The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a non-profit organization that helps its members identify the best possible shipping solutions by developing effective packaging, methods and logistics systems. ISTA has created the leading industry test standards worldwide and is now the most reputable authority in package-performance testing. The certification process is proof that your company’s packaging solutions are sustainable enough to survive the transit process. Presence of the ISTA Transit Tested certification mark is an advantage because it shows customers that the package has passed ISTA laboratory testing and met all requirements. Any company may test a package using an ISTA test procedure, but only ISTA members receive certification and are allowed to print the ISTA Transit Tested certification mark on their packages.

 ISTA has two types of tests:

•  Performance Tests: To determine the capability of a packaged product to survive shipment, it must pass this assessment test
   
• Development Tests: Compares the performance of designs from different suppliers.

ISTA also focuses on the professionals in the workplace who are responsible for creating these sustainable shipping solutions. The ISTA Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) program was designed for ISTA members to increase credibility of certification. This program recognizes the excellence in packaging laboratory professionals at three levels: Technician, Technologist and Professional. Technician and Technologists require exams, while Professionals require certification based on a resume of accomplishments.

Ranpak's ISTA Certified Lab

At Ranpak, we believe in providing packaging solutions that ensure your product arrives at its destination safely. Our package engineers take pride in utilizing our ISTA certified laboratory to ensure our package designs will perform well in your unique distribution environment.  Equipment such as a drop tester and a vibration table allow our package engineers to run performance tests on packages to ensure durability.  With proven expertise in packaging, we are one of only 369 ISTA certified laboratories in the world.

For more information, visit the Package Engineering page on our website.

Sources: 

http://quincyresourcegroup.com

http://www.ista.org 

1. Use a corrugated box—preferably a new one. When you reuse a box, it becomes less durable.
   
    
2. Do not overfill a box. Overfilling will direct pressure to the walls of the box which could result in damage to both the box and your product. Many packers smash down paper or loose fill to close the box or fit more material inside. However, this compresses the material, making it less effective in protecting your products. More importantly, using excess packaging material means spending unnecessary money.
   
   
   
3. Do not underfill a box. Underfilling a box could result in possible damage to your product. Make sure the product you are shipping is secure. If it feels loose in the box, either add more packaging material or double check to ensure that you have correctly wrapped the product.
   
    
4. The 2-inch rule: In most cases, use at least 2 inches of packaging material around the product and be sure that the product is at least 2 inches from the walls of the box. This will help prevent both underfilling and overfilling, saving you time and money.
   
   
   
5. Properly close the box. This step is just as important as using proper cushioning. Try to stay away from tapes such as: masking, cellophane and duct. Use strong tape such as pressure sensitive plastic tape. Two inches or more in width is recommended.
    
    
6. Effective packaging for your products. Different products require different methods of packaging. If you aren’t sure of the most effective way to package your products, Ranpak’s package engineers can help. We offer a custom pack design to any company who seeks our help—all at no cost to you.

References:  http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/how_to.html

What do you see when you look at a pile of packaging paper?

To most people, it’s just a pile of brown paper that was used to protect their product during shipment. And I’m sure that the majority of people recycle the paper without even thinking twice about it. But what about those creative DIY-ers? To them, it’s a pile with potential.

What do you get when you give a DIY designer a pile of packaging paper and a sewing machine?

A woven basket that can be used for just about anything.

Brett Bara, host of the Emmy-nominated television series Knit and Crochet Now, author, talented designer and DIY blogger, collected the paper from several packages she received from some online shopping. Noticing the durability of the packaging paper, she decided to reuse it to make a woven basket which she now uses to hold supplies. “The pieces were really nice and long, and they just seemed to have so much potential. I couldn’t bear to just stuff them in the recycling bin,”Bara says in her blog.

Using packaging paper, hot glue, paperclips and a sewing machine, Brett created a simple pattern to construct the woven basket—she detailed the step-by-step instructions on her blog, “FREE PATTERN: SEWN + WOVEN BASKET.” It’s amazing what used packaging paper can create!

More than just packaging paper.

Bara proves paper can be used for just about anything!  Think outside the box and create something uniquely innovative. If basket weaving isn’t your thing, you could always keep the packaging paper and use it the next time you have to ship, wrap or store something. Fold it up, store it and use it again and again. Whether it’s keeping a product safe during shipment, or holding a pile of yarn and needles, our packaging paper does the job, and it does it well.

Ranpak has built our entire company on the back of ingenuity, hard work, good people and paper.

We’ve always been proud of our commitment to the simplicity, efficiency and environmentally responsible qualities of paper as a void-fill, cushioning or wrapping medium.  Our full line of products is designed to meet your needs and the needs of your clients.

But how is paper made?  Where does Ranpak’s paper come from?

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Ranpak’s void fill, cushioning and wrapping systems utilize
kraft paper, which is produced from pulp created by the kraft process.

Pioneered by Car F. Dahl in 1879, the kraft process derives its name from the German word for strong.  Kraft paper is machine- made paper that is created from wood pulp consisting almost entirely of pure cellulose fibers.

The kraft process dictates that wood chips are heated with water, steam and a strong alkaline liquid known as “white liquor”. 

After this initial treatment, the wood chips are heated in pressurized vessels called digesters.  After several hours at high temperatures, the natural components of the wood begin to break down, causing the wood chips to form an initial pulp.  After evaporating off some of the residual liquid, the pulp is finally screened and washed.

The kraft process includes the use of sulfate in the conditioning of the wood pulp.  This helps to add to the overall strength of the finished paper.

After the wood pulp is made, it is pulverized and fed into a machine, where it is formed into a paper web, with all water removed through pressing and drying.

It all sounds pretty technical, so what does it really mean? Well, to make it simple, the kraft process makes a pulp that is stronger than the pulp made by other processes. 

Translation: Ranpak’s paper is stronger, better and more durable.

Ranpak’s kraft paper is naturally tan in color, strong and has a high tensile strength – meaning it will hold up to the demands of packaging and shipping.

Ranpak only works with Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified mills to ensure our paper comes from a responsible source that follows sustainable forestry practices.  For more information about Ranpak's sustainability practices, visit our Go Green page.

Hello and welcome to our website and the Ranpak Blog!  My name is David Gabrielsen and I am Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ranpak Corporation, a position I have held since March of 2002.  Since 1972, Ranpak has been a global supplier of paper-based, in-the-box, protective packaging materials.   We market our patented systems globally and maintain operations in Ohio, Nevada, Kansas, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. More...