At Cross-Border Magazine, we love having insightful conversations over a good cup of coffee (or tea). In this edition, we sat down with Justyna Andreas, Managing Director of Packeta Poland & Germany. Packeta is a fast-growing provider of delivery solutions for the e-commerce sector, with a strong footprint across Central and Eastern Europe. Justyna shares her insights on Packeta’s competitive edge, the growing importance of flexible last-mile delivery options, and how the company is preparing for a more sustainable, tech-driven future in logistics.

Subject’s Rights: At Packeta, the mission is to provide fast, reliable, and flexible delivery services tailored to the needs of e-commerce businesses, with a strong focus on cross-border operations. Justyna discusses how Packeta is helping both small and large online retailers thrive through seamless integrations, scalable logistics, and a keen understanding of local consumer preferences in Eastern Europe.

1. Coffee or tea? When and how?

I like both coffee and tea—it really depends on my mood and the time of day! Mornings definitely call for an aromatic coffee to kickstart the day (preferably a caffè latte with freshly brewed espresso). But in the afternoon, I slow down a bit and sometimes switch to tea. But mostly I drink coffee. 

2. Can you introduce Packeta and share your role with in the company?

Packeta is a global delivery solution, a provider of solutions for e-commerce. Besides home delivery, we operate an extensive network of over 17,500 own pick-up points, including more than 9,000 lockers. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, we even run the largest network. We recently acquired FoxPost in Hungary, establishing ourselves as one of the country's leading parcel delivery service providers.

Furthermore we cooperate with over 60 partner carriers whose network can be used by our clients as well – this includes over 186,000 pick up points, in 33 countries. Our mission is to provide fast, convenient, and reliable delivery services to our customers with a huge competitive advantage in the Easter European market. 

As the Managing Director of Packeta Poland & Germany, I am responsible for strategic development, operational excellence, and building relations with partners and clients in the both markets. Worth noting, these two entities are dedicated exclusively to cross-border e-commerce deliveries, whereas entities in CZ, SK, HU, RO also operate domestic and B2C solutions. 

3. What sets Packeta apart in today’s competitive market?

Packeta offers a unique option thanks to our leadership in the Central and Eastern European market. We are the most popular parcel delivery service in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with an internationally connected and widespread network and deep market knowledge.  With the recent acquisition of FoxPost, we are also set to become a leading player in Hungary, further strengthening our cross-border capabilities. We have an advantage because we know local e-commerce itself and also the needs of consumers in these regions compared to other global players.

Our robust pick-up point network and flexible delivery also help us stand out. Our customers benefit from home delivery or collecting their parcels at one of our thousands of self-service Z-BOXes or pick-up points, offering intentional convenience. Especially in those countries such as Poland or Czech where end-customers have a preference for Pick-Up and Drop-Off solutions, it is vital for online shops to be served by a parcel provider with a strong network.

4. How have digital tools and data analysis improved your delivery processes and enhanced customer experience?

Digital tools and data analysis are essential to our operations. They allow us to optimize delivery routes, predict peak periods, and manage resources effectively, resulting in faster and more reliable services.

For customers, our mobile app provides real-time tracking, notifications, and the flexibility to choose or change delivery options, enhancing transparency and satisfaction. A great example of our innovation is the "Minute Delivery" feature, which we have introduced in Slovakia for home delivery users. This service allows customers to track their parcel’s arrival down to the exact minute, providing an unprecedented level of precision and convenience. This feature significantly improves the customer experience by eliminating uncertainty and enabling better planning.

5. How does Packeta adapt its services to support both small and large e-commerce businesses?

We understand that businesses of different sizes have unique needs. For small e-commerce businesses, we offer easy integration solutions with the most common ERPs such as BaseLinker, IdoSell, Magento, PrestaShop and Woocommerce. Also we give them access to our extensive delivery network, and therefor the ability to scale efficiently. We believe that by providing a combination of reliability, speed, and attractive pricing—through our wide network, local parcel delivery solutions, and partnerships with recognized couriers—our clients can expand more effectively into international markets. Their growth automatically translates into our growth.For larger enterprises, we provide customized logistics solutions, dedicated account management, and advanced analytics to support their complex supply chain requirements. Given that larger businesses often operate with sophisticated ERP systems, integrating them seamlessly with our platform can be more complex. To ensure a smooth and efficient connection, our in-house IT team works closely with these enterprises, offering tailored support and technical assistance. This helps streamline operations, automate workflows, and enhance overall efficiency in logistics management.

