Weekly Roundup: Flextrus' PaperLite material nabs sustainability award, GEA Germany appoints new CEO

21 Sep 2018 --- The weekly roundup is PackagingInsights' collection of global packaging stories from the past week. ProMach acquired Fltecnics, hoping to strengthen its position in the stand-up pouch market. Flextrus was awarded the Pentwards bronze prize in the sustainable category while Sonoco has temporarily suspended its paper mill operations in South Carolina due to the heavy flooding. Lastly, Ardagh Group has partnered with Daesang Corporation to release a specialized aluminum can for the South Korean market.

In brief: Acquisitions, expansions and mergers
ProMach has acquired Fltecnics, a manufacturer of horizontal-form-fill seal pouch packaging solutions. ProMach’s relationship with the European horizontal form-fill-seal pouch provider began in 2014 when it began to sell and support Fltecnics products in the US market. ProMach’s Flexibles business has been growing, and this acquisition hopes to strengthen ProMach’s global position in the fast-growing stand-up pouch market.

In brief: Product launches and certifications
Poultry processing brand Perdue has unveiled new packaging which it hopes will resonate with millennials and loyal customers. The contemporary design introduces a variety of playful illustrations and vibrant colors aimed to inspire and connect with the millennial demographic. The re-design, which marks the companies fourth major packaging update, also highlights trusted product attributes like no-antibiotics, 100 percent vegetarian fed, no animal by-products, raised cage-free and with no hormones or steroids.

In brief: Appointments and retirements
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft has appointed Stefan Klebert as its new CEO. Klebert will succeed Jurg Oleas, who is going to leave the company after completion of the fiscal year and after handing over the reins in February 2019. Klebert previously worked for Schuler AG.

In brief: Miscellaneous
Flextrus has been awarded the Pentwards bronze prize in the sustainable category for its PaperLite material. The company touts the paper-based thermoformable material as an excellent choice to meet increasing requests for more sustainable packaging. PaperLite is made from FSC certified material and is compatible with a range of sealing layers.

Due to unprecedented flooding from Hurricane Florence in the US, Sonoco’s paper mill operations in Hartsville, S.C., have been shut down temporarily. Certain operations remain flooded and have experienced damage which could require those operations to be down for several weeks.

Ardagh Group is getting involved in South Korea's annual lunar Thanksgiving holiday. As part of the holiday, citizens give gifts which often include an attractive presentation box comprising cans of luncheon meat and tuna. In cooperation with Daesang Corporation, Ardagh Group, whose Goseong plant in the south of the country opened in 2009, manufactured rectangular aluminum food cans for luncheon meat specifically for the South Korean market. The innovative can has an unusual “necked-out” opening feature to allow easy serving and is sealed with a state-of-the-art Easy Peel.

By Laxmi Haigh