Weekly Roundup: Loop attracts first pet food partner, German tea brand packs with Futamura’s compostable films

03 Jul 2020 --- In packaging news this week, Open Farm Pet Food became the first pet food participant in TerraCycle’s reusable and refillable Loop packaging platform. In select markets, consumers can purchase Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food in reusable containers that are collected, cleaned, refilled and reused. Also, German tea company samova adopted Futamura’s renewable and compostable NatureFlex films for its tea sachet envelopes, and Amcor collaborated with Espoma Organic gardening brand to innovate and launch a bio-based polymer package.

In brief: Packaging collaborations
Open Farm Pet Food partnered with Loop, the circular shopping platform developed by international recycling leader TerraCycle, as the first pet food participant. The new partnership will introduce consumers to reusable, refillable packaging as part of Open Farm's ongoing effort to positively impact the environment and reduce the use of single-use packaging and disposable waste. Beginning immediately, consumers located in select markets can purchase Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food in reusable containers that are collected, cleaned, refilled and reused.

Espoma Organic-Amcor's 25 percent bio-based PE solution.German tea company samova adopted Futamura’s renewable and compostable NatureFlex films for its tea sachet envelopes. NatureFlex cellulose films, available in clear, metalized and colored offer an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional films. NatureFlex films are derived from wood pulp sourced from certified responsibly managed plantations. They are also certified for home composting by TÜV Austria while meeting all standards for EN13432 (and international equivalents such as ASTM D6400) for industrial composting.

Amcor collaborated with Espoma Organic lawn and garden brand to innovate and launch a bio-based polymer package. The polyethylene (PE) film contains 25 percent bio-based material, derived from sugarcane. Amcor’s bio-based PE solution is recycle-ready and may be recycled at store drop off locations when clean and dry. It also delivers similar technical properties and product protection to traditional plastics while lowering carbon emissions.

HelloFresh food delivery service adopted Ecolean’s lightweight packaging solutions, offering customers a more eco-friendly and convenient packaging option. The Ecolean Air packages used in the HelloFresh meal-kits include crème fraiche, sour cream and schmand. The packages have been included in meal-kits distributed in Germany and Austria since April 2020, with Denmark and Sweden to follow.HelloFresh-Ecolean's lightweight packaging.

In brief: Product launches
Eastman specialty plastics provider introduced Tritan Renew copolyester with up to 50 percent certified recycled content. Tritan Renew is powered by “revolutionary new recycling technology” that transforms single-use waste into basic building blocks that are used to make durable, high performance, food-safe and BPA-free materials. The material is used to produce food storage containers, reusable sports bottles and cosmetics packaging.

Berry M&H launched a 12 ml standard PET square bottle and 13 mm cap for a variety of applications from beauty product sampling to condiments on-the-go. The solution is compliant with modern food legislation and health and beauty regulations, coupled with Berry M&H’s BRC AA grade status. The PET bottle and cap are fully recyclable and can be made from recycled material. The bottle is also lightweight while maintaining structural integrity.

Kite Packaging added standard insulated box liners to its thermal range. The range is described as ideal for getting goods from A to B in a temperature-controlled environment at cost-effective prices. Commonly used in food and drink and pharmaceutical industries, insulated box liners help to maintain the inner temperature of goods throughout their transit periods and when used in conjunction with gel packs or ice sheets, the products inside maintain the desired temperature for between 12 and 24 hours.Berry M&H's 12 ml standard PET square bottle and 13 mm cap.

In brief: On-site investments
Coveris opened the doors of its new Pack Innovation Centre in Halle, Germany. Supporting its customers to “innovate, educate and validate” the flexible packaging of the future, Coveris’ Pack Innovation Centre is positioned as a European hub for technical product development, environmentally sustainable innovation and education. The production area is equipped with state of the art packaging machinery, including thermoformer, tray-sealer and form-fill-seal machines to offer a wide range of industrial trial possibilities enabling on-site testing and immediate validation.

Mondi global packaging and paper group completed the implementation of a state-of-the-art paper sack converting machine at its Nyíregyháza site in Hungary. The machine – a Windmöller & Hölscher AD 8320 / AM 8115 – allows the plant to produce a new line of sophisticated paper sacks for food packaging. The site will be capable of producing more than 130 million sacks annually.

By Joshua Poole