Arnoud Koopmans (Sparck Technologies): “Carrying less air thanks to ‘fit-to-size’ packaging”

Sparck Technologies is a technology company based in Drachten, the Netherlands, specialising in automatic fit-to-size packaging. A few months ago, it became Log!Ville’s Start2Scale-up partner. Arnoud Koopmans, International Sales Manager, introduces the company to us. He also explains why new European regulations will significantly boost fit-to-size packaging.

Spark Technologies is a Start2Scale-up partner, but on its website your company proudly reports that it has been around for 100 years. How can that be reconciled?

Indeed, it sounds a bit odd: a 100-year-old startup. Sparck Technologies’ predecessor was founded in 1924 under the name HaDeWe, but as a maker of “clog duplicators”. Heert de Wit pioneered by automating clog production thanks to contour milling. Afterwards, the company developed several other automated solutions and specialised in postal and franking machines. It was acquired in 1980 by the French group Neopost (now Quadient), a specialist in postal dispatch solutions. In 2013, we shifted our focus to developing machines for custom-made boxes.

When Quadient decided to focus more on digital solutions in 2021, we were spun off and sold to Amsterdam-based private equity Standard Investment. Thus Sparck Technologies was born, as a developer of innovative technology solutions in logistics chains.

So Sparck Technologies does not want to limit itself to packaging machines?

Indeed. Starting from our expertise in automatic packaging machines, we want to develop complementary solutions. Both upstream with products that integrate systems such as AutoStores, for example, and downstream with print-on-the-box systems. In other words: solutions on the periphery of our CVP (continuous variable packaging) machines.

What are CVP packaging machines?

These are machines that not only package automatically but also by size. This means that the dimensions of the products to be packed are first accurately determined with a 3D scanner and the cardboard box is then folded around it, closed and, if necessary, printed. Each box is thus virtually unique. In our fastest machine, a different box can be made and products packed every 3.2 seconds (at most).

This technology makes packing for our largest group of customers 8 to 12 times faster than manually behind a table (around 350 boxes per hour compared to 40 boxes per hour). It also saves up to 30% cardboard and up to 50% less air is packed. Even e-fulfilment companies among our customers who were already packing efficiently often observe a 35% volume reduction.

Which machines are you already delivering today?

We offer two fully automatic packaging machines: the CVP Impack and the CVP Everest. The former has a maximum capacity of 500 cartons per hour, while the latter has a capacity of 1,100 cartons per hour.

The CVP Impack measures the product(s) with the 3D scanner and folds a long strip of cardboard all the way around the shipment, after which the box is sealed with tape, weighed and labelled for shipment.

The CVP Everest – after measuring – works slightly differently. It first makes and glues the two bottom sides of the box around the products and then adds a lid on top, which is also glued. The advantage is that the boxes can be smaller and the parts can be made in parallel. This can significantly speed up the process. This method is therefore ideal for companies with very high packaging volumes.

There is another difference: with our CVP Everest, the customer can apply both a ‘pick to box’ and a ‘pick, then pack’ principle. Because the tray creator and lid applicator are separated, the customer can choose to either bring the orders directly to the machine for packing including the lid, or first create the tray and place the orders in it somewhere else in the warehouse. The lid is then attached afterwards.

The choice between the two therefore depends on the desired speed and flexibility; and on the company’s logistics strategy.

What is the difference between your machines and other customised automatic packaging machines?

The biggest difference is that we measure the product (or products if they are packed together) first and then form the box, while other machines get the dimensions of the product from the data in the WMS. This makes our system much faster: in 3.2 seconds with the CVP Everest, the box is already made (and 7 seconds with the Impack).

Another difference is that our machines work in 3D and many others in 1D. In the latter, the ground plane is always the same and the sides are customised. This means that with 1D machines, air is still transported. With the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) on the horizon, this is a disadvantage.

Why?

The PPWR is a European regulation aimed not only at promoting packaging reuse and recycling, optimising packaging materials or reducing packaging waste but also at avoiding unnecessary over-packaging. For example, Article 21 of the PPWR states that a ‘carrier’ (a pallet or a box) should have a maximum of 50% empty space. Avoiding air in packaging will thus soon become a legal requirement. (NVDR: The PPWR is expected to receive final approval by the end of this year or early 2025 and come into force 12 months after publication).

By the way: the CSRD – (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the directive on mandatory reporting on the sustainability impact of companies’ activities on people and the environment) also plays in favour of “fit-to-size” packaging: if a box consists of 20% less cardboard, the CO2 impact of the box drops. And if the volume of the box is smaller, more boxes can be transported in one trailer, thus lowering the CO2 emissions per box of transport. Because of the CSRD, companies will want to report the lowest possible carbon footprint. The smaller the footprint of their supply chain, the better they will score with their clients and investors.

Is customised packaging only useful for e-commerce companies?

No, definitely not. All companies that need to pack a variety of products qualify, especially if the orders they handle are variable. Now it is the case that they have to stock numerous standard boxes for their products and they have to take them out of stock position at each packaging operation. Let me give an example: an automotive parts wholesaler sells numerous references from different brands. It is more efficient to custom-package these parts than to maintain those large stocks of specific packaging.

Finally, why did Sparck Technologies choose to partner with Log!Ville?

Log!Ville attracted Sparck Technologies because this platform is highly distinctive. It is unique in that people from the logistics sector can discover numerous innovations and multiple future-oriented aspects of their activity on one physical site throughout the year.

Log!Ville is also an attractive alternative to trade fairs. In the more than 15 countries where we operate, we participate in fairs – including in Belgium – but we find that this does not always allow us to reach our target audience. What Log!Ville offers in Belgium allows Sparck Technologies not only to reach relevant professionals properly, but also to go deeper into the subject matter. We also find that Log!Ville is an excellent place to network – for example during events – with VIL members and the other partners.

Want to see how Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack and CVP Everest work? Press the button below for an impression.

Would you like more information on this Start2Scale-up partner? Discover Sparck Technologies here.