Svenska Retursystem
Energy-efficient washing solution for ambitious sustainability agenda
At Svenska Retursystem (SRS) in Sweden, sustainability is a way of life. The service they provide and how
they deliver it is sustainable, and they continually take new steps to make it even more sustainable.
SRS is a circular pooling system that aims to optimize the Swedish food and beverage industry’s supply chain by making it more efficient and with less environmental impact.
The basic idea is innovative in all its simplicity. They offer a system based on shared, reusable pallets and bale arm crates for transportation and storage. The crates are used in a cycle between producers, wholesalers, stores and restaurants. Between each loop, the crates return to the logistics facilities to be washed, checked and repaired.
Each crate and pallet has a tag that enables SRS to track its location. The faster they move through the system, the better for the environment.
The pallets and crates are manufactured in durable and recyclable plastic and have an average lifespan of 15 years.
When the crates are no longer usable, the plastic is ground into granules that become new crates. The plastic from discarded pallets is recycled and turned into new products.
“We’ve had excellent cooperation from the beginning to commissioning. Their previous experience with our products and their understanding of arising problems have eased communication during initial design, installation, and commissioning”
Daniel Jacobsson
Site Manager at SRS Vaggeryd
New site sets new standards
For their new logistics centre in Vaggeryd, Sweden, Brüel Systems has designed, manufactured, and, in the spring of 2024, installed a turnkey washing and handling solution. The solution will process 70 million reusable crates and 4 million pallets annually.
“We are ramping up the process to full speed, and so far, we’re seeing better cleaning results. This system is the best overall solution. Its construction allows us to reuse water in the washing process, which matches our ambition to lower water consumption. This, as well as the high level of automation and Brüel System’s ability to deliver a turnkey solution, have been the deciding factors when choosing a supplier,” Daniel Jacobsson, Site Manager at SRS Vaggeryd, explains.
Longstanding cooperation
Brüel Systems has previously supplied SRS with washing systems, so a pre-understanding of the process and the challenges and a clear list of specifications enabled a smooth cooperation.
The system is fully automated and equipped with the latest features.
SRS’s ambitious sustainability goals perfectly match those of Brüel’s washing systems. The high level of automation, energy efficiency, and water management align seamlessly with SRS’s sustainability agenda.
“We’ve had excellent cooperation from the beginning to commissioning. Their previous experience with our products and their understanding of arising problems have eased communication during initial design, installation, and commissioning,” Daniel states.
Morten Bielefeldt, CSO at Brüel Systems, agrees and adds:
“Brüel is very proud to have been an SRS partner for many years, starting with SRS’s opening of the first site in Sweden. In the detailed and long-term process of finalizing the specifications for the new site until the contracting, our collaboration with SRS’s skilled team has been an exciting period with dedicated teams.”
Brüel Systems will continue to support and fine-tune the system in the future.
“We’re continually in contact with Svenska Retursystem, ensuring the system performs at its best. In the event of issues, we work closely with their technicians to ensure the smooth running of the process,” says Morten Bielefeldt.
“Brüel is very proud to have been an SRS partner for many years, starting with SRS’s opening of the first site in Sweden. In the detailed and long-term process of finalizing the specifications for the new site until the contracting, our collaboration with SRS’s skilled team has been an exciting period with dedicated teams.”
Morten Bielefeldt
CSO at Brüel Systems
The solution
The complete washing and handling solution from Brüel Systems comprises multiple elements. When combined, they form an intricate system with a myriad of functionalities. Setting up the full installation to ensure a smooth flow requires a high degree of advanced technology and programming. Below is an overview of the wide range of elements in the total solution:
Washing lines for crates (4 x 3.000 crates/hour):
- Half and full-size bale arm crates
- Pallet with crate stacks loading
- TPU-dividers with platform
- De-palletizing robots
- Pallet stackers – empty pallets
- Crate de-stackers
- Crate washing machines flume type and 4-sided label removal
- Vision system with crate rejection
- Bale-arm openers
- Metal detection
- Vision systems
- Crate stackers
- Double 1200 Spin-dryers
- Bale-arm closers
- Palletizing robots
- Hood Wrappers
- Up-stackers of pallets with crate stacks
- Pallet with crate stacks offloading
Washing line for pallets (400 – 800 pallets/hour):
- Half and full-size plastic pallets
- Pallet stack infeed with aligner and buffer system
- Pallet de-stacker
- Cardboard removal
- Pallet washing machine with drying section
- Pallet type detection for sorting
- Weight control and defective pallets stacker
- Pallet strapper and outfeed