6. What eco-friendly initiatives has Packeta implemented to reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining operational efficiency?

Sustainability is a core focus for us. Our strong focus on Pick-Up and Drop-Off points naturally contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions. Since couriers deliver multiple parcels to a single pick-up location rather than making numerous stops at private residences, this significantly lowers the overall carbon footprint of last-mile delivery. Especially as, in addition we optimizing routes to reduce fuel consumption. Our in-house-designed lockers (Z-BOX) are powered by solar energy, allowing them to operate independently while also promoting sustainability.

7. What trends do you see in logistics, and how will Packeta use them to improve its services?

Just the other day, a friend told me about an online order they placed. They were amazed at how quickly it arrived, but what really stood out to them was the flexibility – they could reroute the package last-minute, choose a pick-up point, and even track the courier in real time. This conversation really highlighted for me how much customer expectations in logistics have evolved.

We are witnessing several key trends shaping the industry. Speed and flexibility are critical—customers not only expect fast deliveries, they also want control over when and where they receive their packages. Automation and AI are getting bigger as well, helping to optimize delivery routes, predict peak times, and eliminate operational inefficiencies. The other big trend is sustainability, as consumers are demanding more eco-conscious delivery services and lower carbon footprints. From both sides: endcustomers but also our onlineshop clients.

At Packeta, we take these trends seriously as we constantly expand our Pick-Up and Drop-Off network, build smarter tracking and rerouting options, and invest smartly into automation for efficiency. The logistics ecosystem of the future is all about convenience, sustainability, and smart technology, and we are excited to be part of this transformation.

The post A Cup of Coffee With… Justyna Andreas, Managing Director of Packeta Poland & Germany appeared first on Cross-Border Magazine.

Amazon UK has announced that it will no longer pack its products in single-use plastic delivery bags. The UK Amazon branch will begin to use recyclable paper and cardboard delivery boxes and bags in a bet for a more clean and sustainable future.

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Currently, the company holds up to 20 warehouses in the UK, counting both the ones owned by the company, the ones rented, and the temporary port - and transit warehouses.

We need to keep in mind that currently, Amazon is the largest private parcel courier in the UK, delivering 15% of the estimated 5.4bn packages in 2021 – the equivalent of more than 2m items a day. They range from Prime next-day deliveries to the last mile of packages shipped from thousands of miles away in China or India.

The “Amazon effect” in the UK 

Due to the e-commerce surge in our post-pandemic world, some administrations in counties and cities in the UK have started to cope with a massive increase in waste from e-commerce packages. This has been dupped the “Amazon effect”. 

And the problem is that the Amazon effect is happening with the recycled materials also: cardboard and paper are left on the curbside, piled up because the recycling companies can’t handle the huge surge derived from the massive increase in e-commerce. 

An effect that, at least in Norfolk County, reportedly caused 159 tonnes of waste during 2021. According to  Norfolk Recycles - part of the Norfolk Waste Partnership, made up of the region's county, district, city, and borough councils - said the amount of recycling waste has increased by 6pc in the last year, to 159,221 tonnes.

A situation that is also happening all over the UK. 

Rising environmental and financial costs of e-commerce 

One of the key issues with Amazon in the UK has been the environmental cost of its services. This situation is not new, last year up to £7bn was lost due to e-commerce returns, and the carbon footprint suffered heavily from this. 

And even when the statistic is a global one, including all e-commerce in the UK, many blame Amazon directly for it, claiming that the current e-commerce standards that have created this situation, are a consequence of Amazon’s global business model that has pushed all other e-commerce to emulated or disappear. 

