ITC PACKAGING MAGAZINE Num. 10 2020

PACKAGING CULTURE No . 1 0 / 20 2 0

An alliance with progress Polymers are key to the development of our society

Packaging & Trends Persรกn Capsul'in rPET Sanitiser gel

ITC Inside

Report

Be green!

ITC Crea

COVID-19

Holy Grail 2.0

PACKAGING

CULTURE

44

Change me

Flexipack 551

16

Inside ITC

ITC Crea

14

Packaging & Trends

Persรกn

26

Packaging & Trends

Capsul'in

28

Be Green!

Magazine published by: ITC Packaging Avda. del Juguete, 10 03440 Ibi (Alicante) SPAIN T. +34 966 554 056 mkt@itc-packaging.com www.itc-packaging.com

Holy Grail 2.0

!

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

38

Packaging & Trends

rPET

54

ITC Project

Guacapack

46

Packaging & Trends

Sanitiser gel

Covid-19

Everything will be alright

6

Covid-19

Everything will be alright

6 14

Inside ITC

16

Introducing...

22

ITC Crea

Rosa Valero

Packaging & Trends

Capsul'in Be Green!

Holy Grail 2.0

26 28

32

V Range

32

What’s new on the shelf?

34

Trayplus

Packaging & Trends

V Range

Trayplus New

rPET

Investments

40

Change me

44

Packaging & Trends

46

CSR

48

ITC Project

54

Sopelana

56

ITC News

58

Report

64

ITC Family

66

Reinvestment plan Flexipack 551

Packaging & Trends

Persán

Summary

38

Sanitiser gel

Sandra Ibarra Foundation Guacapack What do you want to be when you grow old?

News

An Invincible Town New additions

Editorial

As we wrote these lines last year, nobody

suppliers, customers. Everybody working

could have guessed how peculiar, excep-

together and focusing on what is really im-

tional and unexpected the year 2020 would

portant: "taking care of ourselves and loo-

turn out to be.

king after others".

I can't find the right words to describe my

Through endless messages of hope, mul-

feelings after analysing everything that's

tiple information communications, video-

happened. Feelings, moments, tension,

conferences, videos, music and smiles.

fear. A combination of sensations that have

Everything counts and all has meant that

invited us to think, deeply, about the trends

today we are an even greater team.

that define both our personal and professional lives.

Everyone's reliability and commitment has managed to stop the virus in its attempt to

We began to appreciate all those routines

infect our staff. And also thanks to the ex-

and customs that used to make us happy.

traordinary work carried out by the HS and

All those little details that filled us with joy.

HR departments, who rigorously managed

We realised that we cannot take anything

the protocols that were so exceptionally fo-

for granted, and that life can change com-

llowed by everybody else.

pletely from one day to the next.

And if that was not enough, on top of that, Our priority: "looking after and protecting

we have managed to take advantage of this

our family". And at ITC, we are very big fa-

period in order to continue improving our IT

mily. A family that pulled together and as-

systems and work methods. We were able

sumed its responsibilities while remaining

to supply our entire demand almost without

professional,

respectful.

any incidents, and expanded our PET divi-

Where everybody gave their best despite

charitable

and

sion thanks to the momentum created by

the complicated situation, without missing

the market requirements, providing a clear

a single day's work, in view of our role as

example of our passionate commitment

an essential link in the population's supply

towards our future on the short term.

chain. Staff who worked remotely, on site,

Our priority: looking after and protecting our family We must also be grateful for the trust, hard

mental in this last crisis and that it only ne-

work and commitment of our customers

eds to adapt to become part of a circular

in such a difficult situation, with whom we

economy, while raising awareness among

have continued to work jointly and develop

the population to ensure it is used respon-

new projects.

sibly.

We are finally learning how to live with the

At ITC, we are preparing for the immediate

virus. We must be aware that the recession

future with the application of ongoing im-

will result in unemployment, loss of spen-

provements on all our processes. We conti-

ding power and, therefore, a decrease in

nue to invest in infrastructure and systems,

consumption and expenditure. Therefore,

both at Ibi and Sopela, the last ohยกf whom

maintaining social awareness will be key to

shall soon see a huge change in their faci-

help those around us.

lities, allowing us to continue on our quest towards excellence and full quality.

During the next few months, it will be crucial to keep alert in terms of following the

We shall continue to protect and look after

protocols to continue winning our batt-

our teams as the main foundation of our

le against the virus. We must maintain our

success and knowing that, the better we

commitment towards sustainability by ac-

work, the better results we will achieve for

knowledging that, as stated in our cover,

our customers, suppliers and those around

plastic is a material that has been funda-

us.

Javier Gonzรกlez CEO

Beatriz Valls

INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS MANAGER

COVID-19

Everything will be alright The expansion of coronavirus has put everyone to the test, including the population, governments, scientists and, of course, businesses.

In a bid to demonstrate its reliability, ITC Packaging has remained active throughout the year.

A commitment marked by our attempt to guarantee a continued service for our customers in order to collaborate in maintaining the supply of food and other essentials during the hardest part of the lockdown period.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

Wuhan, coronavirus, SARS, IPKs, sanitiser gel, social distancing, incubation period, outbreak, infection rate, pandemic, viral load, asymptomatic, state of alarm, confinement, community spread, sprays, disease vector, new normal, etc.

All these are jargon terms that belonged in a scientific dictionary until not long ago and that now, unfortunately, have found their way into our vocabulary. Words that are now part of our everyday lives and have become more familiar than we would like after hearing them for so many months.

Initially, it all seemed so distant when we watched in awe as the news unfolded concerning the discovery and subsequent expansion of an unknown virus in China. However, as time went on, COVID-19 (acronym forCorona Virus Disease 2019) gathered pace, breaking through borders and expanding globally until it became a pandemic that is currently affecting almost the entire planet.

It has not been easy, nor it won't be going forward. We have changed our habits, the manner in which we connect with each other, how we work or study. Everything is different. And now that it seems like a window of hope is opening with promising news of different vaccines, this is when we have to remain cautious and prevent the situation from getting any worse.

The expansion of this disease has put everyone to the test, including the population, governments, scientists and, of course, businesses. Many companies have seen their production adapting to a new, completely unforeseen reality, with devastating effects in the case of many sectors.

COVID-19

An alliance with progress.

Polymers are key to the development of our society

Foresight and anticipation.

In view of the images arriving from China and the initial news as it spread to Europe, ITC Packaging adopted a proactive outlook and remained committed to act fast.

That is why we created a Contingency Plan including, to name a few, our first prevention measures, purchasing protective equipment for all our staff and a raw materials procurement plan to ensure our supply in the event that our suppliers were unable to fulfill our orders.

A responsible action aimed at maintaining the food industry supply chain in motion, providing our plants and staff with prevention protocols and elements for their own protection in order to prevent the virus from expanding and entering our organisation.

Since we work in a key industry such as food, we could not remain on a standstill if that meant that products could not reach the supermarket shelves for a lack of containers to protect them.

As highlighted even further by the COVID crisis, plastic plays a crucial role in our modern society.

Thanks to its features including food safety, hygiene and versatility, it is currently at the centre of all policies against the pandemic's expansion: protective shields, masks, gloves, screens, IPK's, packaged food, etc., are all manufactured from different polymers and proving to be vital in our battle to prevent further infections.

It would be impossible to understand how much progress we have seen as a society in the last few years without acknowledging the role of plastic.

Industries such as construction, transportation, medicine or packaging have managed to evolve and improve power consumption and resource extraction while reducing food waste to previously unimagined levels. Furthermore, plastic is a key partner when decreasing CO2 emissions and climate change when compared with other materials. And despite its many advantages being often overshadowed by an inefficient waste management, the new situation created by the Coronavirus must lead our focus away from fighting against plastic, a material that has never been more regulated and that offers unbeatable food and health safety when compared to the rest.

But rather towards improving its management and recovery into the reuse cycle.

At ITC Packaging, we are convinced of the advantages provided by polymers. And for that reason, we work hard to improve its management, reuse and recycling by including new sustainable materials such as recycled plastic, compostable alternatives and bio plastic materials.

PACKAGING CULTURE

7

Management.

Following the crisis arising from the virus expansion, the creation of a Crisis Management Committee has resulted in a fundamental factor to implement the required measures to stop it spreading.

This committee, including senior executives from key company areas, were in charge of establishing the required policies to act in close cooperation with our Quality and Occupational Health and Safety departments.

In the month of February, ITC Packaging published its first protocol comprising the initial measures to be implemented. Following eight different versions (and counting), the protocol has been updated with the addition

of new actions to be taken and adapting these to the recommendations published by the health authorities.

These actions were immediately implemented thanks to the cooperation between the involved departments and through ongoing communication by means of weekly meetings where we have maintained the staff representatives informed regarding any new measures to be adopted. We would like to highlight the implication demonstrated by our middle management and shift supervisors with their dedication and diligent implementation of all protocol preventive actions.

Although ITC Packaging has registered a few attempts by the virus to enter our productive centres, all the measures adopted and their strict compliance by our team have prevented its expansion and the occurrence of any outbreaks.

We would therefore like to thank our entire staff for their commitment and observance of all measures adopted.

Measures Most of the actions aimed at controlling the risks arising from plant access where already part of ITC Packaging's processes since all our production rooms are BRC certified.

With this protocol we have implemented a closed system with a series of restrictive and hygienic measures aimed at protecting our containers in order to cover all food safety requirements. Double access doors, hygiene access gates, sanitiser hand gel and protective clothing including coats, hoods and hats have been compulsory to use or wear for years. As an organisation, ITC and its staff are used to hygienic measures, so the new standards were only put in place to reinforce the existing rules.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

Among the first few measures adopted by ITC Packaging was the suspension of all journeys and travel by company staff, as well as restricting access to the premises, only allowing customers to visit in the event of urgent matters.

Likewise, we organised the procurement of protective and preventive material. Masks with different protection levels, disinfectants, protective screens, gloves, etc., and their subsequent distribution and availability to the entire workforce.

Our administration and management team were requested to work remotely, a situation that remains currently in place.

COVID-19

Most of the actions aimed at controlling the risks arising from plant access where already part of ITC Packaging's processes since all our production rooms are BRC certified.

All ITC Packaging staff must take their temperature upon arrival at their workplace, and for that reason we have purchased digital screens that identify each employee while recording their temperature and arrival time and alerting users in case of any issues. Following the lockdown, we proceeded to do mass testing of the entire staff working at all our production, management and logistic centres.

