Eco Pack Technologies

Visit us at PPMA 2024!

It may still be a few months away, but with time flying by, PPMA 2024 will be here before we know it.

We'll be there on stand E16 and we're excited to showcase the latest developments in our low-cost, low-carbon stretch wrap technology.

If you're a food, beverage, or pharmaceuticals manufacturer and haven't visited the PPMA show before, it's definitely worth a visit, and we'd love to see you on the Eco Pack stand.

Find out more about PPMA 2024 and register for your free ticket here - https://www.ppmashow.co.uk/

Learn more about Eco Pack Technologies and sustainable stretch wrap solutions here - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/

How does the cost of different secondary packaging solutions compare?

We previously illustrated how the carbon footprint of different packaging solutions decreases by switching to a stretch wrap system, but what cost savings can also be achieved?

With stretch wrapping, there's no heat in the process, so energy usage is significantly reduced. 📉

Plus, with the elasticity of the stretch wrap film creating a robust and secure pack for distribution, expensive cardboard trays can often be dispensed of too.

Even for products needing a little extra support, cardboard box weights can be reduced by up to 30%.

Scroll through the images below to see what cost savings per pack could be achieved by switching to stretch wrapping. 👇

Interested in learning more? Contact our team on 01484 505846 or head to our website - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/

Final part of the history of Eco Pack Technologies!

In the first instalments of our story, we revealed that the concept of stretch wrapping was actually developed back in the 1990's by visionary Peter Johnson, following a very frightening incident where a batch of high pressurised aerosol tins got stuck in a heat tunnel and exploded.

But, despite a successful trial, issues with the system's commercial viability meant it was mothballed until the late 90's / early 00's when energy prices started to escalate and concerns around packaging waste grew. 🗑️

Fast forward a few years and Peter Johnson's company TrakRap had refined stretch wrap technology and it's machines had been adopted by a wide range of customers who were packaging yogurts, frozen ready meals, pet food, pharmaceuticals, household products, and much more.

It looked like the future of TrakRap and stretch wrapping was bright.

But then in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit!

Despite continuing production, many food manufacturers stopped installing new machinery for fear of infection. No installations meant no income for TrakRap and the company sadly went into receivership in February 2022.

Happily, that's not the end of the story. 🙂

With a passion for the environment and a firm belief in the technology, TrakRap's CEO Martin Leeming was determined to take the solution forward.

Alongside other members of the TrakRap team who shared the same passion, machines at existing customer sites continued to be supported, whilst Martin worked tirelessly to find new investors.

Martin's hard work paid off in 2023, when TrakRap's assets were acquired by WT Johnson Ltd, and very soon after, Eco Pack Technologies was born.

Later in 2023, US investment company Ault Alliance stepped forward to declare their interest in the company, and the future of Eco Pack Technologies became even brighter with very significant investment. 🔆

Now in 2024, we are excited for the future of Eco Pack Technologies and our low cost, low carbon stretch wrapping solutions. Our growing team are working hard to develop our next generation machinery and we can't wait to reveal it later in the year!

Today is World Environment Day! So we wanted to show our support by helping to raise awareness. 🌍

This year's theme is 'Land Restoration, Desertification, & Drought Resilience' and focuses on how our generation can give nature a helping hand through the actions we take, the choices we make, and by raising our voices.

"We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, green our cities, harvest rainwater and eat soil-friendly foods. We are the generation that can make peace with land."

Individually and at home, we take action every day to reduce, reuse, and recycle. But we want to encourage and support businesses to take even bigger strides in reducing their carbon footprint and reducing packaging waste. ♻️

At Eco Pack Technologies, we are dedicated to finding packaging solutions that are more environmentally friendly. Our sustainable stretch wrap solution is a low-cost, low-carbon secondary packaging solution for FMCG manufacturers.

A cold wrapping system uses over 90% less energy than a heat/shrink wrap solution, and because there's no heat, thinner films can be used, which means plastic use is reduced by up to 70%.

Reducing the number of trees that are chopped down also helps. In many instances, cardboard trays can also be completely eliminated. Or for products that need a little extra support, cardboard box weights can be reduced by up to 30%.

