Weekly Roundup: Coca-Cola’s Fuze Tea adopts SIG’s plant-based cartons, Berry Superfos launches food pot with coated natural fibers

14 May 2021 --- In packaging news this week, bio-based developments took center stage, with Coca-Cola’s Fuze Tea brand becoming the first in the iced tea category to switch to SIG’s plant-based carton packs. Berry Superfos launched a plastic-reducing food pot using coated natural fibers. Mondi began supplying its renewable containerboard grade made in Slovakia. Extr:act recycling platform reported 50,000 tons of beverage carton non-fiber components can now be recycled annually in Europe.

In brief: Bio-based boosts
Coca-Cola’s Fuze Tea brand became the first in the iced tea category to switch to SIG’s carton packs using Signature packaging material. Fuze Tea’s carton packs in the Netherlands are now using 100 percent responsibly sourced materials that are 95 percent linked to plant-based raw materials, resulting in CO2 savings. The paperboard is FSC-certified, the polymers certified via an independently certified mass balance system and the aluminum certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. “Fuze Tea is available in a variety of packaging solutions, from aseptic carton packs, PET bottles made from 100 percent recycled plastic rPET and cans to returnable glass bottles,” says Joris Hendriks, director for commercial development at Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) Netherlands. CCEP is committed to climate-neutrality across its entire value chain by 2040.

Berry Superfos launched a resource-efficient food pot that cuts plastic content by 60 percent compared to similar solutions. The new CombiLight solution meets the increasing demand from food producers for lightweight, strong and environmentally responsible packs. The pot is made using less fossil material by combining a plastic structure with coated natural fibers.Berry Superfos’ plastic-reducing food pot.

Mondi began supplying customers with its renewable material containerboard grade made in Slovakia. Kraft Top White combines the strength, printability and appearance benefits of a white fresh fiber top layer with the advantages of a recycled fiber bottom layer. State-of-the-art paper technology increases strength while reducing weight, making Kraft Top White a compelling solution for the growing European white top liner market for shelf-ready packaging, point-of-sale displays, trays and e-commerce packaging.

Sanner expanded its bio-based based plastic packaging portfolio with new closure variants and tube sizes for a broader range of healthcare products and food supplement applications. The additions follow the market launch of Sanner BioBase last year, “the first” bio-based packaging made from renewable raw materials for effervescent tablets.Mondi’s renewable containerboard, produced in Slovakia.

Cortec released the EcoShrink Compostable Film, a commercially compostable alternative to common plastic shrink wraps for industrial packaging applications. The film is sourced from certified commercially compostable resins and contains 45 percent biopolymers. EcoShrink is shelf and curb stable and retains its integrity until disposed of in a commercial composting environment.

In brief: Industry collaborations
Extr:act, the European platform for increasing the recycling of beverage cartons and similar fiber-based multi-material packaging, provided an update on innovative steps taken by different companies to recycle the non-fiber components of beverage cartons throughout Europe. As of today, the below projects allow roughly 50,000 tons of beverage carton non-fiber components to be recycled annually:

• Ecoplasteam’s recycling plant in Italy.
• ReconPolymers in the Netherlands.
• Plastigram in the Czech Republic.
• Palurec in Germany, operated by beverage carton manufacturers.

Sonoco Europe became a member of the Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment (INCPEN). INCPEN works closely with its wide-ranging membership base, including some of the world’s largest enterprises and small, local firms. “[INCPEN is] an invaluable organization dedicated to helping the packaging industry develop a better understanding of the role packaging plays in the environment. This collaboration with INCPEN and its other members is part of our global vision to establish a comprehensive roadmap for a sustainable and circular economy. It also ensures that Sonoco will continue making a meaningful impact in the recycling sector,” comments Seàn Cairns, division VP and general manager at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe.Multivac’s B 425 model.

PulPac granted support for barrier development and hypothesis testing within the Swedish strategic innovation program BioInnovation. The project’s goal is to develop radically new materials and evaluate application methods enabling the integration of more environmentally friendly hydro- or oleophobic barriers in dry molded processes (Dry Molded Fiber). A successful outcome of the project will enable the creation of several types of completely sustainable packaging products with high barrier properties with protection against, for example, grease and moisture.

Danimer Scientific received a Small Business Innovation Research grant to research pennycress oil as a potential feedstock for producing PHA, a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic. Starting in July 2021, the company will partner with the University of Minnesota’s (US) Forever Green Initiative to conduct the project. Results will guide the development of commercial models for using pennycress oil in PHA. Major brands have recently announced plans to use PHA, including Nestlé for water bottles and Bacardi for spirit bottles.

In brief: Packaging machinery
Multivac completed its chamber belt machine range with the addition of the compact and narrow B 425 model, designed for packing smaller products like ham, cheese, poultry and fish with high output. The machine’s main features are durability, easy operation and the highest level of hygiene. The machine is available to customers now.Innovia Films’ new CHS film for its Propafilm range.

Starlinger launched a backflush filter enabling manufacturers of woven bags made of polypropylene tapes to use a 50 percent proportion of recycled polypropylene in the tape extrusion process. “With our SPB filter, we are offering tried and tested technology that enables woven bag manufacturers to use recycled material for bag production without compromising on quality and cost-effectiveness. As such, you get exactly the same specifications and properties with recycled input material as with tapes made from 100 percent virgin material,” explains Hermann Adrigan, head of sales at Starlinger. 

In brief: Film launch
Innovia Films added a new film to its Propafilm range of transparent specialty packaging films. CHS offers improved thermal resistance and shrinkage properties compared to conventional polypropylene films. The solution has been designed to substitute traditional outer web films in laminates for applications such as pouches and lidding in various food markets. “With CHS, we have developed a BOPP film with enhanced functionality, which allows the film to be used in new application areas. We have been particularly successful with the film’s performance as the outer film of laminate structures used in retort pouch applications,” notes Paul Watters, product development manager for packaging at Innovia Films.

In brief: Acquisition
Coveris acquired UK-based flexible packaging manufacturing and trading business Four04 Packaging. The acquired company specializes in fresh food, fresh produce and bakery packaging, offering a product portfolio “perfectly complementing” Coveris’ existing product ranges. Four04 Packaging will join the Coveris network, enabling the group to optimize its manufacturing capacities, broaden its product portfolio and expand its presence in the UK.

By Joshua Poole

Starlinger unveiled a backflush filter enabling manufacturers of woven bags made of polypropylene tapes to use a 50 percent proportion of recycled polypropylene in the tape extrusion process.