Bag enables efficient product transportation

4th July 2014

By: Bruce Montiea

Creamer Media Reporter

  

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The need for a safe, reliable and cost-efficient packaging and transportation system is a pertinent issue, particularly for specialist manufacturing sectors such as the chemical and petrochemical industries.

“What is critical in the handling of chemicals, such as intermediates, carbon powder, plastics and resins, is that the highest level of product safety is maintained while goods are being transported,” says pallet-free bulk bags manufacturer Tellap MD Ken Mouritzen.

The company manufactures a patented lightweight recyclable pallet-free bulk bag, made of a customisable polypropylene cloth, with two lightweight plastic sleeves, as an alternative to the heavy wooden pallets being used in the chemical and petrochemical industries.

“The bag can be made in any size to suit the material being carried, with cost depending on the size of the bag. The average bag, including the sleeves, sells for R130,” he says.


The sleeves are integrated into the base of the bag to create a pallet, which allows a forklift to raise the bag from the ground. This is an important safety feature, as the sleeves function in a similar way to outriggers on a canoe, increasing stability during storage and transportation, and making the system safer for workers.

The company started manufacturing the bag in 2009, but Mouritzen says it is difficult to find out what its market share is because it is a niche product.

Companies have been forced to consider other alternatives to wooden pallets, as buying, storing, exchanging, disposing of and transporting them are costly. Often, using these pallets can also create problems, such as damage to packaging, while contamination from splinters, nails and mould can also arise.

The Tellap system allows for more products or product weight to be transported and reduces product damage, as well as transport and shipping costs. Therefore, according to Mouritzen, removing wooden pallets from the logistics chain increases efficiency, which leads to savings of between 8% and 10% a ton.

The Tellap bag design is tailored to meet the needs of different customers, products and modes of transport. Independent certification by global specialists in packaging component testing TEN-E Packaging Services ensures that every customer receives a high-quality product that matches their packaging needs.

The durable, 100% recyclable polypropylene bag requires no heat treatment, and does not present any disposal problems.

Further, storing the Tellap bag does not require much space. “The sleeves can be stored indoors or outdoors and the bags use only 5% of the storage area, compared to the space required by wooden pallets,” adds Mouritzen.

Tellap is also suitable for packing and transporting dry, loose and bulk products that include food commodities and ingredients, as well as pharmaceuticals and minerals.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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