New IBC for European Market
20 July 2007
For many years the use of all plastic containers in the food industry has been rising. Plastic containers seem to resolve many issues regarding food hygiene when storing, handling and transporting bulk food ingredients.
One of the most common processes for making such containers is by rotational moulding. The advantages are:
- The process provides the product with a smooth surface on the inside to which only a very small proportion of the contents will stick and which can easily be cleaned
- The containers can also be made to reinforce company branding with choice of colour - logos can be moulded, post-moulded or embossed into the container
- Superior wall thickness of 10mm compared to 2.5mm in blowmoulded plastic containers, giving greater protection to UV rays and the knocks and pumps that occur in industrial use
- The elimination of metal is ideally suited for storing goods where product integrity is at a premium
- Most importantly the plastic surfaces are easy to clean down on the inside and outside with reduced catchments areas.
It has been noted that the European food market prefers intermediate bulk containers that are all plastic. To take advantage of this increased demand, Francis Ward has sought to add to its range by signing a European Distribution agreement with US firm, Hoover Materials Handling Group Inc.
The APR is a one-piece rotational moulded LMDPE bottle that is secured to a plastic pallet. The design while UN approved in the US under manufacture by Hoover, will be sold in Europe for non-hazardous applications. The durable design still allows it to withstand heavy industrial use and totally reusable for a long lifetime. The company intends to add a UN certification in the next few months.
Jonathan Wurr, managing director of Francis Ward believes the APR fits the gap in the market between blow moulded, light duty IBCs and high specification, heavy duty IBCs. "Such a unit offers the advantages that come with heavy duty IBCs such as reusability and long term usage, but not at the same premium price.” Wurr continues, "The APR is easy to maintain, with no wire cages to worry about rust or corrosion and with a quick pressure wash the APR is immediately presentable to customers."
Working with its network of European agents, Francis Ward has already generated significant interest for the APR for liquid food products, liquid pharmaceutical products and liquid cosmetic products.