This recent awareness that the current e-commerce standards for packaging, delivery, and returns, are no longer valid - due to the high environmental costs it has - has pushed companies into researching and promoting more sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. 

One of such is Recycold’s solution plant-based thermal solution for cold chain packaging, a sector normally heavy on the use of plastics, which had no previous cost-efficient alternative. 

It seems pretty clear that the current way of packaging, delivery, and recycling is just not enough to cope with the environmental cost of a rising global e-commerce economy. And you can rest assured that in the near and mid-term, we will continue to see industry leaders like Amazon, pushing towards experimental new ways to be more eco-friendly. So if you have not done anything in this regard for your e-commerce packaging and delivery, we strongly recommend you to start perusing possible eco-friendly solutions both for the packing, as well as for the transportation of your goods. 

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Information provided by Ranpak Holdings Corp. 

Ranpak, a global leader in paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, announced the acquisition of Recycold Cool Solutions BV (“Recycold”), a manufacturer of sustainable cool packs. 

Unlike typical cool packs, Recycold Cool Packs are made from a drain-safe, plant-based gel and their addition expands the diversity of Ranpak’s Cold Chain packaging solutions.  

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“We are thrilled to add Recycold and its Recycold Cool Packs products to our portfolio of sustainable Cold Chain packaging solutions at Ranpak. Recycold will immediately bolster our position as a highly effective thermal solution provider in the marketplace,” said Omar Asali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Ranpak. “This acquisition reflects our focus on growth-oriented new products and our shared vision on eco-friendly solutions that express the values with which we operate Ranpak’s business worldwide.”

Asali continued, “We have received great feedback from customers about Recycold Cool Packs. Ranpak will be scaling up Recycold’s business. Recycold products are already sold in 14 European countries and we look forward to leading further worldwide expansions in the future. Ranpak will also be integrating Recycold’s innovative manufacturing operations into the new Ranpak Netherlands facility, expected to open by the end of 2022.”

“Recycold and Ranpak have been collaborating for several years now and I am so pleased that, under Omar’s leadership, Ranpak can take our business to greater levels,” said

Ruud Titulaer, co-founder and Managing Director, Recycold. “Our companies share common values for a more sustainable world, and the combination of Recycold and Ranpak products will provide an unmatched unboxing experience. We are so pleased to be part of the Ranpak family, with the ability to further integrate our offerings for a more streamlined thermal protection solution for our customers, and to collaborate even more closely on future product developments.”

An Integrated Cold Chain Solution

Ranpak has been active in the Cold Chain field for several years with its WrapPak® Protector thermal liner. The paper pads trap air and prevent heat conduction, creating an exceptional insulator for Cold Chain applications. Cooling is needed to keep products cold up to 48 hours, and Ranpak recommends the use of Recycold Cool Packs as the most sustainable option in the market to meet this requirement. Ranpak and Recycold customers will now be able to order the entire solution from a single source and benefit from:

Easy integration: Packers position WrapPak paper pads easily in the box before adding the Recycold cool packs, a complete process that is easy to optimize into almost any existing packing operation.”

Unmatched unboxing experience: Ranpak Cold Chain thermal liners with Recycold Cool Packs offer a superior unboxing experience, minimizing or eliminating the need for plastic packaging for a more sustainable approach.

Cost and sustainability gains: No costly return shipment and handling of conventional cooling systems with the use of these sustainable products.

For more information on Ranpak y Recycold cold chain solution please visit Recycold 

The post Ranpak offers a total cold chain packaging solution with Recycold appeared first on Cross-Border Magazine.

Author: Anne de Rouw - Business Development Manager Cold Chain at Ranpak

Edited by: Frank Calviño - Cross-Border Magazine

These past two years have seen a massive increase in e-commerce. The pandemic accelerated the use of online shopping for many products that, traditionally, people preferred to buy at physical stores. Food and groceries specifically, became something of a common e-commerce purchase in Europe during the long Covid quarantines. But, how are we handling the logistic challenge of a massive expansion in European e-commerce? 

