The Benefits of HDPP Containers for Automated Systems
Guest blog from MHI Member Flexcon Container
Although high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly used for storage containers, there are advantages to using high-density polypropylene (HDPP). HDPP is more lightweight, durable and flexible than HDPE, allowing it to better absorb the impacts that might damage container contents.
As the warehousing industry grapples with labor shortages and the demand for fast delivery, more companies are implementing automated systems. Automated systems can reduce errors, expedite retrieval, and maximize storage; however, finding the right containers can be difficult. That’s where HDPP excels, providing lightweight, adaptable containers with enough durability to withstand the high-volume demands of automated systems.
How Have Automated Systems Changed Logistics?
Before automation, businesses would schedule pickups by phone or email days or weeks in advance. Between order placement and delivery, warehouse employees might have to walk miles, scouring the shelves for items. How quickly an order was filled depended on human memory and manual organization methods.
With automated systems, employees no longer had to spend hours trying to locate items, while reorganizing storage space to accommodate new inventory became much easier. Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) use various technologies, including robots, conveyor systems, and robotic arms, to handle inventory during both inbound and outbound processes. ASRS solutions can include:
• Unit-Load ASRS for large loads with a pallet rack structure.
• Mini-Load ASRS uses shuttles for the retrieval and placement of totes, trays, and cartons with lighter loads.
• Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) store and retrieve items from columns of vertical trays.
• Shuttle systems place and retrieve goods using robots or shuttles.
• Horizontal and Vertical Carousels store smaller inventories that rotate to present the requested item.
While automation improves efficiency, reduces errors, and addresses labor shortages, it presents deployment challenges.
Are There Deployment Challenges?
Initial investment is the primary obstacle to automating warehouses and distribution centers. However, the upfront expense must be weighed against the long-term return on investment (ROI). Deploying HDPP adaptable storage containers can be a great way to maximize a company’s return on investment.
Automation requires uniformity. Placing shelves at preset intervals allows faster storage and retrieval, though many systems have adjustable capabilities. Storage containers must fit the ASRS solution. Using different-sized bins or containers can slow automated processing and impact space utilization. Adjustable storage containers make it easier to find products that maximize space management.
Durable storage containers will also extend the lifecycle of an ASRS solution. HDPP adjustable containers can integrate with a range of ASRS solutions, providing an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Unlike HDPE, HDPP containers are less sensitive to high temperature and experience less stress-related damage. HDPE solutions are not biodegradable and are susceptible to damage from chemicals and ultraviolet light. These factors can reduce their usable life.
Why Are Adaptable Storage Containers Essential to Future Growth?
Supply chains demand faster delivery times, while warehouse labor shortages worsen. These factors, along with a more competitive landscape, suggest that the automation market may experience a 7% to 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Businesses should assess the competitive risk of foregoing automation and look for ways to maximize their return on investment if they pursue an ASRS solution.
HDPP storage containers can addresses the specific challenges faced by the modern-day warehouse industry, especially critical as businesses navigate an increasingly competitive landscape. Adaptable storage containers can be configured to meet specific ASRS operational requirements, optimizing space management while maximizing ROI. When placed in more durable containers, products are better protected from impact damage and can withstand the wear and tear of automated systems.
HDPP is a lightweight material that reduces the load-bearing demands placed on an automated solution without compromising the container’s weight capacity. HDDP properties can also withstand the degrading influences of UV light, heat, and chemical exposure better than other materials, making them a crucial contributor to market growth.
