Glossary

ADR / IMDG code / ICAO-TI / RID

Legal regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road (ADR), water (IMDG code), air (ICAO-TI) and rail (RID).

Anti-rotation protection

An important feature for workpiece carriers in automated production plants. Divided into two variants: visual anti-rotation protection involves markings with arrows in the direction of movement or colored markings, whilst mechanical anti-rotation protection involves special reference contours.

Antistatic

Antistatic packaging materials minimize the static energy that is created through friction. When little or no static charges are created, there won’t be any or only very small discharges.

BAM certificate

The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is an institution for testing and researching materials, components, plants, substances and technical systems with regard to safe operation. Dangerous goods containers are, for example, tested at BAM and certified for operation.

Battery packaging

Battery packaging refers to hazardous material containers and ESD packaging for the transport of full lithium-ion batteries or battery components such as battery cells, cell frames, cell connectors or battery management systems. Possible designs: large load carriers (UN certificate), load carriers and workpiece carriers.

Bioplastics

Plastic produced from renewable raw materials such as sugar cane. Can be mixed with petroleum-based plastics. As the plants grow, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.

Blister packaging

A blister packaging is a dimensionally stable, clear plastic packaging. It is mainly used for household goods and small electrical appliances.

Block storage

Block storage in warehousing refers to a warehouse where stackable load carriers are stacked on top of or next to each other in blocks, as respectively necessary, without shelves or any other equipment.

Circular economy

The circular economy is an economic model in which waste prevention comes first. Resources should be part of a closed cycle covering production, use and recycling.

Corrosion protection

Corrosion occurs when metal reacts with the oxygen and water in the air. The result is corrosion damage such as rust. Many plastics are corrosion-resistant and are perfectly suited for packaging metal components. Additional protection is provided by desiccants or VCI.

Electrically conductive

With the addition of carbon (soot), plastics become conductive. This enables them to quickly conduct electrical charges. The duration of the discharge particularly depends on the surface resistance. For conductive plastics, it is in the range of 102 Ω and 105 Ω.

ESD

ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. When transporting electronic components, an electrostatic discharge can lead to irreversible damage.

ESD packaging

ESD packaging is a special protective packaging that protects sensitive electronic components from hazardous electrostatic discharges. ESD packaging is recognizable by the symbols on the packaging.

Euro-containers

Stackable containers which are exactly dimensioned to fit euro pallets. We offer suitable carrier systems for transporting such containers as a loading unit comprising pallet and lid.

EuroSleeve

The phrase “EuroSleeve” is the product name for pallet frames in the basic euro pallet size. Made in twin-sheet thermoforming for the JUMBO version, in PP trilaminate for the LIGHT version.

Extrusion

Extrusion is a process for producing plastics. Molten granules (new or recycled) are pressed through a nozzle into a specific shape – e.g. plastic sheets for further processing into new containers.

FDM / FFF process

FDM (fused deposition modeling) and FFF (fused filament fabrication) are two terms for the same 3D printing process. In FFF / FDM, molten plastic is applied to a platform layer by layer via a nozzle.

FEFCO

The term FEFCO stands for “Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Carton Ondule” and is the European Association of Corrugated Board Manufacturers. The resulting FEFCO code is an internationally used standard for classifying shipping packaging made from cardboard or plastic.  Each type consists of four digits and defines the type of shipping packaging and its folding.

F-GIBOX

The MegaPack F-GIBOX large load carrier is a lighter and foldable plastic alternative to the metal pallet cage.

Folding container

Foldable and collapsible containers are specially designed in that they save about 70 – 80 percent of their volume when empty. They thus considerably help reduce costs during the return transport.

Folding sleeve

Is a foldable container casing used in the MegaPack folding systems. Thanks to hinges, the sleeve can be folded down to save space and thus reduces volume during empty return transport and storage.

Hazardous goods packaging

Packaging that is specially developed for the transport of hazardous goods. Every hazardous goods packaging must be approved by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).

HDPE

HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene. Polyethylene is a semi-crystalline, thermoplastic material which is produced by polymerizing ethylene. Since it's highly stable and robust, this plastic is well suited for pallet and load carrier production.

Heavy-duty containers

Thermoformed twin-sheet containers made from HDPE designed to transport heavy loads. Heavy-duty containers are often used in combination with stanchion racks.

