Weekly Roundup: Ardagh announces US$200M beverage can plant, Amcor finds consumers keen on recycling

19 Nov 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Ardagh Metal Packaging announced plans to construct a US$200 million beverage can plant in Northern Ireland, UK. Meanwhile, Amcor research revealed consumers worldwide want to recycle more. Also, Garçon Wines’ recycled PET flat wine bottles were awarded a special mention in Time’s Best Inventions 2021.

In brief: Business investments
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art US$200 million beverage can plant in Northern Ireland, UK. The plant will be located near Belfast and service the growing needs of AMP’s beverage customers in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Though details on specific jobs numbers are still being finalized, the investment by AMP will lead to the creation of a large number of full-time jobs for engineers, technicians and other roles. This initiative is part of AMP’s multi-billion dollar investment program, involving the construction of new, infinitely recyclable, metal packaging capacity in Europe, North America and Brazil.

Mondi invested €20 million (US$23 million) to improve the environmental impact of its pulp production at the Frantschach mill in Austria. The mill, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2021, has already been energy self-sufficient for many years and supplies surrounding communities and industrial companies with surplus heat from the pulp production process. The decision to invest was driven by the need to make best use of wood as a primary input. “Wood is one of the most important raw materials for a future based on renewable resources, and resource efficiency is an equally important consideration,” commented Gottfried Joham, managing director of Mondi Frantschach. “We see ourselves as pioneers in the bioeconomy, and we’re doing this by increasing the share of by-products from the pulp production process.”Morrisons will acquire a significant stake in a new recycling site in Fife, UK.

Coveris completed a two-year transformation project at its Cramlington self-adhesive labels facility in Northumberland, UK. The twin facility, which includes both the main Colbourne Avenue plant and its sister site at Admiral Business Park, has undergone a state-of-the-art modernization plan, with over £3 million (US$4 million) being invested in new technologies to increase capacity and added recycling infrastructure.

Amcor research revealed consumers worldwide want to recycle more. The survey of 12,000 consumers in six countries indicated 76% would like to recycle more than they do now. The research found recyclability is the packaging environmental sustainability attribute consumers care most about, above reusability and the type of materials used. Amcor also released its 2021 Sustainability Report, showing strong progress on its aspirations, including multiple innovations providing consumers with the opportunity to recycle more.

Morrisons announced a goal to recycle the equivalent amount of plastic that it uses by 2025. It will become the first UK supermarket to own its own recycling operations by acquiring a significant stake in a new recycling site in Fife, UK. The site will reprocess hard-to-recycle soft plastics. “Lots of work has been done by retailers to reduce plastic, but little to recycle what remains,” said Jamie Winter, procurement director at Morrisons. “We’re taking on that challenge and making a significant investment in a state-of-the-art soft plastic recycling site.”Coveris completed a two-year transformation of its Cramlington labels facility.

Pact Group received AUD$20 million (US$14.5 million) in funding from the Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative for Recycling and Clean Energy Manufacturing projects to support its investments in plastic recycling technology. The funding will support an investment of approximately AUD$76 million (US$55 million) in new equipment and facility upgrades at 15 of Pact’s operations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, which are scheduled to be completed by mid-2024.

In Brief: Time inventions 2021
Garçon Wines’ 100% recycled PET flat wine bottles were awarded a special mention in Time’s Best Inventions 2021. Described by journalist Jared Lindzon for Time as “an emission-cutting container,” the invention saves space, weight and energy to significantly slash carbon emissions throughout wine’s supply chain. “The special mention makes us more motivated than ever to continue our mission of making more climate- and planet-friendly packaging, especially as we look ahead to launch in both the USA and Australia next year,” said Santiago Navarro, CEO & co-founder at Garçon Wines.Garçon Wines was awarded a special mention in Time’s Best Inventions 2021.

In brief: Business strategies
BillerudKorsnäs presented a new business strategy, indicating it will pursue new business opportunities in the Americas, specifically for paperboard. However, Europe will remain the company’s core focus. “BillerudKorsnäs has an incredible opportunity at the sweet spot of trends supporting a growing demand for our renewable, high-quality products made of primary fibers,” commented Christoph Michalski, President and CEO at BillerudKorsnäs. “We have developed a strategic direction around how to reach a profitable and sustainable revenue growth to 2030.”

In brief: BOPP launch
Innovia Films developed a “uniquely engineered” uncoated cavitated BOPP base film branded Rayoface QB, designed for pressure-sensitive labeling applications. The film is available in 57 and 40 micron thicknesses and has a coating receptive surface on one side, allowing customers to add a preferred topcoat. QB is suitable for applications in household and personal care and food and beverage.

By Joshua Poole