Certeca Fully Automates Its End-of-Line Packaging with Innova
Portuguese ceramic industry leader Certeca – Industrias Cerâmicas, S.A has chosen Innova Group’s technology to fully automate its end-of-line operations with state-of-the-art packaging systems. Intending to modernize its facilities and optimize its logistics process, the company sought a more efficient, automated end-of-line solution that would provide greater load stability and protection for its ceramic products.
The project involved replacing Certeca’s previous semi-automatic packaging system with a new fully automatic line featuring a horizontal strapping system and Stretch Hood technology, together with accessories specifically designed to meet the stabilization and compaction requirements of ceramic loads. With this new installation, Innova further strengthens its presence in the Portuguese market and reinforces its position as a leading technology partner for the ceramic industry.
Certeca, part of the Ceragni Group, is a leading company in the ceramic industry. Headquartered in Anadia (Aveiro), Portugal, it is a leading manufacturer and supplier of ceramic mosaics and tiles for both domestic and international markets, recognized for its commitment to innovation and the highest product quality. In line with the Portuguese company’s modernization and operational excellence objectives, Innova Group’s new installation enables Certeca to optimize its end-of-line operations with more efficient and sustainable packaging systems.
1. Certeca’s Challenge
Certeca required a fully automated packaging line capable of providing maximum protection for its palletized loads. Because it manufactures high-value ceramic products, the Portuguese company needed a solution that would enhance load security throughout the entire logistics chain, preventing damage and product losses.
The challenge for Innova was to design a solution capable of securing stacked ceramic tile boxes on the pallet, eliminating any vibration or shifting while protecting them against external agents.
2. Innova’s Solution
To meet Certeca’s requirements, Innova designed a fully automated end-of-line solution that combines horizontal strapping for load compaction and stability into a single unit, together with Stretch Hood technology to provide total protection for the ceramic products.
- Horizontal Strapping System with Corner Board Applicator
The Horizontal Strapping System FH|PRO is the first station in the packaging line and is responsible for securing and compacting the ceramic load. The system applies multiple horizontal straps around the load, securing it from the base and preventing products from shifting or becoming unstable. Certeca transports and stores its ceramic products in palletized cartons. With Innova’s horizontal strapping system, the company consolidates each pallet into a compact, stable unit, achieving superior load stability.
In addition, the strapping system installed at Certeca includes an automatic corner board applicator. The cardboard corner boards protect the ceramic tile cartons from strap damage while also providing additional load compaction by unifying the cartons and maintaining a more uniform pallet shape.
- Stretch Hood System
The packaging line concludes with the Stretch Hood System SH|PRO, which applies a single layer of tubular stretch film over all five sides of the load, completely covering the product and protecting it against external agents.
In addition to protecting ceramic loads from dust, rain, and UV rays, the Stretch Hood system also provides complete waterproofing, enhanced load security, a premium-quality finish, and savings of up to 50% in both packaging materials and energy consumption. These advantages were key factors in Certeca’s decision to automate and optimize its end-of-line packaging process.
3. Results for Certeca: Full Automation and Total Protection
By replacing its previous semi-automatic packaging system with a fully automated end-of-line solution, Certeca has significantly improved its operational efficiency by reducing the time required to package each pallet while freeing operators from repetitive manual tasks. This technological upgrade has also delivered substantial improvements in critical areas such as load protection, stability, and safety for its ceramic products.
Certeca has expressed its high level of satisfaction with the project’s results, highlighting the significant improvements in logistics efficiency and product protection, as well as the superior packaging finish and a solution aligned with the company’s environmental sustainability standards.
At Innova, we are proud to work with one of Portugal’s leading ceramic manufacturers, providing a solution that enhances operational efficiency while meeting the company’s demanding quality and product protection standards.
