Automotive reusable packaging – a change catalyst

Navigating to a sustainable future

Automakers are well aware of the potential benefits of reusable packaging – and they are significant.

Sustainability can be enhanced by minimizing the use of single-use packaging such as cardboard in the supply chain. Cost-effectiveness can be improved by reusing packaging more and reducing the associated operational expenditure. Automotive supply chain resilience can be increased by lessening dependence on external suppliers for recurrent packaging purchases.

With their sights set on benefits like these, many automakers are switching to reusable packaging for parts being shipped through the supply chain to their assembly plants.

Unfortunately, realizing the expected benefits of automotive reusable packaging is challenging. Obstacles include the fact that automakers must often revert to cardboard and other single-use packaging, when empty packaging cannot be located or accessed owing to lack of visibility of the supply chain, or suboptimal processes.

In addition, procurement, maintenance, and organization of packaging can be expensive, especially as many processes are still manual. It can be hard to coordinate packaging flows to meet the sometimes-disparate requirements of different stakeholders. Repurchase or repairs are often required owing to loss or damage of packaging materials.

To overcome these challenges, Capgemini has partnered with SAP to offer automakers a sustainable, digitally driven automotive reusable packaging solution that combines process automation, cost efficiency, and transparency throughout the supply chain.

The solution overcomes today’s challenges with:

• Digital asset tracking providing real-time visibility and traceability of packaging materials
• Data-centric digital processes that reduce decision-making errors        
• Smart packaging flow management to satisfy all stakeholder needs
• Intelligent emissions control, including optimization of packaging transportation
• Smart, economic packaging design that cuts costs
• Damage and loss-free packaging practices to help avoid repairs and reinvestment

This solution complements Capgemini’s Digital Core for Automotive – an offer creating agile business models and a connected mobility ecosystem that adapts rapidly to change. The offer also ensures sustainability goals drive growth and customer advocacy.

Automotive Reusable Packaging is underpinned by SAP’s Returnable Packaging Management. Based on SAP Business Technology Platform, this product manages the logistics of reusable/returnable packaging materials in the supply chain.

Is your company struggling to realize the promise of reusable packaging? Download our infographic to find out how our solution could help you achieve up to 40% CO₂ footprint reduction, up to 40% cost reduction and up to 50% lead time reduction.

To learn more, contact our team of automotive experts today and revolutionize the role of reusable packaging in your supply chain, improving automotive sustainability, cutting costs, and enhancing supply chain resilience.