Weekly Roundup: Huhtamaki unveils plastic-free colored egg packs, Smurfit Kappa acquires Cartonbox in Mexico

09 Jul 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Huhtamaki launched a post-consumer recycled fiber carton branded Futuro for cooked colored eggs in Europe. Meanwhile, Smurfit Kappa acquired Cartonbox, a Mexican folding carton company, and Toppan showcased NFC-enabled interactive packaging at Luxe Pack Shanghai 2021.

In brief: Fiber-based launches
Huhtamaki launched Futuro in what the company says is the first 100 percent plastic-free egg carton for cooked colored eggs in Europe. The solution is especially relevant to the German market, where hard-boiled eggs or “Bunte Eier” remain a popular snack or an addition to lunch or dinner, with more than 80 million packs sold yearly. Hard-boiled eggs are currently regularly packed and sold in plastic packaging for sale in supermarkets. Futuro cartons are made of post-consumer recycled fiber. In Germany, they can be recycled in the paper and cardboard stream or composted at home or in an industrial composting facility. Also, the new flapless design makes the cartons 10 percent lighter than standard fiber cartons, reducing their carbon footprint. The patented design also allows consumers to see the eggs on retail shelves. “By switching to our fiber-based Futuro cartons, Germany could eliminate almost 2,400 metric tons of plastic from packaging for eggs yearly,” said Hilbrand van Dijk, Sales & Marketing Manager at Huhtamaki.

Mondi launched extra-long digital formats (ELDFs) for its Color Copy original flagship range. With lengths up to 1200 mm, the ELDFs are designed to meet the growing demand for digitally printed applications and allow for a host of new print applications. Mondi says the papers offer the highest possible quality in digital color printing and provide customers the choice between different long-sheet applications – personalized for each customer – both in large scale or single items.Mondi’s extra-long digital formats for its Color Copy original flagship range.

BillerudKorsnäs introduced two new low grammages of its flagship cartonboard product, CrownBoard Prestige. Made at KM7 – “the world’s most modern board machine” – the new low grammages are particularly interesting for the graphical industry. CrownBoard Prestige 170 and 200 gsm combine an excellent printing surface with strength and shapeability. The technical properties of the board include advanced coating technology and state-of-the-art online quality monitoring. Despite the low basis weights, it is a strong board made of 100 percent primary wood fibers built up in a 3-ply structure.

In brief: Business developments
Smurfit Kappa acquired Cartonbox, a folding carton company located in Monterrey, the northeast of Mexico. The company says the acquisition represents a milestone as it strengthens its participation in the paper packaging solutions business in Mexico, expanding its footprint to four folding carton locations in the country. “Our top priority is to generate value for our stakeholders, and Mexico has shown to be a key country for us to invest in. Not only does this [acquisition] increase our footprint in the country, it also allows us to answer our customers’ needs and expectations,” commented Juan G. Castaneda, Smurfit Kappa The Americas’ CEO.Toppan’s new packages connect with NFC-enabled smartphones.

Mayr-Melnhof Packaging announced an investment of around €35 million (US$41 million) in expanding its Neupack Polska site, with a focus on e-commerce and high-quality fine corrugated cardboard (microflute). MMP Neupack Polska is a market leader for cartonboard packaging in Poland and has two plants in Bydgoszcz. The focus is on packaging for the food, confectionery, fast food, electronics, detergents, pet food and personal care markets. The plant will offer a more developed packaging portfolio produced on a state-of-the-art machine park, especially for the growing microflute market.

Novio Packaging, Vincap and Vinkova consolidated under the name Berlin Packaging Netherlands. “We will form the European branch of the largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier in the world,” the company said. “We will be able to provide a complete range in all sectors so that we can assist our customers throughout the production process – from design to distribution.” The name change and the use of the new commercial brands will not interfere with daily activities.

In brief: Connective packaging
Toppan developed interactive packages that connect with NFC-enabled smartphones, enabling customer experiences, including games and music. A wireless NFC-based connection is established when a smartphone is close to the package. No Bluetooth pairing is required. Pad-type switches embedded in the package allow consumers to enjoy interactive experiences, pressing or tapping to produce sounds or control content on the smartphone screen via a compatible app. LEDs and other additional components can be incorporated into the package to meet needs based on the purpose or conditions of use. Toppan showcased the technology at Luxe Pack Shanghai 2021 (July 7-8).Berry Superfos’ plastic off-cuts are being turned into valuable items, including components that biologically purify water used in aquaculture.

In brief: Fossil fuel reductions
Berry Superfos revealed that its plastic off-cuts from packaging manufacturing – which cannot be reused on site – are being turned into valuable items, including components that biologically purify water used in aquaculture. As part of the manufacturing process at the company’s Randers facility in Denmark, most plastic off-cuts from production are collected and go back into production. Any unsuitable material is redirected to the recycling stream. These off-cuts are first treated at a nearby plastic recycling company, and the reprocessed plastic is then purchased by industrial plastic producers for manufacturing plastic products. One such producer is Dania Plast, a Danish company manufacturing a range of injection-molded components in polypropylene for industrial use, including bio-media items sold under the brand name RK BioElements.

Graphic Packaging International (GPI) upgraded its truck delivery fuel efficiency with vehicles built by Dutch manufacturer DAF. GPI operates a fleet of 22 heavy goods vehicles and, after putting its first eight DAF units on the road in 2019, reduced its CO2 output by 110,887 kg – a 15 percent reduction from the previous year. With the recent addition of three new units, GPI has replaced all but one vehicle (scheduled to be replaced in October) and expects nearly a 30 percent overall reduction in emissions over the subsequent 18 months operating almost a full DAF fleet.

By Joshua Poole