Cemex invest in more sustainable packing systems
Company installs horizontal and vertical strapping machines at Dove Holes concrete block plant
CEMEX have bolstered their commitment to the circular economy with an investment in innovative new void packing machinery for the concrete block range produced at the company’s Dove Holes facility, in Derbyshire.
To enable the introduction of voided packs for concrete blocks manufactured at Dove Holes, Cemex have partnered with Gordian Strapping Ltd, to install a horizontal strapping machine, along with two vertical machines. Both systems use 100% recycled plastic bands to enable the concrete blocks to be packed together securely.
The new voided packs are designed and packaged with a hollow interior space to allow easy loading by forklift truck. The innovative packaging solution, which negates the use of timber pallets to transport Cemex’s concrete blocks, was first introduced at the company’s Northfleet Building Products plant, which has seen more than 100 tonnes of timber saved since introducing the packing lines.
Sam Culshaw, national sales manager for concrete products at Cemex, commented: ‘Cemex are continuously looking to improve and implement more sustainable systems and practices across the business. It’s a great leap forward for Cemex to now offer void packs for dense and lightweight blocks in the north and the south of England.
‘We initially implemented the new void packing system at our Northfleet operation in Kent a few years ago – and with Dove Holes now on board too, we are proud to offer a more sustainable and efficient packing solution that most of our competitors cannot. With rising timber and palletization costs, reducing the volume of wooden pallets from the supply chain means we can pass on the savings to our customers, whilst contributing to a more sustainable future as part of our net-zero ambitions.’
