Sustainable Packaging Africa Magazine Issue 2

PACKAGING•PRINTING•PLASTICS •PROCESSING

SUSTAINABLE

Packag ng AFRICA

IN THIS ISSUE MARKET TRENDS - CLEAR PLASTIC PACKAGING AUTOMATION - AI IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY - DIGITAL WATERMARK OPINION - RETHINKING PLASTIC PACKAGING

DUNE PACKAGING

SCAN ME WWWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

CEO Rohin Chandaria on how company enhances brands visibility in a competitive market YEAR 1 | ISSUE NO. 2 OCT/DEC 2023

AFRICA FUTURE FOOD SUMMIT JUNE 10-11, 2024 Nairobi, Kenya www.africafuturefoodsummit.com

WELCOME TO

THE CEO SUMMIT ON THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS IN AFRICA FOOD NUTRITION & SUSTAINABILITY

FOOD PRODUCTION

INVESTING IN & FUNDING FOOD ENTERPRISES

FOOD INNOVATION

KEY AGENDA ISSUES

FOOD MARKETS, TRADE & LOGISTICS

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Events info@fwafrica.net +254 725 343 932

C

ontents

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YEAR 1 | ISSUE 2| OCT - DEC 2023

COMPANY FEATURE: Dune Packaging

Enhancing brand visibility in a competitive market

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MARKET TRENDS:

Clear Plastic Bottles

Exploring the accelerated transition to clear plastic bottles

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OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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ontents

4 Editorial 6 News Updates 52 Suppliers News

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AUTOMATION

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TECHNOLOGY

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OPINION

YEAR 1 | ISSUE 2 | OCT - DEC 2023

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AI in Packaging

Getting it right with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Digital Watermark

Safeguarding the future of traceability and transparency in packaging

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Plastic Packaging

Challenging Assumptions and Embracing Responsibility

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NEW PRODUCTS

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CCBA Kenya introduces clear plastic bottles for Dasani water to drive recyclability | Coca-Cola HBC Austria transitions to paper sleeve packaging | Walkers introduces ‘bagless’ multipacks for Snack A Jacks | Highlands Drinks introduces sleeveless caps in its bottles | Pernod Ricard unveils new line of self-mixing cocktail bottles | SIG unveils unique on-the-go carton bottle

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PERFECT SOLUTIONS DO NOT STOP US FROM CONTINUING TO WORK ON OUR IDEAS.

As a leading innovator, we have one prime characteristic: We are never satisfied.

At KHS, we are thus always proud of what we have achieved – but we also immediately start to question it and think ahead.

With the aim of constantly advancing and always improving – and of providing our customers with new, intelligent systems time and again. Which we then, of course, develop further. khs.com/products WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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EDITORIAL

Is plastic packaging humanity’s best creation or worst nightmare?

Packag ng AFRICA

Year 1 | Issue No.2 | Oct - Dec 2023 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Francis Juma SENIOR EDITOR Paul Ongeto JUNIOR EDITOR Alphonse Okoth BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Virginia Nyoro BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE Hellen Mucheru HEAD OF DESIGN Clare Ngode VIDEO & DESIGN ASSISTANT Newton Lemein ACCOUNTS Jonah Sambai

Published By: FW Africa P.O. Box 1874-00621, Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 20 8155022, +254725 343932 Email: info@fwafrica.net Company Website: www.fwafrica.net

OUR PUBLICATIONS

Sustainable Packaging Africa (ISSN 23073535) is published 6 times a year by FW Africa. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission from the editor is prohibited. All information is published in good faith. While care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of information published.

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P

lastic packaging proponents firmly believe it to be a gamechanger for the consumerpackaged goods industry, and they present compelling arguments to support their claims. One of their primary points of pride is its ability to extend the shelf life of products, which is crucial in combating the alarming issue of food waste, a significant environmental crisis.

According to data from the United Nations, if food waste were a country, it would rank as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases on Earth. This places plastic packaging in the position of being part of the solution rather than the problem, contrary to the view of many critics. In fact, a report from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) indicates that even a one-day extension in the shelf life of food could result in cost savings of approximately US$800 million annually.

Beyond the extension of shelf life, advocates of plastic packaging have used Life Cycle Analysis to make a case that, in opposition to popular belief, plastic is the most suitable option for achieving net-zero environmental goals. A study published by the American Chemistry Council reveals that sticking with plastics instead of alternative packaging materials can save 75.8 million metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions saved by removing nearly 16 million passenger vehicles from the road for a year.

Despite these significant benefits, vehement critics of plastic packaging consider it one of humanity's worst creations, and their concerns are wellfounded. When it comes to pollution, no

other packaging material comes close to the negative impact of plastics. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that between 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, contaminating lakes, rivers, and seas.

The consequences are dire, with the UN's environmental agency noting that plastic pollution can disrupt habitats and natural processes, diminishing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting the livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social wellbeing of millions of people. National Geographic adds that millions of animals, from birds to fish to other marine organisms, fall victim to plastics every year. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, have felt the detrimental effects of plastics.

Consequently, it's challenging to accept the argument that the environmental cost of packaging is offset by its role in reducing food waste. It's also unrealistic to think that the world can completely eliminate plastics, as no alternative material has yet matched its highly sought-after attributes.

Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of UNEP, offers a more practical solution, stating, "We will not recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis; we need a systemic transformation to achieve the transition to a circular economy."

As you ponder on this issue, I welcome you to the second issue of Sustainable Packaging Africa.

Paul Ongeto Editorial Lead, FW Africa

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5

NEWS UPDATES

Smurfit Kappa strikes US$11B deal with WestRock to create packaging leader

IRELAND – Following discussions around a potential merger, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock have confirmed an agreement to combine their businesses into a US$20 billion company.

Both companies' Boards of Directors have now consented to the merger and are encouraging their shareholders

to voice their own agreement, indicating financial benefits from their combination.

Irial Finan, Tony Smurfit, and Ken Bowles are among the eight directors from Smurfit Kappa and six directors from WestRock who will comprise the board of Smurfit WestRock.

With the combination scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2024 – subject to customary closing conditions like shareholder and regulatory approvals – Smurfit WestRock's common stockholders will receive one new share and US$5.00 in cash for each share of common stock.

Based on the last closing price before the merger's announcement – i.e., Smurfit Kappa's ordinary shares on 11th September 2023 – WestRock stockholders are set to receive a total consideration equivalent to US$43.51 per WestRock Share.

It also represents a combination of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock's equivalent enterprise value to adjusted EBITDA multiples.

PAKPRO and Tetra Pak launch beverage carton recovery initiative in Kenya KENYA – The Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization (PAKPRO), in collaboration with Tetra Pak East Africa, has launched a project to recover used beverage cartons in Kenya.

According to a LinkedIn post by PAKPRO, the development has been introduced to create value for postconsumer liquid board packaging (LBP).

This effort will also boost the economic opportunities for both collectors and aggregators within the waste recovery business of the country.

The launch of this project was marked by an official ceremony, which was attended by various officials such as Kenya Green Building Society chair 6

Amzeena Bhaiji.

Speaking at the event, Tetra Pak East Africa managing director Jonathan Kinisu said: “In alignment with EPR [extended producer responsibility] regulations and the Waste Management Act [of Kenya], we are taking a lead role in supporting the collection and recycling value chain.”

As part of this collaboration, associated collectors and aggregators will be able to sell their recovered used beverage cartons to LBP recyclers.

PAKPRO stated that the project aims to recover 1,500 tonnes of used beverage carton packs from all over the country, representing 30% of the total produced LBP in Kenya.

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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7

NEWS UPDATES

Sweden to abolish tax on plastic bags in 2024 as Swedes ‘use plastic bags wisely' SWEDEN – The Swedish government announced plans to abolish the tax on plastic bags introduced in 2020 from November 2024, a move criticized by environmental groups.

The Scandinavian country introduced a tax of three Swedish kronor (€ 0.25) on plastic bags in 2020, though some stores raised the price to as much as seven kronor (€0.59).

The tax was introduced to achieve the EU's consumption target for thin plastic carrier bags, set at 40 per person per year.

Swedes' annual consumption of these plastic bags has been below 20 in the past two years, according to the government.

“Against this background, the government assesses that the EU's consumption target will be achieved even without a tax on plastic carrier bags, and therefore proposes that it be abolished,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The government argued that the tax has negative effects such as administrative costs and that it may lead to increased consumption of other alternatives, presumably pointing to paper bags, the production of which can require higher energy and water consumption.

"We are convinced that the Swedish people use plastic bags wisely in their daily lives and that there is no reason

they should be extra expensive,” added Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari.

Alpha Dhabi acquires majority stake in wastewater treatment firm Metito

UAE – Abu Dhabi-based holding company, Alpha Dhabi, has acquired a majority stake in Metito Holdings, a specialized firm in the water and wastewater industry.

Pending regulatory approvals, Alpha Dhabi plans to acquire the stake from 8

Metito's selling shareholders, which include Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Gulf Capital.

The company did not disclose the size of the stake it would acquire in Metito, which has around 20 offices and

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

4,500 employees globally.

Alpha Dhabi also did not disclose the value of the transaction or the funding source for the transaction.

This move coincides with the UAE's hosting of COP28, emphasizing the UAE's dedication to sustainable advancement, access to clean water, and transformative progress for a climatesafe world.

Gulf Capital has been an early investor in clean water and sustainability since 2006 and has assembled a dedicated team focused on sustainable investments.

Gulf Capital is also supporting COP28, the global climate change conference, which is organized under the presidency of the UAE from November 30th to December 12th.

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Fresh Produce EXPO

AFRICA

FARMTECH EXPO

AUGUST 1-3, 2024 – Visa Oshwal Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

AFRICA’S NO.1 FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY TRADE SHOW Fresh Produce Market

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9

NEWS UPDATES

DS Smith to invest US$13.7M in Ghimbav production site for expansion ROMANIA – Packaging firm DS Smith has announced its intention to invest US$13.68 million (€13m) in its Ghimbav production site in Romania as part of the company's growth strategy in East Europe.