Intelligent packaging solutions

Intelligent packaging offers the user added value by providing additional information, such as background info or quality status of the packaged goods. This is done by integrating indicators, RFID chips or barcodes.

Large load carrier

Large load carriers are stable, returnable containers measuring 600 x 400 mm or larger. The most frequently used dimensions are the international standards of 1200 x 800 mm and 1200 x 1000 mm.

Logistics 4.0

The term defines advanced technology in logistical processes. This includes, for example, RFID, FTS, cloud-based systems or artificial intelligence (AI).

Load carrier

A load carrier is a load-supporting packaging solution which enables goods to be combined into a load unit. Load carriers particularly include transport aids such as pallets, containers or large load carriers.

MegaPack

A MegaPack is a foldable, large load carrier produced in a twin-sheet thermoforming process, also called pallet box or pallet container.

Nestability

Transport boxes, pallets and the like are nestable if they can be stacked one inside the other when empty.

NFC

NFC (Near Field Communication) is an international transmission standard based on RFID technology that enables contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction.

Ocean plastic

Recycled plastic obtained from old fishing nets or plastic waste from the sea. Using plastic from the oceans helps to clean seas.

Packaging

The generic term packaging refers to the covering of packaged goods for protection, storage, transport and general physical manipulation as well as marketing purposes. Packaging consists of packaging means and packaging aids.

Packing density

Packing density refers to the ratio between the volume provided and the packaging's volume that is actually being used. Always striving to have optimum packing density is recommended.

Pallet

A pallet is a loading platform with or without frame on top, into or onto which the goods can be loaded or stacked. Pallets have a base or skids which allow forklifts or lifting trucks to slide their lifting arms underneath, and lift, transport and stack them.

Pallet box

See large load carrier

Pallet cage accessories

There are various accessories for optimizing the use of pallet cages. Examples are cage pallet linings, lids, interlayers or dividers.

Pallet system

A pallet system (carrier system) is a combination of pallet and lid, designed as a solution for transporting small load carriers and stacking boxes.

Payload

The maximum load weight of a load carrier.

PP trilaminate

Similar to twin-wall sheets, these are boards made of lightweight, multi-layer material. It is specially designed with two smooth cover layers and a structural layer in the middle. It gives the trilaminate high compression strength, yet also makes it lightweight. By default, a trilaminate board is approximately 10 mm thick and weighs 3,000 g/m². Our folding sleeves are made of this material.

PP twin-wall sheets

Twin-wall sheets are lightweight, multi-wall sheets made of extruded polypropylene material. Compared to solid fiber board or corrugated cardboard, they are moisture-proof, dust- and lint-free and can be reused multiple times. Twin-wall sheets are used in the production of lightweight packaging components such as mesh box linings, compartments or interlayers .

Product nest

Also called a “sample nest” or “component nest”, the term describes accurate images of a product on the surface of workpiece carriers.

QR code

“Quick response” codes are two-dimensional codes in square form, storing tracking information, web addresses, telephone numbers or simply free text. The codes can be scanned with readers or mobile phones.

Rent MegaPack

For foldable large load carriers, the return rate reflects the proportion of space saved during return. A return rate of 1:5 means, for example, a space saving of 80% during empty transport or empty storage in a folded state.

Return rate

Söhner Kunststofftechnik has bundled its container rental offering under Rent MegaPack. Instead of buying, customers can rent selected large load carriers for a certain period of time.

Return sleeve

A return sleeve is an additional container sleeve attached to a pallet. It ensures that space for internal packaging remains available in the folded container. Compartments or interlayers can thus be stored and transported. MegaPack GAMMA has a return sleeve option.

Returning empties

When empty load carriers are returned, they include pallets, lids and sleeves packed up in a space-saving manner.

RFID

Stands for Radio Frequency Identification and refers to a technology for sender-receiver systems for the automatic and non-contact reading and storage of data using radio waves. RFID transponders can also be integrated into the packaging systems to ensure that important information is available and retrievable at any time.

Runners

In terms of logistics, runners are elongated, rectangular elements attached to the bottom of a pallet. They serve to protect against tipping when forklifts are being used and ensure that pallets can be stored on high racks.

Sea container

Sea containers, also called sea-freight container or ISO container, are standardized large steel containers. They are used in intercontinental sea traffic. The most frequently used containers have a width of 8 feet and are either 20 or 40 feet long.

Shipping packaging

Folding boxes and shipping boxes made from PP twin-wall sheets for shipping products.

Single-sheet thermoforming

During single-sheet thermoforming, a plastic board is heated up and pulled into a tool using vacuum. The process allows for nearly unlimited customization with regard to design, material and form size.

Single-use packaging

Packaging which can be used only once and cannot be reused.

Small load carrier

Small load carriers are load carriers with a footprint of up to 600 x 400 mm up to a height of 320 mm.

Smart packaging

Smart packaging describes packaging that has “intelligent” functions and thus goes above and beyond traditional handling and protection functions. Examples: tracking with RFID, NFC, QR codes or automatable packaging.

Solar containers

Large load carriers, with attached guide strips inside for the transport of solar modules.

Solar trays

Stack & nest containers are plastic transport or storage containers. When empty, the containers can be nested inside each other which results in reduced volume. To achieve this, the container on top is horizontally turned 180 degrees.

Stack & nest containers

The term describes plastic trays produced in the twin-sheet process, consisting of a sleeve and floor structure. They are equipped with adapter plates for mounting free-standing solar panels. Filled with gravel, they are stable ballast for outdoor racks.

Stacking boxes

Thanks to their stable edges, these boxes can be stacked on top of each other without sliding off. Plastic stacking boxes are used for sorting, storing and transporting goods.

Stacking frame

A plastic frame measuring 1200 x 800 mm which is placed on a wooden euro pallet and provides storage space.

Stacking load

Maximum load that can be placed on the packaging or the load carrier from the top. Our values refer to a dynamic stacking load and include a safety factor.

Stanchion or stake rack

Stanchion or stake racks are robust, long-lasting welded steel structures. As an alternative to pallets and mesh boxes, they are particularly suited for transporting heavy or bulky goods. In combination with plastic interlayers, it is possible to design modern packaging systems which are, for example, also suitable for automated handling.

Tare weight

The tare weight or simply tare is the empty weight of packaging or a transport container with all the packaging components. 

TCO

The term stands for “total cost of ownership” and defines the total cost of a potential new acquisition. The TCO lists all possible direct and indirect costs such as purchase, use, energy, repair or maintenance costs. The entire list helps with investment decisions and uncovers any hidden costs early on.

Transport packaging

Transport packaging is primarily used for transporting goods.

Twin-sheet-thermoforming

Unlike the single-sheet process, two plastic sheets are heated, shaped and molded together in a single process in the twin-sheet thermoforming. The sandwich-like structure that is created is much more rigid even though the same materials are used. In addition, the twin-sheet process makes it possible to give the top and bottom sides different forms and colours.

Ultra-robust

Packaging such as MegaPack JUMBO large load carriers made from HDPE and thermoformed in the twin-sheet process is considered ultra-robust. The term “ultra-robust” is coined by the robustness of the containers, which can withstand even heavy impacts.

UN

Dangerous goods containers must be certified with UN approval to demonstrate that they are suitable for the transport of dangerous goods in accordance with international regulations. In order to test this suitability, the containers are subjected to various tests (e.g. a drop test) and are then given an approval code made up of several elements. This includes, but is not limited to, the type of packaging, hazard group, maximum weight of the packaging unit and country in which the test took place.

Upsetting pressure test

During an upsetting pressure test, the stacking loads of a load carrier that occur in block storage are simulated. The test is usually carried out several times at different temperatures to test the load carrier under normal, hot and cold conditions.

VCI

Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCI) are used as temporary corrosion protection for metallic materials. In the packaging industry, the use of VCI ensures that metal components cannot rust during transport and storage. There are VCI bags, VCI film, VCI dispensers, etc.

Volume reduction

Volume reduction refers to the space-saving process during storage and transport achieved by folding of packaging and load carriers. We always try to achieve maximum savings for our customers.

Waste containers

To separate waste, large load carriers, pallet frames and reusable boxes are used as waste containers in industry and trade.

Workpiece carrier

A workpiece carrier is a load carrier on which one or more components are stored so they can be transported along a production line by a conveyor system. They are developed and produced individually for every component.