Packaging industry review 2023: Smurfit WestRock merger, UN Global Plastics Treaty, the bio-based future

11 Dec 2023 --- As 2023 draws to a close, Packaging Insights looks back at the biggest developments of the year, from the US$20 billion Smurfit WestRock merger and UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations to the US government’s pledge to replace 90% of plastics with bio-based materials within 20 years. Reducing environmental footprints remained the key trend, but fierce disputes arose around legislation on replacing plastics with fiber and between recyclable and reusable formats.

January

Israel axes single-use plastic tax as environmentalists decry violation of “basic Jewish values”
At the beginning of the year, Israel’s government pledged to ax the country’s tax on single-use plastics, reportedly to appease low-income ultra-Orthodox communities who cannot afford the dishwashing equipment needed to make reusable packaging viable. Opponents said this view is “narrow” and seriously threatens the nation’s natural environment. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich made the decision immediately after being sworn in, saying he would end the tax “as quickly as possible.”

United Arab Emirates to ban single-use plastic bags in move toward multi-use alternatives
The UAE announced in January that it would impose a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags starting next year. According to an announcement by the state-run WAM news agency, the law will prohibit the import, production and circulation of plastic bags of any material or composition. The government said authorities, retailers, suppliers and consumers should prepare with “suitable, sustainable and multi-use alternatives in all shopping stores, retail stores and sales outlets on a permanent basis.”

US researchers land US$2.4M to turn food waste into “affordable” bioplastics
Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences researchers have received a US$2.4 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to create bioplastics from food waste. We spoke with Zhiwu Wang, the principal investigator, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and director of the Center for Applied Water Research and Innovation, about the findings’ potential cost and GHG savings for bioplastic production.

Recycled plastic prices soar as rival industries dip into beverage producer’s supply
Recycled plastic prices skyrocketed worldwide as industries fought for control over the market to boost their environmental sustainability credentials. The packaging industry was hard hit, with the cost of recycled PET (rPET) rising 103% in the past year, according to data group ICIS. We spoke to experts about this price hike's causes and potential impacts for circular economy ambitions.

Lost in implementation: Illegal single-use plastics rife throughout India, says NGO
India imposed a broad single-use plastics (SUP) ban in July 2022. Six months later, Packaging Insights checked the on-ground reality of the ban in conversation with the chief program coordinator at Toxics Link, Priti Mahesh. She highlighted a “huge enforcement gap” that will cause the SUP ban to “fall flat unless tightened.” Mahesh illustrated the price gap between plastic and alternative materials, stressing that a PE-based bag — commonly used by small shops and vendors – is significantly cheaper than a cloth or paper bag.

US President Biden pledged to replace 90% of plastics in the US with bio-based alternatives in the next 20 years.February

Action on additives: Are bio-based solutions industry’s answer to tightening chemical legislation?
Additives in food packaging serve multiple functions, from grease repellents to colorants. However, many additives in food packaging have been flagged over the years for containing harmful chemicals detrimental to human health. We spoke to the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences, Safe Food Advocacy Europe and SP Group about the legislation against food packaging additives and challenges for compliance monitoring.

Alliance to End Plastic Waste defends failures after achieving 0.2% of its targets
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) reportedly achieved 0.2% of its plastic diversion target in February, equating to roughly 34,000 tons, despite pledging US$1.5 billion to fight waste since 2019. Financial think tank Planet Tracker said the organization’s members, including major petrochemical corporations, use the AEPW to divert attention from the continued expansion of global plastic production. An AEPW spokesperson told Packaging Insights that the organization’s original target of diverting 15 million tons of plastic waste “was just too ambitious” and that its projects are “beginning to scale and deliver impact.”

Cementing plastic pollution: Indonesian islanders file environmental litigation against Holcim
Indonesian environmentalists took Swiss corporation Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement producers, to court over pollution primarily caused by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from plastic packaging waste, which has caused massive flooding on the island of Pari. The plaintiffs say Holcim’s actions are putting the island under existential threat. We spoke to Abdhul Ghofar, an urban campaigner for Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, about how cement factories in Indonesia are involved in destroying karst ecosystems and agricultural land and violating human rights for local and indigenous communities.

Ineos prevails in securing €3.5B for Europe’s “greenest” ethane cracker despite environmental resistance
Ineos secured €3.5 billion (US$3.7 billion) in funding for its Project One ethane cracker in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. The financing followed a tide of environmental opposition against the facility, which was accused of threatening local environmental and human health and putting investors at serious financial risk.

Coca-Cola injects €40M in returnable glass bottles in Germany
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) invested over €40 million (US$42 million) into returnable glass bottles in Germany to improve its reusable packaging capabilities. The investment funded a new filling line in Lüneburg, Germany, along with a new packaging machine for glass bottles in Mönchengladbach, Germany, boosting CCEP’s plans to expand the availability of drinks sold in returnable glass bottles.

March

PulPac targets Japanese plastic reduction with first Asian licensee for Dry Molded Fiber
PulPac announced Nippon Molding as its first licensee in Japan in a move that expands Dry Molded Fiber production to Asia. Nippon Molding ordered its first PulPac Modula from PulPac machine partner TechTribe, a Swedish supplier of complete solutions in industrial automation. We spoke to Sanna Fager, PulPac’s chief commercial officer, about the company’s goal of establishing its Dry Molded Fiber in the industry.

Danimer VP: European Commission’s packaging waste revisions boost bioplastics but miss opportunities
The European Commission’s (EC) proposed revisions to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive promised growth opportunities for bioplastic suppliers by mandating that only industrially compostable packaging be allowed for tea bags, filter coffee pods and pads, fruit and vegetable stickers and very light plastic bags. In November, the EC proposed new regulations regarding plastic and packaging to curb the increase in European waste. We spoke to Keith Edwards, vice president of business development at Danimer, about the proposed rules and their potential effects on bioplastics manufacturers.

TotalEnergies and Paprec partner for France’s “first” advanced plastic recycling value chain
TotalEnergies and Paprec signed a long-term commercial agreement to develop a French value chain to recycle plastic film waste. The deal will secure the materials supply from TotalEnergies’ future advanced plastic recycling plant in Grandpuits, France. We spoke with David Etienne, Paprec’s COO, about how the project aimed to boost plastic collection and recycling in France. Smurfit Kappa and rival WestRock agreed to merge into a new global corporation estimated to be worth US$20 billion.

“Tip of the plastic waste iceberg”: Hidden UK trash exports 18 times higher than estimated, finds IPEN
Reporting systems for plastic waste traded globally underestimate the volumes, missing as much as 1.8 million metric tons of two types of hidden plastic waste — from textiles and plastics in waste paper bales — found research in May. We spoke to the report’s co-author, Therese Karlsson, science and technical advisor at IPEN, about how “waste colonialism” can be tackled.

President Biden’s vision for a biofuel future: Experts challenge pledge to slash 90% of US plastics
US President Joe Biden’s administration set a goal to replace 90% of plastics with biomaterials within the next 20 years. The statement was met with mixed reviews, with some calling it a step in the right direction while others speculate about the plan’s feasibility. Packaging Insights discussed the announcement with the Port Arthur Community Action Network and Danimer Scientific.

April

Connecting the dots: Contextual design is essential for digital engagement, says SharpEnd CEO
Since the end of COVID-19 lockdown measures, packaging industry players are more aware of the power of connected technologies like QR codes, near-field communication (NFC) and augmented reality (AR). However, many companies joining the fray are approaching it in the wrong way, according to SharpEnd CEO Cameron Worth. Speaking to Packaging Insights, Worth said the playing field has changed, and while many companies want to begin leveraging connected packaging, some key misunderstandings are hindering efforts at development.

Mass balance debate: Should the EU implement “fuel exempt” calculation standards for recycling?
A cross-sectoral body of material suppliers and associations called on the EC to implement a harmonized method for calculating chemically recycled content. The method the group requests is a fuel-exempt mass balance approach, which it says is essential if the EU is to meet the PPWR revisions. John Sewell, secretary general of Chemical Recycling Europe, told us that a fuel-exempt mass balance method “is important both from an economical and environment perspective in that it is an approach widely accepted and will enable scale up from an investment perspective and aligns with definitions within the Water Framework Directive.”

