Beyond The Headlines: SIG opens Packaging Development Center, Borealis acquires Bulgarian chemical recycler

01 Dec 2023 --- This week in industry news, SIG opened its Packaging Development Center in Germany, and Borealis acquired Integra Plastics AD, a Bulgarian advanced mechanical recycler. Meanwhile, Greiner Packaging supplied Molkerei Forster and Lidl Schweiz with self-separating dairy packaging.

In brief: Business news 
SIG celebrated the official opening of its €10 million (US$10.8 million) Packaging Development Center, located at the site of the company’s packaging plants in Linnich, Germany. The center will accelerate new and environmentally sustainable packaging developments and offer SIG customers added value. The new center features state-of-the-art extrusion and finishing technology, advanced quality measurement systems and testing equipment. The center will significantly increase packaging processability in serial production, system validation and capacity for future digital technologies.

Borealis acquired Integra Plastics AD, a Bulgarian advanced mechanical recycler. Based in Elin Pelin, Bulgaria, Integra Plastics AD operates a modern advanced mechanical recycling plant built in 2019 with state-of-the-art equipment. Integra Plastics can transform post-consumer waste into high-quality polyolefin recyclates suitable for demanding applications. The investment was said to strengthen Borealis’ advanced mechanical recycling portfolio, adding more than 20,000 metric tons of recycling capacity and supporting growing customer demand for sustainable solutions. Closing of this transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. 

Greiner’s K3r100 packaging makes it possible for cardboard and plastic to separate from each other without human intervention.ProMach, a worldwide leader in processing and packaging solutions, acquired Sentry Equipment & Erectors, one of North America’s leading conveyor and container handling machine manufacturers. The addition of Sentry expands ProMach’s product portfolio and strengthens its position as one of North America’s largest providers of systems integration solutions. Sentry has been known as a market leader in the North American beverage industry, serving various brand owners. The acquisition was said to further strengthen ProMach’s product offering and allow it to solve a broader range of customer challenges. The acquisition will enable Sentry to expand its reach into other markets that ProMach serves, including food, home and personal care, industrial and chemicals.

Colpac announced an overall target net zero date of 2045. Colpac measured its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and set net-zero and interim targets for all three scopes with support and guidance from sustainability consultant Inspired. The company committed to being scope 1 net zero by 2035 and scope 2 net zero by 2030, with an overall net-zero target date of 2045. As its net zero program progresses, Colpac will continue to work closely with Inspired to develop its net zero strategy. 

In brief: Launches and trade shows PulpaTronics’ paper-based RFID tags.
Molkerei Forster and Lidl Schweiz announced they are launching self-separating packaging from Greiner Packaging. Molkerei Forster is among the first companies in Switzerland to use self-separating K3 cups from Greiner Packaging. The sustainable cardboard-plastic combinations are offered under the proprietary brand Milbona in Lidl Schweiz’s retail branches. Greiner asserts that K3r100 packaging makes it possible for cardboard and plastic to separate from each other without human intervention, and the innovation was said to lay the foundation for future collection systems in Switzerland. If the cardboard wrap is forgotten to separate from the cup, the two parts separate by mechanical pressure. Plastic cups and cardboard wraps can be identified, assigned to separate recycling streams and recycled.

PulpaTronics designed recyclable, paper-based RFID tags, simple electronic circuits embedded in products for identification through radio signals used in item tracking and inventory management. PulpaTronics’ sustainable alternative combines two novel technologies to create paper-only RFID tags that do not require an antenna or a microchip — eliminating metal mining, streamlining manufacturing processes and reducing overall environmental impact. The RFID tags are recyclable and cheaper than conventional tags.

Schubert announced it will present its extensive range of packaging solutions at ProSweets Cologne 2024 in Germany, January 28-31. Visitors can experience the machine manufacturer’s expertise in packaging snacks and confectionery at the trade show. The Schubert team will showcase its TLM Comfort Feeder, a new, efficient and resource-saving solution for feeding carton blanks. The Schubert experts will also advise on their comprehensive portfolio for the automated and sustainable packaging of snacks and confectionery at several thematic islands and offer information on their wide-ranging service program. 

By Natalie Schwertheim