Do you want to know more about international commerce, e-commerce, and also get all the tips and news that might give your company an edge? Subscribe to Cross-Border Magazine and get your digital copy now for free! 

Today we want to take a look at the complex cold chain logistics, vital for booming e-commerce groceries and food businesses. Let us begin! 

Paper is a sustainable cold chain packing solution? 

Food products are usually delivered within 24 hours, and traditionally, many of these products have been shipped using expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes and other non-sustainable traditional cold chain solutions.

While these boxes are lightweight and provide good thermal protection, they do have disadvantages and environmental costs. 

Also, EPS boxes and other plastic-based thermal protection solutions - or even wool or cotton-based solutions and things like denim liners - are certainly an effective thermal protection approach, they also take up a great deal of space, both in the warehouse and in the product shipping process. Plus, their end-of-life disposal comes with many sustainability issues.  

If we add to this the fact that e-commerce only keeps on growing, we quickly realize that e-commerce packaging could easily become a major environmental issue if left unattended

The 2021 European Union Collaborative Report on E-Commerce Sustainability presents several key figures concerning the social and environmental impact of e-commerce packaging, for example, a third of the total weight of all packages in the Netherlands comes from e-commerce discarded or single-use packages. 

That’s why paper, being an easy to recycle material, could play a major role in creating a sustainable e-commerce industry. Specifically for products that require thermal protection for 24 hours or even up to 48 hours. 

WrapPak: A cost effective cold chain packing solution

Ranpak has developed a unique eco-friendly solution paper-based for cold chain packaging: WrapPak® Protector. Using thermal liners from 100% paper instead of petroleum-based products has many environmental benefits:

• 100% paper. Our WrapPak protective liner is 100% paper – no plastics are used.
• 100% renewable. We use FSC® certified materials sourced from sustainably managed forests and with a chain of custody certification.
• 100% recyclable. There are no barriers to its entry into the recycling stream.
• 100% biodegradable. Since WrapPak contains no plastics or other petroleum-based additives, it is 100% biodegradable if it does end up in the landfill.

WrapPak Protector also offers significant logistics benefits. These include:

• Substantially reduced requirements for storing of packing materials. One pallet of WrapPak paper packs as much product as up to 24 pallets of EPS cold chain boxes!
• The waved paper pads used for thermal protection are produced on demand, keeping required storage space to a minimum, reducing transport costs, and reducing the risk of running out of packing material during a busy period.

How Does It Work?

Ranpak provides the packing organization with WrapPak Protector converting equipment, which has a compact footprint, along with pallets of WrapPak Protector paper liners. Ranpak specialists will assess the packing and thermal protection requirements and recommend the best packing configurations for each type of product, whether requiring sustained thermal protection for frozen, chilled, or ambient temperature ranges. The packing process is straightforward:

1. Select the right double- or triple-wall corrugated box.
2. Use the WrapPak Protector converter to convert paper into waved pads in the right size with the number of layers required depending on the ambient temperature, the product temperature, and shipping duration.
3. Products are inserted into the lined box with cooling elements added.
4. Optional void fill can be used if there are empty spaces in the packed box.
5. Close the box with tape, and it’s ready to ship!

How Does Thermal Protection Compare with EPS Boxes?

Ranpak has performed extensive testing to determine how its WrapPak Protector compares with EPS boxes in terms of thermal protection, and the good news is WrapPak Protector is roughly equivalent to EPS boxes. 

Their studies conducted using the Western European Test Profile (ambient temperatures between 14-25°C) with big boxes of 45 liters and 4 cool packs, every 300 grams, showed that products packed using WrapPak Protector waved pads maintained thermal protection well within the specified temperature ranges for these products, with cool maintained within a four-hour margin compared to the EPS boxes. In addition, as noted earlier, packers benefit from cost savings in storage and transport as well as improved sustainability.

Their market research reflects that there is a significant total addressable market for thermal protection in the ranges delivered by WrapPak Protector waved pads and can, in most cases, completely, safely, and cost-effectively replace EPS boxes for these shipping needs.

