Scotch Cushion Lock Protective Wrap - An Innovative Option In Packaging Materials
by Diana L. Martin
Shipping products present various challenges, depending on the item. Most people think of fragile items or liquids when they’re thinking about items that need special care in packaging, but really all items need to be packed securely to prevent damage. Let’s face it - carriers are not exactly gentle on packages.
Choosing the right box is important - you need a box that is rated strong enough to hold and protect whatever you’re putting in it. The box should be the right size also - too big means things will slosh around and will require extra padding, which costs you money. Too small means the items can be damaged due to lack of proper space. The box should be sealed with good quality shipping tape to prevent it from opening during transit. Obviously fragile items need extra cushioning, but all items need to be properly cushioned to prevent them from moving and to minimize damage. Even things like legal pads and boxes of pens can be damaged if not properly packed.
There are lots of options in dunnage - you can use bubble wrap, kraft paper, Styrofoam peanuts, air pillows, etc., but 3M has recently introduced a new packaging material they call Scotch Cushion Lock Protective Wrap that is different than any of the other options and is designed to save space and money.
This seemingly normal-looking roll of paper is actually an expandable cushion and filler. It’s made of 100% recycled paper and is curbside recyclable. It has a unique honeycomb construction that pulls apart when you stretch the sheet and expands all around your item while at the same time interlocking to itself to stay secure and closed (no tape needed). 3M states it can expand up to 60x its original volume, so it takes less of it to fill the empty space as compared to traditional materials. You can easily see that the roll will take up a lot less space than the equivalent amount of bubble wrap. (A dispenser is also available, which you can see here.)
Image courtesy of 3M
The marketing materials look good and it’s an interesting concept, but does it really work? I have to admit I was skeptical when I saw the product, so as usual, I had to test it. Watch the videos below to see how it fared.
When I received my package, I opened it and…
Well, that was disappointing, to say the least. When 3M introduced its Flex & Seal packaging a few years ago I ran a similar test (New Product: Scotch Flex & Seal Shipping Roll) which was successful, so I had high hopes for this new product.
Playing the devil’s advocate for a moment, 3M could watch these videos and say that I didn’t put enough of the wrap around the mug to protect it, but as you saw, I rolled it in the wrap many, many times and even added extra packaging on both ends to keep it from moving. If I had put any more of the wrap around the mug, I would have needed an even larger box, so I would be using more wrap and a larger box, both of which would cost my business more money. The 3M marketing materials state, “Expands 1.5x its original length so you can wrap more with less.” In the video you saw the length that I used - I think it was sufficient.
While it failed in protecting my fragile item, I do think you can use it for other things effectively and it gets points for being made with 100% recycled paper and being curbside recyclable. In today’s age that counts for a lot. You’ll still need bubble wrap for fragile items, but you won’t need to have as much on hand since you can use the Cushion Lock for everything else - and the Cushion Lock will save you considerable space in your warehouse.
There are pluses and minuses with this product. I like the innovative design and the commitment to sustainability. It’s useful for many items and succeeds in the lesser marketing claims but doesn’t live up to what I consider to be the most important one. It needs improvement to protect the fragile items. Because of that, I give it only 3 paper clips.
