SHERIDAN, WYOMING - May 10, 2026 - SCHÜTZ has officially launched CircularOne, a comprehensive digital platform designed to manage the entire lifecycle of industrial packaging, at the interpack 2026 exhibition. The new system centralizes the collection, reconditioning, and supply of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), steel drums, and plastic jerrycans. By shifting toward an integrated service model, the packaging manufacturer helps industrial plant operators meet strict European recycling regulations while securing their supply chains against material shortages. The exhibition also serves as the global rollout for several hardware upgrades, including automated steel pallets, double-walled hazardous material containers, and fully integrated mixing systems.
Integrated Packaging Recovery and Supply
The CircularOne platform operates through a centralized web portal. Logistics managers can organize empty container pickups and request reconditioned supplies through a single digital interface. To support this infrastructure, the company offers two distinct operational tracks. The Open Loop Service transforms heterogeneous returned containers into a standardized supply of reconditioned units or new containers utilizing recycled plastics. Alternatively, the Closed Loop Service allows high-volume production facilities to cycle their exact packaging inventory through local washing and rebottling facilities.
Expanding Global Reconditioning Infrastructure
Executing this circular strategy requires extensive physical infrastructure close to major manufacturing hubs. Over the past year, the company integrated 28 new reconditioning sites across Europe. This expansion includes the acquisition of Jager & Zn. B.V. in the Netherlands and strategic joint ventures in Spain and Scandinavia. Beyond Europe, the manufacturer opened a 34,000-square-meter facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which combines new IBC production with a dedicated reconditioning line. Additional expansions include new production sites in Pesquería, Mexico, and Phú My, Vietnam, shortening transport distances for industrial buyers in these regions.
Advanced Hardware for Automated Logistics
Modern high-rack storage facilities and automated conveyor networks put immense physical stress on heavy bulk containers. To address these mechanical demands, SCHÜTZ will begin series production of a new three-skid steel pallet in the third quarter of 2026. The widened side and middle skids increase the surface contact area by 900 percent compared to classic steel frame pallets. This engineering upgrade prevents pallet bending under heavy loads and provides smooth transit across automated roller systems. Additionally, the manufacturer redesigned the pallet base by adding interlocking cams between the base pan and corner feet. This mechanical lock prevents structural deformation during rough forklift handling, extending the overall lifecycle of the pallet.
Contamination-Free Mixing for Viscous Liquids
Processing highly viscous liquids such as paints, adhesives, and agricultural fertilizers often requires intensive mixing before discharge. Standard industrial agitators require operators to open the container, risking external contamination. The new SCHÜTZ IMPELLER solves this bottleneck by integrating a disposable plastic agitator directly into the closed IBC during the initial manufacturing stage. Plant technicians simply connect their external drive motors to the built-in unit. The system is available with a cup profile for vigorous mixing or a wing profile optimized for low-speed pigment distribution. Once empty, the 100 percent recycled plastic impeller is collected and processed alongside the container.
Fire-Resistant Containers and Recycled Extrusion
For hazardous material transport, the company introduced the ECOBULK SX-D-OV. This double-walled IBC surrounds a standard HDPE inner bottle with a fireproof steel outer shell. Rated for Explosion Zones 1 and 2, the unit functions as its own integrated spill pallet. The new OV variant adds a bottom discharge valve protected by a dedicated heat shield, combining maximum fire safety with standard operational convenience. Across its standard product lines, the company is also expanding its GREEN LAYER technology. By utilizing a multi-layer extrusion process, the manufacturer now incorporates 30 percent high-quality recycled resin into the middle layer of its new SC2 jerrycan series, preparing operators for the upcoming 2030 Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) mandates.
On-Site Production Integration
Further securing industrial supply chains, SCHÜTZ signed a major infrastructure agreement with BASF in March 2026. The packaging provider will construct a highly automated IBC production facility directly adjacent to the chemical company's primary manufacturing complex in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Scheduled for construction in late 2026, the dedicated plant will feed a digitized packaging warehouse. This on-site integration enables round-the-clock, just-in-time container deliveries, drastically reducing freight emissions and eliminating logistical delays for the chemical producer.