Weekly Roundup: evian adds 100% rPET bottles to European portfolio, Sirane innovates plastic-free salmon board

02 Oct 2020 --- In packaging news this week, Danone natural spring water brand evian added fully recycled PET (rPET) bottles to its European range. UK compostable packaging specialist Sirane launched a fast-food range of susceptor packs that enhance microwaved food’s crispiness, and a plastic-free, water-resistant salmon board. VPK’s corrugated packaging division announced it will operate under a single brand name: VPK Packaging.

In brief: Circular progress
Evian natural spring water introduced 100 percent rPET bottles to its portfolio in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and the UK. When plastic is recycled and turned into a new bottle, it reduces production carbon emissions in production by up to 50 percent compared to virgin plastic bottles, evian says. The caps and labels on evian’s bottles are not produced from rPET. HDPE and OPP plastics are used to preserve water purity and quality. Evian is committed to making all of its plastic bottles from 100 percent recycled plastic by 2025.

Sudpack collaborated with Recenso, a specialist in the implementation of systems for resource recovery. Recenso’s engineers developed a chemical recycling process that converts mixed plastic fractions into a liquid reused by the chemical industry as raw material for high-quality plastic production. The companies aim to convert production-related reusable materials into high-quality pyrolysis oil on an industrial scale.

Berry Global announced its Biesheim, France, facility achieved the International Sustainability and Carbon Certificate (ISCC). Berry is awarded the certificate from SGS Germany, a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The certification enables the site to sell ISCC Plus certified nonwovens.Sirane’s Sira-Crisp susceptor packaging for microwaved foods.

In brief: Packaging launches
Sirane unveiled Sira-Crisp – a range of susceptor packaging that absorbs microwaves and radiates heat to enhance microwaved food’s crispiness. This process helps to prevent sogginess and provide crispy, appetizing fast-food. Crisp-It Wrap is supplied flat and fits snugly around the standard panini. The end-user simply folds the board around the panini and cooks it in the microwave.

Sirane also developed a recyclable, compostable and plastic-free salmon board in what could be “a game-changer for the seafood industry.” The new Earthboard Salmon Board is a water-resistant coated board that offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional, unrecyclable boards with a metalized polyester layer. The boards are available in standard and custom sizes and in non-metallic color. They are suitable for freezing and thawing and effective moisture resistance.

Berry M&H launched a 50 ml bottle for premium hand care products. The snap-on bottle can be combined with M&H’s existing Evo Class pump to provide a complete dispensing solution for moisturizers, lotions and gels. The tubular design creates an attractive appearance on-shelf and can be specified in a variety of colors. M&H also offers an in-house print and labeling service to help companies individualize the bottle in line with their specific product and branding requirements.Sirane’s water-resistant, compostable Earthboard Salmon Board.

VPF, a self-adhesive materials provider for water-based inkjet printing, expanded its product range with two high-gloss inkjet PP eco-films. With a thickness of just 55 and 75 µm, the films enable more cost-efficient inkjet film solutions – even for products with narrow diameters. Both inkjet films are developed for Memjet print systems, but can also be easily printed with all other common water-based inkjet print systems.

In brief: Business developments
VPK’s corrugated packaging division revealed it will operate under a single brand name: VPK Packaging. VPK Packaging replaces the Ondulys, Rigid and Peterson brands in France, the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries, respectively. The company says a new unified logo and visual identity reflect the overarching vision of the future that continues to foster environmental responsibility and local customer intimacy.

Alpla Group acquired a rigid plastics plant in India from global packaging supplier Amcor. The plant in Alandi, West India, is near the Pune metropolis. The plant manufacturers preforms for PET bottle production for the beverage industry. Customers include Coca-Cola and the Indian dairy company Amul. Alpla will take over all 50 employees.

Flint Group Packaging Inks acquired Poteet Printing Systems, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, US. The acquisition aligns with a key element of Flint’s strategy to grow organically and via acquisitions. Poteet manufactures water-based inks for flexographic applications to printers and converters across the US.Berry M&H’s 50 ml bottle for premium hand care products.

Essentra Packaging acquired of 3C! – a designer and manufacturer of cartons, literature, labels and packaging – based in North Carolina, US. The acquisition builds on Essentra’s manufacturing and service capabilities and adds to its existing packaging footprint in the Americas, as well as access to proprietary sterilization technology.

Berry Global formalized a working agreement with Azek’s Building Products business unit to utilize Berry’s mixed material, post-industrial scrap to produce high-quality, sustainable building materials such as composite decking. The collaboration is said to benefit both parties in their efforts to lower the environmental impacts. Berry will provide a consistent and high-quality material stream, which Azek will recycle and use to manufacture sustainable residential and commercial building products.

The Wilkins Group invested £300,000 (US$331,000) in a tray-forming machine as part of its campaign to drive the industry from single-use plastic to recyclable cardboard. The Nottingham, UK-based packaging manufacturer makes packaging for several leading supermarkets. It bought the new machine after it was tasked with supplying additional cardboard versions of plastic packs commonly seen in-store.

By Joshua Poole