From a communication point of view, we have strengthened our prevention measures by delivering information sessions, placing explanatory posters, didactic videos and using screen savers to send precautionary messages.

In regard to the protection of workplaces, we have reduced access by external staff to our facilities as much as possible. In the case of outsourced services that required access to ITC premises to undertake unavoidable maintenance or repair works, we have informed them regarding our protocols and their temperature, provided them with protection equipment and recorded their access. We would like to specially commend the work undertaken by the cleaning team, who have disinfected all working areas on a daily basis. In addition, we have regularly proceeded to disinfect our production, management and logistic centres by means of a nebuliser process.

Scan the QR and you can see the video

PACKAGING CULTURE

9

Our heroes.

Juan Monera

Thanks to all the companies that are part of the food chain, we have managed to ensure supply to the population. We would like to thank all the agricultural and livestock farmers, food manufacturers, transport operators, shelf stacking and checkout staff and so many others without whom it would not have been possible to fill the shelves of all retailers, large and small.

During the hardest part of the lockdown, our production centres have continued operating and only halted production during the periods required to undergo the nebuliser disinfections.

Thanks to the commitment and dedication of all our staff, we have managed to fulfil our responsibilities and out commitment towards our customers.

Occupational Health Risk

ITC's concern regarding its employees, in addition to all the staff's positive attitude, has been outstanding as the pandemic evolved, during which they have demonstrated their good work at all times.

We have managed to avoid any close workrelated infections at ITC Ibi during the whole crisis, despite the COVID's social pressure.

For all the above reasons, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of our entire team, including those that were forced to work from home, and those that, during the worst of times, have continued to attend work in a timely manner. We are extremely proud of your dedication, predisposition and commitment to make ITC Packaging's family even better. We will always remember your had work in spite of the serious situation that we continue to find ourselves in at the moment.

MarĂ­a JesĂşs Plant operative

This crisis has been very hard for everyone, but here at the company we have tried to manage it the best we could.

They have taken good care and provided us with everything they absolutely could.

Alfonso Casado Industrial Manager

We are very proud of the plant team who were extremely professional during the initial weeks of lockdown when there was a lot of hesitation regarding the pandemic and it wasn't easy to get to work.

This huge difficulty has prepared us all to rise up to some amazing challenges.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

Patricia GĂłmez Customer Service

The company has taken staff health very seriously and allowed us to work remotely all the time. Particularly now that we are on the second wave.

Working remotely makes it easier to concentrate as we avoid all the interruptions caused by visitors, overhearing conversations, etc.

Although I do miss speaking to my colleagues face to face.

COVID-19

Patricia Villa

Robotic

I think the COVID situation has been handled very well, as we've had cases but none of the colleagues has been infected.

Cristina García HR Department

José Manuel Jiménez

Quality and Environmental Manager

From the get-go, the company have mobilised to make masks and other IPK's available, in addition to disinfecting all work areas, even though there were no clear recommendations on how to proceed. By creating a committee that held regular meetings with the purpose of adapting to the situation, we were able to stay ahead of the requirements as they were being announced.

I would like to highlight how everyone's optimism and professionalism helped when confronting such an unknown, uncertain situation for everyone. I think all the staff were aware all the time that their work would help to lift other people's spirits and make them a little bit happier despite the situation.

Inma Arán

Let's remain alert.

Everything will be alright!

Health and Safety Committee

Nacho Bernabéu

In the beginning, people were very scared. It was hard to start of with. But the company's reaction was good, and there were means available for everything.

Beyond their flexibility and how fast the entire workforce adapted to the new measures, which we hereby acknowledge and are very grateful for, I would also like to highlight how consistently they all complied with all the guidelines, procedures and protocols established by the company's management. Without the willingness and cooperation demonstrated by all the staff, it would have been very difficult to maintain our operations, never mind achieving these results.

Ibi Plant Manager

Thank you!

PACKAGING CULTURE

11

r, give the gift o a e y s i f Th

Therefore, ITC Packaging shall be donating the total sum usually spent on Christmas gifts to the Spanish Red Cross.

This non for-profit organisation will be tasked with distributing this donation to help those who were most seriously affected by the expansion of coronavirus.

solidarity

Each Christmas we traditionally thank you for your trust by sending this corporate magazine along with a small present.

A different gift to show our affection in order to demonstrate the passion and family spirit that characterises ITC Packaging.

This year, however, in view of the health situation, we have decided to send our gifts to a different recipient.

We are sure that you will all feel just as proud to be able to do your part in helping this charitable cause.

An action that further contributes to other collaborations that we have carried out this year:

Donation of protective equipment to the Spanish Red Cross

Manufacturing protection screens to be donated to NGO's and health centres as part of a project coordinated by IBIAE

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PACKAGING CULTURE

â—?Donation of IPK to San Joaquin retirement home

Joining the campaign #estonotienequeparar

Delivering containers to serve foods at Alicante Solidaria community kitchen

Donation to Safari Aitana for the upkeep of animals

packaging We THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

Joaquín Beltrán

SUPPLY CHAIN & PRODUCTION ADVANCED PET

I have decided to pick one of our PET alcohol-based gel bottles as a means to acknowledge the efforts of the entire ITC Packaging family, particularly the Advanced PET team. Thanks to the commitment of all my colleagues, we have managed to do our bit to fight this difficult health crisis that has left its mark on all of us for the rest of our lives.

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

PACKAGING CULTURE

13

Persรกn and ITC Packaging have developed the new container for the Seville based company's detergent tabs. A tub featuring an innovative design and safety system that is now available in shelves throughout Europe.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

Packaging & Trends Do you want to know more about our bespoke projects?

Consult us: mkt@itc-packaging.com

MyPack

A unique, eco friendly and safe container ITC Packaging has given a further step in the detergent tab industry thanks to the trust placed by Persan in the development of their new Mypack, a tailor made container for their detergent tabs.

Persan has a proven track record spanning 79 years during which they have released innovative and disruptive products. This commitment towards innovation has positioned them as a European benchmark in the development, manufacturing and marketing of household and personal care products.

In such a competitive market, their commitment towards manufacturing high added value products is a fundamental factor for their success. A further example of the Seville based company's pledge towards innovation and development are its detergent and dishwasher liquid tabs containing the exact dose required for a single wash. Likewise, their new packaging range featuring easy to use containers that are also child proof has been one of the main reasons for their development.

Such developments require a close collaboration between research centres, suppliers, customers and subsequent marketing.

Among those suppliers are the packaging manufacturers, where Persan have entrusted ITC Packaging with the goal of developing a container that preserves and facilitates the tab's use, while meeting all the strict safety requirements expected from a product such as detergent.

From this joint collaboration between Persan and ITC, they have achieved an innovative, attractive container that also features a successful child proof closing system while being intuitive enough to be opened by an adult.

gonal shape and side edges. Its colour range and 360 degree IML decoration complete a highly attractive customisation that makes it stand out on the shelf, resulting in an attractive, fully recyclable product thanks to being manufactured from a single material made from 100% PP. Persan has posed an exciting challenge from a technical and organisational point of view that has been tackled with all the passion that ITC Packaging is already well known for.

And, in addition to achieving a convenient container, it has also resulted in true professional growth. An improvement that both companies expect to be the first in many future collaborations.

CAPACITY

1625 ml

Persan has taken a further step forward with their new launch: a unique, eco friendly and safe tub.

This project has posed a huge challenge for both Persan and ITC Packaging due to its complex development and the short deadline available due to the new launch.

I would highlight both team's unstoppable quest to comply with all requirements, that resulted in a much more attractive and safe container for our detergent tabs. A highly satisfactory outcome that will undoubtedly form the basis of a steady cooperation between both companies.

MarĂ­a JosĂŠ Ruiz

Packing and Packaging Purchase Manager at Persan

From a cosmetic point of view, this is also a differentiating packaging thanks to its octo-

PACKAGING CULTURE

15

Inside ITC

ITC Crea,

an ideas incubator within ITC Packaging

Welcome to ITC Crea, ITC Packaging's new Innovation and Sustainability Centre that was created with the purpose of opening new horizons to provide solutions to current and future customer needs.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

Inside ITC

ITC Crea is the hub of ITC's innovative culture, the joining piece in the puzzle that will guide our inclination towards developing new sustainable concepts and lead our path towards permeating creativity to our entire organisation

At ITC Packaging, one of our company's main goals as established by our strategic plan is our commitment towards R&D, an outlook that has led us to give shape to ITC's future. With this purpose in mind, we have created ITC Crea, the company's new Innovation and Sustainability centre. ITC Crea was created to materialise and strengthen our proposal for value, with the purpose of Innovation is one of the values that has gui-

expanding to new markets and opening up

ded ITC Packaging throughout our history,

to new horizons to provide products and so-

from our beginnings to the current date. A

lutions to current and future market needs.

company with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that started manufacturing

ITC Crea is the hub of ITC's innovative cul-

extruded cable for the toy industry and con-

ture, the joining piece in the puzzle that will

tinued to perfect their methods and rein-

guide our inclination towards developing

vent its business model to become a trus-

new sustainable concepts and lead our path

ted supplier of rigid, thin wall packaging for

towards permeating creativity to our entire

large multinationals. Thanks to our ability

organisation. It shall drive innovation so that

to develop new, high added value projects,

it may continue to be a shared value among

we have teamed up with large global part-

all ITC staff. In these regards, we are already

ners to create new, disruptive concepts that

organising cross sectional co-creative ses-

have earned us a preferential place on the

sions where each department can provide

most prominent shelves throughout the

their valuable knowledge and cooperate in

world.

the generation of new working methods.

PACKAGING CULTURE

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No barriers.

No limits.

Without barriers or limits, that is how we embark on each new project at ITC Crea. Our only premise is that nothing is impossible. “We never rule out

Our new innovation and sustainability centre has recently opened its own brand new premises nearby the Ibi production plant.

These facilities comprise modern offices and practical work spaces that are supplemented with various meeting rooms. Innothink is a creative space intended to hold joint sessions with our customers in order to improve and create new packaging solutions. In addition, we have Innolab, a laboratory equipped with additive manufacturing devices in order to bring those ideas to life in 3D and move forward in the creative process.

ITC Crea is staffed by both technical as well as creative professionals with the main goal of approaching every task from different points of view. Our aim is to provide creative solutions for the market by supplying products with high differentiation.

At ITC Crea, every challenge that arises from an unfulfilled market need is turned into innovative ideas that are always customer focused. During the design process, we use creative techniques such as design thinking and brainstorming.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

any ideas, regardless of how crazy or ridiculous they may seem. We take every idea into consideration�.

