Why choose reusable packaging?
With the European PPWR regulation, companies must rethink their models to reduce waste and improve the circularity of their products. But more than just a regulatory aspect, reuse is a true driver of overall performance that supports the shift towards more responsible consumption patterns. On the one hand, it significantly reduces waste by extending the lifespan of packaging. On the other hand, it offers a long-term economic advantage. While the initial investment may be higher, the durability of reusable packaging reduces costs associated with recurring purchases and waste management.
Finally, reuse helps improve a company's brand image by meeting the growing expectations of consumers and stakeholders regarding environmental responsibility.
Knauf Industries' Solutions for Packaging Reuse
Convinced that every project is unique, we develop solutions tailored to your specific uses, industrial constraints, and environmental objectives. To achieve this, we offer a collaborative development process supported by strong innovation capabilities and expertise across the entire packaging lifecycle. These areas of expertise allow us to offer you several options if you are looking for reusable solutions:
Custom-Made Reusable Packaging
Our in-house design office, our R&D department, and our testing and prototyping laboratory collaborate to design custom-made reusable packaging, with a strong emphasis on eco-design.
To ensure a result that precisely meets your needs, we analyze your industrial processes, the packaged products, your logistical constraints, washing conditions, and traceability requirements. We then work with you to define precise specifications that incorporate all technical and regulatory requirements.
Based on this, we then carry out the design using advanced tools such as numerical simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA) to optimize performance from the earliest stages of the project. Prototypes are then developed and tested (mechanical resistance, food compatibility, washing cycles, etc.) to validate the solution before industrial production.
Pre-designed ranges for rapid deployment
To meet the needs of rapid implementation, we also offer ranges of standardized, reusable packaging that are immediately available. Our solutions cover various uses:
- Reusable food containers capable of withstanding multiple cycles of use without food safety risks (such as KEEPY®).
- Lightweight and robust reusable group packaging, ideal for easy handling and transport (such as FLIPBOX®, KOMEBAC®, or THERMOKULI®).
- Insulated coolers for transporting temperature-sensitive products (such as KOMEBAC® COOL).
Single-material solutions to facilitate recycling
Following a circular economy approach, we prioritize the design of single-material packaging made of polypropylene (PP) or expanded polypropylene (EPP). This choice allows us to facilitate end-of-life recycling, improve material traceability, and reduce the complexity of processing chains.
Solutions for all sectors
Because each sector has its own constraints, our reuse solutions are designed to adapt to a wide variety of industrial applications:
Food and Beverage
In the food and beverage industry, packaging reuse must meet strict food safety requirements while also addressing industrial performance and user experience constraints. To this end, we design reusable packaging in PP, PPE, PBT, or CPET that can cover a wide range of application temperatures, from cold storage to oven heating, while maintaining isothermal performance.
A concrete example: Knauf Industries co-developed, within the framework of the R3PACK project, a standardized reusable tray for several manufacturers, capable of integrating into existing production lines while facilitating washing and reuse cycles. This solution allows manufacturers to reduce waste while maintaining a high level of quality and productivity.
Transportation
In the transportation sector, reusable packaging helps secure logistics flows while reducing costs associated with single-use packaging. Thanks to materials like PPE, our solutions offer excellent impact resistance, lightweight design, and isothermal properties that protect sensitive products during repeated journeys.
Logistics
In logistics environments, our customized reusable packaging solutions must meet the needs of optimized flows and reduced musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). With this in mind, we design lightweight and ergonomic logistics containers that make the daily work of teams more comfortable.
Concrete example: Boehringer Ingelheim, by replacing its traditional containers with EPP solutions manufactured by Knauf Industries, was able to improve ergonomics, standardize its processes, and adopt a more sustainable solution, all while maintaining a high level of performance.
E-commerce
E-commerce is facing strong volume growth and increased pressure to reduce packaging waste. Our reusable solutions help limit over-packaging, optimize product protection, and establish efficient logistics loops for returns and recurring deliveries.
Knauf Industries: A partner of choice
To help you accelerate your reuse efforts, Knauf Industries offers comprehensive support, from ideation to production launch. Our expertise is based on mastery of multiple technologies (injection molding, thermoforming, honeycomb molding), a strong capacity for innovation in materials, and a co-development approach with our clients. We are involved at every stage: design, prototyping, testing, industrialization, and implementation of the reuse loop.
Our resources
WhitepapersRéemploi mode d'emploi
Le livre blanc sur les 3R
Read the Whitepaper
Use CaseR3PACK x Knauf Industries
Développement d'une barquette réemployable pour l'industrie agroalimentaire
Read the Use Case
WebinarsAnticipez la REP Emballages professionnels grâce au réemploi
Décryptez le cadre de la REP et découvrez des cas d’usage industriels.
Watch the WebinarFAQ
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Yes, provided it is well-designed. Our solutions are designed to integrate with existing production lines and meet your logistical and operational constraints.
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Materials such as polypropylene (PP) or expanded polypropylene (EPP) are particularly suitable due to their strength, lightness, and ability to withstand multiple cycles of use. The choice of material is made after a thorough analysis of your specifications.