DS Smith says that this investment will support ongoing plastic replacement with customers, increase capacity by over 20%, and significantly boost productivity.

With a continued focus on innovation, the investment will further differentiate DS Smith in the market by supporting customers in achieving their environmental targets.

The investment is part of DS Smith Packaging's ambitious growth strategy in East Europe, aimed at establishing leadership in sustainable packaging solutions throughout the region while creating value for its customers and partners.

In line with the company's commitment to sustainability, this strategic investment will support the company's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.

The upgrades at Ghimbav will reduce the site's gas consumption by 12% and cut its carbon emissions by 210 tonnes CO2 per year. This will be achieved through the introduction of a steam optimization feature to the cardboard production machine.

The upgraded production and warehousing layout enhance manufacturing efficiency, aligning with local and European sustainability trends.

This effort contributes to the CO2 emissions reduction goals defined in DS Smith's Now & Next Sustainability strategy.

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Tripoli municipalities launch US$1M plastic waste management program LIBYA – The Greater Tripoli area (Souq Al-Jumaa, Abu Salim, and Central Tripoli) has launched a 30-month project valued at US$1 million to improve plastic waste management.

The project is supported by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

The UN says this is significant, considering that more than 85 percent of Libya's population is concentrated in cities, especially along the northern coastal strip.

Reducing the negative environmental impact per capita in cities is a significant challenge that requires special attention to air quality and the management of municipal and other waste.

The project, as explained by the UN, aims to use plastic waste management as a starting point for recycling, reducing environmental pollution, creating new job opportunities, and promoting the adoption of circular business models in Libya.

Libya has faced a variety of bureaucratic impediments, resulting in a limited waste management system and poor infrastructure.

The majority of solid waste management regulations enacted before

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

and after 2011 in Libya mandate that local governments be responsible for performing these services nationwide.

The Ministry of Local Government is responsible for solid waste management throughout the country, while local municipal authorities have little or no involvement in managing this service.

REDUCING THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN CITIES IS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE THAT REQUIRES SPECIAL ATTENTION TO AIR QUALITY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL AND OTHER WASTE. By prioritizing plastic waste management and recycling, this project aims to tackle environmental issues, promote sustainable practices, boost economic development, and improve the overall quality of life in the Greater Tripoli area.

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L'Occitane partners Albéa to revamp packaging of hand cream collection FRANCE – The beauty and skincare brand, L'Occitane, has collaborated with Albéa to revamp the packaging of its 30ml iconic hand cream collection starting with the shea butter version to be launched in January 2024.

The transition from a laminated (ABL) tube to a Greenleaf tube, which integrates the OctoTop opening system, enables recyclability while reducing the overall weight of the tube by 23% compared to the current version.

L'Occitane and Albéa Tubes have

reached a new milestone in their cooperation with the relaunch of their best-selling 30ml shea butter hand cream.

The all-plastic laminate and APRcertified Greenleaf solution, featuring a multilayer sleeve made of HDPE, replaces the previous Aluminum Barrier Laminate tube.

The new solution reduces the number of materials from five to two and the number of components from three to two.

For the cap, L'Occitane relied on Albéa's EcoTop technology with OctoTop, a 2-in-1 flip-top closure system featuring the iconic octagonal shape of L'Occitane. This design eliminates the need for a peel seal.

The closure system is made of HDPE, which enables the entire tube to be recycled in existing PE recycling streams in France, Europe, and the United States.

Africa Climate Summit: Leaders pledge their commitment to fight climate change

KENYA – At the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, world leaders have pledged their support to position the continent of Africa at the center of the fight against climate change, urging greater consideration for Africa's priorities and endowments.

The historic three-day event, hosted by the government of Kenya and the African Union, brought together heads of state and government, international WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, as well as hundreds of African youths to discuss strategies for implementing innovative green growth and climate finance solutions.

Much of the conversation has focused on climate adaptation, which is widely viewed as a pressing priority for Africa.

Kenya's President, William Ruto,

stated that Africa's youthful population was "precisely the attribute that inspired African leaders to envision a future where Africa emerges as a formidable economic and industrial force, a proactive and influential player on the global stage."

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat urged for reform of the global financial architecture to meet Africa's needs of at least US$1.3 billion a year to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.

The declaration is also expected to call for the establishment of a global carbon tax system as a means to increase climate finance and incentivize countries to reduce emissions.

The Africa Climate Summit will also consolidate the achievements and roadmap from COP27 held in SharmEl Sheikh, Egypt, last year, as well as closing gaps that have arisen from the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan.

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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NEWS UPDATES

Hoffmann Neopac appoints Martin de Olde as Sales Director of Tins Business Unit SWITZERLAND – Hoffmann Neopac, a specialist in infant food, nutritional, and well-being packaging, has announced the appointment of Martin de Olde as the new Sales Director for its rapidly expanding Business Unit Tins.

Mr. de Olde joins Hoffmann Neopac with over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development.

Most recently, Mr. de Olde has been serving as the company's Interim Sales & Business Development Manager since Summer 2023.

He joined Hoffmann Neopac from his own marketing consultancy. Prior to that, he was the Country Head of Marketing & Business Development at

GEA Group and had over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales in the metal packaging industry.

Mr. de Olde will succeed the outgoing Sales Director, Karin Paldanius, who has decided to leave the company by the end of the year.

Christoph Peternell, Managing Director for the Tins Business Unit, said, “In his interim role, Martin quickly demonstrated his experience and innate ability to lead our sales teams in the sustainable growth of our tins business across various consumer sectors.

“We are confident Martin's extensive experience and insight will bring him success in his new role.”

Gulf Union introduces fun and interactive connected packaging experience for its Original juice brand SAUDI ARABIA – Gulf Union Foods Co, a leading producer of juice and beverages, has collaborated with Appetite Creative, a creative technology studio, to create an engaging and interactive connected packaging experience for its Original juice brand.

The smart packaging campaign utilizes a web app-based connected experience accessed via QR codes. This campaign aims to help consumers view Gulf Union's products as an essential component of their back-to-school preparations.

Appetite Creative worked sideby-side with ABILITY, a Riyadhbased agency, to manage the media, communication strategies, and execution of the campaign.

Users can play two juice-themed 12

games designed to entertain and educate by scanning the QR codes on the full range of Original and Zero carton packs.

Juice Punch includes IQ-based challenges where players must organize drinking glasses to contain only one color.

Juice Run tests the player's speed

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

and attention as they navigate through various obstacles and challenges, collecting juices of the same color.

The experience also offers shareable selfies, allowing users to decorate themselves with a fruity tiara or transform into a mango.

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CO-LOCATED WITH:

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AFRICA

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FARMTECH

EXPO

EXPO

AUGUST 1-3, 2024 – Visa Oshwal Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF FARMING AND VALUE ADDITION IN KENYA & AFRICA Irrigation Technology Systems

Agrochemicals & Inputs Farm Machinery & Equipment

Agro-processing and Packaging systems

WHAT’S ON SHOW AT THE EXPO The Africa farmtech expo will consist of the following sections showcasing the latest technologies:

Logistics & Mobility

Financial Insurance Solutions Digital Technologies & Innovations

Consultancy, Training & Testing

Africafarmtechexpo

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NEWS UPDATES

Berry inks deal with ACCIONA Energia to power its four facilities in Mexico MEXICO – Berry Global Group has signed a five-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ACCIONA Energia to power its four facilities in Mexico with 100,000 MWh of wind and solar energy.

The PPA will also help avoid 40,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, which is equivalent to removing 15,000 gas-powered cars from the road.

Rodgers Greenawalt, Executive Vice President of Operations at Berry Global, stated, "We are firmly committed to expanding the number of renewable energy projects across our business each year to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate progress toward a net-zero future."

Under the deal, Berry's San Luis Potosi, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Atlacomulco, and Tlanepantla sites across Mexico will consume 100% renewable energy, which will be comprised of approximately 70% wind and 30% solar.

The San Luis Potosi site, powered by the agreement, accounts for approximately two-thirds of Berry's total energy consumption in the country.

The agreement further strengthens Berry's existing portfolio of renewable energy in Latin America, bringing the total estimated renewable energy consumption to over 120,000 MWh. It also helps the company increase its usage of renewable energy in the future and improve its Science Based Targets initiative-validated climate goals.

These goals aim to reduce absolute Scope 1+2 (operational) emissions and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions by 25% by 2025, compared to 2019.

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OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

Schreiner MediPharm unveils freeze-lightprotect syringe label GERMANY – Munich-based provider of innovative functional label solutions for the healthcare industry, Schreiner MediPharm has introduced a new protective syringe label suitable for deep freeze applications.

According to Schreiner MediPharm, the Freeze-LightProtect syringe label combines light protection with viability at temperatures well below zero.

The new solution is particularly suitable for sensitive mRNA-based substances, as well as cell and gene therapies.

Therapies and vaccines utilizing mRNA substances, as well as cell and gene therapies, are becoming increasingly prevalent.

These novel active ingredients entail special logistical challenges: For starters, they must be transported and stored on dry ice at freezing temperatures as low as -100 °C. In addition, depending on the type of substance, special light protection is often necessary. For these specific applications, Schreiner MediPharm has developed the FreezeLight-Protect syringe label.

Freeze-Light-Protect securely adheres to the syringe, even in extremely low temperatures, ensuring reliable marking.

The specialty label can also be enhanced with different levels of UV and light protection. The first level exclusively provides UV protection, while the second level protects against both UV rays and blue light.

The novel label from Schreiner MediPharm was developed in coordination with its partner SCHOTT Pharma, which launched the SCHOTT TOPPAC freeze syringe.

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Pakka introduces revolutionary compostable flexible packaging in India INDIA – Compostable packaging solutions manufacturer, Pakka has introduced India's first-ever compostable flexible packaging.

