SURE Group operates in Industrial Packaging and

3PL Supply Chain in India.

Palletization led to mechanization of material handling for faster supply chain and hence is preferred way to transport goods.

Goods need to be secured on Pallets.

It would mean use of Wrapping Films or Plastics Straps.

However, excessive plastic waste generated due to utilization of single-use plastic(SUP), in the process of palletization, was one of the foremost driving factors that led our company to develop sustainable packaging for closed loop supply chains.

One of the major challenges faced is the lack of proper plastic waste management and underdeveloped technology for recycling of plastic waste, particularly, flexible films like

Stretch Wrapping films.

We are determined to introduce the aspect of reusability in packaging which in turn reinforces the idea of sustainability.

The main focus of waste management strategies is recycling, whereas what we need right now is to prioritize reuse over recycling. The volume of packaging being recycled is far too low, particularly in the plastic sector where most of it is downcycled.

Our Reusable Pallet Covers (RPC) not only guarantee plastic waste elimination but are also cost efficient which makes it easy for companies to switch over to this solution.

RPC is almost ZERO WASTE Solution.

Globally, Pallet Pooling has shown that it is possible to share and reuse assets in closed loop supply chains, and hence, at 350 Million estimated Pallet Pooling units, we thought, how could the scenario look like, if a stretch wrapping films, which are cut-and-thrown away packaging material, replaced with a reusable solution.

Since, pallets are collected back, it is possible to also collect back packaging materials.

In Indian context, it was quite interesting to note that we rarely use Pallets for within country transportation. Most Pallet use is limited INTRA-LOGISTICS within Manufacturing plant or warehouses.

Hence, use of RPC, can substantially reduce use of SUP, and cut waste generation.

Our product is made of laminated PP /HDPE woven fabric which is a robust material.

Key elements, which differentiate our Pallet Covers are :

1. Mechanical Belt Tightening (Cam-Buckle) for Long life and Strong

"Load Containment Force"

2. Stand to hold cover for Single-handed operation.

The goal of the product is to induce the trend of sustainable packaging in supply chain and at the same time achieve reduction of plastic waste.

In India, trigger to start working on reduction of Single-Use Plastic (SUP) came from Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 with provisions to ban use of Plastic Films less than 50 Micron. Some Indian States, began to limit use of Pallet wrapping films of less than 50 micron.

Cargill India - A subsidiary of Cargill USA, has an edible oil packaging plant in India,

came up with problem Statement:

We want to eliminate "Stretch Films" from our Palletization process, can you do something?

The Plant had Warehouse 10 kms away, it was closed loop supply chain, that we had to target.

Something RESUSABLE could be implemented since CARGILL was willing to experiment and we agreed to do the asset management as a service.

Every day, 1200 pallets were packed with Edible oil.

Each Pallet Wrapping would use about 200 gms of Wrapping Film.

In 2018, we started work with REUSABLE Belts and Wedges, in Cargill India, and eliminated Monthly Film waste of 7 tons.

That's an annual film plastic waste reduction of : 100 Tons.

However, in 2020, during one plant visit, we observed that while the solution with belt works, it still leaves a dent on cartons. Messy Oily environment leads to wedges degrading very fast.

Hence, further research and development lead us to development of

REUSABLE PALLET COVERS.

Product has excellent "Load containment force" due to use of Cam-buckle tightening mechanism.

Laminated Fabric, ensures, that one Wet cloth Wipe is good to keep it clean.

And we have tested it for reuse, in our warehouse, and results show 100 times + reuse potential.

At the moment, RPC is under - testing stage with potential customers.

Real life testing is going on at major MNC companies like :

Ikea, Flipkart, Cargill, Adani Wilmar, Bunge India, Foodland, and many more.

Of these, Foodland placed first order for 400 Covers.