By actively listening to the market needs, ITC Crea gathers insights that will kick start the new product development process. Once these insights or needs are refined and analysed, they move towards the design area, where we begin to reflect upon ideas for possible solutions. Following, our 3D printing machines will be in charge of turning these ideas into tangible layouts that can be checked, tested, etc. Until finally we proceed to introduce them to our customers, alongside their corresponding technical pitch and audiovisual material to sum up the advantages offered by each of the solutions developed.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus crisis, has prevented us from developing a series of co creative workshops with our customers. These were intended to work jointly in order to gather market information to provide true differentiation from the products that are currently taking over the market.

We believe that such added value is what makes the difference, giving our packaging a clear advantage in the market. Therefore, we look forward to resuming these workshops as soon as the health situation allows.

Inside ITC

ACTIVELY LISTENING TO THE MARKET

DETECTING UNFULFILLED NEEDS

INSIGHT

INCEPTION

3D MODELLING

GENERATING IDEAS

PRESENTATION

Be green.

Sustainability is clearly one of the biggest challenges for the packaging industry today, with most companies focusing our efforts in achieving the lowest possible environmental impact for our productive activities.

That is why ITC Crea is expected to dedicate a large portion of its activities in developing and including new, more environmentally friendly materials.

Conceiving and developing these sustainable raw materials is already a must within our company and, as such, ITC Packaging is committed to using these means in order to develop new ecofriendly containers.

Our main goal when using these work methods is to achieve eco friendly design, a policy that is already part of and guides ITC Packaging's processes from the

Workow

MASS PRODUCTION

ideas stage to the shelf. For example, our packaging has undergone weight optimisation processes allowing us to manufacture products with increasingly thinner walls that are lighter in weight.

And thanks to technological advances such as this, we have managed to reduce our environmental impact as opposed to containers made from heavier materials.

On the other hand, we have also implemented single material containers to improve recyclability. And despite the fact that all our current packaging is fully recyclable using current processing and management systems, ITC Crea has set itself the ambitious target to come up with new single material concepts that are in line with current and future waste processing systems. Furthermore, our innovation centre is in charge of developing, testing and including new sustainable materials that will shape the eco friendly containers of the future. And by insisting on these work methods while remaining committed to eco-friendly design and eco friendly containers we shall provide a key differentiating added value for our current times.

PACKAGING CULTURE

19

Promoting innovation In order to develop all its projects, ITC Crea will benefit from the collaboration of different partners: suppliers, public and private research bodies and education centres. One of the work methods that ITC Crea intends to build upon is to promote innovation at the University level. And, for that reason, it already has collaboration agreements in place with several institutions only one year since it began operating.

On a yearly basis, the Packaging and Packing Cluster organises the National Packaging and Packing Design and Sustainability Awards. An event aimed at promoting innovation among the packaging industry while strengthening the bond between the business and higher education sectors in order to incorporate young talent and innovative values.

This competition brings together students from different academic disciplines that put their knowledge into action while working

MyPack.

Tailor made packaging.

Our purpose for ITC Crea is to ensure that our customers continue to entrust us with the development of tailor-made projects. We intend to build long lasting relationships that are based upon working in cooperation with our customers so that we can both become leaders in very complex markets such as food, cosmetics, household care as well as new segments and future niches. By undertaking these types of projects, ITC will become increasingly identified as a trustworthy partner when it comes to developing new tailor made, disruptive solutions with high added value.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

on real case studies, thereby enriching their formative stages as they cooperate in order to solve real industry problems.

ITC Packaging has submitted the ‘Dipea Seguro’ (Safe Dipping) case study with the purpose of achieving the development of new concepts for hygienic food spread containers. This project was aimed at ensuring customers' hygiene when sharing spreadable food products.

Any students enrolled in higher education courses concerned with containers, design and sustainability are welcome to apply.

Winners shall be announced during an event to be held in 2021 and shall be granted direct access to the final stages of Liderpack's ‘Young Design’ award category.

Development work will become a collaborative task where we hope to align all organisations in the quest for joint progress. A co creative task that will be brought to life via a series of stages during which we want our customers to become involved by touching, feeling and seeing their container's behaviour from all angles, including logistics, on the shelf, during consumption or application and, of course, how it will be managed at the end of its life cycle.

Why ITC? Because ITC is the only company that can provide exactly what you need.

Evangelina Oliver PLANT TEAM

I selected this packaging because this is one of the products that we regularly buy at home. I have two daughters aged 6 and 15, and we love

packaging

THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

them in hummus at dinner time.

In addition, this is one of the packagings that I usually work with at

We

snacking on the carrot sticks and dunk

the plant, so I am very familiar with it.

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

PACKAGING CULTURE

21

Rosa Valero ITC Crea Manager

Firstly, I would like to welcome you, Rosa, to our ITC family where you will be lea-

The most exciting part of innovation is ongoing change, that keeps you always alert in order to discover new worlds.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

ding ITCrea, our new Innovation and Sustainability Department. Could you briefly sum up your professional background for us?

I developed my whole career in the innovation and product creation field. As soon as I finished my studies, and while still being an apprentice at the Jewellery workshops, I had an opportunity to join Perlas Orquideas, a company based in Manacor, Majorca.

Their aim was to create different collections in such a classic sector as the pearl industry.

By using microfusion techniques, resins and pearls in different shapes, we developed some truly innovative collections.

Later on, I moved to the toy industry working for Juguetes Feber at their R+D, Creativity and Design department. While at Creadisa, we would start with an idea and progress to mould creation, including all the engineering stages leading to mass production. I began as a product designer in their

Introducing...

Our work must be led by customer needs and market trends.

Design department and, after a few years,

gement and administration master courses,

I became the Plant Manager with around

and developing business projects with con-

100 staff working in the wonderful world of

sulting firms such as Andersen Consulting

illusion. It was an amazing challenge; I spent

and Peat Marwik.

some wonderful years there during which I was able to travel and experience first hand

When I left university, I was like a bit rough

everything that was being produced world-

around the edges, but working for priva-

wide in order to successfully launch many

te companies opened my eyes to the fact

innovative ideas.

that, although it's great to create, design and innovate, your ideas must have a so-

After moving to a different area and chan-

lid grounding. Otherwise, they may not be

ging industries, I joined Creacion y Diseno

achievable if they cannot turn a profit. With

Ibense, where I became involved in the food

experience, all your ideas and creative flair

sector.

begin to move in the direction of logical concepts that can be mass produced.

Later on, I returned to the toy industry working for Smoby, a French company that was subsequently acquired by the Simba Group.

Would you agree that plastic is the common link between your experience in the

And my next challenge was working as the

toy and now the packaging industries?

Category Manager at Famosa in order to design and develop new product line ideas,

I originally come from Ibi, and therefore I

until I joined the ITC family.

have always lived within the plastic transformation world. My father had a plastic injection moulding company, so I spent many

With your academic training being art

summers in my youth surrounded by injec-

based. How has this helped you when in-

tion and blow moulding machines. Plastic,

novating and creating new products?

transformation methods, moulds, are all part of a culture that is in our DNA.

I hold a degree in Fine Arts and a diploma in Arts & Crafts, in addition to several mana-

In the toy industry, we mainly work with

PACKAGING CULTURE

23

plastic. Particularly in the outdoor and ri-

following the same structure to find ideas

de-on sectors, using the blow or injection

that can become an innovation because

moulding methods. Only the size is diffe-

they can be mass produced. As a matter

rent, since these are products aimed at chil-

of fact, each industry has its differentiating

dren, so the moulds are huge. While on the

features that will depend on specific factors.

other hand, at ITC we work with smaller,

But as a creative person with good ideas, it

precision parts.

does not matter what sector you work for.

The most exciting part of innovation is ongoing change, that keeps you always alert in

You have always been very close to the

order to discover new worlds.

toy industry. How does this experience apply to a different market such as pac-

We must learn what the end user wants and

kaging?

what are the market trends. Our work must always be led by customer needs.

When designing any product, the final stages are always concerned with its packa-

Our packaging is a means to display each

ging. This is how we connect with the con-

product in the shelf. A fundamental device

sumer, as well as having to research the best

in the most decisive moment, and packa-

way to protect the product during transpor-

ging differentiation is what makes the cus-

tation. And regardless of the industry, one

tomer choose one product in spite of others.

of the most important factors in the success of any product is their packaging and how it conveys meaning to the customer.

What were your first impressions at ITC?

In every sector, the idea creation and deve-

As I come from Ibi, I had already heard

lopment processes run in parallel, as you are

about ITC. But to be honest, the first time I visited the company I was pleasantly surpri-

I was surprised by the family feeling at ITC, despite being such a large structure.

sed by its family feeling despite being such a large structure. I realised how well organised everything is, and I became aware of the company's values, which are always a difficult aspect in larger companies, and I was very pleased. I thought this could be a very interesting project, so I accepted the challenge.

After I started at ITC, the first thing I noticed was the company's induction plan and new recruits' onboarding process, as this was never the case in any other company I had previously worked for. I thought it is worth mentioning that they take care to ensure that people are doing well. To be honest, I am very happy to be here.

24

PACKAGING CULTURE

Introducing...

Our customers will find a relaxed space to create new ideas.

One of your first projects was the crea-

everyday life at our company. So we are

tion of the new innovation centre. What

going to develop a series of actions to invol-

challenges did you face?

ve everyone, with brainstorming sessions, sustainability training, etc.

I found a work space in need of a change, an update to break through and reflect what

What will customers find when they visit

we were going to do at ITCreate. A modern

ITCreate?

work space that can also promote a relaxed environment. Our tones, shapes, open plan

They will find a fun, relaxed area where

design and transparency are now in line

ideas can flow in order to solve their requi-

with our purpose. I think we managed to

rements. Our aim is that they will be relaxed

achieve it in the end.

and leave with new ideas in their head at the end of each day. Trying to come up with new ideas in your usual workplace is not the

What is the main goal for ITCreate?

same as getting out, going to a different environment and letting your creative juices

We want to ensure that innovation and sus-

flow.

tainability at ITC Packaging are not the exclusive remit of our department. We must all embrace innovation, it must be part of

PACKAGING CULTURE

25

Capsul’in has entrusted ITC Packaging with the industrial manufacture of the first compostable and biodegradable coffee pod to be produced in Spain

26

PACKAGING CULTURE

Packaging & Trends

COMPOSTABLE

A greener pod Capsul’in, one of the main producers of compatible Nespresso coffee pods for the European market, has launched a new compostable pod. An environmentally friendly solution that allows pod waste to be disposed in the compost bin.

