Beyond The Headlines: Canadian plastic makers receive new standard for recycled content, Controltek expands US packaging facility

25 Aug 2023 --- This week in packaging, the Canadian standardization and certification organization Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) released a national standard for recycled plastic content. Controltek expanded its manufacturing capabilities and Dow received recognition for its INVISU 7007 wash-off label adhesive.

In brief: Industry standardization
BNQ published the CAN/BNQ 3840-100 Recycled Plastic Content Products specifying requirements for determining the content of recycled plastic introduced into the production process of the end product and the procedures for tracing the products with recycled plastic content entering the supply chain. It establishes the basic requirements for classifying a product based on its origin and treatment (mechanical or chemical). Designated as National Standard of Canada, the BNQ’s guidelines are to be used as a reference document for certification activities of the applicable products domestically. 

In brief: Business news
Controltek announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities and specialty flexible packaging in its Livermore, US, facility. With new automated equipment, the company aims to improve product quality while reducing turnaround time. The tamper-evident packaging, retail asset protection and RFID inventory and asset tracking solutions provider has also added space for warehousing and inventory management.Dow INVISU 7007 wash-off label adhesive.

Imperial Dade made its 69th acquisition by taking over The Ohio & Michigan Paper Company (O&M). The foodservice packaging and janitorial sanitation products distributor aims to leverage O&M’s longstanding history as a premier distributor of industrial and janitorial products throughout the Midwest US. Imperial Dade said the acquisition adds value to the growing Midwest market, which it sees as vital as the company expands geographically and nationally.

In brief: Recognitions & certifications
Dow’s wash-off pressure-sensitive adhesive was recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers as “meeting or exceeding its most strict Critical Guidance Protocol” for recycling clear PET articles with filmic labels and closures. The INVISU 7007 wash-off label adhesive performs like available high-performing general-purpose filmic label adhesives while separating polyolefin-based filmic labels during recycling in the washing step and producing pure flakes for new materials.

UPM Raflatac received a certificate of validity from DEKRA for its Label Life service, which determines the environmental impact of labels. The international assurance service provider found the process for generating Life Cycle Impact Assessment results appropriate for the intended goals and approved the quality checks to ensure consistent and reliable results. UPM Raflatac’s “product passport prototype” Label Life service includes a wide range of metrics broken down into life cycle stages: cradle-to-gate, transport-to-customer, printing and end-of-life. 

AEROBAL, the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers, published the results of the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2023. The jury chose the aluminum aerosol cans of Nivea’s Pearl & Beauty antiperspirant, produced by the German can manufacturer Tubex, as the winner in the category “cans already on the market.” The winner in the category “prototype” was the “smart, sustainable aerosol can” produced by Nussbaum in Switzerland. It was created in cooperation with the Italian coating manufacturer Salchi Metalcoat. In the category “Sustainability,” first place was shared between the German manufacturer Linhardt, awarded for its cans for Lornamead CD deodorants, and the aluminum aerosol produced by Tubex Germany for Nivea’s styling mousse.Eeasy Lid by Consumer Convenience Technologies.

EverestLabs’ RecycleOS was named an “AI Finalist” in Fast Company’s 2023 Innovation by Design Awards. RecycleOS is an AI-enabled operating system for material recovery facilities, packaging manufacturers and consumer packaged goods brands. The Innovation by Design Awards can be found in the September 2023 issue of Fast Company, celebrating nearly 500 projects, products and services.

Consumer Convenience Technologies, makers of the Eeasy Lid, also earned an honorable mention in Fast Company’s 2023 Innovation by Design Awards in the packaging category. The patented lid allows consumers to break the vacuum seal on a jar by simply pressing a button on the lid. Honorees for the 2023 awards were selected in categories including accessible design, health, hospitality, packaging, retail, sustainability and transportation. The competition, now in its 12th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging start-ups and young talents and is a sought-after design award in the industry.

In brief: Climate goals
Novolex brand Eco-Products released its 10th annual report on its social and environmental responsibility efforts. The Impact Report highlighted successes for Eco-Products in 2022 as helping more foodservice operators divert waste from landfills, advocating for composters nationwide and offering a variety of new compostable plates, bowls and trays made without added PFAS. Furthermore, the company surpassed its goal of using on-site solar power to attain net-zero electricity consumption at its headquarters in Boulder, US. The report also listed plans for 2023, which include expansion of commercial composting of foodservice packaging, partnering to reduce contamination caused by non-compostable products at composting facilities and maintaining net zero electricity at the headquarters. 

By Radhika Sikaria