The innovation will be launched in partnership with Brawny Bear, a nutrition company that uses the natural sweetness of dates to make delicious healthy food products.

This represents a significant stride forward for India's packaging market, which is valued at over US$70 billion.

Shivaam Tibrewal, the founder of Brawny Bear, said, "Brawny Bear's unwavering mission is to deliver healthconscious consumers with an array of Healthy No Added Sugar Foods that

redefine the boundaries of quality and flavor."

The flexible packaging segment takes the lion share of the packaging market in India, accounting for over 60% of the total.

Pakka's foray into flexible packaging is a natural evolution for the company that has dedicated four decades to producing compostable pulp and paper packaging solutions and molded tableware.

With plans to produce such packaging solutions in significant volumes in the next three years, the company's global manufacturing facilities in Ayodhya, India and Guatemala, America are

poised to become hubs of innovation and production.

The launch of compostable flexible packaging comes amid a growing global market for these types of solutions.

Ardagh Glass Packaging launches recycled glass tracking platform in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Ardagh Glass Packaging (AGP) South Africa has launched a Web-based initiative called money4glass, which is aimed at improving glass recycling effectiveness within the company's supply chain.

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The platform, which is powered

by BanQu supply chain compliance software, will help AGP track and monitor all recycled glass or cullet, trades but also help put money in the pockets of recyclers in a more transparent and faster way.

AGP Africa supply chain executive Thomas Shaw, said, “The technology enables us to identify traders, better understand the footprint of cullet recycling activity in the country and monitor the volumes of cullet traded in different regions.”

Additionally, the technology allows the company to make glass recycling financially viable across the width and breadth of South Africa, through the application of targeted incentives.

The platform also ensures that payments and incentives can quickly reach all recyclers, particularly informal

recyclers.

In addition, the company says the money4glass platform will help collate

MONEY4GLASS ALLOWS AGP TO MAKE GLASS RECYCLING FINANCIALLY VIABLE ACROSS THE WIDTH AND BREADTH OF SOUTH AFRICA data that can be used for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Plan audits, which is mandated by legislation as of 2021.

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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NEWS UPDATES

Catalyst Fund raises US$8.6M for climate adaptation in Africa

AFRICA – Pre-seed VC fund and accelerator, Catalyst Fund has raised US$8.6 million towards a target US$40 million fund to back high-impact tech startups working to improve the resilience of underserved, climatevulnerable communities in Africa.

This funding round was backed by

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi), Cisco Foundation, USAID Prosper Africa, and tech investor Andrew Bredenkamp.

While the primary mission of the Catalyst Fund is to fuel the growth of climate-focused startups across the African continent, the fund is poised to invest in other sectors, encompassing

agtech, insurtech, climate fintech.

It also targets startups engaged in fishery management, food systems, cold chain logistics, waste management, and water resource management.

Having cast its net wide, this panAfrican fund is particularly keen on supporting pre-seed startups. Thus far, it has already extended its support to ten startups from six different countries, including Egypt, Senegal, and Morocco.

The Catalyst Fund's forwardlooking strategy envisions investing in 20 startups during the current year and a total of 40 startups in the long run.

The Catalyst Fund offers an initial investment of US$200,000, follow-on investments of up to US$500,000 at the seed stage and US$1.5 million in series A rounds.

Hainan Chunguang teams up with Sidel to venture into the beverage sector CHINA – Hainan Chunguang has selected Sidel's Aseptic Combi Predis to enable the company to move into the beverage market through the production of coconut milk.

This partnership makes Hainan Chunguang the first company to install a Sidel Aseptic Combi Predis in the Hainan province.

Following extensive discussions, Sidel provided its aseptic packaging and comprehensive services, along with the capability to employ dry technology instead of traditional wet aseptic solutions. In turn, the customer will be able to achieve economic and environmental sustainability targets.

Ms. Xin Yan, a board member of Hainan Chunguang, stated, “Hainan 16

Chunguang's decision to move into the beverage market in 2020 was the result of many years of preparation, which included product development and identifying the technical resources required to deliver the product.”

Bottled in Sidel's premium PET design in a 350ml format, Hainan

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

Chunguang's new installation can produce 28,000 bottles per hour (bph) and adds to the 100+ aseptic lines previously installed.

Launched on the market in 2022, coconut milk represents the latest development and expansion of Hainan Chunguang.

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NEW PRODUCTS

CCBA Kenya introduces clear plastic bottles for Dasani water to drive recyclability Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Kenya has announced that it will be transitioning the Dasani water bottles for both the 500ml and 1L Packs to be sustainable and have a fresh modern look for its consumers.

The clear bottles will be made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), which is highly recyclable; meaning it can be easily collected, sorted, and processed into new bottles, reducing the overall environmental impact.

This is part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision, which aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sell by 2030.

Highlands Drinks introduces sleeveless caps in its bottles Highlands Drinks Limited has removed plastic bottle cap sleeves from its water and cordials packaging to minimize plastic waste.

The move as described by the CEO, Joachim Westerveld, propels the company’s recycling efforts and helps lessen the impact of its packaging on the environment.

The company stated that the new sleeveless caps provide the same security as the ones wrapped with plastic sheet.

Pernod Ricard unveils new line of self-mixing cocktail bottles Pernod Ricard is releasing a range of RTD cocktails that mix as you open the bottle under the Scotch whisky brand The Glenlivet.

The Glenlivet Twist & Mix Cocktails use a bottle cap that holds a liquid mixer that is ejected into the whisky when the cap is unscrewed.

Unlike other ready-to-serve cocktails, The Glenlivet Twist & Mix cap keeps its signature Single Malt Scotch Whisky separate from the natural cocktail flavorings until the consumer is ready to drink it.

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Coca-Cola HBC Austria transitions to paper sleeve packaging Coca-Cola HBC Austria has adopted Hug-IT, a more sustainable sleeve packaging designed to replace the existing plastic shrink used to wrap around 1.5l PET multipacks of Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Mezzo Mix sparkling soft drink brands.

Hug-IT sleeve is made of Mondi’s Advantage SpringPack Plus, which is a 100% kraft paper developed from wood.

Mondi said that Hug-IT sleeve offers high tensile strength and stretchability, which help it to tightly wrap and secure bottle bundles during transportation.

Walkers introduces ‘bagless' multipacks for Snack A Jacks Walkers is trialing new multipack packaging for its Snack A Jacks range, Jacks that reportedly use 86 percent less plastic on the outer packaging.

The new packaging format is now available to buy exclusively at Tesco stores across the UK across three popular flavors: Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Chive and BBQ.

SIG unveils unique on-the-go carton bottle

The new outer tape as well as the individual packets qualify as officially recyclable under the UK On-Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL) and can be recycled at flexible packaging collection points in supermarkets across the UK.

Dupped SIG DomeMini, the small-sized carton pack offers the convenience of a plastic bottle along with the sustainability benefits of a carton pack.

Designed to captivate attention, the bottle encourages consumers to reconsider their packaging choices, especially in terms of sustainability.

With its high proportion of forest-based renewable materials and its sophisticated, resource-efficient, and space-saving design, the SIG DomeMini offers several environmental advantages over alternative packaging options such as plastic bottles.

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DUNE PACKAGING

Enhancing brand visibility in a competitive market By

Paul Ongeto

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COMPANY FEATURE Dune Packaging

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ith over two decades of experience in the packaging industry, Dune Packaging Limited stands tall as the premier artisan of tailored packaging solutions for the grain and milling industries. Its expertise has become increasingly important today as competition heats up in the sector. Brands want to shine brightly amidst the increasingly crowded shelves.

The allure of superior, eye-catching packaging has never been more compelling.

Dune has made it a mission to ensure grain millers have access to these all-important packaging materials. At Dune, their mission is crystal clear: to empower grain millers with access to these essential packaging marvels.

Rohin Chandaria, the visionary CEO at Dune Packaging, passionately reaffirms their commitment, stating: 'With our state-of-theart machinery, we craft high-quality paper bags and sacks. We prioritize meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that our clients receive the very best the market can offer, all while optimizing production costs and reducing waste."

PIONEERING MULTI-COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING TECHNOLOGY In 2016, Dune Packaging embarked on a transformative journey, setting a remarkable milestone in the packaging industry. It was a bold move that would redefine the art of packaging and set them apart as leaders in East and Central Africa. This pivotal moment came with the adoption of Multi-Color Photographic Printing, an innovative technology that left industry experts and competitors in awe.

This groundbreaking multi-color printing technique substantially expanded the CMYK color space, introducing a palette of three additional colors to the standard cyan-magentayellow-black spectrum. The results were nothing short of astonishing – images with an unprecedented level of sharpness, depth, and contrast, and a color spectrum that seemed boundless with exceptional fidelity to the original digital format.

The impact of this innovation was felt far and wide, especially in the flour packaging industry 22

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in Kenya. Gone were the days of mundane and uninspiring packaging. The introduction of multi-color printing enabled the creation of vibrant and captivating packaging that stimulated customer imagination, a substantial upgrade from the plain and uninspiring packaging that was customary at the time. Dune harnessed these newfound capabilities to help flour millers create packaging that not only stood out from their competitors but also tugged at the heartstrings of consumers. This, in turn, led to increased sales and a remarkable expansion of market presence.

The triumphs of early clients paved the way for Dune's ascent as the foremost provider of topquality packaging solutions for millers. Orders began to come in from all corners of the region, and Dune's reputation as the go-to provider of top-quality packaging solutions for millers grew stronger with each passing day. Mr. Chandaria reflects, “Over time, we earned the trust and

Dune Packaging Limited Headquarters in Thika, Kiambu County.

