Beyond The Headlines: Mondi combines grass with paper packaging, LyondellBasell acquires Mepol Group

07 Jul 2023 --- This week in industry news, Mondi combined grass fiber and fiber-based pulp for a new environmentally sustainable packaging option. Meanwhile, LyondellBasell acquired Mepol Group and Ahlstrom broadened its range of release papers.

In brief: Mondi in the news
Mondi expanded its paper packaging range to IQ Grass + Packaging. The solution is a mixture of up to 30% grass fiber and 70% FSC or PEFC-certified fresh fiber pulp. Grass is one of the world’s  fastest-growing and most ecologically successful plants. IQ Grass + Packaging is particularly suitable for promotional cards, boutique carrier bags, food and luxury packaging. It offers high strength and runnability in the printing process and conversion.

Following the announcement in December 2022 of the agreement to sell its three Russian packaging converting operations to the Gotek Group, Mondi confirmed that Gotek Group received all requisite approvals and the sale has now been completed. Mondi has received net proceeds of €30.4 million (US$33 million) from the disposal. The net proceeds from the sale of all of Mondi’s Russian assets will be distributed to shareholders as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt once the company’s exit from Russia has been completed, it announced. The proposed disposal of Mondi Syktyvkar, Mondi’s most significant facility in Russia, is not connected with the disposal of the three packaging converting operations. The board remains committed to divesting Syktyvkar and continues to assess all alternative divestment options, said Mondi. 

Mondi IQ + Grass packaging products.In brief: Acquisitions and partnerships 
LyondellBasell completed the acquisition of Mepol Group, a manufacturer of recycled, high-performing technical compounds located in Italy and Poland. Mepol and its subsidiaries Polar and Industrial Technology Investments Poland will be subsidiaries in LyondellBasell’s Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) business unit. LyondellBasell’s APS segment produces and markets compounding solutions, such as PP compounds, engineered plastics, masterbatches, engineered composites, colors and powders.

Specialized Packaging Group (SPG), a vertically integrated provider of protective packaging products, announced the acquisition of Aurora, US-based protective packaging solutions (PPS). PPS is a “leading” designer and fabricator of custom-engineered packaging solutions for applications across various end markets and a nationwide customer base.

Tna Solutions partnered with Mister Bee Potato Chips, an iconic American brand founded in 1951, for new snack packaging. Tna redesigned and optimized the company’s manufacturing site in Parkersburg, US, achieving a 400% capacity increase. As the new owners of Mister Bee, the West Virginia Potato Chip Company recognized the need for a comprehensive upgrade to the existing frying and packaging machines, which were outdated and unsuitable for meeting growing market demands.

In brief: Product launchesTna Solution’s snack packaging for Mister Bee Potato Chips.
Ahlstrom broadened its range of release papers by introducing new products that support the design of more sustainable double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes. An extension of Ahlstrom’s Acti-V Industrial dedicated range of high-performance release liners, the new products offer novel options to support environmentally conscious tape producers due to the use of post-consumer recycled fiber and unbleached cellulose fibers. Both products offer improved circularity by replacing a portion of virgin fibers with post-consumer recycled fibers. The new Acti-V Industrial RF Natural additionally eliminates the use of any dye. It is based on a raw materials mix that could allow an overall reduction of 17-20% in carbon footprint compared to standard Acti-V Industrial liners.

Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, launched a set of wetting and dispersing agents that enable coatings’ manufacturers to extend the open time of their acrylic lacquers and polyurethane lacquers and lengthen current post-application correction windows for the water-based systems. 

Sony Electronics announced the HT-AX7, a portable theater system with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping that offers a new way of entertainment through spatial and room-filling sound throughout the home. By placing the speakers around a room, the HT-AX7 delivers a captivating audio experience to fill any space. Sony is committed to using less plastic in its products and packaging and uses a fabric material made from 100% recycled PET bottles and incorporates recycled plastics in the HT-AX7 packaging. The individual packaging features Sony’s proprietary Original Blended Material, derived from bamboo, sugarcane and recycled paper collected from the market, enabling the elimination of plastic in packaging. 

By Natalie Schwertheim