Weekly Roundup: Huhtamaki adds recycled LDPE to laminated tubes, Sappi and Mondi nab platinum CSR awards

14 Aug 2020 --- In packaging news this week, Huhtamaki integrated LDPE recyclate into its laminated tubes while maintaining nearly identical structural integrity as the virgin LDPE alternative. The Finnish packaging specialist indicates that it will increase the recyclate beyond the current 19 percent mark and test on different feedstock streams. Also, Sappi Europe and Mondi were awarded platinum EcoVadis ratings for corporate social responsibility (CSR), and China-based Xiaoyangren launched a sports drink in a dynamically shaped bottle with an Aptar sports closure.

In brief: Circular action
Huhtamaki integrated APK’s LDPE recyclate into its laminated tubes. The PE recyclate that facilitated this innovation is Mersalen, produced by APK AG, Merseburg, Germany. APK’s solvent-based Newcycling technology generates Mersalen from complex polyethylene/polyamide multilayer film waste that is difficult for most conventional recycling processes to recycle. The tube produced with Huhtamaki’s laminate contains 19 percent Mersalen recyclates and its performance is reportedly nearly identical with the standard referenced PBL structure produced with virgin LDPE. Huhtamaki’s Flexible Packaging Europe R&D unit plans to increase the percentage of recycled content in its products further and plans to test recyclates based on different feedstock streams.Huhtamaki added APK’s LDPE recyclate to its laminated tubes (Credit: APK).

Veolia, a leading UK resource management specialist, became the first company to join the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) organization under the recently introduced waste management company membership grade. The membership continues the collaboration between OPRL and Veolia to advance the recycling of packaging in the drive to improve environmental sustainability. OPRL operates the UK-wide On-Pack Recycling Label scheme, which was recently rated as global best practice by the UN Environment Programme. Veolia joins over 540 businesses using the labeling system to engage customers in recycling. Veolia's membership now means the company's large customer base can access a fully aligned service on the recyclability and labeling of its packaging as part of the OPRL membership.

The Kroger Co. launched its Simple Truth Recycling Program, offering customers a “free and simple way” to recycle the flexible packaging of more than 300 products from Simple Truth. Simple Truth is reportedly America's largest natural and organic brand, with annual sales exceeding US$2.5 billion in 2019. Developed in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle, Kroger's new platform enables customers to recycle a wide range of flexible packaging not currently accepted in curbside recycling programs, including produce bags, bread bags and plastic overwrap from household items like tissues and bottled water.Aptar Food + Beverage unveiled its SimpliCycle recyclable valve technology (Credit: Aptar).

In brief: Responsibility recognition
Sappi Europe received a platinum score in the latest EcoVadis rating. One of the leading global providers of sustainable woodfiber products and solutions retained its top position from the previous year among the leading one percent of all companies assessed, which exhibit high activity and responsibility with regard to CSR. The EcoVadis rating covers a total of 21 criteria, which are divided into four general areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis is an international institute based in France which awards ratings for CSR. The assessment ratings currently include bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Mondi also achieved platinum status in the EcoVadis CSR ratings in recognition of the Group’s strong commitment to sustainability. The leading global packaging and paper manufacturer’s adoption of science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets highlights its efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. The targets commit the Group to reduce specific scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 34 percent by 2025 and 72 percent by 2050. The company has invested approximately €700 million on improving energy efficiency across its mills since 2013.

In brief: Launches
Aptar Food + Beverage unveiled its SimpliCycle recyclable valve technology. The SimpliCycle valve offers recyclability while maintaining all of the same advantages of Aptar’s standard and Swimming Silicone valves, including high repeatable performance and slit versatility to fit a wide variety of applications for food, beverage, and other product applications around the world. Aptar’s SimpliCycle valve is made from a TPE material with a low density that allows the valve to float, so it is easily separated from the PET stream, and then ultimately recycled within the PP/PE olefin stream.Xiaoyangren launched a dynamic sports drink using Aptar’s sports closure (Credit: Aptar).

Xiaoyangren, famous for its milk drinks in China, has launched a sports drink in a dynamically shaped bottle with Aptar’s sports closure. The packaging design reflects “a youthful attitude towards life – a love for play, adventure, and sports.” With a novel design, this sports closure has dual wings on the top, symbolizing vitality and energy, and the clam-shell cap can be flipped open with one hand, ideal when playing sports, and making it easy to drink on-the-go. Simplisqueeze, Aptar’s flow control silicon valve, is smartly designed into the spout to avoid leaking, even when the closure is open – making it convenient and hygienic.

In brief: Business
CCL Industries, a global leader in specialty label, security and packaging solutions for global corporations, government institutions, small businesses and consumers, signed a binding agreement to acquire Graphic West International (GWI). GWI is a specialized digital printer of short-run folding cartons for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries with operations in Europe and North America. The company is headquartered in Horsholm, Denmark, with manufacturing operations in Nowogard, Poland, and Tyler, Texas, US. The enterprise value of the transaction, net of cash and debt, is approximately US$36 million.

Graphic Packaging announced that International Paper has notified the company of its intent to continue the monetization process of its ownership interest in Graphic Packaging International Partners (“Partnership”). Per the agreement, the Partnership will purchase approximately 17.4 million Partnership units from International Paper for US$250 million. As a result, Graphic Packaging's ownership interest in the Partnership will increase from roughly 81.1 percent to 85.5 percent.

By Joshua Poole