Few inventions have been capable of revolutionising the large consumer market in the last few years as much as the coffee pods. A concept that managed to turn such a traditional market as coffee consumption on its head.

What began as a convenient, quick and hygienic solution for the hospitality sector has now conquered many households throughout the world by transferring all the ‘savoirfaire’ from the best Italian baristas to our own home. By creating a sensory experience that reinvents the manner in which coffee is served and the sensation of tasting a high standing product, it has revolutionised the old tradition of serving and enjoying coffee.

Capsul’in was intended to meet the increasing market demand for coffee pods with an added value that also provide customisation in order to satisfy this vision. With this concept in mind, Capsul’in were first to develop IML decorated pods with barrier features for the market.

By using in-mould labelling technology, Capsul’in has managed to solve two different issues at once. On one hand, labels provide a high oxygen barrier that can perfectly preserve the coffee's organoleptic qualities.

While on the other, the IML label's high-quality printing has enhanced the customisation and branding possibilities to new, previously unexpected levels.

In their first attempt, Capsul’in engaged ITC Packaging as their industrial partner, a successful collaboration that has positioned Capsul’in as one of Europe's largest coffee pod manufacturers, thereby assisting the largest coffee merchant in the world to market their own product under this solution.

And now that it's time to evolve, Capsul’in has once more entrusted ITC Packaging in order to produce their new version for the first time in Spain: a biodegradable and compostable coffee pod. Compostability is the greenest option when it comes to containers such as coffee pods, where most of the product remains within the packaging after its consumption. By composting the containers, we are not only recovering these but also their contents that will also be composted for use in, for example, nutrients to grow more coffee, thereby closing this virtuous waste reuse cycle.

All components within the new Capsul’in pods, including the IML label, upper and lower seals are manufactured from 100% biodegradable material that disintegrates under industrial composting conditions. All materials and components are certified by reputable independent agencies as biodegradable, compostable and biobased substances.

With the evolution towards a new compostable pod, this cooperation between Capsul’in and ITC Packaging has proved to be a very successful alliance since 2016, allowing both companies to reach an ideal standing to extend their prominent role thanks to a partnership that is based upon innovation and ongoing product improvement.

PACKAGING CULTURE

27

Be Green!

ITC Packaging joins

Holy Grail 2.0

ITC Packaging is now a member of the Holy Grail 2.0 project, an initiative by the AMI - European Brands Association that aims to improve the packaging value chain as well as container recycling in the EU through the incorporation of digital watermarks.

28

PACKAGING CULTURE

Be Green!

Digital watermarks are codes the size of a stamp that are impossible to distinguish.

They can be imprinted all over the packaging's surface and may include different types of information such as: ▶ Manufacturer details ▶ Product reference ▶ Materials used ▶ Whether these are suitable or not for food contact

Over 85 companies and organisations in-

will mean involving many major brands in

volved in the packaging value chain have

order to facilitate the launch of a pilot indus-

joined under the ambitious goal of pro-

trial project to prove that the watermarks

moting a truly circular economy with the

technology is viable and capable of impro-

help of state-of-the-art digital technolo-

ving current classification systems, thereby

gy that can improve the container clas-

increasing the quality of our recycling.

sification process and quality recycling rates in the EU.

Once the container arrives at the waste classification plant, a high-resolution camera

One of the main challenges of the circular

detects and decodes its digital watermarks,

economy in terms of containers is to opti-

allowing the system to guide the packaging

mise their post consumption classification

towards the correct processing flow. With

by identifying them more precisely, there-

this method, we can not only improve the

by improving the quality and efficiency of

efficiency and precision of the classification

our recycling efforts. Digital watermarks

flows but also the quality of recycling.

could revolutionise the manner in which waste management systems currently clas-

By participating in this project ITC Packa-

sify containers. This promising technology

ging shall become part of a cross sectional

is currently supported by many players in

initiative along with major manufacturers of

the packaging value chain after successfully

raw materials, plastic converters, packers,

demonstrating the basic concept behind it

retailers and waste management compa-

within the classification line.

nies, to name a few, in what is now considered as one of the most tangible options to

With the project now progressing into its

improve the processing of containers at the

second phase known as ‘Holy Grail 2.0’, this

end of their life cycle.

PACKAGING CULTURE

29

SMART PACKAGING SORTING FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY Standard high resolution camera detects the digital watermarks & decodes their information

Packaging waste is sorted into different streams for recycling (e.g. food vs non-food)

Packaging waste coded with digital watermarks arrives at the sorting plant

For further information visit: www.aim.be/priorities/digital-watermarks

AB INBEV • ALL4LABELS • ALPLA • AMCOR • APK • ARBURG • ARLA FOODS • AVERY DENNISON • BEIERSDORF • BERRY GLOBAL • BOREALIS • BRASKEM • CEFLEX • CITEO • THE CITY OF COPENHAGEN • THE COCA-COLA COMPANY • COLGATE PALMOLIVE • CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES • DAGSAM • DANONE • DANSK RETURSYSTEM • DIGIMARC • DM DROGERIE MARKT • DOW • DR. OETKER • ELIF HOLDING • ELOPAK • ESSITY • EXPRA • FILIGRADE • FINAT • FOBOHA • GENERAL MILLS • GHENT UNIVERSITY • GIZEH VERPACKUNGEN • GREINER PACKAGING • GS1 IN EUROPE • HENKEL • HL REPRO • HTP • INTERMAT FLEXIBLE PACKAGING • IPL • ITC PACKAGING • JABIL PACKAGING SOLUTIONS • JANOSCHKA • JOHNSON & JOHNSON • JOKEY • KELLOGG • KELLPO • KIEFEL PACKAGING • KLÖCKNER PENTAPLAST • THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY • LOGOPLASTE • L’OREAL • MIKO PAC • MONDELĒZ INTERNATIONAL • MONDI • MULTI-COLOR CORPORATION / VERSTRAETE • NESTLÉ • ORKLA • PAC WORLDWIDE • PACCOR • PELLENC • PEPSICO • PLASTICS RECYCLERS EUROPE • PLUS PACK • PÖPPELMANN • PROCTER & GAMBLE • RECLAY GROUP • REIFENHAUSER GROUP • REWE GROUP • ROSSMANN • SAUERESSIG • SCHAWK! JUELICH • SICK • SIEGWERK • SLEEVER INTERNATIONAL • SPIES KUNSTSTOFFE • STORA ENSO • SUEZ • SULAYR GLOBAL SERVICE • TETRA PAK • TOMRA • UNILEVER • VANDEMOORTELE • VEOLIA • VERPA • VIAPPIANI PRINTING • WIPAK • WRAP

30

PACKAGING CULTURE

packaging We THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

Joana Donis HR DEPARTMENT

I chose this product because it has always represented a great challenge on the technical level that we managed to overcome with a lot of effort and perseverance.

In a strange year like this, a fun and healthy product such as this one has managed to lift the spirits of all Spaniards during the quarantine.

This is undoubtedly an ideal product for the whole family.

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

PACKAGING CULTURE

31

Following the boost of the V range category, we have seen an increase in the demand of packaging solutions to preserve and enhance the attractiveness of ready meals.

32

PACKAGING CULTURE

V Range

Trayplus,

solutions for the

V Range As a result, the V range product category

addition, there is an increasing number of

has seen an exponential growth in the last

agricultural food companies who are taking

decade in line with the changes in consu-

over this sector in order to offer innovative

mer habits. Some studies have estimated

options that are expanding this category.

a 250% increase during the last decade, clearly demonstrating the dynamism and

Following the boost of the V range, we have

competitiveness

seen an increase in the demand of packa-

that

characterises

this

market segment.

ging solutions to preserve the products and enhance the attractiveness of these types

As consumers, we are now affected by a

of recipes. ITC Packaging has included a

current lifestyle that has significantly redu-

series of solutions to its standard packa-

ced the time available to cook meals from

ging portfolio, such as thermo sealable

scratch at home, thereby consolidating

and microwave friendly trays that make

these modern consumption habits. In most

them easier to consume as they can be

cases, we are eating out in places such as

heated and used as a dish. An ideal option

work or education centres. A situation that

for pasta, rice, meat and snacks such as sa-

has strengthened a growing concern among

lads, ready to eat potato chips and similar.

CAPACITY

Between 420 and 1050 ml

consumers to maintain a healthy diet. This demand for healthier food that is also easier

Our Trayplus range comprises trays ma-

to consume has significantly increased the

nufactured from single material polypro-

amount of ready meals we use.

pylene using the injection method that are, therefore, fully recyclable. These trays

And the combination of both consumer

may also be customised with IML decora-

trends has boosted a category that has led

tion, a strong marketing tool that offers the

food manufacturers to focus new develop-

possibility of applying our full colour chart.

ments towards food products to consume

Our Trayplus trays are available in different

on the go. If we observe the main distri-

capacities between 420 and 1050ml.

bution shelves, we will see how these products have multiplied, with new innovative

A comprehensive solution for ready meals

formulas that are continuously being tested

that will continue growing in the coming

in the market: healthier, traditional, vege-

years.

tarian or ethic recipes, among others. In

PACKAGING CULTURE

33

What’s new on the shelf ?

Hinged lid with measuring scoop for infant milk powder.

Lid with golden colour scoop.

Embossed lid with scoop for infant milk.

99Ø hinged lid with IML decoration.

99Ø Spooncap lid with IML decoration.

34

PACKAGING CULTURE

380ml thermo sealable sweets cup with IML decoration.

What’s new on the shelf ?

800ml rectangular pet food packaging.

Square thermo sealable V product range packaging.

300ml thermo sealable packaging with IML decoration.

Flexipack 551 tamper proof seal guacamole packaging.

550ml packaging with IML decoration.

Tamper proof seal salt and spices packaging with IML decorated lid.

Flexipack 155 IV product range packaging.

500ml tamper proof seal hummus packaging.

Thermo sealable packaging with high oxygen barrier coating.

Exclusive garlic sauce mortar shaped packaging.

PACKAGING CULTURE

35

Hair treatment products PET bottle.

600ml chemicals Flexipack with IML decoration.

500ml PET blow moulding bottle.

125ml capacity PET bottle with round edges.

200ml capacity PET bottle with straight edges.

36

PACKAGING CULTURE

White colour cosmetics HDPE bottle.

250ml PET micellar water bottle with straight edges.