Less plastic ➕ less cardboard ➕ less energy consumed 🟰 significantly lower carbon emissions 🟰 a significantly lower effect on the environment.

So on this World Environment Day, take the first step in making a difference to our planet by contacting us today.

Call 01484 505846 or email [email protected]

⭐ Meet the Team ⭐

Introducing Craig Newnes, our Head of Engineering.

Craig has worked in engineering for over 25 years, honing his skills in many different industries including the automotive, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, mining, and fabrication sectors.

Before joining Eco Pack Technologies, Craig spent 14 years in the food industry where he progressed from Design Engineer to Design Manager. Working with Packaging Automation Limited, he was responsible for designing heat seal machines, which gave him great insight into packaging machinery and systems.

Now, as Head of Engineering for Eco Pack, Craig is in the driving seat for the ongoing development of our stretch wrap technology. With his team of engineers, he is busy trialling new concepts, looking at different manufacturing methods, and exploring electronic control equipment to make the machines ever more user friendly. The team are also working closely with suppliers and regularly liaise with customers to better understand their needs and gain their feedback.

Outside of work, Craig is a lifelong football fan and loves going to watch his team - the mighty Everton - with his twin boys. In fact he has been a season ticket holder for 40 years! ⚽

Craig also enjoys playing football, going to the gym, and running. His greatest achievement was completing the London Marathon in 2022.

Give a 👍to say hello to Craig.

After-sales support to keep your packaging processes running smoothly!

We understand that installing a new piece of packaging equipment is a big deal for manufacturers and how crucial it is to keep production processes flowing.

And when the machinery technology is completely new to the organisation, we also appreciate how important it is to ensure the team are confident in managing it.

That's why we offer an aftersales support package to help keep machines running at optimal levels after initial installation and set up have been complete. 👍

Our unique 4-level plan not only ensures that the machine is always available, but it's done at the lowest possible cost.

Level 1: Preventative maintenance is by far the most cost-effective solution. We work with you to agree a service interval that’s right for your level of production and the stresses and strains your machine has to deal with.

Level 2: We train your Operators and Engineers in what to look out for and how to repair and replace before any failure, that results in downtime, occurs. We also work with you to ensure that key spares are held on site to support your operation.

Level 3: We’re only a call away! A helpline to our experienced Engineers, backed up by our ability to remotely access your machine means that we have the ability to resolve most issues without the need for costly call outs.

Level 4: On the off chance that none of the previous levels can resolve the problem, our experienced Engineers are always available to attend site. We work with you to determine the level of service that reflects your operational requirements. Whether it be 24/7 or less intensely, we have the package to suit your needs.

👉 Want to know more about our stretch wrap solutions? Head to our website - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/

⭐ Meet the team ⭐

Introducing our Managing Director, Martin Leeming.

Martin is passionate about three things - engineering, retail, and the environment.

His knowledge and experience from 12 years in the industry has been central in getting Eco Pack Technologies to where it is today.

Innovating and bringing a new concept to market is never easy and there have been many bumps along the way. But Martin's firm belief in creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solution for FMCG manufacturers, and at a much lower cost, has never faltered.

Martin’s engineering skills were honed at Manchester University and Cummins Engine Company, before adding his vast knowledge of retail supply chains, holding senior positions at Asda in both trading and supply chain.

His work with the Low Carbon Innovation Forum at Lancaster University gave him a unique insight into the environmental challenges facing the world and helped cement a solid understanding of how to make a difference. 🌍

Martin's passion for helping companies to lower costs whilst significantly reducing their impact on the environment, remains stronger than ever today. And alongside a team who share that passion, is the main driving force behind raising awareness of Eco Pack's sustainable secondary packaging solutions to manufacturers across the UK.

Outside of work, Martin's love of the environment continues. He particularly enjoys being out in the mountains whether mountain biking or skiing. In his home county of Yorkshire, he can regularly be seen out and about on his bike come rain, wind, shine, or even snow for that matter! 🚴

More on the history of the stretch wrapper!

