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Packaging news The latest from the industry
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New developments in the Packaging industry
Indorama ventures acquires PET recycler sorepla Industrie
Indorama Ventures has increased its PET recycling capabilities by acquiring French-based Sorepla Industrie for an undisclosed fee.
Sorepla Industrie operates one recycling facility in France which boasts three production lines: one for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), another for recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and finally a line for food-grade pellets.
The facility is capable of processing 52,000 tonnes of material every year, and Indorama claims that the facility will strengthen its position in the packaging market amid rising demand for rPET packaging, as manufacturers seek more sustainable packaging solutions.
Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama Ventures said: “Indorama Ventures plays a key role in promoting the circular economy and environmental sustainability globally.
“We believe that the recycling of PET packaging is one of the most responsible solutions for the preservation of resources and the reduction of PET containers in landfills. Indorama Ventures is playing its part and investing in recycling solutions globally.
“With a comprehensive European network for bottle sourcing and good supply chain efficiencies, we feel that this acquisition will contribute as an attractive platform for strong future growth in the sustainable recycling business with the potential to expand globally.” Visit: www.sorepla.com
Ball Corporation is partnering with Dutch craft beer brand Brouwerij Homeland Amsterdam to create a unique, blank can design for its popular spelt beer.
The cans have been designed in Ball’s 33-centilitre standard format, which is a popular choice amongst many craft brewers. Unlike other brands, Brouwerij Homeland Amsterdam has decided to leave the 360-degree can canvas blank, creating a strong, high-impact design. The minimalist cans feature no printing or messaging, other than the name, date and alcohol percentage on the bottom of the can.
This type of innovative and design-led packaging is important within the craft beer industry, as the beers are primarily brewed for taste rather than volume and result in unique products that deserve equally unique designs. Craft beer is a booming industry as consumers are increasingly demanding more authenticity, choice and flavour options. What’s more, cans are also becoming increasingly popular for brewers, as they provide easier recycling opportunities than glass and are easier and cheaper to ship due to their light weight.
The cans are now available in supermarkets, bars, restaurants and hotels in The Netherlands. Visit: www.ball.com
Jiffy appoints new managing director
UK company Jiffy Packaging has appointed Richard Gregg as managing director. Gregg was previously managing director of Plastic Omnium Urban Systems Ltd in the West Midlands.
Gregg’s commercial and general management experience will prove invaluable as Jiffy looks to expand its business following a programme of new investment.
Commenting on his appointment, Gregg said, “The Jiffy name needs no introduction and I am delighted to be joining a fantastic team.
Jiffy Packaging is a leading manufacturer of postal mailers, polyethylene foam and bubble film products for a wide variety of end-applications in various market segments including office, retail, automotive, building and construction. Visit: www.jiffy.co.uk
Finnish packaging start-up Jospak receives ScanStar Award
Finland-based packaging start-up Jospak oy has received a ScanStar 2018 Award for its board-based tray packaging for Kannuksen lihakauppa Grillipekoni. This innovative, sustainable food packaging solution contains up to 85% less plastic than a regular plastic alternative.
ScanStar is a joint Nordic packaging competition which has been held annually since 1969 by SPA, the Scandinavian Packaging Association. The ceremony itself will take place in November 2018 at the FoodTech Fair in Herning, Denmark.
The jury explained its reasons for nominating Jospak’s solution: “The design takes into consideration visual communication, material use and recycling. Instructions on the bottom of the packaging facilitate recycling. The easy separation of the film and fibres makes source separation simple. The jury finds that opening instructions and the opening mechanism can still be improved. The overall design supports the impression of a sustainable packaging.” Visit: www.jospak.com
INDUSTRYnEWs
antalis launches new smart Packaging Centre
AS part of its mission to help customers perfect their packaging materials and procedures, Antalis has opened a new flagship Smart Packaging Centre at the company’s head office in Coalville, UK, as part of ongoing expansion plans for its burgeoning bespoke packaging solutions and services.
The Smart Packaging Centre is a state-ofthe-art design lab and solutions centre where Antalis’ highly-reputable designers will now be able to respond much quicker to the rising logistical challenges facing customers by conducting a comprehensive review of their packaging requirements on-site.
The centre essentially allows clients to bring their products and sit down with Antalis designers to create new bespoke pack designs and live samples, which can then be rigorously tested and modified if necessary.
Forming the cornerstone of the new design facility is Impact CAD, an industry-leading software suite specifically designed for the packaging industry. Working in conjunction with Antalis’ recently-unveiled Zund G3 L-2300 cutting table, the software will dramatically speed up the packaging design process from weeks to just a few hours. Visit: www.antalis.co.uk
alpla and fromm join forces in pet recycling
The aim of the partnership between ALPLA and FROMM is to further optimise the current high recycling rates for PET as well as a significant reduction of CO2 emissions through saved transport.
“The requirements at our production sites complement one another very well. At ALPLA, we mainly need clear, food-grade pellets. Fromm processes coloured flakes for the strapping bands,” explains Georg Lässer, Head of Corporate Recycling Services at ALPLA. “The collaboration between our recycling facilities will ensure the necessary quantity and quality of materials for production for both sides.”
“The three recycling plants are integrated in various procurement markets and complement one another ideally in the procurement of raw materials,” highlights Reinhard Fromm, owner of the family-run FROMM Group.
The PET Recycling Team plants in Wöllersdorf (Austria) and Radomsko (Poland) are part of the ALPLA Group. These recycling facilities have an annual capacity of approximately 45,000 tonnes of food-grade rPET produced by post-consumer materials. The PET recycling company Texplast in Wolfen (Germany) produces PET pellets and PET flakes. Visit: www.alpla.com
Smurfit Kappa & Scania enter paper-based packaging venture
Smurfit Kappa and global transport provider Scania have entered a partnership in order to replace materials used in Scania’s supply chain with paper-based packaging solutions.
The Dublin-based firm collaborated with Scania Parts Logistics to make a 50% reduction in the storage space required for its truck window packaging service, which meant Scania achieved considerable transportation savings.
“After a comprehensive review of the challenging brief that we presented them with, Smurfit Kappa managed to present us with an ingenious solution that exceeded all our expectations,” said Brechtel Coox, Packaging Engineer at Scania Parts Logistics.
In order to review all aspects of Scania’s supply chain, Smurfit Kappa utilised its SupplySmart service to compare its findings collated from over 60,000 supply chains. Then, the analysis was reviewed and areas where sustainable changes could be made were identified.
“This project was the result of a collaborative process between Smurfit Kappa and Scania Parts Logistics,” commented Erik Bunge, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Corrugated Benelux. “The paperbased solution we came up with combines corrugated and honeycomb production capabilities and enables us to deliver an innovative and reliable service to our valued partner Scania.” Visit: www.smurfitkappa.com
Roastworks launches fully recyclable coffee capsules
Roastworks Coffee Co has released the first-ever range of fully recyclable, 100% aluminium Nespresso-compatible capsules in uK supermarkets.
The capsules consist of speciality-grade coffees which are roasted in a way to distinguish their unique qualities using their vintage German roasting machine. The coffee is then grounded with great precision and packed in to oxygen-free aluminium capsules.
Will little, owner of Roastworks, noted: “We’ve been working on creating a fully recyclable product for the last few years and have now managed to create one which doesn’t compromise on the quality of the coffee. unlike many materials, aluminium is almost infinitely recyclable, so once the material has been produced it can be used repeatedly.” Visit: www.roastworks.co.uk