What’s new on the shelf ?

packaging We THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

Raúl Bárcena PLANT TEAM

I selected this 6 slush cup pack because I have bought it many times to enjoy at home with my kids. So being able to manufacture it was a huge privilege for me.

And for them too!

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

PACKAGING CULTURE

37

ITC Packaging includes the opportunity of manufacturing all our PET division containers from recycled material suitable for food contact.

38

PACKAGING CULTURE

Packaging & Trends Do you want to know more about this material?

Consult us: mkt@itc-packaging.com

RECYCLING

Closing the cycle with rPET Advanced PET, ITC's PET packaging division, now offers the opportunity of manufacturing all its product portfolio from rPET, a type of post consumption, recycled material suitable for both cosmetic and food contact products.

Recycled, post consumption PET has undergone a mechanical recycling process whereby selected containers are shredded and transformed into rPET pellets once more. Since the production equipment and moulds required are identical, introducing this recycled material does not represent any differences on the industrial level, particularly when the mechanical features of both types of resulting containers are very similar.

The only difference that can be observed when comparing recycled and traditional PET bottles is that the colour is slightly different. Therefore, in order to compensate for this colour variation, the incorporation of rPET may be carried out by using different percentages until achieving the right combination of rPET and PET to meet each project's requirements.

As the main material used in the manufacture of drink bottles, PET can be collected for decontamination and recycling thanks to their EFSA certification, guaranteeing their suitability for food contact. Furthermore, it offers good oxygen barrier and high transparency features, as well as impact resistance, making it an ideal option to store products such as sweets, nuts, spices, sauces and olives, in addition to non food items such as cosmetics.

By including rPET in our processes, ITC has strengthened its commitment towards circular economy and sustainability through the implementation of a reutilisation cycle by reincorporating the original raw materials into the market and facilitating the recycling of packaging that would otherwise end up in landfill or incinerated. With rPET, we shall contribute to a reduction in the waste produced by using a fully recycled and 100% recyclable material, in line with the goals established by the EU as part of its plastic strategy.

PACKAGING CULTURE

39

We continue with our investment efforts focused on improving our products and services At ITC Packaging, we continue our significant profit reinvestment plan aimed at refurbishing our facilities and purchasing new production means to tackle both current and future projects.

ITC Crea

New offices

We continue to meet our action guidelines as established by our strategic plan, as well as our investment process aimed at attaining excellence in both our services and the products that we offer to our customers. In 2020, most areas within ITC have received an investment boost with the purpose of achieving the best positioning in a bid to rise to the challenges posed by our customer requirements.

From an industrial point of view, this year has seen an intensive investment effort aimed at acquiring the required production means to correctly fulfil the new projects that were added to our production process throughout 2020. In

40

PACKAGING CULTURE

these regards, with the purchase of state-ofthe-art injectors and a new mono layer PET injection blow moulding station as the main highlight, we have managed to increase our plants' production capacity while optimising our energy consumption thanks to the acquisition of cutting edge, hybrid or electric equipment. These investment efforts shall be completed with the purchase of new automation, robotics and artificial vision systems.

Concerning our production facilities, our main milestone has consisted of expanding and refurbishing our mould tool and die manufacturing and maintenance workshops. With this extension, we have

Investments

Showroom

+6

PET Mono Layer Station

INJECTORS HYBRIDS 100% ELECTRIC

NEW

+1

NEW

Between 400 and 850t

PET MONO LAYER STATION

managed to rationalise the available space by adapting it to our work processes in order to make it more efficient. By including a new overhead crane, we have managed to speed up our performance while operating in a safer manner, in addition to the acquisition of a further two lower tonnage units and a mould opening table to supplement these.

In terms of our management offices, 2020 saw the relocation of our headquarters to a new site nearby the logistics centre, as well as our main milestone: the creation of ITCrea, ITC Packaging's new innovation and sustainability centre, and the opening of its brand-new premises. On the other hand, our Quality department has also opened new offices, laboratory and measuring room, an expansion that has coincided with the acquisition of different quality control equipment.

Nestal Injector

Mould workshop

Last but not least, the System Management Plan has continued to evolve along the relevant stages towards the gradual implementation of the ERP (SAP BO) and manufacturing execution system (MES).

PACKAGING CULTURE

41

Investment 2020

We prioritise our

service

Adaptation to Industry 4.0 New access control system

We improve our

facilities

Refurbishment of new Headquarters New Innovation and Sustainability Centre New Quality Control Laboratory and offices

Artificial vision systems Food Defense Protocols

We optimise our

energy efficiency

Mould workshop expansion Moulds warehouse actions

Waste management systems Replacement of current lighting with LED New full electric injection machines

We improve our

productivity

6 new hybrid and electricity powered injectors Purchase of a new PET mono layer station New prototype and industrial moulds

We drive our

human resources forward

New IML robots

Occupational risk prevention actions

Increased silo capacity

Covid protection equipment

Creation of production plant green areas

Anti Covid safety measures

Production plant signage and markings

New staff canteen

New mould workshop overhead crane Improvement of control and measurement tools Minison plant maintenance actions Zone marking at production plant Artificial vision systems

42

PACKAGING CULTURE

Sistema MES

Andrea BernabĂŠu FINANCE DEPARTMENT

packaging

THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

packaging because this is a product that takes me back to my childhood. I loved to share it

We

I have chosen the wine gums

with my sister and friends! After such a hard year that we've all been through, I fancy spending a moment to wind down and treat myself with something sweet, while remembering the good times when I was younger.

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

PACKAGING CULTURE

43

Change me Flexipack 551 a rectangular packaging that is different ITC PACKAGING STANDARD RANGE

With our Flexipack series, our customers have access to one of the widest, standard plastic packaging ranges available in the market. Thanks to their versatility, Flexipack has become a benchmark when it comes to providing differentiating solutions to achieve success on shelves and supermarkets throughout the world.

CAPACITY

550 ml

With its IML (in mould labelling) decoration options, in addition to offering endless customisation possibilities, our Flexipack standard packaging range is a favourite among food producers and manufacturers, as well as other non-food sectors such as household products.

Within our packaging range, we also have different geometric shapes such as square and rectangular bases that provide additional differentiation. Among these, our Flexipack 285, 400 and 551 series all feature the same 120x94mm lid, making them a highly recommended option for product ranges that require different capacities.

This packaging range also features tamper proof seals to ensure that the stored product remains protected. And since they are all made from a single material, i.e., 100% food grade polypropylene, they are also 100% recyclable.

Furthermore, they can be customised with a wide choice of colours. An important branding tool that allows these packagings to be produced in either transparent or any desired tone from our wide colour chart.

Come and join us on a journey to see the different "lives" that our customers have given to this container throughout the years.

44

PACKAGING CULTURE

Meat products Flour Batter Salt and spices IV Range

News for 2020

News for 2020

Our brand new 2020 catalogue contains our entire, standard ITC Packaging range divided into different sections according to their intended use.

Among the main highlights this year are the three new product ranges:

Trayplus, a new V range and ready meal tray range.

Spooncaps, one of ITC's most successful customised solutions in recent years. These hinged lids for infant milk powder that includes a measuring scoop will be part of our standard product catalogue with the addition of 5 new reference numbers, including the 99 and 127mm diameter options.

And, last but not least, our new catalogue now also includes our

cosmetics packaging range, comprising 6 product ranges with different geometric shapes and capacities ranging from 60 to 1000ml.

PACKAGING CULTURE

45

ITC Packaging's cosmetics bottle range becomes the ideal solution for alcohol-based gels.

46

PACKAGING CULTURE

Packaging & Trends Do you want to know more about this container?

Consult us: mkt@itc-packaging.com

COSMETICS

Sanitiser gel, here to stay Following the pandemic caused by the expansion of COVID-19, the population's hygiene habits have changed resulting in the promotion and development of new products and the consolidation of other items that were mere alternatives among consumer preferences. In this last scenario we find the alcohol-based solutions, an existing option that, despite having failed to consolidate among the supermarket shelves before the pandemic, is now forecast to strengthen its presence in consumer shopping baskets worldwide.

Due to this unprecedented health crisis situation, hand hygiene has become a crucial step as a preventive measure. In view of the exponential growth experienced in the demand of these hygienic solutions, the industry has been forced to undergo a reconversion and adaptation process in order to cover such increase in sales.

Initially, this conversion of productive lines in the cosmetic and personal hygiene industry was in response to the health situation and in order to provide a service to the population, like lending a hand with a view to stopping the coronavirus expansion. However, after the initial response period, all trends are indicating the consolidation and creation of a new product category that will endure among the main consumer shelves.

At Advanced PET, ITC's PET packaging division, we are serving this growing demand with our cosmetics bottle range, an ideal option to store and supply sanitiser gels. Our PET bottle range is available in many capacities from 60 to 1000ml that cover a wide

scope of formats, from individual to family sizes and multipacks.

With its varied shapes available, our cosmetic bottle ranges reinforce our proposal of value for all types of gels. Our sleek bottles becoming an element that conveys meaning, enhancing the product's attractiveness and simplifying its use.

With multiple customisation options, they create an ideal series supplemented by a variety of closing systems, decoration and availability of colours. In regards to the lids, our 20/410 and 24/410 universal screw systems can be used with any closing system available in the market, including dispensers, spray or snap on, to name a few. All our bottles feature a round base, a geometrical shape that offers 360-degree surfaces for screen printing and label application. Concerning colour, we can manufacture bottles with a crystal aspect, solid tones and liquid colours, offering intense brightness, while opening an endless range of customisation in order to enhance our proposal of value.

CAPACITY

Between 60 and 1000ml

Our PET bottles are fully recyclable and may also be manufactured from rPET. An option to include recycled, post consumption materials while collaborating with the implementation of a truly virtuous resource reutilisation cycle.

ITC Packaging's cosmetic bottle range has become a versatile, convenient option to store alcohol-based solutions, a product category that will find an ideal companion in ITC for the future.

PACKAGING CULTURE

47

Socially responsible

Sandra Ibarra

Foundation

Alongside cancer patients and survivors

48

PACKAGING CULTURE

CSR

Sandra Ibarra Lรณpez Born in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) on the 8th of April 1974 * Studied Advertising and PR at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. * Chairperson of Sandra Ibarra Cancer Charity Foundation. * Author of the book Las Cuentas de la Felicidad (Counting Happiness) published by Editorial Planeta, 2012. * Co Author of the book Hablemos sobre Felicidad (Let's talk about happiness). * Messengers of Peace Ambassador for Dominican Republic and Haiti. * Member of the Merck Health Foundation Trust. * Honorary member of the top 100 Spanish female leaders. * Regular speaker at LQDVI Foundation Conference (What really matters, as per its Spanish acronym). * Regular speaker at TEDx. * Entrepreneur: Founder of the charity brand Kiss&Fly Solidary by Sandra Ibarra.

Sandra Ibarra is the founder and chairperson of Sandra Ibarra Cancer Charity Foundation, a non-forprofit organisation dedicated to raise funds with the purpose of granting scientific cancer research scholarships and developing social awareness and prevention campaigns.

Her current calling began through personal experience, characterised by her strong determination while battling two episodes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Initially, at the start of her modelling career with just 20 years old and a recurrence at the age of 27. Her experience, initially as a patient and subsequently as an activist, has seen her become a true example due to the manner in which she dealt with her illness, always in a charitable, optimistic while also active and hopeful manner. Her story and her particular, revolutionary way to face cancer are the main topic of the multiple talks and conferences she gives throughout Spain.

Since her first diagnosis 25 years ago, Sandra Ibarra has worked for all kinds of charitable actions and activities, joining her efforts to those of several different organisations with the aim of finding solutions to fight cancer. And today, she leads her own Foundation created in 2008.

In the last twelve years, the Foundation has focused on the prevention, research and survival of cancer, and is now currently embarked on a project called School of Life, with the main goal of improving the quality of life and wellbeing of cancer patients and survivors. For this purpose, among other initiatives, the Foundation promotes the implementation of Cancer Patient and Survivor Wellbeing Units (UBICA as per its Spanish acronym) within each hospital facility.

Sandra Ibarra has received several awards and acknowledgements including the Gold Medal from the Spanish Red Cross in recognition of her social commitment and charitable work, in addition to the Yo Dona al Icono Solidario (I donate to the charity icon), and three Third Category Top 100 Female Leaders awards. In addition, she is the author of books such as "Las Cuentas de la Felicidad" (Counting Happiness) and co-author of "Hablemos sobre Felicidad" (Let's talk about happiness) and "Diario de Vida" (Life Diary) that were published in 2012, 2015 and 2017 respectively.

The Foundation Sandra Ibarra Foundation is a non-forprofit organisation that has been fighting cancer for twelve years. A disease that concerns every single one of us. Because, who doesn't know somebody who currently has or has had cancer? Who is not worried that they may one day be diagnosed?

Even in these Covid times when all other diseases seem to have disappeared into the background? There is a clear answer to these questions, and for that reason, we still have the need for entities such as this one.

During all these years, the Foundation has been busy promoting campaigns and funding research, awareness and prevention projects to fight cancer, as well as helping make the healthcare system more humane.

Their main goal is to ensure the wellbeing and improve the quality of life for patients, survivors and their environment, during and after cancer.

PACKAGING CULTURE

49

Their work in figures Over

2 million €

Sandra Ibarra Foundation and ITC Packaging Group

raised for

scientific cancer research Over

400.000 € spent on

prevention, diagnosis and treatment More than

500

charitable projects across

the whole Spanish territory More than

500

That is why we decided to take part somehow. So we got in touch with SEBBIN straight away and they introduced us to the Sandra Ibarra Foundation.

collaborating

After a few Zoom meetings and email exchanges, we realised that both ITC and the Sandra Ibarra Foundation had a lot to build upon and plenty of hope.

Over

We are therefore very proud to affirm that part of the group's IR budget will go towards the costs arising from a lovely, pioneering project such as Sandra Ibarra Foundation's "School of life".

companies, organisations and institutions

50 awards received

50

In the case of Sandra Ibarra Foundation, the above figures speak for themselves.

However, this is not what attracted us towards them. During these months of pandemic, we lost somebody who was very close to our family. A friend who was almost like family. Not long ago, we discovered that SEBBIN, the laboratory where she worked, had reached an agreement with the Sandra Ibarra Foundation to dedicate the Research Scholarship “Sebbin in memory of Teresa Lloret” as a tribute to our friend, with the aim of investigating breast cancer in young women. This investigation is being led

by Dr. Ana Lluch at the Valencian Health Investigation Institute (INCLIVA as per its Spanish acronym).

PACKAGING CULTURE

CSR

The School of life This is the first school for cancer patients and survivors that specialises in dealing not only with the healthcare needs of patients during their condition, but also those that arise during the transition period in which there is no tumour or treatment, but there are other physical, emotional and social consequences.

Thanks to research support, survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years, with currently almost 2 million people in Spain lacking access to specific healthcare, in addition to having endless unanswered questions and unfulfilled needs.

After detecting this coverage deficiency a few years ago, the Foundation began to work in raising their concerns and providing answers to both cancer patients and survivors through their School. In addition to continuing with their promotion of cancer awareness, prevention

It is therefore a huge honour for the entire ITC family to know that only a little bit of support from us can go a long way to help others. Our intention is to take care of and help look after those around us. And for that reason, we would like to thank Sandra Ibarra Foundation for their hard work, their contribution, positive mindset and for letting us be part of your amazing project.

and research campaigns.

Some of the milestones achieved by the School of Life are:

Developing the Survivor observation scheme, allowing for the long term monitorisation of cancer survivors, producing research papers and measuring their wellbeing. In addition to specific prevention and treatment protocols for long term survivors.

Developing the 1st cancer survivors register through their own web platform, while creating a community where they can get in

Implementing the Cancer Patient and Survivor

touch and share their concerns, tips, etc.

Wellbeing Units (UBICA as per its Spanish acronym), as a point of reference for the coordination of treatment and assistance with

Creating the Survivor passport that provides

the aim of meeting the needs of survivors

School members with a range of specific

and generating more efficient monitorisation

advantageous services and benefits

strategies through important measures such as

intended to improve their quality of life.

coordinating different areas, from primary care to oncology nursing.

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Last quarter 2019

Sponsorships and grants This has not been a regular year for more than one reason. Due to the global pandemic, many of the expected grants, subsidies and sponsorships had to be cancelled or delayed as it was not possible to carry out the agreed actions. For that reason, ITC has allocated this budget to mainly urgent cases and projects that required our small financial contribution.

• Kilimanjaro Charity Action.

• Ambulance Wish Foundation.

• Toy Village Tournament in benefit of the “Un juguete una ilusión” (A toy for every child) campaign.

• Ibi photographic marathon. Ibi Photography Club.

During el 2020 • Ibi Handball Club sponsorship.

• Rayo Ibense Sports Association.

• Providing San Joaquin Retirement Home at Ibi with material, staff donations and financial contributions.

• Several actions involving the Spanish Red Cross at Ibi-Castalla-Onil.

• Pictures to collaborate with Safari Aitana.

It does not matter how much or why, as long as we can rest assured that we are helping a lot of people. And this would have never been possible without the support of the entire ITC Family.

Thank you

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• The Christmas Kids Mission (staff group).

• Aljafareria Voleyball Club sponsorship.

• La Caixa Foundation's Alliance for Children Vaccination.

• Donation of containers to Alicante Gastronomy.

• ITC Packaging trial team.

• Teixereta Basketball Club.

• Ibi Cycling Club.

• Ibi Athletic Club.

Alberto Hernรกndez LOGISTICS

Among all the packaging I could choose from, I ended up with this one for the wafer rolls. We really like this product at home, and I used to buy it even before I

packaging

THE FAVOURITE PACK OF

My nephews and nieces love them!

As a member of the logistics department, my job is not directly involved with the

We

started working for ITC Packaging.

packagings themselves. However, I find it curious to discover that we manufacture many of the packagings for products that are so familiar to me.

All images shown in this section were taken in conformity with social distancing rules and ITC Packaging's COVID-19 safety prevention protocol.

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53

ITC Packaging works on the development of new compostable packaging manufactured from bioplastics, a material generated from avocado transformation waste.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

ITC Project

ITC Crea

ITC Packaging takes part in the Guacapack project Avocados have become the largest expanding fruit in the last decade. Thanks to their nutritional qualities and flavour, they represent the standard of a healthy plantbased diet. With its superfood features and original appearance, their popularity has seen a phenomenal boost, making them a must have ingredient for the most renowned chefs, and becoming part of influencer contents worldwide.

Such trend has also been reflected in an exponential increase in their consumption, with over 650 million tonnes of avocados been currently consumed in Euope alone each year, forecast to increase by an annual 15% in the next 5 years. As their consumption expands throughout the world, it is now possible to buy avocados from the market 365 days a year, with Spain becoming the main producer for the European market. Within Spain, it is mainly produced in the Andalusian and Valencian regions, where it is quickly becoming a feasible alternative to more traditional crops such as citrus fruits.

In the last avocado campaign alone, Spain has produced 61,000 tonnes, representing a 17% increase. According to the forecasts

for 2023, Spanish production is expected to reach 1.5 million tonnes. With these growth prospects and considering the fact that avocado processing generates up to 45% waste, ITC Packaging, AIMPLAS and the University of Alicante have launched a new project called Guacapack.

Its main purpose is to develop an active, compostable packaging manufactured from materials generated from avocado processing waste, including its skin, seed and pulp. These advanced materials shall also provide high oxygen barrier features and antioxidant capacities.

Funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI as per its Spanish acronym) as part of their 2020 Strategic Cooperation Projects programme, the project is expected to last 2 years, ending in 2021.

By taking part in this type of projects, and via their Innovation and Sustainability Centre, at ITC Packaging we remain committed towards developing new circular solutions that reduce our environmental impact and promote the recovery of our packaging.

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Sopelana

What do you want to be when you grow old?

Marta Galarza We have all probably been asked that question at one point or another while we were children, and we have probably asked the same to all the children around us.

So in an attempt to use this as an example, if anybody had asked that same question to the ITC Sopelana team many years ago, we would have replied something similar to what most children would confess, full of hope as they daydream about the wonderful lives they will lead when they grow older.

If we could travel back in time with the newspaper archives and read previous issues of this same magazine, we should be able to understand what I mean, all those dreams that we used to have, big and small.

Sopelana's dream was to become a more cutting edge, competitive production centre with an expanding market share and enough capacity to maintain current and attract new projects. We toyed with the idea of having more modern and efficient facilities, a generational shift that was not only patent but also long overdue among the workforce, so we could aspire to become the best while still being ourselves. And all the above, supported and guided by a

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central management that could share these concerns and who were as interested in the plant's future as the rest of us.

