Weekly Roundup: European Parliament’s water directive reduces plastic litter, SABIC partners with KraussMaffei HighPerformance

18 Dec 2020 --- In packaging news this week, the European Parliament adopted a new drinking water directive which, among other measures, reduces plastic litter. SABIC entered a strategic partnership with KraussMaffei HighPerformance to advance thin-wall packaging. Meanwhile, Berlin Packaging continues its European expansion with the acquisitions of Repli and Pentapackaging.

In brief: Environmental sustainability
The European Parliament adopted a new drinking water directive to improve the quality of tap water and reduce plastic litter. The new rules offer high-quality tap water across the EU and come in response to the demands of over 1.8 million Europeans who signed the first-ever successful European Citizens’ Initiative, “Right2Water”, in support of improving access to safe drinking water for all Europeans. To this end, member states shall ensure the free provision of water in public buildings and should encourage restaurants, canteens and catering services to give customers water for free or for a low service fee. Member states should also take measures to improve access to water for vulnerable groups, such as refugees, nomadic communities, homeless people and minority cultures such as the Roma and Travellers.

The overall recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland rose by more than 2 percent from 2017 (74.5 percent) to reach an all-time record of 76.1 percent in 2018. The total amount of aluminum recycled increased by 37,000 metric tons to an impressive 457,000 metric tons, representing a total GHG emissions saving of 3.7 million metric tons of CO₂ eq. This is equivalent to the amount of GHG emissions of a mid-size European town of 400,000 inhabitants.

In brief: Collaborations and acquisitions
SABIC entered a strategic partnership with KraussMaffei HighPerformance AG, KraussMaffei’s Swiss subsidiary and manufacturer of high-performance injection molding systems known under the NETSTAL brand. Aside from the exchange of mutual know-how in the fields of polymer technology and processing, the aim of the partnership is the joint use and further advancement of the existing application center for thin-wall packaging at the NETSTAL plant in Näfels, Switzerland. The official launch of the cooperation, which will focus on application, material and processing innovations in the thin-wall packaging industry through collaboration across the segment’s entire value chain, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.The European Parliament adopted a new drinking water directive to improve the quality of tap water and reduce plastic litter.

Berlin Packaging continues its European expansion with the acquisitions of Repli and Pentapackaging. Repli, based in Barcelona, Spain, and Pentapackaging, based in Bergamo, Italy, will significantly expand Berlin Packaging’s product portfolio for several key end markets, including industrial and specialty chemicals, food and beverage, household care, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Repli and Pentapackaging also bring over 9,000 square meters of additional warehouse space in Spain and Italy.

In brief: Packaging innovations
Weilburger Graphics created an innovative and recyclable beverage cooler made from paperboard and using a completely new waterproof coating. The aim of the new demo project was to showcase a sustainable alternative for food packaging. For the material, the company chose Metsä Board’s strong and lightweight, fresh fiber paperboard. The innovative packaging comes with a cooling tray and that can take up to 500 g of crushed ice or cold water. MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB eco-barrier paperboard was used with Weilburger Graphics’ new Senolith water-based barrier coating to keep the water inside the cooler. 

Hoffmann Neopac developed a differentiating packaging solution for a topical antiparasitic solution produced by Aurora Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and distributor of animal health medicine. For the project, Neopac produced its Twist’n’use tube, a small-volume single-dose solution that, once the cap is twisted, is irrevocably opened. In addition to tamper-evidence, the tube’s permanently affixed cap emphasizes consumer simplicity and offers an accurate application of the enclosed product to the area of treatment. 

ULMA Packaging developed an innovative leak-proof and fully-hygienic packaging solution. The poultry sector is seeing an increase in the demand for more sustainable packaging and safer products, which is currently the norm in all sectors, the company says. Tight-Chicken ensures that chickens arrive at stores perfectly packaged. The packaging solution ensures that the bag fits the product like a second skin, completely eliminating the risk of leaks and ensuring that the product arrives at stores in compliance with the applicable hygiene regulations. ULMA Packaging offers a system based on the Tight-Bag concept to its customers in the poultry sector; this system extracts air with no need for perforating the packaging, reducing the amount of plastic used, cutting the cost of labor and achieving a safer and more appealing product.

Ampacet debuted the Whispers Collection, a special effects masterbatch that provides a textural and frosted matte finish for PET applications within all market segments. The iced energy effect of the bottles is provided without the added expense of a secondary process, the company says. Colors currently include Blue Breeze, Calmed Coral, Golden Glimmer, Lucid Lilac, Muted Mauve and Soft Celadon. The collection can be customized for any color pathway to accurately reflect the targeted brand message, the company notes.

Aldi is introducing cardboard packaging for its entire beef steak range across all 95 of its stores in Scotland. The paper packaging solution will be featured in 12 of the retailer’s beef steak products this month and the move will save roughly 80 metric tons of plastic in Scotland annually. The move follows a successful trial in stores across parts of Wales, as well as the North West and South East of England.

By Kristiana Lalou