A horizontal cartoning machine for shipment-ready packaging

Until now, manufacturers shipping products through third-party e-commerce channels often needed an additional packaging step before distribution. Products were first packed inside a carton using a horizontal cartoning machine and then placed into a separate cardboard shipping box, as traditional cartoning solutions were not designed to handle shipping boxes directly.

To address this challenge, Citus Kalix developed a dedicated feature for its horizontal cartoner machines, now available on the KP800 EVO, enabling products to be inserted directly into cardboard boxes ready for shipment.

Seamless execution: how the new functionality works

The new feature allows the KP800 EVO horizontal cartoning machine to process cardboard boxes suitable for shipment while maintaining the same operating principles of the standard machine.  

The cardboard box is introduced into the machine in a flat-open configuration, then picked up, formed and prepared for product insertion. Once the product is placed inside the box, the package is sealed through a combination of gluing and tuck-in operations.  

The solution can also integrate additional functionalities for traceability and quality control. A laser system can mark the box with a QR code, while a final laser inspection checks the finished package and rejects products that do not meet the expected requirements.

Designed for zero-waste packaging

This new optimizing feature turns packaging efficiency into a tangible environmental benefit.  

By packing products directly into shipping-ready cardboard boxes, the KP800 EVO completely eliminates the need for an additional packaging layer.

Designed specifically for e-commerce, this feature drastically reduces raw material consumption while optimizing handling and logistics.

Resource efficiency is further enhanced by format versatility: supporting small, medium, and large boxes, the KP800 EVO ensures products are always paired with the exact right-sized container, eliminating unnecessary materials.

By combining material savings, smart logistics, and format flexibility, Citus Kalix empowers manufacturers to address evolving market demands while leading the transition toward a truly sustainable supply chain.