Noteworthy industry briefs

from Canadian Packaging June 2022

Packaging news roundup

Leading global specialty chemicals manufacturer Solenis of Wilmington, Del., has been selected as a 2022 US Best Managed Company in the annual third-party rankings program jointly conducted by financial services provider Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal newspaper. Created to recognize U.S. private sector companies demonstrating excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well as strong financials, The Best Managed Companies program evaluates a broad range of companies—with annual revenues of at least US$250 million—in four core competencies of strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture, and governance/financial performance. “It is an honor to receive this award in consecutive years,” says Philip Patterson, Solenis senior vicepresident and chief financial o icer. “Our key focus continues to be the growth and delivery of sustainable solutions to our customers around the world,” Patterson adds, “and our our leaders are dedicated to enhancing employee experiences, supporting customers in their sustainability journeys, and creating value across all stakeholder groups. I am proud of our team for achieving these ambitious goals, while completing a major acquisition and adjusting to new ownership.”

SOMIC Packaging, Inc. of Eagan, Minn., says it has conducted the first-ever Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of a retail-ready packaging machine in North America— validating that the equipment is ready for installation at the customer’s property and will ensure a smooth transition for immediate production capability. Customengineered for GOYA Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S., the new 424 T2+ case-packing system— designed to handle the wraparound case-packing of stand-up pouches and folding cartons—the state-ofthe-art machine is scheduled for a July start-up at the GOYA Foods manufacturing plant in Seacaucus, N.J., by July. “It was a special day for all of us,” says SOMIC Packaging’s chief executive o icer Peter Fox. “Our team of American and German technicians are working together, as we have a full schedule of Factory Acceptance Tests. The goal to build machines in the U.S. some day is now in motion and a step closer to reality.” According to SOMIC Packging, the day-long FAT process included full testing of mechanical and electrical components; a dry cycle run with a pair of format changeovers; two more specific case-packing format changes; and the final test runs of the packaged products. Protective packaging products manufacturer Pregis LLC of Deerfield, Ill., has commenced production of the company’s EverTec range of recyclable, cushioned e-commerce mailers at a new 298,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Reno, Nev., the company’s fifth production plant in the U.S. “We strategically planned facilities throughout the country to meet the growing e-commerce demand and quickly deliver EverTec mailers to our customers,” says Pregis chief executive o icer Kevin Baudhuin. “This latest facility in Reno demonstrates our commitment to providing sustainable, e icient, and diverse packaging solutions to our customers across the North American market.”

SOMIC Packaging CEO Peter Fox (fourth from left) joins project team members from SOMIC and GOYA Foods to celebrate the first FAT completion of a retail-ready packaging machine in North America.

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St. Louis, Mo.-headquartered packaging products group TricorBraun has reached a definitive agreement to acquire California-based flexible packaging distributor PBFY from retail and promotional packaging supplier Pacific Western Sales (PWS). Specializing in providing flexible packaging services for many well-known brands in the food, co ee, tea, and health-and-beauty markets for nearly 15 years, PFYB ranks as one of the largest flexible packaging distributors in North America. “PBFY is an important addition to our industry-leading flexible packaging o erings, enabling us to provide customers with expanded services and supply chain options,” says TricorBraun president and chief executive o icer Court Carruthers. “We have great admiration for the successful business the PBFY team has built, and we look forward to investing in its continued growth,” says Carruthers, adding the acquisition will further expand the company’s fast-growing TricorBraun Flex flexible packaging division.

PACT, LLC, Waterbury, Conn.-based manufacturer of industrial packaging and crating systems, has announced plans to move to a new 71,000-squarefoot facility in nearby Watertown to rapid growth in demand for its specialty shipping products. “The new Watertown facility is an ideal combination of talent continuity and accommodating current and future growth,” says PACT president Rodger Mort. “Being able to not only expand our team, but also keep all of our loyal, skilled personnel with us, were both crucial factors in our decision. The expanded space, new infrastructure and dedicated team members will be instrumental as Thermo Shield, J-Crates and our other shipping solutions continue their forward momentum.” Last year, the company was granted a U.S. patent for Thermo Shield, a paper-based, fire-resistant shipping wrap designed to prevent catastrophes caused by battery explosions during transport. Utilizing a breakthrough technology that automatically cools the internal environment of a corrugated container, the paper-based, 100-percent recyclable material prevents damage to the outside shipping container, suppresses fumes or gasses from escaping, and limits external oxygen supply.

Camarillo, Ca.-based sustainable packaging solutions developer Zume and specialty chemicals manufacturer Solenis of Wilmington, De., have introduced a comprehensive line of 100-pecent PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)-free molded fiber packaging—including hot cup lids, bowls, egg cartons, protein trays and more—to help global food brands replace plastic and Styrofoam packaging with a sustainable and coste ective solution across a broad range of foodservice applications. According to the companies, the joint partnership furthers their e orts solutions to replace entire categories of single-use plastic without harmful chemicals, with Zume providing its advanced molded fiber manufacturing capabilities and professional services, and Solenis supplying its vast expertise in functional additives and surface coatings to improve the strength and functionality of Zume’s fiber recipes. “The development of an economically viable solution for brands to transition from plastic and foam packaging is the goal of our collaboration,” says Zume’s chief executive Alex Garden. “Our patented molded fiber manufacturing equipment system and technology enable us to o er sustainable packaging at the same price or less than plastic [and] our partnership with Solenis advances e orts to eliminate single-use plastic and enables brands to keep commitments to stop using PFAS.” According to Garden, the companies have outlined a technology roadmap of solutions they will collaborate on, including hot cup lids, bowls, plates, premium egg cartons, co ee cup lids, protein trays, and yogurt cups. “Our partnership with Zume showcases the deep expertise of both of our companies in packaging production and design,” says Solenis chief executive o icer John Panichella. “Bringing together our technical talents, we can create truly sustainable food packaging without sacrificing the quality and performance of packaging containing PFAS.”