Weekly Roundup: Iwata Label opens pharmaceutical facility, Schlüter to become part of WestRock’s packaging business

07 Sep 2018 --- The weekly roundup is PackagingInsights' collection of global packaging stories from the past week. Iwata Label opened its new production facility in Japan to respond to the growing Japanese pharmaceutical industry and RPC Bramlage Division developed a new lip care stick with strengthened recyclability. Oncap acquired Precision Global for an undisclosed amount and Solidus Solutions acquired a majority stake in Northern Paper Board Limited. WestRock Company acquired Schlüter Print Pharma Packaging. Lastly, Graphic Packaging Holding Company released its 2017 Sustainability Report, noting ambitious 2025 targets, while the Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) conference this summer noted record-high attendance numbers.

In brief: Product launches and certifications
Japanese label producer Iwata Label has opened its new production facility in Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan, as it seeks to respond to market and customer needs. Iwata Label identified that the Japanese pharmaceutical industry is a growing multibillion-dollar industry, presently being driven by Japan’s aging population and world-class technology. The new facility houses four letterpress printing presses, five intermittent letterpress machines, punching machines and inspection equipment. Also, a unique printing press supports laminating while printing, delivering high value-added labels. 

RPC Bramlage Division developed a new lip care stick that combines greater usability and functionality with a stronger environmental profile compared to other models currently available. The three-piece design is manufactured completely in polypropylene (PP) thus greatly easing its ability to be recycled. PP also has a lower carbon footprint than POM which is often used for these types of products. Overall the new stick has achieved a RecyClass B rating for its environmental profile, whereas most traditional sticks have an E or F rating.

In brief: Acquisitions, partnerships and expansions
Oncap, a private equity firm, has acquired Precision Global, manufacturer of dispensing solutions for the personal care, household, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries, for an undisclosed amount. Precision Global is said to be the largest supplier of valves in the world, selling more than four billion annually and also produces and sells two billion actuators annually. 

Solidus Solutions, a European producer of solid board, graphic board, core board and solid board packaging, has acquired a majority stake in Northern Paper Board Limited, a UK-based manufacturer of boxes used for packaging. Solidus has acquired the stake from Northern Paper Board’s current owners, John and Paul Curran, who will continue to lead the company along with its existing management team.

WestRock Company has acquired Schlüter Print Pharma Packaging, a German-based supplier of a full range of leaflets and booklets. Schlüter will become part of WestRock’s Multi Packaging Solutions business. The acquisition will expand WestRock’s ability to provide winning solutions to healthcare packaging clients in Europe.

In brief: Miscellaneous
Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies, released its 2017 Sustainability and Social Responsibility Report. The report outlines three key community pillars on which the Company is focused: Preserving the Environment, Putting Food on the Table, and Investing in Education. The report also highlights Graphic Packaging's Sustainability Vision 2025, which notes both the historical progress toward reducing the Company's environmental footprint and the goals Graphic Packaging is committed to achieving by 2025.

Reflecting the high levels of interest in flexible packaging – both for its performance and role in the circular economy – the Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) summer conference attracted a record number of attendees to the event, which was held recently in Naples, Italy. During the conference FPE could officially welcome six new member companies in addition to the 80+ members of the trade association who represent around 85 percent of the turnover in the European flexible packaging market.  

By Laxmi Haigh