Craiss Installs Container Washing Facility in Sibiu, Romania

The Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its logistics infrastructure in Romania. At the Sibiu location, the company has commissioned a new washing facility for reusable transport containers, specifically developed for a customer in the automotive industry. With an innovative water recycling system and digital process control, the company is setting new standards in container logistics. The facility can clean a large number of containers of various types and contributes to optimizing supply chains.

(Mühlacker/Sibiu) “The new washing facility increases the efficiency of our logistics processes and enables a more reliable supply of cleaned containers to our customer,” says Michael Craiss, managing partner of Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG. The Craiss location in Sibiu is enhancing its strategic importance for the company through this project: The city is a central hub for supplying Eastern European production sites, and the direct connection to the Craiss network allows for faster provision of cleaned containers.

Rapid Implementation

The facility was planned, built, and commissioned within just six months. Horia Matei, managing director of Craiss Romania, explains: “The challenge was to efficiently implement the technical infrastructure while simultaneously recruiting and training qualified staff.” A total of more than 65 employees are responsible for the operation of the facility in a two-shift system, seven days a week.

Modern Cleaning Technology

The stationary facility in Sibiu can clean up to 800 containers per hour. The cleaning process is flexibly adapted to over 400 different types of packaging, which vary in size, shape, and interior design. These include various trays, lid variants, and pallet configurations that can vary according to customer requirements.

The facility operates with high-pressure cleaning systems and fully automated washing processes that ensure consistent cleaning quality. The containers are manually fed into the system before undergoing the washing cycle. Additionally, it features two tracks with adjustable track widths, allowing for the efficient cleaning of various small load carriers of different heights and widths. Depending on the degree of soiling, the facility’s settings can be flexibly adjusted to ensure thorough cleaning. Special drying units ensure that the containers are ready for use immediately after cleaning.

Thoughtful Cycle

The entire container cycle is designed for maximum efficiency: Incoming empty containers are first sorted by Craiss, freed from labels, and prepared for cleaning. Subsequently, they are stored until the production plants need the containers. After use, they are collected again, sorted, cleaned, and re-stored before being shipped back to suppliers across Europe for reuse. This closed system ensures a constant flow of materials and guarantees that there are always enough cleaned containers available.

“The facility combines precise cleaning technology with intelligent process control, thus setting new standards in container logistics,” emphasizes Horia Matei. Especially in the automotive industry, where clean reusable containers are crucial for smooth production processes, the new technology brings tangible benefits.

Water Recycling

A central element of the washing process is the water recycling system. Through a multi-stage treatment process that allows for water reuse, it can remain in circulation for up to four weeks, significantly reducing fresh water consumption. Additionally, residues from the washing process are disposed of separately to further minimize environmental impact.

The energy consumption of the facility is also set to be optimized: Craiss plans to install a photovoltaic system, which is expected to be operational later this year. This will cover a significant portion of the washing facility’s electricity needs and further improve the environmental balance.

Michael Craiss explains: “Sustainability is an important part of our logistics strategy. By reducing water consumption and planning the photovoltaic system, we are not only lowering our resource needs in the long term but also our operating costs.”

Transparency Through Digitalization

The digitalization of processes also plays a central role: The facility is connected to an online platform that allows customers to monitor their container stocks in real time. This transparency facilitates production planning and helps avoid bottlenecks in the supply chain—especially for critical products with low stock levels.

Additionally, the system automatically captures process data from the cleaning operations. Horia Matei states: “The systematic data collection and analysis enable us to continuously improve our facility’s performance.”

Photo: © Craiss / Caption: Within six months, Craiss implemented the state-of-the-art cleaning facility in Sibiu. (l. to r.): Ioan Hundorfean, Head of Warehouse and Shipping, Tudor Beju, Group Leader Warehouse Logistics, and Horia Matei, Managing Director of Craiss Romania, in front of the powerful facility that cleans up to 800 containers per hour.