Weekly Roundup: Carbios accelerates enzymatic recycling industrialization, Albéa’s lightweight tubes
28 Jan 2022 --- In packaging news this week, Carbios revealed plans to accelerate the industrial development of its enzymatic recycling with the construction of its reference unit in Europe. Meanwhile, Albéa launched a material-saving head+cap tube solution, and Wipotec-OCS debuted a multi-function metal detection-checkweigher-vision module.
In brief: Bioplastic boosts
Carbios, a pioneer of enzymatic solutions dedicated to the end-of-life of plastic and textile polymers, announced it will accelerate the industrial development of its revolutionary enzymatic recycling process (C-ZYME) with the construction of its reference unit in Europe. After studying several potential location proposals, Carbios has shortlisted two of the worlds’ leading PET producers to host this future reference unit. The industrial sites considered are in Europe, including one in France.
Danimer Scientific, a bioplastics company focused on producing biodegradable materials, signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Oilbank, the oil refinery unit of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings, to jointly develop global new market opportunities and applications for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). PHA is a biopolymer that serves as a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic.
Albéa’s EcoFusion Top.
In brief: Plastics circular economy
Albéa introduced the EcoFusion Top, a two-in-one solution that allows more than 80% weight reduction compared to standard head+cap solutions and 55% weight reduction for the whole tube compared to standard tubes. EcoFusion Top is made from HDPE to guarantee mono-materiality and recyclability. “Reducing plastic use through weight reduction is a top priority in our responsible tubes roadmap,” explained Caroline Hughes, marketing manager at Albéa Tubes. “As a single-component open-and-close breakthrough system, EcoFusion Top is the most advanced solution in weight reduction on the market. In addition, less plastic in the packaging means a smaller carbon footprint and a reduced environmental impact.”
Klöckner Pentaplast (kp), a global leader in recycled content products and high-barrier protective packaging, announced its intention to expand its post-consumer recycled content PET capacity in North America with a “significant investment,” growing its offering in consumer health, pharmaceutical, and food packaging markets. The expansion will add an extrusion line and two thermoformers delivering a total of 15,000 metric tons of new recycled PET/PET capacity.
Berry M&H ‘s 250 ml PET bottle for syrups.
Berry Global and TotalEnergies partnered to make food packaging “more circular” and divert waste from landfills. TotalEnergies will supply Berry Global with Certified Circular Polymers obtained through the advanced recycling of post-consumer plastic waste that is otherwise hard to recycle via existing processes. This supply will help reduce waste and allow Berry Global to use more recycled plastic in its food and beverage packaging and healthcare products.
Berry M&H launched a 250 ml PET bottle for syrups to meet growing consumer demand for the creation of flavored drinks in the home. The new bottle provides a convenient retail size for a wide variety of syrups, fruit mixes, sauces, frappes, liqueurs, and smoothies, offering easy storage along with safe and comfortable handling.
In brief: Fiber-based advancements
The 4evergreen alliance welcomed paper bottle pioneer Paboco as its newest member. The cross-industry alliance works to optimize fiber-based packaging circularity and climate performance. “We are at the beginning of an industry shift moving toward low-carbon, circular and fiber-based packaging applicable in new areas such as bottles,” said Gittan Schiöld, Paboco’s CEO. “To justify these shifts, we need to collaborate across the value chain to ensure the most [environmentally] sustainable life cycles where recycling plays a key role. Paboco is joining 4evergreen to put paper bottles on the map and to define the future route for recycling of such new packaging types as well as inspire industry peers to challenge conventional.”
PulPac filed an additional patent application, refining its pioneering cellulose forming technology for competitive fiber-based packaging and single-use products. The hybrid tool uses one pressing stroke to manufacture a product with a general form in the pressing direction and a special feature, such as undercut in the lateral direction, especially advantageous when producing lids and other applications where stacking and denesting features are important. The hybrid tool also enhances the surface quality and tool life.
Wipotec-OCS’ new All-in-One Inspection Unit.
In brief: Climate initiatives
Südpack switched entirely to green electricity supply for its key production, administration and logistics sites. At the site in Erolzheim, Germany, a new photovoltaic system went into operation in 2021. All of the other German sites, the Polish site in Kłobuck and the Dutch site in Grootegast will obtain electricity from renewable energy sources by 2023.
In brief: Track and trace
Wipotec-OCS, a leading manufacturer and supplier of precision in-motion weighing, track and trace/anti-counterfeiting solutions and X-Ray scanning equipment, debuted a multi-function metal detection-checkweigher-vision module at International Production & Processing Expo, in Atlanta, US (January 25-27). The All-in-One Inspection Unit combines two prime quality assurance functionalities – X-ray foreign objects detection and precision checkweighing – with an enhanced vision system capable of verifying label placement, barcode legitimacy, film detection and validation of expiration.
By Joshua Poole
