FEATURE
The innovative Bag-in-Box approach (as recently changes in the target are optimally handled and
reported in Agrow Magazine and used in John that the complexity is managed effectively and
Deere spraying systems in the US) provides at reasonable cost.
similar benefits, along with enhanced on-shelf
decoration opportunities. All these benefits This may be simple in essence, but refining
could be “sold” to an informed and proactive the techniques already used in complimentary
set of consumers and legislators, whilst also industries can also provide a head start. More
promoting the undoubted benefits of the complex co-joined twin packs address the issue
agrochemical industry. of illegally split combinations, although they
tend to be of conventional heavy polyethylene
Turning now to what might be possible in the design. Are these packs promoting the positive
stewardship arena, the desire to minimise message suggested earlier or are they just a
product contact is an important objective. crude attempt to “make do”? In the US$424
Unfortunately, the ability to introduce such billion global packaging market, surely there are
functionality cost effectively is harder; indeed innovative and translatable technologies that
it is often impossible without major pack and could be utilised? Of course there are, but they
line redesign programmes. This is a challenge have to be found, evaluated and implemented,
that has been successfully met elsewhere, with which all takes time.
the resultant improvements in convenience and
handling presenting significant opportunities At the UK-based Total Packaging Show in May
for pesticide products. For example, the Home 2007, the consumer goods giant Unilever
and Garden pesticide sector could well benefit occupied one of the largest stands. It was not
from cartridge refill trigger sprays, which are there to sell soap or detergent but to encourage
commonly used by the hard surface cleaning collaboration. Unilever has acknowledged that
industry, and the latest generation of twin even its extensive development resource pool is
chamber water soluble packs, which are now finite and that there are many other interesting
widely used in the detergent field. technologies that could give them a business
edge. So, how to create that collaboration and
By simplifying the whole process, we can take gain access to an innovative idea? To create
product delivery one step further, creating these same opportunities in the agrochemical
convenience and saving time for users of
agrochemicals. Introducing accurate, cost-
effective dispensing devices that promote
a positive message of excellent product
Packaging is too often the
stewardship is a proactive and powerful
forgotten element of the
PET-based packaging could induce a similar approach. To use a Japanese term from the
pesticide development process
upheaval in the agrochemical industry. world of manufacturing, “poka-yoke” or
Undoubtedly such a change will require the “mistake-proofing” packaging leads to positive
agrochemical industry to move from accepted behaviours that promote rather than undermine
industry practice and maybe even to challenge good stewardship.
the grower. This will require a partnership
approach and shifts in our respective behaviours, Consider also the desire to minimise the expense
but don’t forget that change does happen even and time involved in developing and registering
in the most conservative of industries. Did we a new product. As a result of widespread merger
not all disparage plastic stoppers in wine bottles, activity over recent years, major agrochemical
predicting that they would never take the place companies now possess portfolios containing
of traditional cork? And what about screw caps? many potentially complimentary product
combinations. It seems reasonable therefore to
Proactively challenging the paradigms that exist leverage this collateral by creating a mixture in
will almost certainly deliver performance step the form of a twin pack. In its simplest form,
changes and provide hitherto undreamed of this comprises two packs delivered together
benefits. In addition to the perceived external in an outer box. Whilst this type of product is
benefits of enhanced logistics and storage, PET- relatively easy to produce, the supply chain
based packaging may provide opportunities complexity created may on occasion mean that
for cost-effective customisation, lower pack the opportunity is just ignored, especially when
costs and opportunities to increase pack sizes the pest target is continuously moving, such
whilst maintaining the handling features of as the fungi Septoria. Building in flexibility via
polyethylene. late stage customisation techniques means that
www.agrow.com  •   October 2007 
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32