CHEP adds UN unit for batteries

BATTERIES PACKED

AUTOMOTIVE • CHEP HAS AMENDED ITS PACKAGING PORTFOLIO TO OFFER A REUSABLE, UN-CERTIFIED SOLUTION FOR SHIPPERS OF LITHIUM ION BATTERIES IN THE GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

A NEW REUSABLE packaging solution from the CHEP IsoBin collection promises to make a major contribution to the transport of automotive batteries. Originally revealed at the Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, Germany last month, the new UN-certified IsoBin containers have been specially tailored to the transport requirements of OEMs and battery manufacturers in the automotive supply chain.

“The switch to electromobility and the widespread use of lithium ion batteries are making their transport a core topic for the automotive industry,” says Sanjiv Takyar, head of innovation, solutioning and implementation, Europe at CHEP. “The big challenge is to ensure that different national dangerous goods requirements are met along automotive supply chains, while at the same time working efficiently, safely and sustainably. Only in this way automobile manufacturers and their suppliers will be able to lay the foundations for stable series production of electric vehicles. With the mass production of batteries, one-way solutions are approaching their limits.”

DESIGNED FOR SAFETY The transport of lithium ion batteries is not without its hazards. They are known to react with numerous substances, overheat, catch fire or even explode, and are therefore classified as Class 9 dangerous goods and subject to special transport regulations, depending on the mode of transport.

Improperly packaged batteries greatly increase the chances of dangerous problems arising, which can shut down the entire supply chain, causing not only enormous costs but also damage to a company’s image or loss of confidence from consumers.

The latest hardware from CHEP is based on the EuroBin FLC container types and the IsoBin 33, used in European and international supply chains, respectively. CHEP has adapted its existing container solutions to meet the UN provisions, equipping the containers with an additional lid and inner pocket, plus four banding straps. The new containers are certified according to UN standards for the transport of dangerous goods by sea and on the road, allowing for a great diversity of use. The IsoBin has a maximum load weight of 907 kg and an empty weight of 48 kg; the EuroBin FLC has similar dimensions but optimised for European transport.

To combat the limitations of one-way solutions, the latest additions to the CHEP portfolio are reusable and manufactured with 100 per cent recyclable polypropylene. Users of the product can reduce their carbon footprint and are likely to recoup capital costs within two trips, CHEP says.

CHEP has been active as a packaging partner for the automotive industry since 1975. The company operates 62 automotive centres worldwide and a pool of 300 million fast moving containers and pallets in global supply chains. CHEP is part of the Brambles Group and is active in more than 55 countries worldwide, its largest operations being in North America and western Europe. HCB www.chep.com