Beyond The Headlines: Mondi equips paper manufacturer with wrapping solution, Loop’s PET resins gain pharma pack compliance

15 Dec 2023 --- This week in industry news, Mondi supplied its paper wrapping solution to European manufacturer of paper bags, Sentrex. Meanwhile, Loop Industries’ PET resin was found compliant for pharmaceutical packaging, and the 4evergreen alliance published its latest fiber-based collection and recycling guidelines.

In brief: Launches
Mondi introduced its Advantage StretchWrap, a paper wrapping solution that replaces plastic stretch film and enables efficient logistics processes, to Sentrex. Advantage StretchWrap is a fully recyclable kraft paper made from responsibly sourced materials. Mondi developed it to stretch and resist punctures, making it “ideal” for replacing the plastic stretch film traditionally used for pallet wrapping and transportation. Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap is breathable and can therefore be used to wrap and pack products after paper bag production within one in-line process. The larger dimensions of the Advantage StretchWrap reel mean that a new reel is only needed every 400–600 pallets compared to every 40–60 pallets for plastic wrapping. The paper solution can be used to wrap pallets of different shapes and sizes and cover the gap between the pallet and the product, providing good stability and safety during transportation. 

Pritt and Loctite switched to environmentally sustainable padded mailers for online deliveries provided by Henkel. The new padded mailers use Henkel’s innovative EPIX technology to protect the products during transportation. The technology extends the functionality of paper and makes it possible to reduce the use of plastic for product packaging. The packaging is made from 90% recycled paper, is certified as recyclable by Institut cyclos-HTP and offers various additional benefits compared to traditional packaging. The new mailers eliminate the need for secondary packaging, reducing the cardboard and plastic packaging consumption, and making the products ready to use once delivered via courier. 

The padded mailer bags use Henkel’s EPIX technology for product protection during transportation.In brief: Business updates 
Loop Industries, a clean technology company that aims to accelerate a circular plastics economy by manufacturing 100% recycled PET plastic and polyester fiber, announced that its Loop-branded PET resin has been tested and is compliant for use in packaging applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Loop Industries said the pharmaceutical industry increasingly recognizes the importance of adopting sustainable practices and materials to reduce environmental impact. In addition to pharmaceutical packaging applications, Loop branded PET resin is also suitable for use in food-grade packaging, cosmetic packaging and polyester fiber textile application.

Toppan Holdings was named to the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World). DJSI World is an ESG investing index provided by S&P Global. Companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is evaluated based on a stringent corporate sustainability assessment of more than 13,500 listed entities worldwide, with those demonstrating outstanding sustainability performance being selected to the index. Toppan is one of 38 Japanese companies selected and the only Japan-based company in the Commercial & Professional Services industry group.

The 4evergreen alliance unveiled the latest version of its “Guidance on the Improved Collection and Sorting of Fibre-Based Packaging,” updating the 2022 version with further industry insights on European collection routes. The tool, which recommends a two-stream collection system, was also adapted to be more user-friendly and aligned with the rest of 4evergreen’s circularity toolbox. The alliance stresses that the key to successful and efficient recycling is ensuring that fiber-based packaging finds its way to the right recycling mills. 

In brief: Acquisitions
3M sold its 50% equity stake in Combi Packaging Systems to SIAT Group, a provider of case-taping machinery, wrapping machinery and strapping equipment. The 3M-Matic brand, technologies and portfolio are retained by 3M and will continue to be sold through approved channels worldwide. 3M’s industrial packaging business will leverage its case-sealing technology and expertise to further focus on innovating next-generation packaging solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers. The sale was said to not have a material impact on 3M’s financial results.

Kent, a family-owned manufacturer and worldwide marketer of F&B and agriculture products based in Muscatine, US, announced the acquisition of Frosty Boy Global. Australia-based Frosty Boy makes desserts, beverages, savory ingredients and powder-based wellness products. Kent Precision Foods Group is a dry and liquid-blending packaging food company specializing in rigid and flexible packaging while providing high-quality branded and custom products for customers in the foodservice (domestic and international) industrial and consumer products businesses. 

ClimeCo, a sustainability company, acquired Ampliphi and its plastic action program, the Plastic Scorecard. These assets were said to enhance ClimeCo’s ability to deliver authentic sustainability results with expert-led advisory services. Ampliphi’s platform collects and processes complex data from product, operational and material use. Users can identify value-creating initiatives, implement plastic footprint reduction strategies and map product and packaging carbon emissions to determine the optimal roadmap toward mitigation. Ampliphi also simplifies and streamlines the reporting process, enabling companies to identify liabilities, manage their data and automate various reports.

By Natalie Schwertheim