Look out for our new Smartline packaging

Alert growers preparing autumn herbicide programmes with Atlantis WG or Othello will notice different packaging this autumn – we have completely redesigned and re-engineered the packaging to make it easier to use, more difficult to imitate and needing less material to manufacture.

Atlantis WG, the leading product for black-grass control, and Othello, growers’ preferred choice for annual meadow-grass situations, are the first of the company’s products to appear in the updated packaging, known as Smartline. Other products are due to switch to the new containers in late autumn and early 2012.

“The main point about Smartline is that it makes growers’ work easier,” says Paul Goddard, our application and stewardship manager.  “These new containers pour more easily, empty more quickly, rinse more efficiently and handle more comfortably.

“We’ve also ensured that they are more difficult to imitate to prevent the very real risk of growers unwittingly using non-genuine product on-farm,” he adds.  “And of course, that’s why we want growers to know about the new packaging, so that they don’t question its authenticity when they take delivery of this autumn’s crop protection products.”

Paul says the new packaging’s high levels of security and handling will save users time through improved convenience, safety and efficiency.  “A seal-free closing system - dispensing with the unpopular foil seal - is one of the most important aspects, and that brings us into line with recent developments from other manufacturers, although it won’t be removed from all products until we’re entirely confident about not needing it for all our different formulations.  Othello, with its OD formulation for example, is likely to continue to have a foil seal for this season.

“We’ve also re-engineered the containers to use less plastic, which will save around 250 tonnes of plastic this year. We will continue making them out of translucent material for the entire range, allowing us to mould measuring gradations on the container itself and making it easier for users to see when the container’s fully rinsed.”

David Felce, former sprayer operator of the year and a high-volume user of crop protection products, was one of those we invited to help in testing and development of the new packaging system.

“The Smartline initiative has definitely been an improvement,” he says.  “The containers are more ergonomic for a start - little things like the altered angle of the handle make for a more natural grip when pouring, for example.

“Washing out the cans is much easier and quicker, too.  You don’t always think about it, but at the end of the season, when daylight hours are few and there are fewer spraying windows, the last thing I want is to be wasting time when preparing the sprayer - I just want to be out there and making good use of that spraying opportunity.

“Getting rid of the foil seals, and making sure that the breakaway ring is retained, is also a huge benefit.  It’s too easy to see both of these fall into the induction hopper, which can really cause problems.

“Packaging is not always fully thought through, but Bayer seems to have got things right - thinking about all the small things that perhaps save only a little time, but which nevertheless stack up and affect our efficiency when we don’t always have time to spare.”

Products using Smartline packaging are already in distribution and will start to arrive on farm this month.  “Look out for a new shaped container, with a wider, shorter neck which gives ‘glug-free’ pouring.  There’s a tamper-evident cap and the container is embossed so you know you’re getting genuine product.”