So the years went by. One, two, three years....and that letter to Father Christmas became a nice dream come true. New equipment here, new mass production there, serving new customers, expanding the warehouse, new recruits, inter-

Sopelana

Working as a team was the key to being able to describe this last year at Sopela as the year when we took off and flew high, allowing us to continue dreaming about what we will become when we grow older. nal promotions, technical training, corporate policies, and working together with other plants, to name a few.

now become true, and that we can continue to dream while contributing to the common group targets.

A trickle of actions and plans that have been undertaken in a more than reliable manner, with high levels of hard work and involvement and knowing how to overcome any challenges that have arisen along the way.

Challenges that have helped us become stronger.

Our team is now a lot more prepared to face new challenges. With the excellent ratios, flexibility and capacity to adapt that we have achieved, we are now equipped with the best tools and aptitudes to confront the challenging years ahead.

And the proof is that we already managed to take on 2020 quite successfully, despite the surrounding Covid-19 environment that we are suffering, what makes it all the more remarkable and highlights all our hard work and dedication that have been beyond excellent.

And that's where we were at when we started to draft and design the 2020 budget at the end of 2019. Thanks to the favourable evolution achieved in previous periods, the plans for ITC Sopela represented the ultimate leap to what we were longing for all those years ago and what we now believed we were ready for. It was time to be grown ups and act more mature. It was a big effort and a very ambitious proposal. But above all, it was full of hope and expectations, with increasing sales and, therefore, an increase in production that was much more significant than we had seen in previous years, allowing us to bring out the best in us, to be able to demonstrate what we were capable of while supporting the group's global strategy.

As I read these pages, we are now in December 2020, a month to look back upon the year just gone. So what will be our final picture? Have we achieved the established goals?.

We can now proudly affirm that we did it.

We continued ahead with our intentions, milestone by milestone, making this a wonderful year for Sopelana. A year when our plant has shown the best of itself and managed to prove that our expectations have

We would therefore like to extend this acknowledgement to all parties involved, the whole chain, from the group headquarters who gave us all their assistance and provided the means, action protocols and, on many occasions, even moral support. And to our suppliers and customers, who have also helped and never let us down. Without forgetting all our colleagues at ITC Packaging, because each and every one of us has truly demonstrated high levels of professionalism and, above all, great human values. Working as a team was the key to being able to describe this last year at Sopela as the year when we took off and flew high, allowing us to continue dreaming about what we will become when we grow older.

Thanks to all the team and remember to never lose your hope. Congratulations to everybody!

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ITC News

ITC Packaging receives ISO 14001 certification as well as renewing BRC seal

with an AA rating

ITC Packaging's commitment towards providing a comprehensive quality service to include all its products and processes has been recently acknowledged by two certifications: our achievement of the ISO 14001:2005 seal and the renewal of the BRC certification for our injection plant at Ibi. ITC Packaging has achieved its ISO 14001:2005 certification in regards to the implementation of an environmental management system that includes both its processes and facilities from an environmental responsibility point of view. In this case, the certificate has acknowledged our exhaustive analysis of all possible hazards and the action plans implemented by ITC Packaging to correct them.

Our Sopela plant is currently working towards adapting their environmental management system to meet the ISO 14001:2005 requirements with the aim of achieving this certification during 2021 in order to bring the injection plant in line with the rest of facilities working under the same environmentally responsible processes.

EuPC (European Plastics Converters) is a European trade association that covers the entire plastics value chain, representing the entire professionals plastic converter sector, including recyclers. Thus, the EuPC acts on behalf of an industry comprising 50.000 companies with a combined turnover of approximately â‚Ź260M employing 1.6 million staff.

Among the EuPC 's main bodies is Senior Executive Forum, an advisory committee that provides strategic guidance to the association. The forum is composed of 41 industry leaders and senior-level executives from the top European plastics converters.

From 2020, ITC Packaging has become part of this advisory committee thereby securing a preferential spot at the heart of the plastic industry's strategic decision-making table.

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PACKAGING CULTURE

On the other hand, we have renewed our ‘BRC for Packaging’ certificate at the Ibi and Sopelana plants. This certification, that we have continuously held since 2006, guarantees the safety, legality and quality of all packaging manufactured at ITC Packaging production plants.

Considered as the benchmark framework to ensure packaging quality and safety, the BRC (British Retail Consortium) certification is the most demanded standard by manufacturers of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. By demonstrating our compliance with this standard, we have managed to meet all the requirements demanded by its customers in terms of risk management, staff, facilities, quality, product safety, product and process control, etc.

ITC Packaging is subject to at least ten external audits every year that are undertaken by our customers, global benchmark brands and main market players. However, thanks to the implementation of a structured, comprehensive quality process, this constant demand ensures compliance with quality standards sustained over time.

By obtaining this certification as part of the company's strategic plan, ITC Packaging is now able to promote the implementation of a comprehensive quality system with a special focus on respecting the environment and sustainability.

ITC Packaging joins the

EuPC's Senior Executives Forum

ITC News

Industrial sector

celebrates annual results From an industrial point of view, this has been a very enriching year. Industrial performance results have achieved many milestones that must be acknowledged due to the implication and know how of everyone involved in manufacturing our containers.

Data monitorisation and its subsequent use in ongoing improvements has resulted in attaining very high productivity levels. During the last 365 days, we have celebrated many milestones, such as achieving 84% OEE during the month of March. OEE is an indicator that allows us to adjust the utilisation of productive resources by measuring their availability, efficiency and quality.

In June, we achieved over 86%

TRS

(synthetic rate of return as per its French acronym), our highest ever rating since it became part of our plant's daily monitoring.

TRS is an indicator that provides a different approach to OEE and is used to optimise

ITC Packaging working towards the ISCC Plus certification in order to introduce new

circular polymers from chemical recycling

ISCC Plus is a protocol that leads the transition towards a bio economy and circular economy via its certification system that involves the entire value chain responsible for placing containers in the market. Thanks to this seal, we can ensure the traceability of all raw materials, thereby guaranteeing that they come from sustainable sources while promoting the circular economy.

With the Mix Supporting Certified Recycled Material seal, ITC Packaging shall be able to

production performance by considering all possible means of production loss: equipment faults, slowdowns, machine setup between series, supply shortages and poor quality.

In addition, our Advanced PET team colleagues celebrated a job well done as reflected by their record quality production figure after achieving the lowest losses since our records began.

offer its customers new materials sourced from recycled chemicals that are suitable for food contact. In order to achieve this certification, all players involved must obtain this certification, including waste collectors and segregators, raw material manufacturers and converters, as well as container manufacturers and packing companies that will market the product.

By collaborating with ISCC Plus, we shall also be able to include new bio-based materials into ITC Packaging's portfolio to ensure raw material sustainability on the global scale. Through this process, we can take advantage of the biomass arising from the biological waste produced by agriculture, the primary sector and selective waste collection.

By achieving these certifications, ITC Packaging renews its policy commitment to implement circular economy systems so that our containers are no longer classed as waste and are instead recovered and reused, thereby remaining within the cycle.

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ITC News

ITC joins the

Discovery project promoted by the Packaging Cluster

Along with many other leading industry firms such as Grupo Hinojosa, Eurobox, Obeikan MDF, Industrias Alegre, Logifruit and Improven, ITC Packaging has joined the Discovery project promoted by the Packaging and Packing Innovation Cluster.

This initiative will allow us to benefit from an innovative method to jointly create innovative projects alongside other industry firms in response to market trends. As stated by the Cluster's Manager Jesús Pérez, this project "will see us become the R&D+i department of the packaging sector, establishing the union among all Cluster members in order to promote the interests of all companies by discovering new trends and interesting projects". In these regards, "we intend to cover the needs of all companies by having a full-time innovation team at their disposal, an exceptionally rare occurrence in most cases, that will be achieved by combining the efforts of all our members", he added.

José Luis Olmedo, Managing Director at ITC Packaging, affirmed that “by taking part in this work group we are able to put forward our vision and collaborate from the plastic sector and its role as part of the industry from a business and social point of view”. He also added that “Discovery works as a megaphone for the entire industry, and we hope this will strengthen our sector by providing the master lines to follow so that everyone can benefit”.

ITC Packaging collaborates in the implementation

of the new Dual Polymer Professional Certification

ITC Packaging has taken part in the creation of the Dual Polymer Professional Certification course, which represents a great future prospect for any youths that wish to achieve a qualification that is highly demanded by the industrial network.

With this new training to be taught at La Foia Secondary School, we expect to provide both theory as well as practice tuition to facilitate students' employability at thermoplastic injection manufacturers.

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Sopelana hosting two corporate

events

Following its recent 5th anniversary, our Sopelana plant has taken a leading role this year in ITC's daily activities as the venue where two of ITC's most relevant annual events were held.

Firstly, during the month of January, Sopelana hosted the Management Committee meeting followed by the annual Commercial Conference held in Bilbao, including a visit by all the team that travelled to ITC's Sopelana plant.

ITC News

ITC Packaging headquarters relocate to new management

centre at Ibi

Our new facilities comprise 2.000sq located by the current logistics centre.

m

As part of its investment plan, ITC Packaging has allocated an important sum in its budget to the construction of new offices that shall become the management hub for all its production centres. From the new headquarters, we already manage three production plants.

While the promotional product centre located in the towns of Ibi and Sopelana will now be also managed from these offices, therefore overseeing the company's entire business on a daily basis.

This modern management centre comprises 2,000sq m and features state of the art equipment as well as welcoming, open plan spaces intended to create a modern work environment making the job of all thirty staff based here a lot easier.

ITC's new headquarters also include a new training room, spacious common areas and a museum to display the company's history record through its most remarkable containers.

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ITC News

A Kilimanjaro expedition sponsored

by ITC Packaging along with other local companies reached

Gilmans Point at 5,695m, just 150m

under the roof of Africa Following their departure earlier this month with the goal of ascending to the top of Kilimanjaro, a group of explorers sponsored by ITC Packaging along with several other local companies and institutions (Inden Pharma, Plasticos Inden, Smurtfit Kappa, Ibi City Council, ASB Nissei, Marnys, Calvestra Leisure Centre and KLM) have managed to reach Gilman’s Point (5,695m).

A massive snowfall that took place only hours before they began their ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,845m) prevented them from reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro on their Mountain Bikes.

It was therefore decided to follow the guides' recommendation to avoid going further in view of the danger and the risk of an avalanche.

Despite having demonstrated that they were prepared to reach their goal, the adverse weather conditions and the risk of an avalanche prevented the team from completing their feat, leaving them just 150m away from reaching the highest peak in Africa. However, they did manage to climb to Gilman’s Point, one of the highest points in the mythical mountain at 5,695m. But unfortunately, it was not possible to conclude their expedition successfully as it was outside of their control.

