THE SUSTAINABLE POWER OF FLEXIBLES Vertical form fill and seal machinery expert ROVEMA GmbH explores the challenges and opportunities faced when moving from rigid packaging materials such as cans and jars to flexible packaging materials, outlines how innovative machinery can help with the switch, and delves deeper into the growing trend for paper packaging.
R
ovema develops and builds packaging machines and systems that suit complex circular economy demands. The company helps its customers to find sustainable solutions that best fit the product to be packed with an eye on logistics, packaging materials, shelf life and energy efficiency. ROVEMA carries out over 120 packaging material tests every year in close cooperation with customers and packaging material suppliers. “We actively search for possibilities to save packaging materials and have prepared our machines to process very thin packaging materials. At the same time, together with our clients, we continuously test new packaging materials from renewable or recyclable materials to ensure process ability at the highest possible output rate,” explains Jens Torkel, CEO at ROVEMA. The company is keen to keep moving forward along with sustainability trends. “We are transforming ROVEMA with a new culture, new ways of operating and an adapted product portfolio. As champion for packaging machines we focus on sustainability, and we enable our customers to provide safe and durable food while protecting the environment.”
Packaging liquid – alternatives to cans and jars In a quest for sustainability, flexible, high barrier pouches are increasingly becoming alternatives for cans and glass jars for liquid food products thanks to their cost saving potential in the areas of packaging materials, operations and fulfilment.
| 38 | Packaging Europe
Flexible packaging has become a familiar sight in retail environments, with many manufacturers already having made the switch. However, in the area of food service packaging, change has been slower. Food is often delivered to restaurants, cafés and convenience stores in cans, tubs and buckets. While many of these containers may be recyclable, they often end up in landfill.
Compelling arguments for making the switch A lot of energy is required to manufacture and process rigid packaging materials. Mining the components and producing steel and aluminium are resource intensive. “Of course, the manufacture of co-extruded plastics also consumes resources, but less – for example, a single roll of plastic with a diameter of 400 mm can pack the same amount of product as 11,000 steel #10 cans,” says Peter Lökös, Vice-President Sales at ROVEMA. From a material transportation, handling and storage point of view, the difference in volume and weight of packaging materials is significant. Rigid container design limitations result in excess space requirements throughout the entire supply chain. Filling and seaming cans is energy intense. In contrast, vertical form fill and seal technology (VFFS) draw substantially less on resources. Pasteurization and sterilization of flexible pouches requires less energy. The packaging material itself absorbs less, and the shape of packages facilitates even distribution of heat or cold in the packaged product.
