Weekly Roundup: DS Smith sells two European paper mills to International Paper

19 Apr 2019 --- This week in packaging, DS Smith sold two of its European packaging businesses to US-based International Paper for a reported US$71.2 million. DS Smith says the transaction will help secure European Commission (EC) approval of its January acquisition of Europac. In sustainability news, Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil announced bold new measures to make 70 percent of the beverage maker’s plastic bottles entirely from recycled material by the end of 2019. In the UK, Waitrose joined forces with Scottish biotech company CuanTec to develop a new film for food packaging made of waste langoustine shells.

In brief: Business news
DS Smith sold two of its paper mills – based in Portugal and Northwestern France – to US paper giant International Paper for a reported US$71.2 million combined, subject to customary closing conditions. DS Smith said that the transaction was undertaken in a bid to secure EC approval for its acquisition of Europac, which was announced in January. “I am delighted that we are on track to meet our commitment to the EC with both an attractive price and a good home for the businesses in International Paper,” notes Miles Roberts, CEO. Last month, DS Smith also sold its plastics division to private equity firm Olympus Partners for a reported US$585 million.

Avery Dennison officially opened its first intelligent label innovation space in the Asia Pacific and Sub Saharan Africa region. The new Avery Dennison I.Lab, located in Pune, India, is an interactive facility that provides customers and partners with hands-on experiences, live demonstrations and technical support. It is designed to help converters and partners explore the opportunities surrounding intelligent label solutions and RFID adoption. “Tomorrow’s business requires smarter solutions that bring positive changes to the way we live, work and play. This investment in I.Lab reaffirms our commitment to spearhead co-creations of innovative solutions for tomorrow’s needs with our customers, partners and other stakeholders, in our communities across this region,” says Anil Sharma, Vice President and General Manager for the region.Peppersmith's new plastic-free FSC accredited paper-based packs. 

In brief: Sustainability action
Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil announced major new sustainability goals, pledging to make 70 percent of their plastic bottles from recycled material by the end of the year. This will double Coca-Cola Amatil’s use of recycled plastic across its beverage range. It includes all small packages 600ml and under, including brands like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Mount Franklin and Pump 750ml. The move is part of Coca-Cola’s global commitment to a “World Without Waste” to increase recycled content and make all of its bottles and cans recyclable, and Coca-Cola Amatil’s commitment to Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets on recyclable and recycled materials. Globally, by 2030, Coca-Cola is committed to collecting and recycling as many bottles and cans as it sells each year.

Waitrose & Partners has teamed-up with Scottish biotech company CuanTec to work on a new film for food packaging made out of waste langoustine shells. CuanTec – based in Motherwell and Oban – takes waste langoustine shells created from seafood processing to make a natural polymer, which can then be turned into a flexible film. The material also has the potential to be both industrially and home compostable. Waitrose hopes the new packaging could be used as an alternative to conventional plastic film on some of its fish products in 12-18 months’ time, including Waitrose Duchy smoked salmon. “For us this technology represents the perfect virtuous circle. As well as protecting food on sale to consumers, it gives value to what would have been a waste product and takes single-use plastic out of the food system, meaning that less waste goes to landfill,” explains Dr Cait Murray-Green, CEO of CuanTec.

Berry Global announced its sustainability strategy through a company initiative named “Impact 2025.” The plastic supplier aims to boost its environmental credentials by designing 100 percent of its packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Berry Global will also focus on lightweighting products, increasing recycled content and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2025 versus the company’s 2016 baseline.

In brief: Product launches Clariant’s new standard tube/desiccant stopper product.
Peppersmith unveiled a new plastic-free design for its mint and chewing gum products made from FSC accredited card. The London-based company adapted the packs to include a perforated tamper-free tab to ensure freshness. Each display box will feature an eye-catching image of the flavor – a spearmint or peppermint leaf, lemon or strawberry – on a bright bold background and with wrap around lettering. The new designs were created by B&B Studio, who also crafted the designs for brands such as Pip & Nut and Fever Tree. “We’re super excited to show the world our new plastic-free packaging. We’ve listened to our customers and worked really hard to make a recyclable tamper proof plastic-free design work,” says Sasha Holt, Head of Marketing and Creative at Peppersmith. “The new bold and modern look will also give us much more impact and stand out and we can’t wait to see it on the shelves.”

Specialty chemical company Clariant launched a new standard tube/desiccant stopper product, created and sized to serve the needs of the Vietnam market. The new product features a 25mm x 132mm tube along with a spiral stopper to package effervescent tablets and protect them from breakage and moisture-related damage. The design also works well for chewables and lozenges. The product is being distributed in Vietnam by DKSH Vietnam Co and will be directly sourced from Clariant’s plant in Changshu, China, ensuring an optimized supply chain.

By Joshua Poole