US scientists uncover cheap zirconium-based catalyst to break down polyolefin plastics
Researchers from the Ames National Laboratory in the US discovered a way to turn single-use plastic packaging and other petroleum-based products into more environmentally friendly solutions. The study authors claimed that using an aluminum reactant and zirconium-oxide-based catalyst can change the chemical structure of polyolefin plastics. The plastics are primarily hydrocarbons comprising long and unbreakable chains of carbon atoms.

Environmental groups call for “aggressive circularity measures” ahead of Waste Framework Directive revisions
Ahead of the upcoming revisions to the EU’s Waste Framework Directive, environmental groups and recycling organizations called for stringent policy changes utilizing advanced digital technologies and data management to reduce the extraction of virgin materials and promote the bloc’s circular economy. Joan Marc Simon, director and founder at ZWE, told us that the EU’s carbon budget will not suffice unless the packaging industry “massively expands reuse and reaches unprecedented performance levels for single-use packaging.”

The UN’s Global Plastic Treaty negotiations ended in frustration as some oil-producing nations were accused of intentionally stalling talks.May

Asian incineration debate: GAIA calls on Asian Development Bank to halt waste-to-energy investments
The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) called for a halt to investments in waste-to-energy facilities in Asia, where the Asian Development Bank is increasingly promoting incineration as a solution to the region’s pollution problems. GAIA Asia Pacific said that unless alternative waste management practices like composting and reusing are prioritized, workers’ rights will be diminished, and GHG emissions will increase.

EcoSpears discovers PFAS elimination method as ChemSec finds “forever chemicals” cost US$17.5T annually
US-based company ecoSpears created a remediation solution developed by NASA scientists to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls and PFAS chemicals. The methodology was presented at the global 2023 Conference of Parties in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 1-12.

UN plastic treaty negotiations: Greenpeace urges President Biden to adopt “legacy defining” measures
Ahead of the second session of the UN’s second International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) in Paris, France, Greenpeace issued a letter to US President Biden calling for a change in stance toward the treaty’s stipulations. The letter intended to draw public attention by including signatories of a number of high-profile figures.

UN INC-2: International business coalition calls for reduced plastics production
As delegates descend upon Paris, France, to negotiate a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund underscored the need for a circular economy with global outcomes focused on three critical areas identified as reduction, circulation and prevention.

June

UN INC-2 ends in frustration as divided nations “lose ground” amid accusations of industry “stonewalling”
The UN’s INC-2 meetings ended in frustration last week after half of the five-day event was spent re-debating procedural rules, such as the treaty’s voting procedure. While the deadlock was eventually broken, environmentalists accuse some industry-backed governments of conspiring to delay the treaty and diminish its powers.

Scotland’s DRS delayed until late 2025 after glass exclusion row
Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) plans were further delayed until October 2025 at the earliest after the UK government refused to include glass in the scheme. Ministers in London feared that if Scotland rolled out its plans ahead of the rest of the UK, it could violate the post-Brexit Internal Market Act.

“Fundamentally flawed”: Food industry calls for EPR implementation extension
With economic and social headwinds driving up the UK’s cost of living, food manufacturers and retailers lobbied the government to delay the country’s recycling reform, which would implement an EPR scheme from April 2024. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) told us that the proposals were “unambitious.” Indonesian islanders took global cement corporation Holcim to court over plastic pollution.

UCL study flames oxo-biodegradable plastics controversy as industry denies greenwashing and sidesteps bans
Oxo-biodegradable plastics, which use various forms of additives to break down polymers in the natural environment, came under increasing scrutiny following the release of an extensive study review conducted at the University College London (UCL), UK. The review found little to no evidence of the environmental claims made by companies still selling oxos in regions where bans are not enforced. The findings show there is no evidence that biodegradation is catalyzed in temperate climates like the UK and that the degree of microplastic pollution and toxicity to microorganisms is unknown.

July

ZWE calls for “serious overhaul” of EU Waste Framework Directive to achieve circular economy
Zero Waste Europe branded the Waste Framework Directive a “missed opportunity.” While the environmental NGO welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to introduce EU-wide food waste reduction targets, it said it regrets that the proposal did not address critical issues in the waste sector.

Smurfit Kappa enters North Africa with solar-powered corrugated packaging plant in Morocco
Smurfit Kappa inaugurated its corrugated packaging plant in Rabat, Morocco, marking the packaging giant’s first operation in North Africa. The paperboard box manufacturer said Morocco offers an “exciting opportunity,” with the OECD forecasting a 3.5% growth rate in 2023 and 3.7% in 2024. The country’s location enables the company to serve the local market and wider African regions.

Political jostling or inflation: Who’s to blame for UK’s EPR deferment?
The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs deferred the country’s EPR payments by 12 months from October 2024 to 2025 “in light of the pressure facing the consumers and businesses in the current economic context.” Environment minister Rebecca Pow said the government is determined to eliminate avoidable waste by 2050 in a way “that works for households and consumers.”

August

“A step backward”: P&G revokes pledge to tackle forest degradation
Procter and Gamble (P&G) removed its pledge not to buy wood pulp from degraded forests or contribute to forest degradation. The company announced the reversal at an ESG presentation for investors. Investors and environmental groups conveyed disapproval of P&G for no longer including its statement to “prohibit forest degradation” from its 2022 Forrest Update.

“An infinite burden”: Tipa CEO urges fashion industry to use compostable packaging
Packaging Insights spoke with Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO and co-founder of Tipa, who expressed concern over plastic packaging and waste management in the fashion industry. Tipa aims to shift the fashion industry away from plastic packaging and implores it to move toward compostable solutions.

A missed opportunity? UK Plastic Packaging Tax raises £276M in first year but faces industry frustration
The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs has published its annual report and accounts for 2022-2023, revealing that it collected £276 million (US$351 million) in plastic packaging tax — £41 million (US$52 million) over its target. The government body details that as of August 8 this year, 4,142 businesses registered to the PPT, and of the total plastic packaging declared by the businesses, 52% was manufactured in the UK, while 48% was imported into the country.

Warburg Pincus and Kelso to make US$5B bid on Femsa’s Envoy Solutions, say reports
Multinational beverage and retail company Fomento Económico Mexicano (Femsa) is reportedly planning to sell Envoy Solutions, a US foodservice and packaging company, to private capital firms Warburg Pincus and Kelso & Co. for US$5 billion.

Debates erupted over whether bioplastics like PLA are toxic to human health.September

US researchers develop new molecule to make plastic durability “similar to metals”
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in the US unveiled a novel molecule designed to enhance the durability of plastics by minimizing temperature fluctuations within polymer chains. Addressing the common issue of thermal expansion mismatch in products with multiple materials, the modified molecule, when added to a polymer, induced contraction instead of expansion when heated. This “unique” behavior aligned the polymer’s expansion and contraction values with metals, potentially “revolutionizing” the packaging industry. We spoke to Erica Redline, a materials scientist and leader of the research team, to learn more.

Finland-based Paptic lands €23M to expand wood fiber-based packaging production
Finland’s Paptic secured €23 million (US$24.7 million) in growth funding to expand its wood fiber-based packaging production, striving to reduce carbon footprints in the €200 billion (US$214.6 billion) global flexible packaging market dominated by plastics. “This growth investment will accelerate and support our goal to reach €100 million (US$107.3 million) of revenue in 2026 and attain the carbon neutrality target by 2030,” said Tuomas Mustonen, the founder and CEO at Paptic. Paptic’s recyclable materials, mirroring plastic functionality but made from renewable wood fibers, received support from new partners like the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund and Ecolab.

Smurfit Kappa and WestRock in potential US$20B merger discussions
Smurfit Kappa engaged in discussions with WestRock to create the world’s largest packaging corporation, worth approximately US$20 billion. The potential merger, forming Smurfit WestRock, aimed to achieve over US$400 million in pre-tax savings with an estimated one-off expense of US$235 million. Smurfit WestRock would be incorporated and domiciled in Ireland with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and North and South American operations headquartered in Georgia, US. The combined entity would operate in 42 countries, focusing on Europe and the Americas.

A blow to UK packaging? How a Smurfit WestRock deal could hinder British expansion
Discussions surrounding the merger between Smurfit Kappa and WestRock concluded, spelling potential trouble for the UK’s packaging industry. The merger prompted Smurfit to relocate its headquarters from London to Dublin, Ireland, and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, causing an approximate £9 billion (US$11 billion) loss to the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Industry expert Neil Farmer predicted a “period of rationalization” with further deals and acquisitions, signaling potential challenges for the LSE and the UK economy.

October

UK single-use plastic ban comes into force, sparking debates over impacts and industry awareness
Israel’s booming biotech scene was disrupted by the Hamas attacks and subsequent Gaza war.The UK government enforced a ban on all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled items. While retailers embraced the ban, packaging associations stated they were unprepared, and NGOs called the government’s strategy “completely inadequate to the problem.” Martin Kersh, executive director at the Food Packaging Association, told us that the association’s key concern over the recent single-use packaging ban is that the UK government has done little to make foodservice operators aware.

Coca-Cola launches 100% rPET bottles in India and Philippines despite recyclate supply struggles
Coca-Cola India and Coca-Cola Philippines launched 100% recycled PET (rPET) beverage bottles as part of Coca-Cola's “World Without Waste” initiative. The move aimed to promote a circular economy for plastic packaging, with Coca-Cola offering 100% rPET bottles in over 40 markets. Coca-Cola Philippines also partnered with Plastic Bank to establish recyclable waste collection branches and initiated sustainable packaging platforms to engage and educate consumers about addressing plastic waste.

European Bioplastics trades blows with University of Gothenburg over “misleading” PLA toxicity study
European Bioplastics (EUBP) accused the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, of damaging the reputation of the bioplastics sector over a study examining the toxicity of polylactic acids (PLA) in paper cups. The university’s press release branded replacing plastic cups with paper as “problematic” and stated that PLA can still be toxic. EUBP clarified that the study’s findings pertained to the toxicity of single-use cups made of various materials, including paper, adhesives, inks and PLA. It emphasized that the research did not conclusively attribute toxicity to PLA specifically and that the misrepresentation caused confusion about the correlation between biodegradability and toxicity.

Scotland’s 70% recycling target a “century away” according to environmentalists
New waste statistics released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ignited a debate as environmentalists deemed Scotland’s 70% recycling target “a century away.” Campaigners argued the recycling pace was insufficient, estimating it would take almost a century to reach the government’s 70% target at the current rate. The Circular Economy Bill, aiming to transform material usage, was criticized for lacking ambitious consumption targets. Meanwhile, Zero Waste Scotland highlighted the untapped potential for recycling and emphasized the need for holistic waste management measures.

Notpla became the first company in the Netherlands to have its products officially certified as plastic-free.November

Greenwashing PET bottles: 100% recyclable claims “misleading” and “unachievable,” says ClientEarth report
In a study by Client Earth, ECOS, Eunomia Research & Consulting, and Zero Waste Europe, it was revealed that claims of “100% recyclable” on PET beverage bottles are often deceptive. The research exposed inaccuracies in recyclability and PCR content assertions, cautioning the industry about potential greenwashing litigation amid growing legal measures. Components like caps and labels frequently proved non-recyclable. With stringent laws against false environmental claims, the industry was advised to support initiatives like DRS to sidestep litigation and ensure accurate sustainability declarations.

What next for Israel’s packaging economy? How the Hamas war is disrupting the booming biotech scene
Israel’s packaging economy faces disruption due to the Hamas war. The conflict, beginning October 7, has led to a volatile wartime economy, military drafts and ongoing threats. The fate of the packaging industry, amid global support, remains uncertain. The sector, contributing over 5% to Israel’s GDP, grapples with challenges amid the ongoing conflict and economic downturn. We spoke to UBQ Materials, Tipa Compostable Packaging and Melodea to learn more.

