SIG has taken a step towards reducing waste by successfully developing pallets for use in industrial transportation made from pre-consumer aseptic carton packaging waste mixed with virgin plastics. This is a pilot program led by SIG's packaging plant in Rayong, Thailand, in collaboration with Advanced Mat, an engineering materials researcher. SIG has started using the pallets as part of its warehousing operations in Thailand.
The new pallets are partly made from separated polymer and aluminum (PolyAl) from recycled carton packaging waste at SIG's production plant in Thailand, replacing up to 30% of virgin plastic with recycled content. Molding is used to form the molten PolyAl into pallets designed to meet load-bearing specifications, with features such as interlocking edges and forklift slots. Each pallet weighs only 22 kg, while holding a static load of over 8,500 kg and dynamic load of 1,350kg.
Miguel Gamito, Head of Operations and Supply Chain Management at SIG in Rayong: "This project is one of several SIG initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing our role in the circular economy. Unlike regular pallets made only from virgin materials, our ReNew Pallets include a mix of recycled packaging waste, which is then used to make these durable non-toxic, and recyclable pallets, offering a more sustainable option for the logistics industry."
Vatcharapong Ungsrisawasdi, Head of Market Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia at SIG: "With the successful testing of ReNew Pallets at our Rayong production plant, we aim to expand their use in the SIG network. They are more durable than the HDPE plastic pallets that are commonly used for storing and transporting of goods. We target to eventually replace all our HDPE pallets and deliver our carton sleeves to our customers using these ReNew Pallets. By expanding this project, SIG is actively contributing to the recycling efforts and reintroducing recyclable materials into the cycle. This is aligned with SIG's commitment to lead the way towards a fully circular packaging system."
Vitsarut Janpaen, CEO at Advanced Mat: "As a materials specialist, Advanced Mat has been instrumental in successfully developing and producing these commercially viable ReNew Pallets. We are committed to using our expertise to enable the wider use of PolyAl. This partnership with SIG is an important step in our commitment to innovation
and sustainability. By integrating waste into the circular economy, we are increasing our positive impact on the environment."
In the pilot phase of the project, the ReNew Pallets will be used in SIG's warehouse in Rayong. Following its successful implementation, future plans include the use of PolyAl obtained from recycled post-consumer beverage cartons. Up to 3,400 beverage cartons are used to make a single ReNew Pallet, which can divert waste from landfills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 144.68kg[1].
[1] Calculated using the GHG emission reduction programme under the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction (T-VER) Programdeveloped by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO).