UK – Miswa Chemicals UK has partnered with Sidel to implement automated case packing solutions for three of its production lines.
This move aims to streamline the packaging process for the company’s homecare, automotive, and insecticide products, leading to a significant 40% increase in production capacity.
Established in 1979, Miswa Chemicals UK is a renowned manufacturer of automotive, household, and insecticide products, with popular brands such as Kilit, Pavan, and Polyguard.
To enhance efficiency, the company sought to automate the manual loading of metal cans, Jerry cans, and aerosols into corrugated cases, turning to Sidel for a reliable and cost-effective solution.
Sidel, known for its expertise in secondary packaging, delivered three customized case packers tailored to handle various packaging shapes and types while maintaining product integrity.
“The Sidel project team worked hard to understand our needs and offered a comprehensive, tailored packing solution that aligned well with the technical specifications of our different production lines,” said Oren Patel-Champion, Director at Miswa Chemicals UK.
Cardboard savings and efficient changeovers with wrap-around packing
To replace manual packing of aerosol spray cans into regular slotted containers (RSC), Sidel introduced the Cermex WB46 wrap-around case packer.
This solution not only reduces annual corrugated cardboard usage but also offers shelf-ready packaging with pre-cuts on the wrap-around blank.
The Cermex WB46 is a modular system suitable for various production speeds, from nine cases per minute, as seen in Miswa’s operations, to as many as 28 cases per minute.
Its side-loading mechanism is more cost-effective than traditional Pick & Place systems, which require expensive format-specific parts.
By contrast, the side-loading design allows for simple mechanical adjustments during changeovers, making it an economical option for managing multiple product sizes.
Additionally, the Sidel case packer was customized with reinforced safety glass and a roof to comply with regulations concerning the handling of metallic aerosol cans, which pose explosion risks due to the presence of gas.
Product integrity with bottom-loading case packers
For packing large 3L and 4.5L metal cans of filler paste, Sidel recommended the Cermex SF39 bottom-loading case packer.
This solution ensures the cans remain intact by avoiding the use of grippers or suction systems, which could damage the product. The Cermex SF39 offers secure product handling with a positive transfer from the base of the cans, achieving a throughput of six to ten cases per minute, depending on the format.
The Cermex SF39 was also chosen for the line handling 5L Jerry cans, processing 12 cases (24 products) per minute. Like the Cermex WB46, it allows for easy mechanical adjustments during format changes, eliminating the need for additional parts.
Collaboration yields impressive results
This automation project is part of a larger upgrade for Miswa Chemicals, which has resulted in a 40% increase in overall production capacity.
“The Sidel team was responsive and provided excellent technical recommendations,” said Patel-Champion. “Even though Sidel is known for its high-end robotics, they demonstrated that their solutions can also cater to traditional low/medium-speed applications for established players like us.”
With Sidel’s wide range of packaging solutions, Miswa Chemicals UK now benefits from enhanced efficiency across its production lines, positioning the company for further growth in the homecare, automotive, and insecticide markets.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE
