Weekly Roundup: Innovia Films launches pressure-sensitive labeling applications, Multivac opens production site in Bulgaria

21 Apr 2023 --- This week in industry news, Innovia Films developed a printable coated cavitated biaxially oriented PP (BOPP) facestock film for pressure-sensitive labeling applications. Meanwhile, Multivac and Berry Global opened and expanded production sites in Europe and the US.

In brief: Launches and releases
Innovia Films applied its surface technology to its material science by developing a “uniquely” engineered printable coated cavitated BOPP facestock film branded Rayoface AQBSA. Designed for pressure-sensitive labeling applications, the film is 58 microns thick, has a printable top-coating and an adhesive-receptive coated surface on the reverse side. Furthermore, the film is made for self-adhesive label applications and complies with the EU food contact regulations. 

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials EMENA introduced AD XeroLinr DT, a new FSC-certified and phenol-free direct thermal (DT) linerless solution that is said to drive productivity, reduce waste and advance sustainability. AD XeroLinr DT is a linerless alternative for variable information labels, relevant for today’s logistics and e-commerce industries where the volume of parcels being shipped increases daily. 

Ball received ASI certification for its Global Aerosol Packaging division.Zünd expanded its portfolio of powerful digital cutting solutions. The new Q-Line with BHS180 complements Zünd’s current offering and raises the bar for industrial, efficient pallet-to-pallet production. The new Q-Line with BHS180 board handling system is an integrated system solution. It is intended for the demands of highly automated, industrial finishing of printed boards for displays and packaging. The individual components – board feeder with Undercam, the new Q-Line cutter generation and the off-load unit – are said to be optimally coordinated and provide previously unattainable levels of productivity. Together, Zünd said they offer cutting accuracy and reliability, making it easier for packaging and display manufacturers to automate their cutting operations and achieve maximum efficiency.

In brief: Openings and expansions
Multivac opened its production site in Bozhurishte, Bulgaria. Following a construction period of around one year, the building extension at the Bozhurishte site was officially opened this week by the Multivac Management Board. The guests at the inauguration ceremony included Nikola Stoyanov, Bulgarian minister of economy and industry and Dr. Antoaneta Bares, managing director of National Company Industrial Zones EAD. Additional production and assembly facilities, as well as state-of-the-art offices, covering a total area of around 5,600 square meters, are now available for use. The investment amounted to around €6 million (US$6.6 million). 

Berry Global Group announced it would begin developing its International Center of Excellence and Circular Innovation Hub in Barcelona, Spain in the third quarter of 2023. Leveraging the company’s global capabilities, the new, centrally located center of excellence will give international customers and partners access to a new generation of circular products and industry-leading research and development experts. Berry said the center would also create a collaborative space for innovative product design tailored to customers’ unique sustainability goals and generate new job opportunities and support Berry’s global diversity and inclusion strategy by employing talent from across Barcelona.GPI announced this year’s winners of the 2023 Clear Choice Awards.

Berry Global also began expanding one of its leading stretch film manufacturing facilities in Lewisburg, US, for completion by early 2024. The 25,000-square-foot expansion was said to support the growing demand for Berry’s highest performing, sustainable stretch films by creating space for three new cast lines, upgrading the capacity of the facilities existing post-industrial resin (PIR) reprocessing system, and extending its rail spur for resin material handling. In coordination with the expansion, Berry will add ten new jobs in the Lewisburg facility.

In brief: Awards and certifications
Ball Corporation received the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification for the Performance and Chain of Custody Standards for its Global Aerosol Packaging division. The certification covered all nine of Ball’s manufacturing plants, aerosol packaging and slugs worldwide. This means Ball is “the first’ impact extruded aluminum manufacturing company that can supply ASI-certified aluminum aerosol cans, slugs and bottles to its customers. The announcement was said to align Ball’s 2030 sustainability goals in achieving net zero carbon emissions before 2050 and transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. This also includes ensuring all aluminum is purchased from certified sustainable sources.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) announced the winners of the 2023 Clear Choice Awards, which recognize North America’s top brands and manufacturers creating glass product designs that form dynamic consumer experiences. The winning glass containers were selected by an independent judging panel of food and beverage packaging professionals which consisted of John Neata, wine director at Ristorante Tosca in Washington, DC, Tom Bobak, founder and editor-in-chief at American Craft Beer and Jeff Cioletti, editor-in-chief at the American Craft Spirits Association. They determined the winners for each category based on four criteria: package design (including container, label and closure), shelf impact, storytelling strength of the brand or product, and innovation (in container form and product category).

By Natalie Schwertheim