Plus, using paper versus plastic packaging delivers a circular economy approach that uses, rather than uses up, resources because they are manufactured from renewable resources.

Switching from plastic (EPS boxes) to paper (Ranpak WrapPak Protector) delivers significant benefits – environmentally, economically, and safely. Paper is 100% renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, fitting the demand for more circularity in product packaging and providing a clear alternative to conventional cold chain packaging materials. To find out how your packing operation can benefit from paper-based packaging solutions, talk to one of our experts! [contact]

For more information about Ranpak cold chain solutions and other paper-based packaging solutions from Ranpak, please find them here!

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Ranpak, packaging solution provider, is an expert in the paper packaging industry worldwide. As online retailers are always looking for ways to improve on the shipment of their orders, and packaging is an important part of that, the company offers 6 insights for e-commerce sellers.

The insights focus on what customers can relate to, and help online retailers to think about how to maximise efficiency in packaging while minimalising material cost and usage.

Six packaging tips explained:

1. Don't ship air

Choosing the right box size is important. Size matters when you’re choosing your packaging. 15% of the respondents were unhappy with the size of the box they received. You need packaging that provides enough protective material but is also appropriate in size compared to the product inside. Shipping extra air annoys your customers, increases your CO2 footprint and raises transportation costs.

2. Keep it safe (and cool)

You can’t afford unsatisfied customers with damaged goods. Returns are very expensive and keeping your customers happy is vital for your business. When you use exactly the right amount and type of material, you can improve your packaging operations and reduce your breakage rates significantly. Not only is paper protective, but it is also an outstanding insulator. Ideal for when you need to ship cold chain goods, such as food.

3. Customise your packaging

Automation delivers many benefits. Your packaging tables can move to the background, and boxes can be created with less wasted space. You’ll benefit from fewer, but more engaged and motivated packagers – people who are there to make sure your machines are giving optimum results.

4. Choose packaging material that pleases

A happy customer is a returning customer. 58% of respondents said they were convinced by an online unboxing review to buy a product. Your customers deserve a faster and happier unboxing experience and putting attention into this helps you get more satisfied customers.

5. Make it sustainable

Using recyclable packaging material not only benefits the environment – it is increasingly valued and demanded by your customers. More than 4 out of 5 respondents (82%) say it’s important to use recyclable material for e-commerce packaging. According to the Ranpak research, 33% are even willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging.

6. Control in-the-box costs

How do you cut labour and material costs and reducing damage return rates with packaging? Optimising processes to speed up the production, reduce damage on goods that are returned and thinking about automating processes can help you control the in-the-box costs. It can even benefit the value of your company. According to Ranpak research, 33% of respondents were more likely to pay extra for reusable packaging.

In this link, you can find more information on these tips.

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Zalando and Finnish startup RePack are testing with reusable packaging in the Nordics. For a period of four weeks, 10.000 customers living in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden will receive their orders in reusable shipping bags. This way, the German fashion platform aims to reduce packaging waste.

As the environmental footprint and sustainability are increasingly more important in the online market, this test by Zalando fits a current trend. As it is other companies, the idea behind the Zalando-pilot is to use the same packaging repeatedly for shipping and returns and thus reduce the production of packaging. The fashion retailer believes that this way of packaging might soon become the new standard for shipping.

Change of packing experience

On the one hand, the unpacking experience will change. It is different from that of classic packaging. On the other hand, a more intensive engagement from the customer with the packaging is required. Even if customers do not want to return anything from their order, the packaging must still be returned. Uwe Streiber, Team Warehouse Consumables at Zalando, says: "To make the concept of reusable packaging scalable, the entire e-commerce industry is needed. It requires standardized processes and centralized delivery options for reusable packaging. Reusable packaging transforms material from waste to resource. A uniform system in which customers can return the packaging, for example to the supermarket, would make it easier for everyone." The fashion platform sees this as a cycle that works by customers folding up the envelope, attaching the return label to it and putting it in the mailbox. The bag goes back to a central location and is then brought to the fulfilment centre.