Some of the awards and honours the company has won over the years

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WITH OUR STATEOF-THE-ART MACHINERY, WE CRAFT HIGHQUALITY PAPER BAGS AND SACKS. WE PRIORITIZE METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL, ENSURING THAT OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE THE VERY BEST THE MARKET CAN OFFER. Rohin Chandaria, CEO, Dune Packaging

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COMPANY FEATURE Dune Packaging

WE ENSURE THAT OUR PRODUCTS ARE EXCLUSIVELY CRAFTED FROM FOOD-GRADE MATERIALS, ADHERING TO BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS. Vijay Chandaria, Sales Director, Dune Packaging/ CEO Tiger Packaging

confidence of clients across East Africa and the COMESA region, and by 2021, we had firmly established ourselves as the dominant player in the market."

State of the art technology used in the manufacture of PP sacks.

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DUNE PACKAGING'S UNRIVALED COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY When it comes to delivering unparalleled quality, Dune Packaging consistently surpasses

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expectations. As the leading paper packaging supplier in East Africa, the company proudly holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification, a resounding testament to its commitment to consistently exceed customer and regulatory standards.

But Dune doesn't stop there. Dune, the largest manufacturer of tea sacks in sub-Saharan Africa, carries the esteemed ISO 22000:2018 certification, a symbol of its formidable food safety management system. Vijay Chandaria, the perceptive Director at Dune Packaging, eloquently narrates, "Cross-contamination remains a significant concern for our clients in the food industry. By adhering to good manufacturing practices and production prerequisites delineated in ISO 22000 technical specifications for the packaging industry, we ensure that our products are exclusively crafted from food-grade materials, adhering to both local and international food safety standards."

But that's not all. Dune Packaging proudly waves the banner of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, underscoring its unswerving commitment to ethically sourced raw materials. In doing so, the company champions

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biodiversity, and supports local communities and workers, all while ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems and the economy.

"These certifications have considerably fortified Dune's credibility in the market, instilling heightened confidence among clients," Mr. Chandaria affirms.

FORGING SUCCESS THROUGH STRONG RELATIONSHIPS IN SERVICE DELIVERY Dune Packaging recognizes the pivotal role strong relationships play in establishing and maintaining a leading position in the market.

According to Mr. Chandaria, these partnerships extend beyond the company's walls, embracing suppliers, customers, and the dedicated staff who drive its mission. Through these collaborations, Dune Packaging has consistently upheld high standards in quality and service, fortifying its position as a market leader. As he eloquently puts it, "Through partnerships with suppliers, customers, and the collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff, we have consistently upheld high standards in terms of quality and service, which WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

has significantly bolstered our standing in the market."

To stay ahead in this fiercely competitive landscape, Dune maintains a team of experts dedicated to deciphering market dynamics, demographic trends, and evolving consumer preferences that shape the packaging industry.

This keen insight enables the company to swiftly integrate emerging trends into innovative packaging prototypes. These prototypes undergo rigorous testing, scrutinized for durability, quality, and environmental impact before transitioning into full-scale production.

Moreover, catering to the unique needs of customers has also played a pivotal role in Dune's success. As Mr. Chandaria underscores, "Customer feedback constitutes a fundamental component of our research and development strategy, guiding us in refining our production processes to better serve them with the exceptional quality they rightly deserve."

In a bold move to cement its position as the preferred packaging supplier for the milling industry, Dune took a significant step forward by establishing a subsidiary, Tiger Packaging, in

ON THE LEFT: A section of Tiger Packaging Manufacturing plant in Kilifi.

ON THE RIGHT: A sample of paper rolls manufacture of paper packaging.

IN NUMBERS

550

TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED BY DUNE PACKAGING

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COMPANY FEATURE Dune Packaging

pulses, spices, and snacks, to sand, minerals, chemicals, and much more. Tiger Packaging's commitment to innovation and excellence rings throughout its journey, proving that quality and customer-centric strategies are the cornerstones of its continued success.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AT THE HEART OF DUNE PACKAGING OPERATIONS Dune Packaging places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. In 2014, the company made a pivotal decision to completely stop the manufacturing and sale of single-use plastic-based products. Mr. Chandaria proudly asserts, "We take pride in being the leading eco-friendly packaging manufacturer in the region. Our primary products comprise biodegradable packaging crafted from organic or recycled paper, which naturally decomposes, mitigating its environmental footprint."

Dune further ensures that it exclusively sources paper from suppliers certified under globally responsible sourcing schemes. The company also enforces a comprehensive strategy founded on the three "R" framework: Reduce, targeting overall production waste; Reuse, involving the conversion of internal waste into paper thread for wrapping finished goods; and Recycle, where all waste not used internally is directed to government-certified collection centers and recycling companies.

To protect the environment, Dune treats all wastewater before it leaves the factory. The treated water from Dune's Thika facility often boasts higher purity levels than the nearby river water, owing to urban pollution. Dune is currently in the advanced stages of implementing solar energy solutions. Mr. Chandaria anticipates that once this system is fully operational in 2024, it will supply up to 40% of the company's energy needs. "For Dune, sustainability is not just something we do; it's who we are," Mr. Rohin asserts emphatically.

2022. Situated in the coastal county of Kilifi, Tiger Packaging produces high-quality woven polypropylene (PP) laminated and unlaminated sacks, employing state-of-the-art technology that also incorporates photographic multicolor printing technology. These PP bags come in various sizes, ranging from 5kg to 90kg, catering to the specific requirements of their clients.

What sets these sacks apart is their exceptional versatility, durability, lightweight nature, reusability, and 100% recyclability. They find application in a diverse range of industries, from fertilizer, sugar, flour, animal feed, grains, 26

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BUILDING A PAN-AFRICAN BUSINESS In the span of 23 years, Dune Packaging has transformed from a small enterprise with 25 employees into a significant player in the packaging industry, now employing over 500 individuals.

In 2017, the company earned the official recognition of a largesized company from KPMG, a multinational professional services network and one of the Big Four accounting organizations globally. Three years later, Dune attained the esteemed Superbrands status, an accolade reserved for the most outstanding brands in their respective domains. Superbrand is highly coveted as it not only confers prestige but also assures consumers and suppliers that they are engaging with the best brand in their category.

Having firmly cemented its presence in the Kenyan market, WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

Dune aspires to reach even greater heights. Mr. Chandaria shares, "In the coming years, we aim to ascend as a leading Pan-African player in the packaging industry." To achieve this objective, Dune is making substantial investments in its production capabilities.

However, this path towards Pan-African leadership does come with its share of challenges.

Increases in import duties on the paper used for manufacturing flour packaging have elevated the cost of raw materials, impacting exports to neighboring countries. Dune and its peers also face competition from low-cost tea sacks from Sri Lanka, with local manufacturers struggling to match these prices due to prohibitive duties on raw materials.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Chandaria remains optimistic about Dune's future. He notes, "As the middle class continues to expand across the continent and the general public becomes increasingly aware of the advantages of paper packaging, we have observed a growing demand for products packaged using paper

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IN 2021 DUNE ATTAINED THE ESTEEMED SUPERBRANDS STATUS, AN ACCOLADE RESERVED FOR THE MOST OUTSTANDING BRANDS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DOMAINS. solutions. As a forward-thinking business, Dune is well-prepared to meet this anticipated surge in demand for paper packaging through continuous investments in research and development, technology, product development, and production capacity."

Part of operations towards making sustainable paper packaging solutions

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Clear Plastic Bottles

MARKET TRENDS

EXPLORING THE ACCELERATED TRANSITION TO CLEAR PLASTIC BOTTLES By

Alphonse Okoth

A

Clear bottles provide the industry with options to increase recycling rates

ccording to Global Research, if no action is taken, the production of virgin plastic will double and the amount of plastic flowing into our oceans could triple by 2040. The plastic we produce is our responsibility. It is clear that we must reduce the amount of virgin plastic we use and completely rethink our approach to packaging. We must also strive to keep plastic in use for as long as possible within a circular loop system. That means we need much better systems to collect, process, and repeatedly recycle.

To achieve a circular economy for plastics, many brands and producers have turned to PET bottles. This is because PET bottles are the easiest to recycle, as they are not mixed with other materials. New bottles can easily be made from the old ones, resulting in a high recycling rate. However, the colour of the bottle can pose a problem. To address this issue, the industry has taken an additional measure by using transparent bottles to resolve this problem. This article highlights the benefits of clear bottles over coloured ones and explores the efforts taken by WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

packaging companies and the progress they have made towards achieving a circular economy.

WHY CLEAR BOTTLES? Increased recycling rates When plastics are coloured, they often contain additives and pigments that make them much more difficult to recycle. These pigments can contaminate the recycling stream and cause issues with sorting and processing. "Removing colours from bottles enhances the quality of the recycled material," stated Julian Ochoa, CEO of R3CYCLE, a plastic recycling company working with Coca-Cola.

On the other hand, clear plastics are much easier to recycle because they can be sorted and processed more efficiently. PET is, in fact, one of the most commonly recycled plastics worldwide and can be utilized to manufacture a diverse array of products, including clothing, carpeting, and new water bottles.

Because plastic is sorted by type rather than colour, if different colours of plastic are mixed, the resulting recyclate cannot be used for light-colored packaging, which is often OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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MARKET TRENDS

Examples of cosmetic brands to have transitioned to clear bottles

Clear Plastic Bottles

preferred by many manufacturers. As Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company, explains, coloured bottles are more challenging to recycle and have less value when recycled. "This is one of the reasons why we transitioned our Sprite bottles from green to clear, in order to boost the collection and recycling rate." "Taking colours out of bottles improves the quality of the recycled material," she highlighted.

Transparency Clear plastic bottles are ideal for products that benefit from being displayed, such as beverages and cosmetics. They also tend to be less expensive than colored bottles. However, clear bottles can turn yellow over time, which can impact the quality of the product inside. They also offer less UV protection than colored bottles.

On the other hand, coloured plastic bottles are perfect for products that need to be protected

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from light, such as vitamins and supplements.

They also tend to have a more premium appearance and texture than clear bottles.

However, colored bottles can be more expensive than clear bottles.

Reduced environmental impact Clear bottles can be made with a lower carbon footprint compared to colored bottles. The manufacturing process for clear bottles requires less energy and fewer additives, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.

