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Fenton Packaging Solutions and Quadpak bring UN-approved Bag-in-Box solutions to the cleaning and hygiene sector
“By combining Quadpak’s flexible packaging expertise with Fenton’s market knowledge and customer relationships, we can help businesses identify suitable packaging alternatives for their cleaning, hygiene and chemical packaging requirements.”
UN-approved Bag-in-Box (BiB) packaging is now available for detergents, professional cleaning products and suitable chemical applications in the UK, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates, providing an alternative to traditional rigid plastic containers for appropriate products in Packing Groups II and III.
The solutions combine high-quality flexible packaging with the technical knowledge and application support required to assess and develop suitable BiB applications for these markets.
The opportunity is being developed through close cooperation between Leeds-based Fenton Packaging Solutions and Sweden-based Quadpak, with Fenton acting as an important and preferred partner in supporting customers and developing Bag-in-Box opportunities in the UK, Ireland and the UAE.
Quadpak has extensive experience in manufacturing high-quality bags and flexible packaging for liquid products, including BiB, its Cheertainer™ design, stand-up pouches, traditional pillow bags and customised solutions.
“We are delighted to be working with Fenton Packaging Solutions to ensure that Quadpak’s Bag-in-Box and flexible packaging solutions reach a wider audience in the UK, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates,” says Quadpak Managing Director Stellan Flensmo.
“We have a proven track record of developing innovative, high-quality smart and sustainable packaging for a variety of liquid applications. “Our cooperation with Fenton will create new opportunities and help make these solutions available to a wider range of customers.”
An alternative to rigid plastic packaging
For suitable products in Packing Groups II and III, Bag-in-Box can replace rigid plastic jerry cans and other containers traditionally used for detergents, professional cleaning products and chemical applications.
“We have been working closely with Quadpak for several years to ensure that we can offer a wide range of UN-approved Bag-in-Box alternatives for suitable products classified within Packing Groups II and III, subject to product compatibility, packaging specification and applicable transport requirements,” says Fenton Packaging Solutions Managing Partner Chris Warren.
The flexible format can reduce the amount of packaging material required while making more efficient use of storage and transport space. Depending on the application, it can also incorporate controlled dispensing and dosing systems.
For customers handling large volumes of product, these characteristics can reduce the amount of packaging requiring collection and disposal at the end of its life.
There are also increasing financial pressures associated with rigid plastic. Businesses are facing higher collection, recycling and disposal costs, including those arising from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Operators using rigid plastic jerry cans may also be liable for Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and professional waste collection charges.
Proquimia: an early adopter of Bag-in-Box packaging
The potential of Bag-in-Box in the professional cleaning and hygiene sector is demonstrated by Proquimia, the Spain-based manufacturer of professional cleaning and disinfection products.
Proquimia was an early adopter of Quadpak’s packaging through its Ecoconpack hygiene system, which uses BiB for highly concentrated products supplied for kitchen cleaning and disinfection, housekeeping, general cleaning and laundry, together with efficient dosing equipment.
Proquimia has successfully used Ecoconpack since 2011 and reports a 95% reduction in plastic waste and a 75% reduction in transport and storage costs. The system is designed for recycling, carries the European ECOLABEL label and is supported by a range of dosing systems.
Sustainability and supply-chain benefits
Compared with traditional rigid plastic packaging, Bag-in-Box solutions can use around 80% to 90% less plastic. Their compact format can provide a 4:1 logistical transportation advantage, maximising load space and potentially reducing transport requirements.
These efficiencies can lower fuel consumption and associated CO₂ and greenhouse-gas emissions, while using less packaging material can reduce waste at the end of the product’s life. Where the packaging is designed for recycling, it can also support improved packaging recovery.
“The financial and sustainability benefits of moving away from rigid plastic are becoming increasingly evident,” says Chris Warren. “Bag-in-Box gives customers an opportunity to reduce packaging material while improving storage and transport efficiency and, where appropriate, incorporating effective dispensing systems.”
“Our close cooperation with Quadpak strengthens our ability to develop and support these applications. By combining Quadpak’s flexible packaging expertise with Fenton’s market knowledge and customer relationships, we can help businesses identify suitable packaging alternatives for their cleaning, hygiene and chemical packaging requirements.”