Sustainable reusable packaging

Earlier this year, Zalando announced more innovations in the field of sustainable packaging. Existing approaches, such as the use of boxes made from 100% recycled paper and mailing bags made from 80% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, are accompanied by new goals, such as beauty bags converted from plastic to 100% recycled paper. At the same time, polybags (thin protective sleeves around the textiles) made from over 60% of recycled plastic were introduced. Zalando claims that these changes reduce the consumption of non-recycled plastic by approximately 625.6 tonnes compared to 2018.

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Grocery retail industry leader ALDI stated in a press release that all ALDI U.S. product packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The grocery retailers operate more than 1800 stores in 35 states in the United States. More than 40 million customers each month buy from the retailer.

The commitments ALDI U.S. are making is to help combat the global plastics challenge. By 2025, 100% of packaging, including plastics, will be reusable, recyclable or compostable. The retailer aims to reduce packaging material across its entire range by at least 15%. The retailer has the ability to influence how the products it sells are sourced, produced and brought to shelves as more than 90% of the product range is exclusive to the company. Therefore, the grocery retailer committed itself to work with its partners to achieve the following goals:

• 100% of ALDI-exclusive consumable packaging to include How2Recycle label by 2020;
• By 2020, implement an initiative to make private-label product packaging easier for customers to reuse;
• 100% of all packaging, including plastic packaging, will have reusable,
  recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025;
• By 2025, packaging material of all ALDI-exclusive products to be reduced by at least 15%;
• Guide continuous improvement of product packaging by internal expertise and external
  evaluations.

ALDI's sustainability initiatives

Jason Hart, CEO of ALDI U.S., comments: “We have never offered single-use plastic shopping bags. And while we’re pleased that we’ve helped keep billions of plastic grocery bags out of landfills and oceans, we want to continue to do more. The commitments we’re making to reduce plastic packaging waste are an investment in our collective future that we are proud to make.”

The goals are an extension of the company's existing sustainability initiatives. The company estimates that its sustainable business decisions have helped keep approximately 15 billion single-use plastic bags out of landfills and oceans. In 2018, the retailer recycled more than 250,000 tons of materials, including paper, cardboard, plastic and metal. The grocery retailer partnered with How2Recycle in July 2018, a standardised labelling system to empower customers to recycle.

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Along with web shops and suppliers, the branch organisation Thuiswinkel.org has set a goal for itself to reduce the air in packages by 10% by 2022. The organisation has previously advocated omitting shipping where possible. These goals have since been established in the Packaging Delivery Sustainability Plan for 2019-2022.

To be able to deliver products to the consumer without damage, great packaging is often necessary. However, the air in packages causes CO2 emissions to increase during distribution. The reason behind this is that with less air in packages, the packages become smaller and it is possible to transport more in one ride.

Web shops have already reduced a lot of air in recent years, through mechanical packaging and the reduction of packaging material. According to Thuiswinkel, achieving 100% packaging-density is not feasible. Products come in all possible shapes and sizes, so it is inevitable that there will be air in packaging.

At the end of 2018, Partners for Innovation carried out a sample commissioned by Thuiswinkel.org, which gives an impression of the packaging density in e-commerce packaging.

Web stores use different shipping methods. The most common is the cardboard box (75%), followed by the plastic bag (19%). The degree to which envelopes and shipping bags are filled is much higher than for cardboard boxes, at (almost) a 100%. However, bags offer less protection and not all types of products can be shipped using that method. The filling rate for a cardboard box has an average of 50%.

The fashion sector performs better than others with a 60% filling rate of boxes. As most clothes are soft and foldable, it is easy to mould them into the box in which it is packaged. Electronics products are often shipped in a box and are dimensionally stable, so there is no room for manoeuvre with regard to the shipping packaging. Larger electronics are shipped more often without a shipping box in order to save on unnecessary materials.

Small web stores are opting for customisable boxes. Any reduction in packaging materials and air will affect the rest of the chain, according to Thuiswinkel.org.

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