Notpla’s seaweed-based F&B packaging lands first-ever EU “plastic-free” certification
UK-based Notpla, a producer of seaweed-based plastic alternatives, secured the Dutch government's first-ever EU “plastic-free” certification. Notpla’s material complies with the EU Single Use Plastics Directive, making it the sole plastic-free packaging in the Netherlands. After the recognition, Notpla partnered with Dutch packager Conpax to distribute F&B packaging in the Benelux region, aiming to replace 15 million daily single-use plastic items in the Netherlands.

“Chemistry of Concealment”: US industry lobbyists invested millions to block PFAS regulation, finds research
Food & Water Watch’s report, “PFAS and the Chemistry of Concealment,” revealed that US industry lobbyists invested millions to obstruct PFAS regulation over the past four years. The report urged the government to address PFAS contamination through a broad definition, comprehensive regulations and bans. Despite weak regulations, chemical corporations concealed the dangers of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” Lobbyists falsely claimed that a PFAS ban would eliminate products like phones and cars. The report identified Big Oil and Gas as major players opposing PFAS regulation, with lobbying expenditures totaling US$58.7 million.

UN INC-3: “Shameless stalling” by oil-producing nations further derails Global Plastics Treaty progress
The third round of UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations (INC-3) in Nairobi, Kenya, concluded in frustration. Governments, influenced by oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia, failed to agree on targets or strict reporting mechanisms. Attempts to insert voluntary language into the treaty were made, undermining the mandate for comprehensive plastic lifecycle coverage. The treaty’s progress was further hampered by fossil fuel and petrochemical industry lobbyists. Despite a Revised Zero Draft exceeding 100 pages, negotiators left Nairobi without a plan. The fourth round (INC-4) is scheduled for April 2024 in Ottawa, Canada.

December

COP28: How Good equips Carrefour with carbon footprint labels, Sultan criticism continues
During the COP28 climate summit in Dubai (Nov 30 to Dec 12), US-based food rating company How Good partnered with SES-imagotag to provide Carrefour supermarket products in the UAE with carbon footprint labels. The labels, featuring sustainability insights on over 33,000 food ingredients, aim to help consumers make environmentally conscious choices.The Pipeline’s annual “Women Count” report highlighted that women were often confined to “functional” rather than influential positions.

“Not representative of reality”: Women hold 40% of executive roles in packaging industry, suggests Pipeline report
The eighth edition of The Pipeline’s annual “Women Count” report revealed that the packaging and containers sector had 40% women in executive leadership roles. However, it highlighted that women were often confined to “functional” roles rather than influential positions. Joanna Stephenson, co-founder of Women In Packaging, told us that the need is to attract and support women in more operational and leadership roles for a sustainable future.

Dutch DRS gets 5,400 collection point expansion after recycling targets postponed to 2026
Dutch recycling foundation Afvalfonds Verpakkingen (AV) expanded its deposit return system, adding 5,400 plastic bottle collection points across the Netherlands. This decision came after conceding that the government's mandated 90% collection rate wouldn't be met until 2026. AV addressed the issue of insufficient returns of small PET bottles and collaborated with various entities to install additional collection machines, including in supermarkets, busy locations and manual collection points. The organization also launched ad campaigns and engaged in discussions with bottle producers to address challenges.

COP28 leaders establish circular economy investment fund for developing nations
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai established a new fund to assist nations grappling with climate crisis damages. The Allied Climate Partners (ACP) platform aims to utilize US$825 million initially to attract private investment for climate resilience. Neil Farmer, founder of Neil Farmer Associates, believes ACP will have a positive impact on developing countries and the global packaging industry. He emphasized the need for infrastructure investments in waste management, particularly in Asia and Africa, where unregulated packaging waste posed environmental threats.

By Louis Gore-Langton, Natalie Schwertheim and Radhika Sikaria

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