On the other hand, they did manage to achieve their most important goal: raising money for charity. In these regards, during their stay in Tanzania, the group collaborated with ARUSHA BIKE CENTRE and the Tuleeni orphanage in Moshi. Thanks to the donations received from their sponsors, they have managed to make a small contribution in their bid to improve the lives of the communities in north west Tanzania.

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ITC Crea signs a new collaboration agreement with UMH Establishing an action framework in order to collaborate in terms of innovation and sharing knowledge, as well as working jointly to strengthen the business network in the province of Alicante are the main purposes of the agreement signed between ITC Packaging and Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) Foundation, managers of Miguel Hernandez University's Scientific Park (PCUMH as per its Spanish acronym).

In addition to this agreement, both entities intend to strengthen the business network within the province of Alicante and promoting its development through the use of training and technology innovation as the key elements to increase business competitiveness. For that reason, they shall carry out different actions to help promote research and sharing innovative knowledge applied to the business. All the above with the intention of facilitating and stimulating the development of new entrepreneurial projects, as well as detecting innovative business initiatives in specific areas concerning ITC Packaging's field of action.

Likewise, by means of this agreement, both entities shall work jointly in identifying and finding solutions to different challenges introduced by ITC Packaging. In addition, they shall use this opportunity to connect innovative talent and entrepreneurial skills while promoting collaboration between companies and the innovation ecosystem. Moreover, they undertake to organise workshops, events and networking meetings in areas of interest for both entities and their environments.

ITC News

Our Sopelana plant on

ETB

Link QR code to

During last January, our Sopelana plant was selected by the Basque regional TV channel ETB (Basque TV as per its Basque acronym) to conduct research for a news story regarding the role of plastics in today's society. Our colleague Marta Galarza spoke about the role of plastic in the world of packaging and the crucial contribution that the industry makes to the regional economy. Scan the QR code below to watch it.

Christmas charitable action

Last Christmas, our colleagues at ITC Ibi's offices joined a lovely charitable cause: The Christmas Kids Mission. This initiative consisted of preparing a box filled with toys and essential items for children in need. And as a result, over 40 boxes full of dreams left our offices.

Sagoainwe'rthise dyoineagr!it

Visitors from UMH

Univ. Alicante - Employability course

ITC VISITS Although we love opening up our facilities to students from different education centres and helping them get into the labour market, unfortunately, owing to this year's health situation, we haven't been able to continue hosting these types of visits. Below are some of the pictures of the few visits we managed to hold until February.

Students visiting from the Polymers course at AIJU

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63

An Invincible Town Pepe RamĂ­rez

BUSINESS MANAGER AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR 1999-2012

ITC's magazine editors have kindly requested me to collaborate with them again after a truly complicated year to discuss achievements. However, I am aware that our company is doing relatively better than other businesses due to its technical capacity, staff qualities and because it is also strongly consolidated in the markets it covers. Other firms based in our same town are having a tougher time. Although in view of our industrial heritage, we can be confident that our town will never give in. After surviving such economic turmoil and labour related issues, it has always managed to overcome all its challenges outstandingly.

To avoid the smaller details, I shall state, in broader terms, that the first crisis affecting the toy industry was in 1929/30 due to the social turmoil following the end of Primo de Rivera's dictatorship, when the national economy's depressing situation was felt particularly hard in the Valencian region. Unfortunately, this situation lingered until its complete collapse during the civil war, when all large companies were confiscated and turned into the 'socialised' Industrias Paya and Rico, before they began manufacturing bullets, rifle chargers and bomb fuses as the Ministry of Defence's Factory no. 27.

After the war, although businesses returned to their original owners, there was a period of famine and ration cards, with a notorious shortage of raw materials and power. People had to work during the night to ensure there was power supply and the company was forced to buy from Straperlo, in addition to the lack of staff due to the death toll and retaliations.

In spite of all that, Ibi bounced back and, with a lot of effort and tenacity, there were 17 toy companies already operating in 1955.

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By 1973, the industry employed 5,100 staff working at 50 toy factories and 30 auxiliary companies. But after so many years of scarcity, the damage was becoming evident: there were lots of mechanics but few technicians with experience in other areas, the facilities were getting old, the factories had grown too quickly, and the financial capabilities were still reduced. On top of that, communications were unstable and product marketing was poorly specialised.

In that year there was a spectacular rise in crude oil prices owing to the worldwide crisis and, as a consequence, there was a shortage of plastic and an increase in toy prices, in addition to the turmoil that characterised the period of `Transition' to democracy. National funding requirements caused the industry's funding to grind to a halt. Most large companies with massive structures did not survive in these conditions, while national unemployment began to rise.

Those years were also characterised by strong labour conflict, with annual collective agreement negotiations bringing people out to the streets. Even firms that were under the Metal Workers Collective Agreement like our parent company MinisĂłn, with only eight operatives including yours truly, were affected by the strikes, and we were forced to join for fear of reprisals.

All the symptoms were pointing towards a recession, with many companies downsizing, receding order books, oil crude prices still through the roof and excessive seasonality. In addition to the already patent and unrestrained implications caused by the arrival of the "Asian toys". Storekeepers would pay in advance to purchase Asian toy containers while delaying or even failing to pay their Spanish suppliers.

An Invincible Town October 1982 saw the iconic Paya company file for administration, followed by Rico. Meanwhile Juguetes y Estuches simply vanished before it managed to follow suit. Shortly afterwards, they would also be joined by Luis Esteve y Cia, Juguetes Pery, Guillem y Vicedo, Cartonajes Pina, Obertoys, Juguetes Sanchis, Pilen, Climent Hermanos, Juguetes y Cocinas, Madesa, Copabi and many more. The entire population was absorbed by a period of financial uncertainty and fear, with thousands of locals losing their jobs.

But something remained alive. Our entrepreneurial spirit, the determination that pushed our town to create the Spanish ice cream, a toy industry that flourished from a bunch of tin peddlers. Our spirit remained intact and, if you allow me, it was now immune to adversity, whether it was then or in the future. In the eighties we saw the second great toy factory from the end of the century taking off: Juguetes Feber. A meteoric rise fostered by their aggressive implementation of new products and TV advertising.

Thanks to this aggressiveness, they forced their competitors to invest in new models that they could barely afford. Like a giant with clay feet, it was all about progressive borrowing. Until everything came down like a house of cards.

But the damage became irreversible when they went into receivership, affecting the entire toy industry at Ibi and putting them under suspicion, making it extremely hard to find any funding sources.

It was such a chaos that all the toy companies that had once been part of the town's economic miracle were either gone or in very dire straits. Although, I insist, the entrepreneurial spirit of Ibi remained alive.

Regardless of everything, we were astounded and, if I may, awestruck to see the new resurgence of Ibi in the nineties, with the land available in the “Casa Pau” industrial estate becoming so scarce that it forced the opening of phase after phase of the new “El Alfaç” business parks Without mentioning “El Retiro”, which bore witness to ITC's expansion beyond measure.

It was a new era for Ibi's industrial heritage. A new miracle had taken place, which still remains judging by the ever-increasing demand for industrial land. At one point, we even recorded 0% unemployment, with the rate remaining relatively low when compared to the national figures, pushing

hundreds of people from nearby towns to commute here. Nothing has or will ever extinguish the entrepreneurial spirit of Ibi. Not even an enemy that is so small that it can hide quite easily.

Our miracle emerged from the conversion of toy and auxiliary companies and the creation of new businesses with technicians, specialists and sales people from the firms that disappeared: industries like food, automobile, plastic injection, chromium and nickel plating, metal industries, piping, component manufacturing, specialised auxiliaries, etc. made it happen. Not forgetting the few, strongly consolidated toy industries that remained and are now heavyweights.

In 2008, the financial crisis found our town well prepared, a far cry from the situation in the seventies. Today we have quality technicians, modern facilities, state of the art technology in a good number of local companies, product and market diversification and good sales networks that are currently moving towards telematic media. And a new generation of business people with a more pragmatic approach who are also better educated, well-travelled, more aware of their environment and the tools available, having earned their place with astuteness and, above all, courage.

There is only one thing I would like to recommend my readers, as the Nobel prize winner Alexander Solzhenitsyn once said: "The salvation of mankind lies only in making everything the concern of all". That's why if there was one phrase I hated hearing my subordinates say it was: “That's not my job”. Because Ibi's weapon was that we all pulled together, we earned our heritage by sharing the same foundations that connect us all. Come what may, we will make it through because we are all in this together.

In this world, country, town, company, if we all come together as a team working towards the same goals, then that is the only vaccine we need against anything.

And before I let you go, I would like to close this article with another quote by Javier Marias:

“Historic knowledge is a science at the service of hope”

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65

ITC Family The ITC family continues to grow.

Let’s give a warm welcome to our latest incorporations.

Juan A. Chillón

PRODUCTION OPERATIVE

Mikel Cores

PRODUCTION OPERATIVE

SOPELANA Team

Roberto Vicente

MAINTENANCE

Izkander Barrenetxea

PROCESS TECHNICIAN

David García

PROCESS TECHNICIAN

David Van Wynsberghe WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE

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Pedro M. Hermosilla PROCESS TECHNICIAN

Saioa Velasco

PRODUCTION OPERATIVE

Jorge Martín

MAINTENANCE

Jaione Viteri

QUALITY CONTROL TEC.

Fernando Pérez

SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Carlota Yustos

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

ITC Family

IBI Team Alejandro Galera

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT

Cristina García HR

Andrea Mediavilla ITC Crea

Santiago Peña

PLANT EQUIPMENT

Jorge González

Daniel Martínez

Rubén Morales

Evangelina Oliver

Carlos Rodríguez

Rosa Valero

IT

PLANT EQUIPMENT

QUALITY CONTROL

ADVANCED PET

PLANT EQUIPMENT

ITC Crea

Emilio Martínez

PLANT EQUIPMENT

Manuel Olmos

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT

Rafa Vidal

MAINTENANCE

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67

ITC Packaging Avda. del Juguete, 10 - 03440 Ibi (Alicante) SPAIN T. +34 966 554 056 / mkt@itc-packaging.com

ITC Ibi Polígono Industrial Retiro-Casa Nova.

C/ Valladolid, nº8. 03440. Ibi (Alicante) SPAIN T.: +34 966 554 056

ITC Sopelana Larrondobeko Bidea, 5 48600 Sopelana (Vizcaya) SPAIN T. + 34 946 762 561

www.itc-packaging.com