Continuing our story on the birth of stretch wrap technology, our first instalment ended with the prototype machine being mothballed in the mid 90's to due to its lack of commercial viability.

However, at the end of the 90's and into the noughties, the world started to change. Electricity prices started to rise sharply and packaging waste was becoming a big issue.

In 1998, the European Commission introduced the Waste Framework Directive, setting out firm policies on waste disposal. Manufacturers and retailers were encouraged to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, and prevent waste from going to landfill. ♻

The major players in the food and drinks industry wholeheartedly embraced the new directive, came together, and formed the first Courtauld Commitment - a voluntary agreement to reduce the carbon and wider environmental impact of the UK food and drink sector.

This commitment to waste reduction, coupled with the need to reduce energy consumption, brought the stretch wrapper back into the limelight. The machine's benefits of using less packaging film and operating at vastly reduced running costs, were exactly what was needed to make it commercially viable. 🙂

Peter Johnson saw this exciting opportunity and the mothballs were off!

Stay tuned for another instalment of our history another day.

👉 In the meantime, hop on over to our website to learn how stretch wrapping can help manufacturers to reduce costs and reduce their impact on the environment - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/why-stretch-wrap/

Thank you to the team at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre for welcoming us!

We are really excited for the future of Eco Pack Technologies and our sustainable stretch wrap solutions, and the centre is a great base from which we can continue to develop and grow.

We have welcomed several new businesses over the last few months from a range of sectors including packaging, property finance, vet diagnostics and formulation testing.

Urolith, Eco Pack Technologies, Crafted and the Charlesworth Family Group have taken offices and labs, leaving only a few remaining spaces at the centre.

You can find out more about the businesses here.
https://buff.ly/3QzltA3

Registration for the PPMA Show 2024 is now open!

The UK’s largest event for processing equipment, packaging machinery, industrial robots and machine vision systems, the PPMA Show 2024 will be taking place on 24th-26th September at the NEC in Birmingham.

We'll be there on stand E16 showcasing our low-cost, low-carbon stretch wrap solutions for FMCG manufacturers.

Learn more about the event and register for your free ticket - https://www.ppmashow.co.uk/

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Visitor registration for has now opened! The UK’s largest event for processing equipment, , industrial robots and machine vision systems.

Register for FREE: https://ow.ly/BfWU50Rqt8S

⭐ Helping manufacturers conform to environmental legislation ⭐

We talk a lot about how our stretch wrap technology helps manufacturers save £'s in operating costs and how it can dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

But there's more!

With increasing legislation governing waste, energy consumption, and harmful emissions, manufacturers must ensure they conform to ever-tightening controls, or face fines and penalties. 💷

Cold stretch wrap solutions tick all the boxes when it comes to environmental legislation...

✅ Climate Change Levy
✅ Plastics Tax
✅ Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fees
✅ Emissions Trading Scheme - Energy From Waste
✅ Carbon Tax

The diagram below explains more. 👇

Or to speak with our team about how our stretch wrap solutions, call 01484 505846 or email [email protected]

The birth of the stretch wrapper - was it a stroke of luck or pure genius (or a bit of both)?

Although Eco Pack Technologies is a fairly new organisation, the concept of stretch wrapping was actually born back in the 1990's.

It came about following a very frightening incident at an aerosol manufacturing plant, when a batch of high pressurised aerosol tins got stuck in the heat tunnel and exploded.

Thankfully, nobody was injured but the damage to the manufacturing site was extensive, and it certainly highlighted the dangers of using shrink wrapping for specific product types.

Determined to eliminate heat from the wrapping process, visionary Peter Johnson set up the TrakRap organisation and got to work designing a stretch wrapping prototype.

The prototype was a resounding success and went on to wrap 2L fizzy bottles of pop at the well-known Huddersfield-based drinks company, Ben Shaws.

Despite its success, however, the prototype machine needed a little more development to make it commercially viable, so it was back to the drawing board.

