TELLAP pallet-free bulk bags have been developed in South Africa for safe and efficient packaging and transport of dry, loose and bulk products – including high-value minerals in the mining sector.
“Tellap, which offers cost savings, ease of use and enhanced safety for workers, also ensures optimum protection of the goods being transported,” said company Director Ken Mouritzen.
“This environmentally-sustainable system has been developed in response to demand from industry for a lightweight packaging and transport system, that not only minimises product contamination and damage, but also adheres to stringent safety and environmental regulations in the global supply chain.”
The bags, which are manufactured from 100% recyclable polypropylene, consist of a proprietary bulk bag and two strong plastic sleeves that are integrated into the base of the bag to replace the conventional wooden pallet. This design allows a standard forklift truck to safely raise the bag from the base, with no requirement for special handling equipment.
“What’s also notable is a regular wooden pallet can weigh up to 23 kg, while the compact Tellap system weighs less than 2.3 kg.”
Mouritzen said this patented packaging system uses the space between the sleeves to increase bag volume by up to 10%. Tellap optimises container volume for lightweight minerals, like graphite or carbon, by increasing bag volume, thereby reducing transport costs per metric ton.
“As an example, where users ship 20 bags of heavy product on traditional wooden pallets, they will be transporting approximately 400 kg of dead weight, while 20 pairs of Tellap sleeves weigh only 46 kg. This means users are able to transport more product at no additional cost, reducing transport costs per metric ton, while reducing the number of bags, trucks and containers.”
Tellap bags can be stacked securely two high in a container or four high in a warehouse and are loaded and unloaded by a single forklift operator. Unlike conventional wooden pallets, which can be unstable and move during shipment, Tellap sleeves act like outriggers on a canoe, bracing the bag to increase stability and enhance safety in warehousing, containers, rail cars and trucks.
Environmental responsibility has been critical in the design of Tellap. This germ-free recyclable plastic sleeve system requires no fumigation or heat treatment and there are no disposal problems. Other advantages of replacing the conventional pallet are reduced product damage and no contamination from splinters, nails and mould, normally associated with wooden pallets.
This system can be customised to enhance efficiency and productivity in specific mineral handling requirements, with the implementation of spouts, liners, baffles and printing.
Tellap bulk bags, which are manufactured to international quality, safety and environmental standards, are independently tested to meet stringent performance requirements for non-dangerous goods contained in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC).
In the handling of various minerals – including graphite, phosphates, carbon and nickel Tellap optimises container volume and ensures swift and efficient loading and unloading, while maintaining the integrity of the product during transportation, Mouritzen said.
