the pre-stretch function.

“Pre-stretching the film can extend it from 150 per cent up to 400 per cent, allowing businesses to get more coverage out of each roll,” adds Braden.

This not only reduces the amount of wrap required but also translates to cost savings over time.

“The majority of the market doesn’t realise how much money they’re leaving on the table by not using this technology,” he says.

The intelligence of the Robopack systems also plays a crucial role.

“One distinctive feature of our wrapping technology is the Human Machine Interface (HMI) that allows users to optimise their pallet wrap recipe,” says Braden.

This adaptability means that the system can cater to variable loads, strengthening certain areas of the pallet more than others as needed.

“Whether you’re dealing with heavy industrial loads, corrosive environments, or chilled logistics, our wrappers offer a solution that’s tailored specifically to your needs,” he adds.

For businesses handling thousands of pallets annually, even a small percentage of film savings per pallet can add up to financial benefits. These savings extend beyond just cost.

“By optimising the use of plastic film, you can achieve up to a 60 per cent reduction in your carbon footprint, which is a win for both the environment and your bottom line,” says Braden.

Embracing innovation with paper pallet wrap technology

As sustainability becomes a higher priority across industries, Aurora Process Solutions is also pioneering the use of new paper pallet wrap technology.

“It’s an exciting development that reduces the reliance on polyethylene, thus lowering a company’s carbon footprint,” says Braden.

The paper used is no ordinary paper; it’s engineered to stretch up to 15 per cent while remaining 100 per cent recyclable.

“Despite initial expectations, the statistics from Robopack show that this paper wrap can provide up to 40 per cent better load stability than conventional plastic wraps,” adds Braden.

This not only enhances the security of the pallet load but also offers a substantial environmental benefit.

One unique advantage of paper wrapping that Braden highlights is its potential as a marketing tool.

“You can print directly onto the paper, offering branding opportunities for businesses, especially those in retail applications,” explains Braden.

“This adds another layer of value, on top of the environmental benefits”

Switching to paper wrap does require a specific type of wrapper, and Robopack’s PW series is designed precisely for this purpose.

“These wrappers hold larger reels of consumable material, which means fewer changeovers, less downtime, and ultimately, more efficiency,” says Braden.

This feature is beneficial for semi-automatic and automatic wrapping lines, where minimising manual intervention can lead to productivity gains.

Lowering carbon footprints

Reducing the environmental impact of pallet wrapping is another area where Aurora Process Solutions excels.

“There are two main ways we help businesses lower their carbon footprint per pallet,” says Braden.

First, by using the correct type of wrap in conjunction with a pre-stretch function, companies can reduce the amount of polyethylene used.

“This directly reduces the volume of plastic waste, cutting down your carbon footprint,” explains Braden.

Second, the shift to paper wrapping offers an even more dramatic reduction.

“By replacing polyethylene with paper, businesses can make a substantial impact on their carbon calculations,” he adds.

Customer feedback: realising immediate benefits

The feedback from customers who have switched to Aurora Process Solutions’ pallet wrappers has been positive.

“The most common response we get is one of surprise at how immediate and tangible the savings are after a site visit from our technicians,” says Braden.

Many businesses are unaware of how much the pallet wrapping process can be optimised until they experienceit firsthand.

“People often overlook pallet wrapping as an area for cost-saving, but once it’s optimised, the financial benefits are clear,” he adds.

Looking ahead: the future of pallet wrapping

As the industry continues to evolve towards greener supply chains, the role of pallet wrapping technology is setto expand.

“Paper wrap is a massive step in the right direction, and the technology is only going to improve from here,” says Braden.

He envisions future developments in engineered papers with enhanced moisture resistance, making paper wrapping applicable to an even broader range of logistics chains.

Beyond paper, there are other exciting technologies on the horizon.

“Pallet layer adhesive, which locks the layers of products on a pallet together, is another area seeing growth,” explains Braden.

“This quick-release adhesive means you don’t need as much wrap to secure a load, further reducing plastic use.”

Additionally, anti-slip sheets, which increase pallet stability, are becoming more common, helping reduce the amount of wrap required.

Recycling is another crucial aspect of the future.

“We’re seeing more development in closed-loop recycling programs for retrieving and recycling plastic consumables from pallets,” says Braden.

“While there’s still a long way to go, progress is being made, giving companies more options for responsibly managing their waste.”

Expanding Aurora’s footprint in ANZ

Aurora Process Solutions is not just focused on delivering pallet wrapping technology; the company has broader goals for the Australian and New Zealand markets.

“We’ve been growing year on year, and we’re looking to increase our footprint across Australasia,”says Braden.

Aurora’s strength lies in its ability to scout global innovations in packaging automation and bring them to the local market.

“There are different methods of pallet wrapping, such as rotary arm and ring wrapping that are used widely around the world but are less common here,” explains Braden.

“These methods offer advantages, and we’d like to see them adopted more in Australia and New Zealand.”

By introducing these advanced technologies, Aurora aims to help ANZ businesses compete more effectively on the global stage.

Beyond pallet wrapping: a comprehensive approach

While pallet wrapping is a focus, the company offers more.

“We are specialists in industrial packaging, handling everything from the moment our clients finish manufacturing their product,” says Braden.

This includes filling the packaging, closing it, conveying it, palletising it, wrapping or hooding it, and beyond.

Aurora provides individual pieces of equipment as well as integrated process lines.

“We manufacture, integrate, install, train, and service – essentially offering a full end-to-end, turnkey solution for industrial packaging,” adds Braden.

As the industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, the company is offering innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly pallet wrapping solutions that meet the needs of today’s businesses.

To read more about Aurora Process Solutions, click here

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