For many years the use of all plastic containers in the food industry has
been rising. Plastic containers seem to resolve many issues regarding food
hygiene when storing, handling and transporting bulk food ingredients.
One of the most common processes for making such containers is by rotational
moulding. The advantages are:
The process provides the product with a smooth surface on the
inside to which only a very small proportion of the contents
will stick and which can easily be cleaned.
The containers can also be made to reinforce company branding with choice
of colour. Company logos can also be moulded, post-moulded or embossed
into the container
Superior wall thickness of 10mm compared to2.5mm in blowmoulded plastic
containers, giving greater protection to UV rays and the knocks and pumps
that occur in industrial use.
The elimination of metal is ideally suited for storing goods where product
integrity is at a premium.
Most importantly the plastic surfaces are easy to clean down on the
inside and outside with reduced catchments areas.
It has been noted that the European food market prefers intermediate bulk
containers that are all plastic! To take advantage of this increased demand,
Francis Ward has sought to add to its range by signing a European Distribution
agreement with US firm, Hoover Materials Handling Group Inc.
The agreement allows Francis Ward to manufacture under licence Hoover Materials’ all
plastic IBC; the APR and supply it across Europe.
The APR is a one-piece rotational moulded LMDPE bottle that is secured
to a plastic pallet. The design while UN approved in the US under manufacture
by Hoover, will be sold in Europe for non-hazardous applications. The durable
design still allows it to withstand heavy industrial use and totally reusable
for a long lifetime. The company intends to add a UN certification in the
next few months.
Jonathan Wurr, Managing Director of Francis Ward believes the APR fits
the gap in the market between blow moulded, light duty IBCs and high specification,
heavy duty IBCs. “Such a unit offers the advantages that come with
heavy duty IBCs such as reusability and long term usage, but not at the
same premium price.”
Wurr continues, “ the APR is easy to maintain, with no wire cages
to worry about rust or corrosion and with a quick pressure wash the APR
is immediately presentable to customers.”
Working with its network of European agents, Francis Ward has already generated
significant interest for the APR for liquid food products, liquid pharmaceutical
products and liquid cosmetic products.
