Weekly Roundup: Dow’s recycled resin hits shelves, Heinz targets shrink wrap elimination

22 Jan 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Dow announced the first large-scale commercial use of its 70 percent recycled resin, Agility CE. Plastigaur, a leading film converter based in Spain, is using the resin in its collation shrink film for cans and PET bottles. Meanwhile, Heinz revealed plans to remove all plastic shrink wrap from canned multipacks sold in UK Tesco stores. Also, ProAmpac acquired Rapid Action Packaging (RAP), a UK-based manufacturer of cellulose-based packaging for freshly prepared and ready-to-eat foods.

In brief: Eco-friendly rollouts
Dow announced the first large-scale commercial use of its innovative resin Agility CE, made with 70 percent recycled plastic. Plastigaur, a leading film converter based in Spain, is using the resin in its collation shrink film, typically used in the transportation of cans or PET bottles. The resin is based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE), into which post-consumer recycled (PCR) material from shrink film is incorporated without sacrificing material quality and functionality in the final application. Initially introduced in late 2019, Agility CE is Dow’s first PCR product offering. The company now has PCR product offerings in all its operating regions.

Heinz, one of Britain’s best-loved food brands and its biggest canned food producer, revealed plans to remove all plastic shrink wrap from canned multipacks sold in UK Tesco stores. The joint initiative will save an estimated 175 tons of plastic annually. From March 2, 2020, Heinz Beanz, Heinz Soup, Heinz Pasta and other varieties will instead be sold as single cans. Tesco customers will be able to buy three, four or six single cans of the same product at a multi-buy offer price. Heinz uses lightweight, 100 percent recyclable steel cans.Heinz is removing all plastic shrink wrap from canned multipacks in UK Tesco stores.

Faerch introduced the Eco HotPro product family, a new circular mono-PET pot range for hot-fill food applications, developed to allow high-temperature sterilization (HTS). HTS is an important feature in many dairy categories and requires packaging to withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees. The Eco HotPro Pot range is based on Faerch’s proven CPET technology. Eco HotPro Pots are made from up to 75 percent PCR, not compromising food safety or any other functional property. After use, the pots can be recycled to food-grade products of the same quality in an endless number of life cycles, the supplier says.Yallah Coffee’s Earthpouch by Sirane.

Sirane secured the first coffee roaster customer for its plastic-free, Earthpouch innovation. Yallah Coffee switched to the recyclable Earthpouch after extensive shelf life tests. Yallah wanted to ensure its packaging could be recycled, regardless of location, and so rejected either bio-based materials or LDPE as a packaging solution. Instead, they switched to Earthpouch – a paper-based pouch with a water-based barrier, which is heat-sealable and can be supplied custom printed. Earthpouches can be recycled with the paper stream.

Mondi launched two paper-based bags for German pet food producer Interquell, delivering both consumer convenience and environmental sustainability benefits. The pet food manufacturer requested two sizes with a functional plastic barrier for its premium Goood dog food. The FlexiBags met Interquell's goal to reduce plastic while ensuring premium product protection and convenient handling for consumers. Mondi uses up to 50 percent renewable resources to produce the reclosable paper-based bags. The base paper production, film creation and final conversion are all managed in-house by Mondi, resulting in a significant carbon footprint reduction.

Mondi also started up a new specialty kraft paper machine at its Štětí mill in the Czech Republic. The €67 million (US$82 million) machine investment marks Europe’s first dedicated paper machine for specialty kraft paper grades made out of fresh and recycled fiber for retail and online shopping bags, the global consumer packaging giant indicates. The paper machine will produce up to 130,000 tons of specialty kraft paper per year, meaning Mondi will have the largest product portfolio for consumer shopping bags in Europe. The portfolio includes white and brown virgin grades and recycled paper grades suitable for a range of bag applications from fashion stores to online grocery platforms and home deliveries. The EcoVantage two-ply paper produced on the new machine consists of recycled and sustainably-sourced fresh fibers and is 100 percent recyclable.ProAmpac acquired RAP, a UK-based manufacturer of cellulose-based packaging for freshly prepared and ready-to-eat foods for an undisclosed fee.

In brief: Business developments
ProAmpac acquired RAP, a private, UK-based manufacturer of cellulose-based packaging products for freshly prepared and ready-to-eat foods. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. RAP is a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable packaging for freshly prepared foods sold at retail, including sandwiches, wraps, chicken tenders and salads. With this acquisition, ProAmpac expands its manufacturing capabilities to produce primary packaging for ready-to-eat and freshly prepared foods, broadening its sustainable product offering for retail food markets.

Crown announced its Brazilian subsidiary Crown Embalagens plans to build its sixth beverage can plant in Brazil. The new two-line facility will produce two-piece aluminum cans in multiple sizes with an annual capacity of 2.4 billion cans when fully operational. The first line is expected to begin production in the second quarter of 2022, followed by the second line in the fourth quarter of 2022. The new plant will be located in Minas Gerais State, southeast Brazil, to meet the region’s growing beer and soft drink can demand.

PulPac generated US$1.2 million in funding, led by existing investors, bringing the total raised equity to US$7.1 million. Relatedly, PulPac also secured financing from a leading Nordic Bank, Nordea, adding over US$1.4 million to acquire advanced Dry Molded Fiber equipment. PulPac will use the proceeds to continue its rapid industrialization of the technology via secured partnerships and investments across the supply chain to ensure scalability, cost efficiency and standardization. Read more about PulPac’s high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products here.

By Joshua Poole