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| Packaging structure design. Photo courtesy of ITDI. |
ITDI makes affordable and globally competitive transport
packaging for house decors and furniture
Local manufacturers may now avail of affordable transport
packaging that meets international standards for their house decors and
furniture at the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Department
of Science and Technology (DOST).
This is made possible after three ITDI engineers trained in
transport packaging technology passed the examination for the Certification for
Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) given by the International Safe
Transit Association (ISTA) of the United States of America (USA). Consequently,
ITDI’s transport packaging testing laboratory is now ISTA-certified.
Currently, the ITDI is technically capable in setting
standards and testing protocol for transport packaging according to
international standards. Its engineers have also improved their competence in
handling packaging innovation and new ideas on packaging design
All these efforts aim to develop and /or improve the
transport packaging technology (in terms of structure and cushion) for non-food
products like furniture and house decors, and comply with existing
international standard at the least cost possible. Overall, these would enhance
the export performance of the furniture and house décor industry. Eventually,
their income improves, and may result to creating additional employment
opportunities for the people.
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| Photo courtest of ITDI. |
To date, ITDI has been assisting manufacturers of furniture
and house-decors who are members of various associations among which include:
Pottery Exporters and Manufacturers Association of Pampanga Inc. (PEMAPI, Cebu
Furniture Industries Foundation Inc., (CFIF, Association of Negros Producers
(ANP), and Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers’ Association Inc. (REMAI).
Improved transport packaging technology spells a lot of
advantages to manufacturers. Damage to products during distribution can be
avoided or even reduced to zero, especially those intended for export. Claims
from buyers may also be reduced (or none
at al
In addition, packaging and transportation cost is
significantly reduced by 20 to 35%, resulting to increased savings. Products
also become more competitive in terms of price and quality. The level of
confidence from buyers is likewise boosted.
From the positive experiences of clients, it is possible to achieve a
multiplier effect when the designs learned by other firms are passed on and
adapted by other member firms.
In developing its packaging systems, ITDI uses protective yet
cost-effective medium or materials like corrugated boards. Combination of
different packaging materials (e.g. bubble wrap, corrugated boards, polystyrene
foam, and expanded polyethylene sheets) is also used for fragile products.
Developed transport packaging systems then undergo performance evaluation at
its ISTA-certified testing facility to validate their effectiveness. (July 11,
2012, V.B. Conoza, ITDI S&T MEDIA SERVICE)