CJ Logistics

Chuseok is a time to express gratitude to those who matter most, and homes across Korea often fill up with delivery boxes of all shapes and sizes. Yet many of us have had the experience of opening a package with anticipation, only to find a small item surrounded by an excessive amount of cushioning material.

The recurring issue of overpackaging during the holiday season goes beyond the inconvenience of disposing of extra waste. It is also recognized as a major cause of unnecessary resource consumption and inefficient use of logistics space. Protecting products safely during delivery is a fundamental part of logistics, but excessive packaging can increase costs for businesses and run counter to the growing demand for environmental responsibility. So, is there a way to ensure complete product protection while dramatically reducing packaging waste? CJ Logistics found the answer in advanced AI technology and innovative packaging research.

A Strong Defense Against Overpackaging! AI-Based Solution “PackCheck” To fundamentally address the persistent problem of overpackaging in logistics operations, CJ Logistics introduced a powerful solution developed by the TES Logistics Technology Institute, the AI-based overpackaging diagnostic system PackCheck. Currently deployed across 26 logistics centers nationwide, PackCheck is gaining attention as a key driver in reducing unnecessary resource waste and building a more eco-friendly logistics ecosystem.

Based on a pre-established database of product dimensions and box sizes, the system calculates the volume of ordered items and packaging boxes to determine the ratio of unused packaging space. It also recommends adjustments such as changing box sizes or packaging materials in line with built-in regulatory criteria, including a single-packaging recommendation and an unused space ratio of 50% or less. This helps on-site operators easily determine and improve packaging methods before shipment. PackCheck’s greatest innovation lies in moving completely away from conventional practices in which workers relied on visual judgment or intuition to select boxes and often used excessive cushioning materials in busy logistics environments. Instead, it enables customized packaging based on precise data while also automating compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Beyond the Limits of Packaging, CJ Logistics’ Packaging Innovation Center (PIC)Behind the development of PackCheck is the research infrastructure of the Packaging Innovation Center (PIC) under the TES Logistics Technology Institute, which leads advances in logistics packaging trends. PIC is a specialized packaging organization consisting of three dedicated functions, a business team, a technology team, and the innovation center. It provides customers with comprehensive packaging solutions ranging from the development of eco-friendly materials to material specification consulting, damage reduction consulting, and packaging automation design.
 

In practice, customers adopting PIC consulting have achieved both improved logistics efficiency and lower costs. Agricultural products company M reduced costs by 26.6% by optimizing corrugated boxes, while traditional liquor company B cut costs by 25.0% by improving ice pack specifications. Other companies across a wide range of industries have also achieved notable cost reductions through customized material redesign, including fashion accessories company A (24.7%), innerwear company M (21.4%), and household goods company R (13.3%). Simply reducing unnecessary packaging thickness and designing packaging dimensions to eliminate wasted space can help companies maximize both overall logistics cost efficiency and operational performance.
 

In addition to PackCheck, PIC is researching a wide range of packaging technologies designed to address environmental concerns and improve logistics efficiency. Representative examples include “LoIS O’Pack,” which recommends optimal box sizes for products based on 3D simulation, the “One-Touch Box” and “Tape-Type Shipping Label,” which can be assembled and used conveniently without separate packing tape, and “APPS,” an automated pouch packaging system specialized for apparel that incorporates eco-friendly pouch materials and personal information protection features.
 

Behind every delivery box lies an invisible effort to innovate and reduce costs. CJ Logistics will continue advancing packaging technologies to become the best possible business partner for our customers while also growing into a company consumers can trust for its commitment to the environment. This Chuseok, when you see a delivery box waiting at your doorstep, we hope you can feel not only the warmth of the thought behind the gift, but also the care for the planet embedded in advanced logistics technology.
 

[Mini Interview] Research Stories from the Developer of PackCheck 
(CJ Logistics TES Logistics Technology Institute, Packaging Technology Team, Lee Suhyeong)

Q. What led to the development of the PackCheck solution?

“Pre-shipment inspections had become extremely important because violations of overpackaging regulations could result in significant fines. However, it was difficult for on-site staff to manually check complex packaging space ratios and numerous exception criteria every time. To help anyone assess packaging suitability using the same standards and review the necessary improvements, we began developing PackCheck, an AI-based service designed for real-world logistics operations.”

Q. What was the biggest challenge during development and validation, and how did you overcome?

“The greatest challenge was quickly translating complex regulations and numerous exceptions into accurate logic. We participated directly in government public hearings and contributed to adjustments to the exception criteria for small packages, while also making an effort to listen closely to feedback from logistics sites and reflect it in actual operations.
Even when AI was used to implement the code, people were still ultimately responsible for validating the accuracy of the results. Based on our packaging expertise, we repeated the validation process continuously to build a service that operators could trust and use confidently in the field.”

Q. What are the future plans and development direction for PackCheck?

“Going forward, we plan to connect PackCheck with the CJ Logistics Packaging Innovation Center (PIC) and expand its role beyond diagnosing overpackaging to supporting safer packaging improvements. By combining impact data with PIC validation, we aim to propose solutions suited to actual logistics environments. Ultimately, we hope PackCheck will become a key link connecting research findings and field experience with real packaging innovation.”