Cartonstrap: the tile packing machine reinventing the packaging sector

In today’s era of smarter factories and conscious production, packaging has become a strategic frontier rather than just the final step. This shift is embodied by Cartonstrap, a tile packing machine that ushers in a new era for packaging by replacing plastic strapping with precisely applied cardboard corners, delivering enhanced product protection and sustainability.

Packaging needs of the ceramic industry

Packaging is the first physical interaction customers have with any product; ceramics included. In recent years, the demand for sustainable packaging solutions has grown significantly, driven also by the urgent need to reduce plastic usage and minimize environmental impact.

In the ceramic industry, beyond sustainability, many other logistical challenges need to be faced. Manufacturers require packaging systems that are not only high performing but also flexible enough to accommodate varying stack heights and formats without disrupting production flow. Pallet stability is another critical concern. Customers increasingly seek efficient solutions that ensure safe handling, optimized stacking, and easy depalletization of individual packages.

In the last years, System Ceramics has made continuous investments in this sector, developing a diverse portfolio of solutions designed to meet customer demands for efficiency and production outcomes. The company's product range is steadily expanding, reflecting its responsiveness to evolving industry needs. It is where innovation, performance, and sustainability converge, and where System Ceramics remains at the forefront of technological progress in packaging.

Cartonstrap represents this evolution: a tile packing machine that replaces plastic strapping with precision-applied cardboard corners, guaranteeing both product protection and environmental responsibility.

Not a concept, but a tangible solution. One that safeguards both products and resources, proving that performance and environmental responsibility can move forward together.

Redefining packaging through automation

Cartonstrap is an innovative ceramic tiles packing machine that seamlessly blends precision, adaptability, and sustainable design, delivering packages that fulfill client expectations both technically and aesthetically.

This automatic packing machine applies four cardboard corners to stacked tile packages, reinforcing edges and increasing pallet stability while completely eliminating plastic strapping. Every step of the process, from cutting and creasing to folding and gluing,  is fully automated. Using hot melt glue, Cartonstrap ensures a strong and consistent bond, adapting to various formats and guaranteeing optimal protection during handling and transport.

With these features, the system aligns with the most advanced industrial standards and reflects System Ceramics’ continuous investment in high-performance and sustainable technologies designed for the future of packaging.

Designed for performance and flexibility

Cartonstrap can handle all types of cardboard, including kraft and recycled materials, with die-cuts up to 1200 × 200 mm. The system automatically adjusts the dimensions of the cardboard corner through software, adapting perfectly to different stack heights (from 75 to 200 mm, or customized configurations).

The machine’s structure integrates easily into existing production layouts and can be positioned downstream of other System Ceramics packaging lines. Two side storage units can be reloaded without stopping production, while a single squaring and gluing module ensures high performance, reaching up to five stacks per minute.

Sustainable tile packaging machine without plastic strapping

By eliminating plastic from the process, Cartonstrap saves approximately two million meters of plastic strapping per year for every production line. The system ensures full compliance with VerpackG regulations, which govern the use of packaging materials for products imported into Germany.

The benefits extend far beyond environmental impact:

• Easier, faster, and safer removal of individual boxes during installation
• Enhanced stability of vertically palletized stacks, even in demanding conditions
• Optimized space on pallets and reduced risk of product damage or claims
• Streamlined workflow with rapid format changes and high production flexibility

These features make Cartonstrap a decisive innovation for manufacturers seeking to align efficiency with sustainability, a hallmark of System Ceramics’ design philosophy.

The future of ceramic tile production

With Cartonstrap, System Ceramics confirms its mission to develop packaging solutions that protect the product while respecting the planet. Each machine is engineered to combine sustainability, flexibility, and high productivity, anticipating the needs of an increasingly demanding and eco-conscious market.

Learn more about how Cartonstrap redefines packaging efficiency and sustainability on the official product page, and explore the full range of System Ceramics packaging technologies designed to support a smarter, more responsible production process.