"The APS project by Agil Packaging System, S.L. (AGILPACK) was approved within the call for SME Instrument H2020, H2020-SMEInst-2018-202-1, Call 2019-05-07.
There are important drawbacks on the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as actual packaging system for large white line appliances. It is a costly process, and major appliances manufacturers need to reduce the packaging costs because it does not add value to their customers. EPS packaging is expensive because the process consumes lots of energy, it is necessary to use costly moulds for packaging parts forming, and there are high transport and storage costs (it is a very low-density material). EPS technology is mature and there is little room for improvement, so appliance manufacturers need to find new packaging technology solutions that are cheaper, more flexible and more environmentally sustainable.
EPS packaging currently presents serious difficulties to be recycled due to transportation high cost (98% “air"" is transported) and the need for specific recycling plants. In fact, EPS is recycled only 22% Worldwide and 32% in Europe.
Furthermore, there is a growing legislative pressure to reduce or eliminate EPS, because it is a non-viable solution in a near term. European Parliament approved in Oct/2018 (Dir. 2018/852 Amendments to Dir. 94/62/EC) the ban of single-use plastic items from EU in 2021 including fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
The new packaging concept devised by AGILPACK, in terms of product, is based on the creation of three-dimensional solid pieces that emulate EPS pieces but that will be created from one or more layers of bubbles made from multilayer plastic film.
In addition, with regard to process innovation, the APS system integrates the manufacturing of the packaging at the end of the production line of the appliances manufacturers, supplying in real-time and on demand. This allows clients total flexibility.
The overall objective of the Project has been to confirm the business strategy, business model, intellectual property and marketing strategies of the company to enter into the international packaging sector for appliances.
The project has been developed accordingly to the work schedule set in five months, finishing at 31/12/2019."
