This operation allows Eternity Systems and PSE to have a total of 16 industrial washing centres at European level, both for industrial packaging (crates, bins, pallets, silos, hoppers, etc.) and for primary containers (pots, jars, tupperware, cups, bottles, food trays, etc.).
Eternity Systems, French expert in the industrial washing of reusable containers and packaging for 25 years is a leader in the food industry and PSE, English expert in the management of reusable packaging (washing, repair, storage) for all sectors (food, automotive, or even pharmaceuticals) announce the signature of a strategic partnership in order to be able to accelerate the territorial network necessary for the deployment of bulk and reuse, and to support international manufacturers in the deployment of these new product ranges expected by consumers on a European scale.
Indeed, in Europe the number of bulk shops should increase by +87% by 2023 and at the global level the World Economic Forum estimates that reuse could reach up to 70% of consumption by 2030.
Together the 2 companies make it possible to include the value chains in a zero waste approach, from the manufacturer to the consumer. Also today in supply chains there is a lot of waste including disposable films, disposable boxes or disposable pallets. These can be replaced by washable reusable pallets, crates and bins, regardless of the sector (e-commerce, automotive, cosmetics, agro-industries, etc.). This allows on the one hand to be part of an ecological approach, but also to reduce dependence on foreign raw materials and therefore inflation. But also to anticipate future regulatory changes as it is already the case in France where the AGEC Law announces the implementation of an EPR on industrial packaging from 2025. It is highly likely that this will then be deployed at European level.
In addition, the global objectives for reducing single use and protecting biodiversity also aim to develop bulk and reuse for consumers, particularly in the agri-food, cosmetics and detergent sectors.
Remember that in January 2018, the European Commission adopted the first comprehensive global strategy on plastics “Single-Use Plastics Directive“.
The SUP Directive was originally proposed to tackle the single-use plastic items found most often on beaches, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.
The SUP Directive defines “single-use plastic” as a product wholly or partly made from plastic and which is not designed or placed on the market to accomplish, during its lifetime, several trips or rotations in being returned to a producer to be refilled or reused for the same purpose for which it was designed. Therefore, the definition also includes single-use paper items with plastic lining, such as paper cups and plates but with a plastic layer (also called plastic film) and single-use plastic items made from biological products such as those called “single-use biodegradable”.
The SUP directive establishes:
• An EU-wide ban on single-use plastic cotton swabs, straws, plates, cutlery, drink stirrers, balloon sticks, oxo-degradable plastics and plastic food containers. expanded polystyrene, beverage containers and drink cups by 2021.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs covering the costs of collection, transportation and treatment, waste clean up and awareness measures for food containers, parcels/packages and packaging, beverage cups, beverage containers, etc. capacity of up to three litres, lightweight plastic carrier bags and fishing tackle by December 31, 2024 and for packages and packaging by January 5, 2023.
• A significant reduction in the consumption of food containers and beverage cups by 2026, with the possibility for EU countries to adopt stricter market restrictions for these products.
Thus, whether in supermarkets, commercial or collective catering or even events, bulk and reuse must be simple, secure and viable economically, operationally and ecologically. On the one hand, brands must be able to pool a fleet of standardised containers that the consumer can use via a user friendly deposit and collector system, on the other hand, this packaging must be out of circulation for as little time as possible between their dirty collection, their sorting, verification, washing, disinfection, drying and redistribution. It is on this second part that Eternity Systems and PSE are positioned together, drawing on their experience acquired with more than 1 billion packages managed each year.
For Franck Andrieux, Chief Business Development Officer of Eternity Systems: “The industrial washing segment is a booming market, pulled upwards on one side by a society increasingly inclined to consume in a more sustainable way and the other by economic players who make serious commitments to meet their expectations. The sanitary and now geopolitical crises are forcing purchasing departments to review their supply methods to limit shortages and costs… Having initiated a diversification strategy in primary packaging and containers since 2020, PSE’s lead in this sector enables us to obtain valuable feedback and accelerate this diversification.”
“With this partnership, we can finally meet the needs of our customers for both industrial packaging and mass consumption, to deploy to new countries. Our experience with our customer Good Club, for 2 years, allows us today to position ourselves as a precursor and leader in the washing of primary packaging on the English market. In addition, Eternity Systems’ 25 years of experience in the industrialization of washing lines with strong automation, and health and safety issues focus reinforce our resources, so we hope to position ourselves together as the essential players for the industrial washing of primary, secondary and tertiary containers and packaging, supported by real-time transport, storage and traceability capacities.“ – Andrew Parkinson, CEO of PSE.
Thus the 2 companies are present in 16 industrial washing centers in Europe and 5 in North America for a total capacity of 1 billion units/year, accompanied by transport, storage and traceability capacities:
- France: Lisses, Cestas, Cavaillon, Trémorel
- Germany: Krefeld, Voerde, Crailsheim
- Spain: Valencia, Yunquera de Henares
- Portugal: Azambuja
- UK: Nuneaton 1, Nuneaton 2, Leeds
- Ireland: Dublin, Limerick
- Holland: Venlo
- Canada: Longueuil, Guelph
- USA: Rancho, Fresno, York
Examples of packaging and containers industrially washed by Eternity Systems and PSE:
About ETERNITY SYSTEMS
ETERNITY SYSTEMS is the world leader in the industrial washing of reusable packaging and containers. (Rigid and foldable crates, plastic pallets, boxes, dollies) allowing in particular the transport of fruits and vegetables, meat, bakery products or even fish.
Established in Europe (France, Spain, Portugal and Germany) and in North America (United States and Canada), our logistics, software, industrial process and high productivity washing services allow us to be very efficient in the compliance with food industry, health, safety and environmental standards.
Website: https://eternity-systems.com/
Email: contact@eternity-systems.com
About PSE
PSE plays a key role in supporting the circular economy of reusable packaging through its 6 operating sites in the UK, Ireland and Holland, specialising in the washing, inspection and repair of all packaging.
With significant experience in the development of innovative industrial washing technology and techniques, PSE is now at the forefront of the development of an efficient and effective standardised approach to supporting reusable primary packaging networks, not only with its cleaning but twinned with a full 3PL to include fill, pick pack, warehousing and despatch.
Website: www.packagingserviceseurope.co.uk
Email: info@pse-ltd.com
