Smurfit Kappa: Mera - sustainable packaging for dog biscuits
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The challenge
Mera is a sustainable family business from Kevelaer, Germany, that produces dog and cat food and snacks. Biscuits are a particularly popular snack for dogs and their owners. These were previously packaged in a plastic bucket, which was now to be replaced by a paper-based packaging solution. The company, which was the first in the pet food industry to be certified according to the ZNU standard, was looking for a plastic-reduced alternative for two different reasons: firstly, it wanted to use more sustainable packaging for this product in future, and secondly, it wanted to reduce the high logistical costs. This was because the plastic bucket could not be palletised and filled automatically and involved a high storage volume.
The approach
Our new corrugated cardboard packaging solution can be used like a standard folding box and has a carrying handle with reinforcing tape. Consumers can easily open and close the box using a flap that extends from the lid to the outside. The plastic bucket has been completely replaced by corrugated cardboard - only the plastic bag inside has been retained to protect the freshness of the product. The packaging can be automatically erected, filled, closed and palletised using a standard erector.
The result
With the new packaging, Mera saves 25 tonnes of plastic per year. However, Smurfit Kappa's paper-based packaging is not only more sustainable - which customers also notice directly on the shelf - but also cheaper. Thanks to automated, standardised processes, logistics costs have been reduced by 40 percent and the logistical effort has been minimised.