In addition, these bottles are durable and long-lasting, making them suitable for reusable products. Reusable plastic items can replace single-use products, reducing the amount of waste generated. This helps conserve resources and reduces the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of single-use items.

Coca-Cola claims that transitioning WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

DASANI to clear 100% recycled plastic could save more than 20 million pounds of new plastic compared to 2019. Additionally, this transition has the potential to reduce over 256,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing recycled plastic in 2023. Moreover, DASANI has pledged to reduce the production of virgin plastic bottles by the equivalent of 2 billion bottles by 2027, compared to the levels in 2021.

According to Chris Vallette, Senior Vice President of Technical Innovation and Stewardship at Coca-Cola North America, the transition to clear PET Sprite bottles could also help address the challenge of a strained rPET supply. Vallette stated, "Sprite's move to clear will help us in introducing more 100% rPET bottles, similar to what DASANI is launching, and will contribute to keeping more bottles in the circular economy."

Cost-effective and safety Clear plastic bottles are often more costeffective than other packaging materials, such as glass or metal. They are less expensive to produce, transport, and recycle, which can help reduce overall production costs for businesses.

Colored plastic, on the other hand, requires

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MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR CLEAR BOTTLES REQUIRES LESS ENERGY AND FEWER ADDITIVES, RESULTING IN REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. additional steps in the manufacturing process, such as adding pigments or dyes to the plastic resin, which increases the cost of production.

Additionally, colored plastic may be less desirable to some customers, which can affect demand and pricing.

In terms of safety, clear plastic bottles are generally considered safe for packaging food and beverages, as they are made from materials that meet strict regulatory standards. They are also resistant to chemical reactions, ensuring that the product inside remains safe and uncontaminated.

However, it is important to note that clear

Beverage drinks, Pepsi, Tropicana and Mountain Dew in their new clear bottles

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MARKET TRENDS

Clear Plastic Bottles

IN ADDITION TO BEING COSTEFFECTIVE, CLEAR CAPS ALSO PROVIDE A MORE MODERN AND SLEEKER LOOK TO PACKAGING, WHICH CAN ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND INCREASE SALES. plastic can also have negative environmental impacts if it is not managed properly. Improper disposal, littering, and inadequate recycling systems can lead to plastic pollution in ecosystems, harming wildlife and marine life.

Therefore, it is crucial to promote responsible plastic use, recycling, and waste management practices to minimize the environmental impact of clear plastic.

Water brands that have transitioned to clear packaging

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More than just a Coca-Cola affair Coca-Cola is arguably one of the most noticeable company transitioning its products to clear PET bottles. By bottling its products in clear plastic,

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Coca-Cola claims that the bottles will be more easily recyclable. In its efforts to promote bottle reuse, Coca-Cola has unveiled a new chemical recycling technology that can transform any type of plastic, not only colored bottles but also items such as old carpets or polyester T-shirts, into high-quality clear plastic. This technology, however, is only available on a small scale.

"The reality is that, although it may be feasible on a small scale or in a laboratory, it is not yet commercially available on a large scale," says Alpa Sutaria, the sustainability leader for the CocaCola Company North America.

The clear bottle business is, however, not a Coca-Cola only affair. PepsiCo has also transitioned to using clear plastic bottles for its beverages, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Tropicana juices. This change was made to increase the recyclability of the bottles and minimize the amount of waste that is disposed of in landfills.

PepsiCo has also committed to using 25% recycled content in its plastic bottles by 2025. In 2018, the company announced its commitment to achieve 50% rPET usage across the EU by 2030, and it has already reached 30%. PepsiCo has further announced that in 2021, Germany, Poland, Romania, Greece, and Spain have already

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transitioned to using 100% rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), while France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Luxembourg made the switch in 2022. The move applied to both company-owned and franchise bottlers in the relevant markets.

Nestlé has also joined the campaign by transitioning its water brands, such as Nestlé Pure Life and Poland Spring, to transparent bottles. The company has set targets not only for its bottles but also for the entire production process. In 2020, Nestlé unveiled an ambitious plan to ensure that all of its packaging becomes recyclable or reusable by the year 2025. The company envisions a future where none of its packaging, including plastic materials, ends up in landfills or polluting the environment.

Danone has also transitioned its water brands such as Evian and Volvic, to clear plastic bottles to enhance recyclability.

Joining the clear bottle bandwagon are retailers such as Walmart, Target, Whole Foods Market, REI, Aldi, Patagonia, Tesco, Asda, and Müller. These North American and European giants have all switched to clear caps. Apart from enhancing recyclability rates, retailers are also preferring clear caps as they allow customers to see the quality and color of the product inside the package. This helps build trust with customers and reduces the likelihood of returns or complaints.

Clear caps also provide a more modern and sleeker look to packaging, which can attract WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

customers and increase sales. Additionally, clear caps can be more cost-effective than traditional colored caps because they can be produced using the same machinery and materials as the rest of the packaging.

A LOW HANGING FRUIT Beverage manufacturers are increasingly under pressure to cut their carbon footprint and reduce their impact on the environment. Although completely abandoning plastics would delight many environmental activists, its simply not feasible at least in the medium term as no other packaging material offers the versatility, convenience and cost-effectiveness that plastic offers.

Transitioning to clear plastic seems to be an easier option and this explains why the rush to drop the coloured plastic bottles for clear ones.

As discussed above, clear bottles lend themselves better for recycling which in theory will result in lower amount of plastic ending up in our oceans.

By providing more easily recyclable material, drink manufacturers also hope they will have greater access to rPET which has continued to be a challenge and a major impediment towards 100% transition to rPET. Having recycle-ready is however one part of the puzzle, there also needs to be concerted efforts to ensure all plastic is collected for recycling otherwise all these efforts will be futile, and the plastic problem will continue to persist

Clear bottle caps allows consumers to insect the content of the product

IN NUMBERS

20M

POUNDS OF PLASTIC COCACOLA COULD SAVE

BY TRANSITIONING DASANI TO CLEAR BOTTLES

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AUTOMATION

AI in Packaging

Getting it right with ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE (AI) By

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Alphonse Okoth

A

ccording to a report by Future Market Insights, Artificial Intelligence in packaging market was valued at US$2.08 billion in 2023 and is projected to rise to US$6.02 billion by 2033, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.20% during the forecast period.

Growth is mainly driven by the rise in demand for automation by packaging manufacturers who are keen to tap into its key strengths including enhanced efficiency, reduced labor costs, and minimal packaging errors during processing.

Cost optimization is another factor driving the industry forward, as AI can assist companies in optimizing their packaging processes resulting in reduced time and costs associated with

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production, storage, and transportation.

In addition, consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and the ability of AI to accelerate the development of sustainable packaging solutions is making the technology popular further driving market growth.

In this article, we will explore how AI has revolutionized the packaging industry and discuss some of its benefits and drawbacks.

SMART PACKAGING ASSISTANCE Packaging companies rely on AI due to the number of smart solutions it offers and its ability to take businesses to the next level. AI-oriented automation is one of the great ways businesses are taking advantage of technology. Machines require precise programming instructions in WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

Automated machines enhances efficiency and accuracy in packaging

the manufacturing procedure, whereas AI automation is adept at performing various tasks without explicit instructions.

It is also useful in developing suit for purpose packaging. For instance, Amazon's packaging utilizes an AI model that learns from realworld customer complaint data to minimize product damage. This applies to a wide range of products, including household items, cosmetics, food, and anything else that consumers purchase while shopping on Amazon. The AI model helps Amazon determine the most suitable materials for each product, ultimately improving the packaging process.

AI has also been used to develop an algorithm that can determine the appropriate type and quantity of packaging needed to safely transport a particular product. This removes the WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

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AUTOMATION

AI helping pharmaceutical industry detect errors in labelling

Scanning labels for additional information on the product

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AI in Packaging

guess that is often associated with modern day packaging where packages end up being wrapped with unnecessary extra packaging. With less packaging, more packages can fit on each delivery truck, reducing the amount of packaging that will eventually need to be recycled. This reduces the overall carbon footprint per item, while also cutting delivery costs.

DATE LABELLING FOR PACKAGING By utilizing Machine Learning, date labeling can be standardized, ensuring fewer manual errors and providing companies with greater control over process efficiencies. Tesco uses dataembedded barcodes, provided by a food tech company called OAL, on specific meat products.

The company believes that this technology will effectively reduce food waste.

The label and date code verification solution are currently the only system on the market that can read the information contained within the barcode inline using existing scanners. This system helps protect Tesco's packaging line from potential errors, emergency product withdrawals (EPWs), and product recalls.

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BY CONTINUOUSLY MONITORING AND ANALYZING REAL-TIME DATA FROM PACKAGING MACHINES, AI ALGORITHMS CAN IDENTIFY PATTERNS, ANOMALIES, AND INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL ISSUES. making and ensuring the seamless execution of predictive maintenance strategies.

PREVENTION OF PACKAGING MACHINE DOWNTIME THROUGH AI Over the years, businesses have been finding ways to prevent downtime problems, and AI has emerged as one of the most effective solutions discovered. AI-driven predictive maintenance harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to anticipate and mitigate potential machine failures.

By continuously monitoring and analyzing real-time data from packaging machines, AI algorithms can identify patterns, anomalies, and indicators of potential issues. This enables maintenance teams to take proactive measures, such as scheduling targeted maintenance interventions, ordering replacement parts in advance, and minimizing unplanned downtime.

One of the technologies for seamless AI-driven predictive maintenance is PlanetTogether, a leading production planning and scheduling software. The tool can be integrated with various ERP, SCM, and MES systems for greater effectiveness.

Integration allows for the exchange of critical data, such as production plans, maintenance schedules, machine health parameters, and inventory levels, between these systems.

