Media Statement
28 March 2005
Plastic packaging goes to new level
Designing a new plastic layered packaging system, including plastic pallets, is part of a Stokes Valley company’s
strategy steering it - and its customers - to greater New Zealand and international competitiveness.
New international market regulations are putting pressure on exporting companies to develop alternatives to wood and
cardboard packaging and Calvert Plastics is using a research and development programme to lead the change.
Around one percent of pallets used in New Zealand are made from plastic but the product has huge potential because it is
light, hygienic, takes less space and offers recycling opportunities.
Calvert Plastics, working with Wellington’s Institute of Technology (WelTec) product design and development students,
has developed a plastic layering system for automotive industry customer, ION Automotive Ltd (New Zealand). The
challenge was to design packaging that allowed two different sized and shaped car parts to be packed together using a
material that was robust enough to prevent damage in transit, with recycling capabilities, and fitting with the
customer’s existing pallets. The design needed to ensure the system could be easily manufactured economically.
Calvert Trading Manager, John Matthews, says the invention means the customer is buying only one layered packing system
that can be used for different products. Other advantages include more efficient use of cargo space, which is
particularly vital when air freighting goods internationally and the layers stack inside each other for return and
recycling.
“Our development of new plastic layered packaging systems is happening at a time when other international companies are
also looking for new packaging solutions as alternatives to meet the international market pressures to phase out the
traditional wood and cardboard based pallet and packing systems,” says Mr Matthews.
“The design allows more product to be stacked on a pallet. It’s a new way of thinking, with products stacked by angling
them on their edge rather than layering them flat.”
It results from a 3D visualisation process using computerised design and rapid prototyping techniques linked with the
customer’s own design capabilities. The breakthrough, with R investment funding from Technology New Zealand, will now be applied to help other customers make similar achievements,
and to add to Calvert’s own range of plastic products.
The company, with 20 staff and more than 46 years experience, has achieved international recognition with its police
riot shields and lids for recycling bins that enable easy sorting of household rubbish. Its core business until now has
been designing and manufacturing a range of thermoformed vacuum formed and fabricated components and products.
About one third of Calvert’s business revolves around its own product development, while the remainder involves custom
moulding and design for specific customer requirements, such as point of sale stands, and gas meter covers.
Mr Matthews, with business partner and Calvert’s Managing Director, Bruce Webster, says the company is now looking at
designing composite plastic materials to help keep customers more competitive, including plastic pallets that
incorporate tailored packaging systems to suit high value export products.
The company’s latest R is helping Calvert change focus, with more plans to work with industrial designers and researchers.
“R costs money and for many companies it takes a back seat when they are trying to make money to survive. The Technology
New Zealand assistance got us to focus on our future.
“There is no way we could have achieved this result as quickly without outside support, and it’s a competitive
environment so you have to keep moving quickly,” says Mr Matthews.
ENDS