A new expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging concept that has gained traction worldwide for containerised bulky cargo has just been launched in South Africa. ISO Moulders, the South African licence-holders for the system and specialists in protective packaging for appliance manufacturers, see significant potential for the globally patented system in the local freight industry. “It’s lightweight, durable and 100% recyclable. The EPS system can accommodate a variety of products – including metal coil, plate, wire coil and project cargo,” says general manager Shaun Reardon. “It’s much quicker and easier than packing with the traditional timber systems.” While timber has largely been used to secure heavy steel coils in containers, a company in Australia has patented the use of EPS to transport bulky cargoes – and it’s this product for which ISO Moulders sees benefit for companies in southern Africa. “Instead of the labour-intensive exercise of creating wooden cradles for coils to sit in, now you can use pre-cut EPS. It’s much quicker and a bit cheaper than going the wood route – and because it’s lighter you can get more steel into the container.” “In terms of strength and durability, standard density EPS is able to hold a coil up to 16t. The system works up to a 27t coil and because you are getting a much better contact area, the restriction becomes the container rating, which is usually 28t,” group technical manager Eric Axelrad explains. “If you’re creating a saddle out of wood the contact area with the wood is relatively small, so the load is concentrated on certain spots on the wood. When it ships, the constant motion puts high stress on these points and it can break, the coils move and cause damage to the container. “For the EPS option, its track record speaks for itself,” says Axelrad. “We have had zero damage to steel coils or containers in eight years of operation across all intermodal transport worldwide,” he adds. C Steinweg Logistics has already bought into the concept locally and is using the EPS solution in City Deep, Johannesburg and Bayhead in Durban. Steel coils are however not the only target market. The company also has its sights set on other coil transporters, metal plate, wire, container and breakbulk road freight.
We have had zero damage to steel coils or containers in eight years of operation. – Eric Axelrad