This exchange enables a comprehensive view of the entire manufacturing process, facilitating data-driven decisionWWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) AND VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) EXPERIENCES FOR CONSUMERS With the latest developments shaping human minds, customers are increasingly relying on digital tools to make purchase decisions. Complementary to AI, augmented reality and virtual reality are transforming how consumers interact with products in the packaging industry.

With the assistance of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), customers can establish a deeper connection with a product. This opportunity eliminates doubts about a product and increases customers' confidence to purchase it. Hence, it boosts customer satisfaction levels, develops their trust in the product, and helps businesses thrive more effectively.

PRODUCT PACKAGING DESIGN WITH AI AI is changing how product design was done in the past and enhancing the overall design process. With the assistance of AI tools, it is possible to create stunning and visually appealing packaging designs for products. These tools and programs make the design process autonomous and generate multiple variations of each product design. So that you can see a variety of designs and make an informed decision from their collection.

Compared to a human designer, an AI design tool works more quickly and provides better results in less time with minimal instructions. With the assistance of Artificial Intelligence, you can obtain product designs tailored to your specific requirements and needs. According to the latest market trends, businesses are utilizing AI design to conserve resources and achieve high-quality results.

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AUTOMATION

Increasing sorting and packing rates with help of Artificial Intelligence

IN NUMBERS

60,000T AMOUNT OF CARDBOARD AMAZON'S PackOpt TOOL SAVES ANNUALLY

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AI in Packaging

AI-ASSISTED SIZING OF PRODUCTS In the packaging industry, one of the key procedures is the sizing and shaping of products.

Artificial Intelligence is making this process much better and more efficient. With the assistance of AI, packaging different shapes and sizes to fit each product can be done quickly and more smoothly. AI can create customized product packages based on customers' individual needs. This tool helps businesses make their customers feel special and directly supports them in thriving in sustainable ways.

An example is the discount supermarket chain, Walmart, which is transitioning to rightsized packaging technology in approximately half of its fulfillment network. This technology helps create a package that is custom-fitted to the customer's order. By eliminating unused space in the box, Walmart claims that the technology reduces the need for filler by 60% and decreases waste caused by oversized boxes by up to 26%.

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IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN In addition to enhancing the customer experience, AI also can greatly enhance sustainability.

Machine learning algorithms can generate more environmentally friendly alternatives to packaging designs, thereby supercharging efforts to reduce waste and promote eco-friendliness.

An obvious example is Amazon's PackOpt tool, which the retailer has been using since 2018 to save approximately 60,000 tons of cardboard annually.

AI algorithms can also be used to monitor and track products throughout the supply chain.

Recently, the Co-op partnered with Polytag, a labeling company specializing in AI-based waste collection and circular recycling solutions, to conduct a trial using a distinctive combination of UV tags and QR codes on its own-brand bottled water packaging. The goal is to achieve better supervision of these products as they progress through the recycling process.

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WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AI, PACKAGING DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES TO FIT EACH PRODUCT CAN BE DONE QUICKLY AND MORE SMOOTHLY.

CONS OF AI IN PACKAGING While the potential of AI is immense, there are certain risks and challenges. The quality of data fed into AI systems is paramount, as the saying "rubbish in, rubbish out" applies here. Incorrect or biased data can lead to flawed decisions.

Additionally, if AI systems operate autonomously without proper safeguards, a small error or malfunction in one part of the system can have cascading effects. Ensuring human oversight and implementing safeguards are essential for mitigating these risks.

The cost associated with implementing AI in packaging is high. The development and maintenance of AI systems require a significant investment in time, resources, hardware, and software. Another disadvantage of AI is the issue of data privacy. When utilizing AI systems, it is necessary to collect personal data to personalize the user experience. This raises concerns about the security and privacy of the data.

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CONCLUSION The future of the packaging industry depends on its ability to adapt to constantly evolving business trends. Businesses can achieve better long-term performance by leveraging Artificial Intelligence technologies, such as machine learning. With AI, there is great potential to reduce human error and perform various tasks and procedures more smoothly and effectively.

Ultimately, for brands and retailers in the FMCG space, the best way to utilize AI is not – as some may worry – to replace humans, but rather to assist them in making strategic decisions. In many cases, this means letting AI do the heavy lifting when it comes to making sense of large datasets and letting humans act on its insights.

The entire purpose of AI, after all, is to enhance the human experience

Using AI to easen human effort in getting work done

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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TECHNOLOGY

Digital Watermark

DIGITAL WATERMARK

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OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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Safeguarding the future of traceability and transparency in packaging By

I

n today's digital age, businesses face a constant challenge of protecting their intellectual property from unauthorized use and distribution. With the rapid growth of the internet and the ease with which products can be pirated and misused, it has become increasingly important for industries to find effective ways to safeguard their valuable assets.

One such solution that has gained significant traction in recent years is digital watermarking.

This technology involves embedding a hidden, imperceptible mark or code that allows the products to be traced and monitored throughout their life cycle. This mark serves as a digital signature that identifies the content's rightful owner and helps to prove its authenticity. Digital watermarks can be visible or invisible, depending on the desired level of protection and the specific needs.

In this article, we explore the potential of this technology in facilitating the sorting of waste in recycling plants and preventing counterfeits along the supply chain. Additionally, we will discuss the role of serialization in compliance.

INCREASING RECYCLING RATES WITH TECHNOLOGY Watermarks, usually the size of a postage stamp, ideally cover the entire surface, like a subtle QR code around the packaging. Although the codes cannot be seen by customers, they can be detected by the cameras in the sorting/recycling facility.

A database identifies the composition of WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

Alphonse Okoth

the packaging material, and air streams are used to separate the different materials into distinct waste streams. These waste streams can then be recycled, for example, through mechanical or chemical plastic recycling.

To increase the recycling rate in Europe, over 160 companies and organizations from the complete packaging value chain have joined forces for the Digital Watermarks Initiative HolyGrail 2.0 with the ambitious goal of assessing whether a pioneering digital technology can enable better sorting and higher-quality recycling rates for packaging in the EU. Although the initiative, driven by European Brands Association AIM and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, recognizes that plastic packaging collection rates are improving across Europe, challenges in sorting mean that recycled plastics are often a mix of types and grades. This makes it difficult for plastic converters to reuse the recycled product.

"Unfortunately, less plastic is recycled in practice than would be possible in theory," says Gian De Belder, a packaging technologist at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the initiator of the HolyGrail project.

The HolyGrail 2.0 recently completed a semi-industrial trial, demonstrating an average detection rate of 99 percent. The ejection and purity rates, on average, were 95 percent.

These results validate the efficacy of digital watermarks in separating with high granularity, in this case, food vs. non-food separation. The high efficiencies indicate that the use of digital watermarks can reduce impurities in the output streams of food-grade PET in recycling plants.

"The digital watermarks work better than a single barcode because they can be identified regardless of the packaging's position and even at OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

41

TECHNOLOGY

Evian utilizes the watermark to inform users of the benefits of recycling and offers rewards.

Using barcode to embed additional informational about a product

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Digital Watermark

high sorting speeds," added Gian. "It also enables sorting machines to identify dark-colored packaging and multi-layer packaging," he says.

Recycling those items has been a challenge before. With the advent of new technology, it is now possible to differentiate between nonfood and food packaging. This is crucial because the recyclate used for food packages must meet higher standards than non-food packaging to prevent contamination. “In the future, we could also develop new dedicated recycling streams that do not exist at present, for example, separate streams for detergents or cosmetics packaging, making it easier to turn old shampoo bottles into new shampoo bottles”.

Meanwhile, the trial of Reward4Waste, has so far turned-out positive results, including one run with the Irish Waste Management Association, using participants from waste management company Panda's household collection scheme in Dublin.

Consumers paid a deposit on the items purchased and redeemed the deposit when they placed the containers in their recycling bin at home. The trial also tracked the containers from

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

the point of purchase, consumer, collector, and arrival at a sorting facility. “This was a worldfirst pilot, testing citizen engagement and return rates for digital deposit return scheme (DRS) technology with the results demonstrating an

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impressive 94% return rate,” says McGurk.

A recent survey in the UK also revealed that majority of consumers prefer the concept of a digital DRS. A poll by GS1 also found that a third (34%) of respondents believe that recycling is unnecessarily complicated, while 45% think that simplicity would be the most important aspect if the recycling system were to be redesigned.

ANTI-COUNTERFEITING Counterfeit products are a growing problem for businesses, as they can result in damage to the brand image and even harm valued consumers.

A recent report produced by Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Crime Threat Assessment 2022, highlights the fact that counterfeiting remains a big problem across a wide range of sectors. According to the report, counterfeit and pirated goods represent up to 5.8% of EU imports, corresponding to around EUR 119 billion in value.

The effects of counterfeiting are particularly felt in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, beauty, and cosmetics sectors, among others.

There are, however, solutions that you can use to fight back to protect your brand with anticounterfeiting strategies.

The use of 2D and 3D bar codes allows for a great deal of information to be encoded in a WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

small amount of space. This overt authentication method is predicted to be the fastest-growing track and trace solution over the next 5 years.

The proliferation of apps allows consumers or brand owners to scan and authenticate a code with the touch of a button.

Recently, Digimarc launched brand integrity solution to help brands combat costly counterfeiting and product diversion. Digimarc's unique data-driven approach involves assigning each product unit a serialized digital identity that can be tracked in the cloud and accessed through a variety of on-package digital triggers, including the industry's most secure and covert trigger: the Digimarc digital watermark.

The powerful combination of digitized products and cloud-based data makes the process of authenticating items more accurate and scalable than traditional physical authentication measures. "As counterfeiters have become more sophisticated and supply chains more diffuse, companies are recognizing that traditional brand protection approaches that are largely reactive and reliant on trained inspectors and specialized equipment are both ineffective and inefficient," said Ken Sickles, Chief Product Officer at Digimarc.

CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT The benefits of digital watermarks extend

Amazon's QR code allows product identification along the supply chain

IN NUMBERS

119B VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS SOLD IN EUROPE IN 2022

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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TECHNOLOGY

Digital Watermark

BY TRACKING THE USAGE AND INTERACTION WITH THE WATERMARKED PACKAGING, MARKETERS CAN GAIN INSIGHTS INTO CONSUMER BEHAVIOR, PREFERENCES, AND TRENDS. beyond security and anti-counterfeiting as it can also be used to provide additional information or interactive experiences to consumers. Scanning a digital watermark on a package, for example, can provide access to product information, videos, or promotional offers, thereby enhancing the overall consumer experience.

Implementing scannable unique identifiers on individual units allows producers to target customers who have already overcome the initial barrier of purchasing a product. Appetite Creative has developed a web app for connected packaging that enables real-time tracking of consumer interactions. This innovative tool allows brands to gain insights into customer behavior and enhance their marketing strategies.

In addition to brand identity, the technology can also assist

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OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

with marketing and analytics. Digital watermarks can provide valuable data and insights to marketers. By tracking the usage and interaction with the watermarked packaging, marketers can gain insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. These insights can then be used to optimize marketing strategies and campaigns.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS From enhancing consumer engagement to helping fight counterfeits and increase recycling rates, digital watermarks have certainly proved to be invaluable in the packaging industry creating confidence that their use will become widespread in future. Market Research forecasts the Digital Watermark Technology market, valued at US$47.02 million in 2022, to surpass US$76.5 million by 2028, growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.45% between the forecast period. This certainly shows the business case for watermarks is there and will only get bigger as more players in the packaging industry develop interest and new innovations significantly expand what is possible with digital watermarks

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45

OPINION

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Rethinking Plastic Packaging

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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RETHINKING

PLASTIC PACKAGING Wangari Kamau

By

I

Challenging Assumptions and Embracing Responsibility

nvented in the 1860s and significantly popularized in the 1920s, plastics have undoubtedly brought numerous benefits to society. Many types of plastic have different functional properties, such as being safe for food, flexible, transparent, opaque, and resistant to chemicals and low-intensity heat.

Plastics, therefore, are the ideal packaging material for various modern requirements including producing medical devices such as syringes, manufacturing more affordable and lightweight furniture options, and producing personal protective equipment such as helmets, which are used in various industries. Nowadays, Plastic is also a critical component in automotive manufacturing as it helps reduce the weight of cars, airplanes, boats, and trains, significantly decreasing fuel consumption.

Plastic packaging enables food to be transported over longer distances, remain on shelves for extended periods, and prevent significant food waste. According to the British Plastic Federation, food waste has a significantly higher environmental impact than packaging

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waste, particularly in terms of its carbon footprint. Because producing food requires a significant amount of resources, it often makes environmental sense to preserve it for as long as possible.

Plastic’s only misgiving is that it persists in the environment, not for a few days but for hundreds of years, causing pollution at a scale that’s larger than all other packaging materials combined.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), despite the set targets and efforts, plastic usage has not been halted, and consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years. According to Statista, humans produce over 350 million metric tons of plastic waste every year. Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, reaching a staggering one billion metric tons. Moreover, the reality is that more than 80 percent of waste still evades recycling efforts and contributes to an already overwhelming burden of plastic pollution.

Our inability to manage the plastic pollution problem has become the bane of our existence.

OCTOCT - DEC - DEC 2023 2023 | SUSTAINABILITY | SUSTAINABLEMIDDLE PACKAGING EAST AFRICA & AFRICA

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OPINION

Rethinking Plastic Packaging

Plastic waste recycling plant in opertion. A way to mange end-life of plastics

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We almost wish it never existed despite the numerous benefits that it has afforded our society for decades. We now see it as the enemy that should be fought and defeated by all means possible. Nearly every company, in every country around the world, has an agenda to reduce its use of plastic in operations or, at the very least, contribute to initiatives focused on plastic recycling. All guns are out in our fight against a common enemy: plastic.

But a world without plastics is almost incomprehensible. The convenience it has brought to many aspects of our lives can simply not be wished away. In the food industry, it has been demonstrated that plastic packaging contributes to food safety and shelf-life extension which are crucial in preventing food waste and enhancing food security.

Therefore, “plastic is the enemy” is an overly simplified way of expressing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal. Like

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many complex issues, the reality is nuanced and warrants a more comprehensive understanding.

The problem lies in overproduction, improper disposal, and mismanagement of plastic waste.

THE INHERENT PROBLEM WITH PLASTICS While plastic has incredible applications in the packaging industry, it is essential to acknowledge its potential issues. First and foremost, not all plastics are created equal. Some types, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thermoform, are not easily recyclable, and there are calls to decrease or eliminate their usage.

"A lot of plastic packaging is not designed for recycling," says Gary Panknin, a sustainability officer at PakTech, a manufacturer of highquality packaging solutions. “Some packaging uses two or more different types of plastic, making it difficult to recycle. Further, some types of plastic are much more difficult to recycle within the currently available infrastructure.”

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Moreover, while conscious consumers may separate their waste and place empty plastic containers in the recycling bins, not all of them are necessarily suitable for recycling. For example, containers with oil residues are rarely recycled, even though they are inherently recyclable.

This is because recyclers can easily create toxic compounds when chemicals mix with oil residues during the recycling process.

While some recycling companies may clean the containers before recycling, most do not. This is primarily because the effort and costs outweigh the container recycling benefits. Additionally, virgin plastic is still relatively inexpensive, which creates a competitive environment with recycled one. According to Barclays' Sustainable and Thematic Research, recycled plastic trades at a 20-30 percent premium compared to virgin plastic. Additional charges in the recycling process make recycled plastic significantly more expensive and may hinder widescale adoption.

The second major challenge identified for plastics does not primarily lie in the materials but in the broader infrastructure surrounding WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

them. Plastic waste, to many, is a management issue. Researchers report that approximately 91% of plastic is not recycled partly because it has not been designed for recycling and partly due to the absence of adequate recycling infrastructure.

Lack of adequate infrastructure affects about 75% of all packages that are recycle-ready, and this is where the greatest opportunity lies as most of these plastics are single-use and contribute to the highest portion of plastic waste in our landfills, oceans, and rivers.

There are a few shining examples globally of what would be achieved if there was a deliberate effort to recycle not only plastic but other forms of waste. Germany has for instance shown that it is possible to recycle up to 70% of all waste through the adoption of a robust waste management policy. In Germany, companies are held responsible for post-consumer use packaging disposal whether or not their packaging is recyclable. Additionally, companies also have to pay a fee when more packaging is used, this has led to not only less packaging but also thinner glass, paper, and metal.

A waste collector striding through landfill collecting waste for recycling

IN NUMBERS

17/19M TONNES OF PLASTIC WASTE NOT RECYCLED IN 2015

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

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OPINION

Rethinking Plastic Packaging

APPROXIMATELY 91% OF PLASTIC IS NOT RECYCLED PARTLY BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN DESIGNED FOR RECYCLING AND PARTLY DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ADEQUATE RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE. A nodel of how UK is managing its plastic waste produced in a day

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AFRICA’S PLASTIC PROBLEM Unlike Germany and other developed countries, Africa lacks adequate recycling infrastructure to handle the millions of tons of plastic waste that it produces each year. In 2015, 17 million out of 19 million tons of plastic waste that were produced in the continent were mismanaged leading to environmental and health issues, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

In its report, the Swiss-based international non-governmental organization noted that plastic consumption demand in Africa is predicted to increase by 375% from 2015 to 2060 if “business as usual” continues, further exacerbating the problem.

Alive to this reality, African nations have tried to come up with regulations aimed at controlling the plastic waste problem. At least 37 countries have implemented laws regulating plastic bags in some way. Kenya implemented a ban on single-use plastics in 2017. In Rwanda, visitors are not allowed to enter with nonbiodegradable plastic bags or single-use plastics. Using these items illegally can result in fines or even imprisonment. In Tanzania, individuals caught producing or importing plastics are subject to a fine of US$426,000 or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

Other countries, such as Mali, Cameroon, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, Rwanda, and Botswana, have implemented strict policies regarding the use of single-use

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

plastics. They are either completely banned or subjected to a high government tax. The effective enforcement of these bans differs from country to country, but common constraining issues include illegal trade taking place across porous borders and a lack of enforcement capacity. This has limited the effectiveness of these regulations and allowed the plastic problem to continue unabated.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH IS NEEDED As governments grapple with regulation, a different approach to the plastic problem is needed. Reducing plastic production could be one avenue that could have a much greater effect if it is compounded with increased recycling rates. It's not a task that the private sector can undertake on its own, the government also has a role to play by either incentivizing recycling or giving the private sector a small nudge through practical and effective waste management policies.

Germany would serve as a perfect case study for many African nations on what to do when it comes to handling recycling. Its regulation on extended producer responsibility has for instance ensured that manufacturers do not have to use extra packaging, plastic or not, unless it's completely necessary. By shouldering the responsibility of plastic waste on manufacturers, the government has somehow nudged the plastic packaging producers into taking action to limit the proliferation of their packaging waste in the environment. The results of such action speak for themselves as Germany is reportedly reducing total waste production by 1 million tons every year.

Finally, there is a dire need for public awareness and education.

Educational campaigns that highlight the dangers of plastic pollution and promote responsible plastic use and disposal are essential. As consumers become more knowledgeable about effective recycling practices, they will be more inclined to ensure that the waste they intend to recycle is actually recycled. This increased awareness among the general public could lead to enhanced recycling efforts which would result in a delta reduction in the number of plastic waste ending up in the environment WWW.SUSTAINABILITYMEA.COM

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51

SUPPLIERS NEWS

Proseal unveils new case packing machine for effective tray packing operations

OcyonBio invests in state-ofthe-art filling and packaging equipment from Marchesini PUERTO RICO – OcyonBio, a contract development and manufacturing organization, has signed an agreement with Marchesini, an Italian packaging machinery company, for the purchase of filling and packaging equipment.

This equipment will enable OcyonBio to meet the sterile filling demand of its customers for vials, syringes, and cartridges.