Fast forward nearly 30 years and stretch wrapping technology has moved on considerably. Not only is it commercially viable, but it's a commercial 'no brainer', saving manufacturers over 90% in energy costs and up to 70% in plastic usage compared to shrink wrapping.

More on our history another day, but if you'd like to know more about our stretch wrapping solutions, get in touch via our website - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/contact-us/



(Pictured: the original prototype machine)

Our team are working incredibly hard to keep refining our technology and we're really proud of the solutions we offer.

Introducing the Eco Wrapper!

With its cutting-edge design and digital technology, the Eco Wrapper is a 21st century replacement for cardboard boxes and shrink-wrap packs.

Designed to be flexible, the system can be easily configured to deliver robust and stable packs every time - whether they're collated in trays or uncollated, and no matter what the product shape or size.

From cartons and jars, to bags, trays, pots, bottles, and cans, the Eco Wrapper can accommodate a comprehensive range of product types with the highest levels of proficiency.

With a speed range of between 5 and 50 collations per minute, and film changeover times of less than 3 minutes, downtime is kept to an absolute minimum and productivity can remain high.

And when glitches occur, our ability to remotely access the system means our engineers can resolve most issues without the need for costly call-out charges.

What's more, the Eco Wrapper's superior design not only reduces operational costs but it also mitigates environmental impact by significantly diminishing carbon emissions when compared to shrink wrapping.

Want to know more? Head to our website - https://ecopacktechnologies.com/

hashtag hashtag hashtag

We're lucky to have a team of people that are not only good at their jobs, but care passionately about what we do. So we thought we'd introduce some of them over the next few weeks.

Meet our Sales Director, Colin Coules.

Colin has been in the paper and packaging industry for all of his working life, so his knowledge of end of line packing machinery is second to none!

He has the natural ability to look at end of line packaging processes and understand very quickly where efficiencies can be implemented and savings can be made.

Despite being in the industry for decades, Colin says that not much has changed in the way that the end of line process works or the machinery that's been used over the years.

That is until now!

The evolution of cold wrapping solutions is revolutionary, and Colin loves nothing more than being able to reveal to customers how much they could save financially and environmentally by replacing their shrink wrap machinery with a technically advanced stretch wrap alternative.

So if you're a food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturer looking to save costs and reduce your carbon footprint, Colin can help.

Are you ready for the UK Plastics Pact?

With 2025 now on the horizon, time is rapidly running out for manufacturers to take action to help meet the targets of the UK Plastics Pact.

Formed in 2018 by Wrap and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the pact set four ambition targets:

1️⃣ Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery models
2️⃣ 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable
3️⃣ 70% of plastics packaging effectively recycled or composted
4️⃣ 30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging

Much progress has been made, as the video below shows, but there is still more to do.

Our cold wrap technology can help food, beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers reduce plastic use by up 70% and energy use by over 90%, in comparison to current heat/shrink wrap solutions.

Plus, our stretch wrap machines use film that already has a 30% recycled content, and they can use biodegradable and even compostable films.

https://youtu.be/GCYWCPzrpIQ?feature=shared

How to transform our broken plastics system In 2018, WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation launched the world’s first Plastics Pact. Since 2018, members of The UK Plastics Pact have been working tire...

You don’t have to be big to make a big impact!

It’s been 6 months since we announced our agreement with the team at Ault Alliance Inc to invest in Eco Pack Technologies, and we’re thrilled with how it’s helping us to accelerate the growth of our cutting-edge stretch wrapping solutions for FMCG Manufacturers.

In the last few months....

✅ We’ve expanded our team of packaging experts- particularly within engineering.
✅ We’ve begun collaborating with to further our knowledge of plant-based plastics and how we can make plastics even more sustainable.
✅ We’ve opened new offices at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
✅ We have been continually refining our stretch wrapping technology and machinery.
✅We’ve begun opening up collaborations with the likes of and Allsops Ltd to ensure the quality and ease of use of our machines is second to none.

It’s an exciting time for all the team and we’re looking forward to the months ahead.

Want to know more about Eco Pack Technologies and our sustainable secondary packaging solutions? Head to our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/egXxsVhU