Weekly Roundup: Amcor packs a pyrus punch with revamped paper-based pack

03 May 2019 --- This week in packaging, Amcor revamped Packpyrus, its paper-based base-web pack derived from renewable sources. The new Packpyrus contains 85 percent FSC-certified paper fibers and replaces the previous non-recyclable APET/PE bottom webs. Paper-based solutions stole the show this week, as Ben E. Keith Foods also converted its “Markon Strawberry clamshell” pack from plastic to cardboard, and Sappi launched its new Atelier paperboard, which combines a large specific volume with high stiffness for folding boxes.

In brief: Paper-based solutions
Amcor launched its newly revamped paper-based Packpyrus packaging. It is designed to offer an alternative to 100 percent non-woven solutions. The new Packpyrus is made from material derived from renewable sources and it can be recycled where paper recycling streams are available. Amcor teamed up with Belgium-based processed meat and chilled ready meals producer De Keyser to develop the revamped packaging. In addition, Packpyrus is suitable for fresh meat and seafood, dry ready meals, frozen ready meals and cheese. The product is available in Europe. “Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with sustainability issues, expecting their brands to keep up with their changing attitudes. Packpyrus is the perfect packaging for these environmentally conscious consumers,” says Paul De Kock, Sales director for De Keyser.

Ben E. Keith Foods' corrugated, fully recyclable strawberry "clamshells."US-based Ben E. Keith Foods announced a plastic reduction initiative, in conjunction with Markon Cooperative, intended to move the produce industry away from single-use plastic. The partnership worked with the strawberry grower-partners and Sambrailo Packaging to introduce Ready-Cycle, corrugated, fully recyclable clamshells for the Markon First Crop (MFC) two-pound strawberry containers that Ben E. Keith Foods distributes. The new line of packaging will be applied to strawberry cartons expected to ship in June 2019. “The process won't be easy, but this is the direction we need to be moving in,” comments Wes Holcomb, Corporate Category Director for Produce and Dairy at Ben E. Keith Foods. “By converting the two-pound plastic MFC strawberry clamshells to cardboard, and with plans in the works for the one-pound containers as well, we will save nearly 30 tons of plastic from going into landfills or oceans.”

Woodfiber specialist Sappi launched its new Atelier paperboard, developed under the motto “brilliance meets function.” The special feature of the new GC1 board lies in its combination of visual and physical features: Atelier combines a large specific volume with high stiffness, as well as a high surface quality with a “100 percent brightness.” “In order to be able to offer our customers this new, premium quality white back folding boxboard, we have converted our PM6 paper machine in Maastricht. Our multi-million-euro investment has resulted in a globally unique and truly innovative production process,” explains Lars Scheidweiler, Product Group Manager Paperboard at Sappi Europe, explaining the journey towards the product launch. “This means we are now in a position to produce a premium folding boxboard.” Atelier is available to the worldwide market in grammages ranging from 240 to 350 g/m².

Rockstar Energy's promotional summer cans.In brief: MiscellaneousDetermining the curing degree of UV inks poses a challenge to press operators around the world. To solve this problem, hubergroup, a leading international specialist for printing inks, invented an innovative technique: “NewV cure.” “Our new science-based approach provides an easy and objective evaluation of UV curing within a few minutes,” notes Dr. Carina Sötebier, Head of Central Analytical Lab at hubergroup. “To determine curing level of UV inks, we use a test liquid and an electronic test device. By testing a predefined extract, NewV cure can identify the quality level of a printed product.” From May 13 to 16, hubergroup will present this science-based, patented solution for determining the curing degree of UV inks as well as its EuPIA compliant UV ink portfolio in Nürtingen, Germany, at the IST UV Days 2019.

RPC Design's drip-free dispensing method for AdBlue.Energy drink producer Rockstar Energy deployed several of Ardagh Group’s beverage end features in a new range of promotional cans. As sponsors of summer rock music festival Rock am Ring, Rockstar is running a festival-branded “every beverage can wins” promotion across its range of flavored energy drinks. Seeking to maximize customer appeal at point of sale, the company has chosen to combine Ardagh’s Coloured Shell, Coloured Tab and Coded Tab technologies, resulting in a set of cutting-edge designs that stand out from the crowd.

RPC Design unveiled a bespoke 4 liter HDPE bottle that provides a drip-free dispensing method for AdBlue. It reduces Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) exhaust emissions and needs to be poured through a separate filler hole. As the liquid can be corrosive, effective non-drip dispensing was essential. The dispensing nozzle’s three injection molded polypropylene components create a system that automatically dispenses when inserted into the filling hole. For smooth and glug-free dispensing, the design allows air to pass back into the bottle and automatically shuts off when the nozzle is withdrawn to avoid spillages. The nozzle incorporates a dust over-cap to prevent contamination and an integrally molded tamper-evident band.

By Joshua Poole