Marchesini will deliver and install the initial equipment later this year, while the remaining equipment will be available for commercial operation by the first half of next year.

The company will also provide its expertise through the training required to operate the new equipment.

Marchesini Group USA Executive Vice President Roger Toll said, “We are pleased to partner with OcyonBio to support their growth and mission of providing advanced therapies to patients.

“Our packaging solutions are designed to meet the highest quality and safety standards, and we are confident that they will help OcyonBio deliver its products to the market quickly and efficiently.”

On completion of the program, OcyonBio will have the capacity to fill, formulate, and package over 60 million units annually.

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OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

UK – Tray sealing specialist Proseal has launched the CP4, a new case-packing machine that is able to pack up to 240 trays per minute in certain applications.

Flow of trays is controlled by the ProMotion intelligent which can comfortably manage g uninterrupted feeding into the machine at high speeds.

Proseal says that the CP4 has the capacity to handle a diverse range of tray formats and sealing methods, spanning from fresh produce and protein to snacks and ready meals.

It aims to provide food manufacturers with “an unparalleled level of efficiency, flexibility, and profitability in their packaging processes” It comes equipped with Proseal’s latest control system known for “intuitive operation” and “real-time performance monitoring” allowing food producers to quickly tackle potential issues, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.

The CP4 also features quick-release conveyors to facilitate belt maintenance and a quick-release tooling system, which significantly reduces product changeover times, often accomplished in under a minute.

Jon Garner, Proseal’s president said:“The CP4’s advanced features, compact design and flexibility make it a gamechanging solution for food producers seeking to optimize their packaging operations.”

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Novocol to provide packaging support Moderna’s mRNA respiratory vaccines CANADA –Novocol Pharma has signed an agreement to provide the fill-finish and packaging support for Moderna’s mRNA respiratory vaccines.

As part of this long-term agreement, Novocol Pharma will carry out the aseptic fill-finish, labeling and packaging of Moderna’s mRNA respiratory vaccines at Novocol’s Ontario-based facility.

The vaccines will be manufactured at Moderna’s mRNA facility in Laval, Quebec, Canada, which is expected to start operating by the end of 2024.

The fill-finish sterile step involves the transference of vaccine drug products into vials. It is also at the final stage of the vaccines’ production process, which

is followed by the packaging of the product for use by consumers.

Moderna chief technical operations and quality officer Jerh Collins said: “Novocol Pharma exemplifies bestin-class experience, capabilities, manufacturing systems, and controls required to prepare our mRNA vaccines and scale-up production as needed to address novel or emerging viruses.”

Moderna’s partnership with Novocol Pharma also supports the Government of Canada’s strategic investments under Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy to provide onshore respiratory vaccine manufacturing capabilities and support national pandemic readiness for all Canadians.

Orkla adopts Syntegon’s Elematic 3001 WA Compact case packer FINLAND – Finnish retailer Orkla Confectionery & Snack has acquired Syntegon’s Elematic 3001 WA Compact case packer technology to meet the changing export conditions in the US and Canada.

According to Syntegon, changing transport conditions in the US and Canada required Orkla to shift from packing two products side by side to only one package in a row while somehow boosting its overall production capacity simultaneously.

Orkla, therefore, needed a new case packer solution to address these international export challenges.

The company said its main requirements for the new packer were that it should occupy less space, have increased speed, can handle ten different case formats and have a small footprint.

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All of these requirements were met

by Elematic 3001 WA Compact, which is a flexible and space-saving case packer that can pack nearly ten formats with an infeed performance speed of 150 bags

per minute.

It is equipped with an Elematic Click System that supports a fast, toolfree, as well as completely reproducible format changeover.

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SUPPLIERS NEWS

Andritz secures contract to revamp Holmen’s paper machine in Sweden SWEDEN – Andritz, an international technology group, will be undertaking the reconstruction of a paper machine at Holmen Paper’s Braviken mill in Sweden in order to enhance production flexibility.

This order follows Holmen Paper’s recent successful entry into the packaging market with an innovative lightweight corrugated board product.

ANDRITZ will implement a sophisticated technology concept allowing it to easily switch production between the different paper grades.

The heart of the rebuild is the conversion of the existing former by using the patented ANDRITZ shoe blade forming technology for the lowest MD/CD ratios.

ANDRITZ will also provide comprehensive services for the rebuild

including engineering and installation as well as supply a clothing package, an extension of the distributed control system and a dilution control automation package.

Ola Schultz-Eklund, Senior Vice President Technology at Holmen Group, said, “The pilot trials convinced

us that ANDRITZ’s solution perfectly meets our high requirements. It will provide us with the flexibility we require to enhance production.”

The rebuilding of PM52 will enable Holmen Paper to increase the production of fluting for corrugated boxes.

HP Indigo unveils new press for the digital flexible packaging industry

ISRAEL – HP Indigo has unveiled a new digital press designed to give digital flexible converters a competitive edge with better productivity, on-demand delivery, no minimum orders, unique designs, reduced energy consumption, and minimal waste.

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The new HP Indigo 200K Digital Press is based on the only field-proven digital technology for digital flexible packaging and on a successful install base of over 300 HP Indigo 25K digital presses, series 4, worldwide.

The new series 5 HP Indigo 200K digital press is designed to increase

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

the productivity of high-margin, sustainable short runs, delivered in days with no minimum order size required.

According to the company, it can print up to 56 m/min (183 ft/min) and sets out to increase the productivity of high-margin, sustainable short runs of digital flexible packaging, to be delivered in ”days, not weeks.”

Noam Zilbershtain, VP and general manager of HP Indigo & Scitex said: “The HP Indigo 200K is a mid-web digital press especially designed for converters addressing the needs of brands in flexible packaging, but it also serves the growing requirements of the label and shrink sleeve industries for higher productivity and wider format.

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Krones opens R&D center in Germany to optimize beverage packaging GERMANY – Packaging and bottling machine manufacturer, Krones has inaugurated the Process Technology Center to support its customers in their product development processes and meet the flavor demands of the global markets.

The center will serve customers regardless of whether they have a finished recipe for a future product or are still at the start of the product development journey and would like to leverage Krones’ expertise for those first steps.

Krones will also use the new technology center to analyze the effects of various process parameters on different products more closely to enable it to develop and refine its machines and lines.

At the center’s process technology side, various process and treatment steps can be realistically simulated on a pilot ultra-high-temperature system allowing customers to make informed decisions on whether to settle for steam injection or steam infusion.

It also has water design section where customers can finetune the flavor of their water by adding the right amounts of minerals and flavor compounds.

Customers also have access to Krones’ network of engineers in various disciplines, including food and process engineering, to collaborate on transforming product ideas into products.

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Sidel equips Niche Cocoa with Ghana’s first-ever aseptic line for milk-based products GHANA – Packaging manufacturing company Sidel has supplied Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd with the country’s firstever aseptic line, which enables the company to venture into milk-based products in PET. The 16,000 bottles per hour aseptic PET line integrates Tetra Pak processing systems technologies and the Sidel Aseptic Combi Predis with dry preform and cap sterilization systems, a sleeve labeler, a shrink-wrapping system and a stretch wrapper.

Sidel also supplied its EIT (efficiency improvement tool) data acquisition and plant intelligence system which helps in decreasing unplanned downtime, reducing waste and costs, and increasing factory output.

Commenting on the new line, Edmund A. Poku, Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We selected Sidel because of its leadership in aseptic beverage production and packaging design.

“Our expectations were fully satisfied. Aseptic Liquid Dairy Products (LDPs) are complex to produce, and this was a new area for us.”

Niche also installed Sidel’s Predis aseptic dry perform sterilisation technology which is which is known for enhancing food safety and product quality.

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SUPPLIERS NEWS

KHS introduces Innopal PLR high-performance palletizer to boost line efficiency GERMANY – KHS has introduced a new high-performance palletiser that leverages the power of robotics to enhance speeds of low-feed palletisers up to speed – whether they process cans, PET or glass.

The German filling and packaging equipment supplier noted that its new Innopal PLR high-performance palletizer was sparked by the idea of combining the benefits of low-feed machines with the capacities provided by palletisers with a high infeed.

With Innopal PLR highperformance palletizer, up to 625 layers can be palletised per hour – which amounts to a nominal capacity of 135,000 cans an hour maximum,

depending on their diameter.

This is an incredible upgrade from standard palletizing systems that are only able to handle about 360 layers per hour.

Higher outputs can be achieved if the amount of time needed for pallet changeovers is reduced, just as is the case with KHS Innopal PB NF palletiser that can process up to 500 layers an hour.

With the new technology, KHS notes that beverage companies requiring an even higher processing rate do not have to transition to a palletizer with a high pack infeed which are complex to operate and have inherent occupational and health risks.

Anjou Etiquettes invests in Bobst’s Digital Master 340 to simplify production FRANCE – Anjou Etiquettes, a familyowned label converter, has recently made an investment in a new Bobst Digital Master 340 in order to streamline its label production process.

The Digital Master 340 is equipped with the Bobst Accucheck module, which ensures calibration and quality control.

Delivered, installed, and commissioned in less than a week, the Digital Master, configured with 6 digital colors plus white, quickly found its place in the company of around thirty employees.

“The Bobst Digital Master 340 is the ideal solution for the current challenges,” says Laurent Laurent Bossy, who co-manages Anjou Étiquettes with Sabrina Chardonneau.

“The machine effortlessly handles 56

print runs ranging from 1,000 to 15,000 linear meters or more. We run the press every day, and I must say I’m impressed by its print quality and speed. We can achieve a resolution of 1200×1200 dpi at a speed of 100 meters per minute.”

Another advantage of the new press is its ability to incorporate new

OCT - DEC 2023 | SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AFRICA

modules, such as a varnishing unit or a semi-rotary die-cutting module, all designed and supplied by Bobst.

This according to Bobst is ideal for converters, enabling them to protect their initial investment and expand at their own pace.

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