Craemer Group: First completely closed plastic pallet box – the new HB3

Hygiene is a crucial factor in technical and logistical processes involving pharmaceutical and chemical products, food and cosmetics. Craemer, pioneer in plastics processing, has developed the new HB3, a pallet box entirely made of PE: hygienic, robust, ideal for this sector.

Particularly demanding requirements and strict laws apply when it comes to processing highly sensitive raw materials, producing chemical and pharmaceutical products, food or cosmetics. This also applies to transport and storage of these products. In the process industry for chemical engineering, process technology and biotechnology, base materials and finished products are subject to high safety requirements covering the entire production environment. Due to the sensitivity of these products, all relevant hygiene regulations must be complied with in both, technical and intralogistical processes. In this context, plastic load carriers make a decisive contribution – pallet boxes from Craemer, such as the newly developed HB3 box, enhance the safety of products and processes.

Craemer Group has acquired extensive know-how and draws from decades of experience. The family-run company with headquarters in Herzebrock-Clarholz (Germany) has been processing plastics since 1958. Hygienic, durable, sturdy, versatile, maintenance-free, reliable – these are the characteristics of today's portfolio of products made of high-quality, single-grade, food-safe and recyclable polyethylene (PE). Particularly suitable for the chemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries or the food industry: the new HB3, specially designed as a hygiene box (HB).

HB3 hygiene box – a worldwide novelty on the market

With its latest development, the specialist in plastics offers a world first innovation: HB3 is the first and only completely closed pallet box on the market with welded runners. The new HB3 box in industrial size (outer dimensions, l x w x h: 1200 x 1000 x 790 millimetres) consists of two one-piece injection-moulded elements: the box body as the top part and the pallet with three welded runners as the bottom part. Another special feature: A patented weld seam geometry for joining both plastic elements ensures maximum impact resistance and break strength; the weld seam is contour-milled and therefore almost invisible.

The HB3 box, with a tare weight of approx. 43,5 kilograms (without reinforcement profiles), can carry a volume of max. 620 litres and withstand a stacking load of 5000 kilograms. The box is extremely rigid thanks to the welding of top and bottom part. Three additional metal reinforcement profiles (available as an option) permit a further increase of bending stiffness. The exact payload of this new development is currently being determined. R&D experts from Craemer call it the “elephant among pallet boxes”. According to them, in relation to its size is the strongest on the market.

Seamless construction for easy cleaning

Construction and design of the box body ensure optimum hygiene. According to the manufacturer, the completely closed pallet box has excellent cleaning properties and has no nooks or crannies in which bacteria may settle. The seamless design, the smooth inner walls and the welded runners allow easy emptying, cleaning and drying. The almost invisible contour-milled welding seam, the clean and clear lines, the minimal ribbing and the rounded shape also contribute to this.

The special shape, combined with excellent tipping properties, ensures easier emptying – even of deep-frozen contents. The design of the new hygiene box has neither any cavities nor ribs and provides reliable protection against contamination or water ingress. This makes the HB3 box perfect for hygienic applications and clean rooms in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, in the food sector or in cosmetics manufacturing.

Sensitive contents are protected during all (intra-)logistical processes. The double-walled design of the side walls above the entry openings provides increased impact protection against forklift tines, while the d entry height ensures smooth movement and storage in automated high-rack systems. Like all Craemer load carriers, the HB3 runs smoothly on all standard conveyor elements, chain and roller conveyors – thanks to the robust, welded runners with high dimensional stability.

High quality standard with optional equipment

The new HB3 box is optionally available with two closed or open drain port holes. The integrated 1-inch or 2-inch thread and a drill mark make it easier to open the drains at a later stage, if required. The box has a circumferential stacking step in the top and bottom rim (Euro stacking system), which makes it compatible with a wide range of other boxes. A custom-fit end lid is available as an optional feature. With or without lid, the new hygiene box can be stacked three units high. It can be equipped with RFID transponders to permit seamless tracking.

Further quality features of the new hygiene box as well as of all other Craemer pallet boxes: It can withstand temperatures of -30 to +40 degrees Celsius, briefly up to +90 degrees, runs smoothly, is maintenance-free, remains dimensionally stable even during intensive use – and is therefore durable and sustainable. In addition, printing fields offer space for an individual logo, lettering or numbering; studded fields can be used for temporary stickers.

This article was originally published by Craemer Group.