Aug 9, 2024 - 3-5 minutes
Raising the Bar for Automated Packaging in Ecommerce
Since 2020, the online market has boomed. Consumers across the globe have embraced shopping on the web, and for many reasons. This has left more retailers than ever struggling to keep up with growing demand and to do it efficiently. Automated packaging and high-performance adhesives are key.
The world of ecommerce is huge, and it’s growing. Some observers expect the market to reach US$8 trillion by 2027.1 As more shoppers gravitate toward the convenience of online shopping, it’s possible these estimations will reach even higher numbers than expected.
Responding to the shift, retail outlets continue to venture into online and subscription sales. This upswing has brought a matching increase in demand to the ecommerce packaging industry. In the United States alone, such purchases are projected to reach $1.72 trillion by 20272. This would account for more than 20% of total retail sales in the U.S.
As ecommerce gains prominence, packaging manufacturers must adapt or risk being sidelined.
Packaging’s Role in the Ecommerce Supply
Unlike the paper or plastic bags of brick-and-mortar stores, ecommerce packaging typically consists of a cardboard or corrugated box or envelope, along with cushioning materials to prevent spillage or damage to the goods.
It also requires much more handling to reach the consumer than their in-store counterparts. Many items pass from manufacturer to warehouse, to fulfilment center, to shipping facilities, to delivery drivers, and finally to the consumer. Each step may also include loading, unloading, and other handling.
To ensure every consumer’s purchase arrives intact and in working order, the packaging must perform a variety of crucial tasks. The packaging must prevent the purchased goods from incurring damage or spillage within the box. It must also be durable enough to withstand rough handling to avoid potential supply chain and delivery disruption.
Streamlining the Packaging Process Through Automation
In order to keep up with the fast-moving landscape and the heightened demands that the ecommerce supply chain poses, manufacturers can turn to automation for their packaging. Putting such systems in place may significantly improve production speed. For example, they can multitask, folding several steps of the process—like sealing and labelling—into one swift action.
Choosing the right adhesives for your packaging can play a key role in supporting your efficiency and speed in meeting your consumers’ needs.
More sustainable packaging, supported by Kizen adhesive technology from Bostik, opens the door to consumer satisfaction.
Adhesives for Effective Ecommerce Packaging
The right hot-melt adhesive can improve your manufacturing process. When used at high speeds, it reduces line downtime, streamlines production, and creates efficiencies while decreasing your overall packaging costs.
Kizen®, Bostik’s proprietary high-performance adhesive technology, is designed for easy use and features strong bond performance over a wide range of substrates. Kizen also provides manufacturers and converters like you with comfort, environmental advantages, and operational efficiencies to meet your specific requirements for packaging applications.
Four products under the Kizen line—Kizen FORCE, Kizen FREEZE, Kizen COOL, and Kizen PRO—feature:
- Reliable bond strength
- Fast set times
- Broad processing windows
- Good thermal stability
- Adhesion to difficult substrates (including highly recycled cardboard)
Kizen adhesive products are also designed to support your sustainability initiatives in a variety of ways, including:
- Reducing add-on in comparison to other types of adhesive, such as EVA and metallocene conventional hot-melt technologies
- Relying more on bio-sourced or renewable materials to lower the usage of fossil resources
- Decreasing both adhesive consumption and application temperature, reducing energy use by 10 to 30%
Kizen is also well suited to other applications, including palletizing, case and carton sealing, high-performance needs, and more.
Contact a Bostik representative today to request an adhesive sample and learn how we can enhance your manufacturing processes.
©2024 Bostik, Inc. All Rights Reserved
All information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, is provided “as-is” and is subject to change without notice. To review our full U.S. Legal Disclaimer, visit: https://bostik.com/us/en_US/privacy-policy/legal-disclaimer
1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/
2 https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/us-ecommerce-sales
See also
Back to all articles- Advanced Packaging
7 Reasons Your Hot-Melt Adhesive for Consumer Goods Packaging Won’t Stick
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Keep Pace: Secure Bonding at Speed With Environmentally Friendly Packaging
- Advanced Packaging