Weekly Roundup: SABIC receives Sustainability Leadership Award, ProAmpac releases heat sealing packaging book

16 Jun 2023 --- This week in industry news, SABIC was awarded the Sustainability Leadership Award for Exemplary Achievements in Circularity, and ProAmpac collaborated with Polytechnique Montreal 3SPack Research Chair to launch its book titled Heat Sealing in Packaging. Meanwhile, Metsä Group partnered with Fiskars Group for fiber-based gift packaging.

In brief: Awards
SABIC was awarded a 2023 Sustainability Leadership Award for Exemplary Achievements in Circularity by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), recognizing the company’s collaborations to bring ocean-bound plastic back into a circular material. Next to product safety, innovation and transparency, environmental protection and social responsibility and community engagement, circularity is one of four priority areas of the ACC Sustainability Leadership Awards, granted to ACC member companies for innovative products, technologies and initiatives that help advance environmental sustainability. 

SEE, formerly known as Sealed Air, was chosen by the US Postal Service (USPS) for a Supplier Performance Award for Supplier Excellence after its performance in supplying packaging for COVID-19 testing kits. SEE is one of 12 companies recognized through the USPS Supplier Performance Award program in 2022 from the approximately 12,000 suppliers currently supporting the USPS. The Supplier Excellence Award recognizes suppliers that provide “exceptional” quality and on-time delivery performance and demonstrates extraordinary public safety awareness and assists the Postal Service in achieving its business objectives. SEE has been a USPS supplier for more than ten years.

SEE received an accolade for working with the USPS for shipping COVID-19 tests. In brief: Collaborations
ProAmpac announced its collaboration with Polytechnique Montreal 3SPack Research Chair for the launch of its Heat Sealing in Packaging book, outlining the principles of heat sealing and the correlation of molecular properties and processing parameters in seal performance. The book covers scientific and practical aspects of the basic principles of heat-sealing packaging. The molecular mechanisms involved in each step of heat sealing, the effect of different sealant materials such as mono and blend systems, the impact of sealing conditions, form, film, sealing evaluation, and modeling and simulation of the heat-sealing process are presented.

Metsä Group worked with Fiskars Group on fiber-based gift packaging. The Muoto 3D inner packaging and a box made of Metsä Board’s folding boxboard encase Fiskars ReNew scissors made of recycled material. The plastic-free Muoto 3D fiber packaging originated in northern forests. The primary raw material of the Muoto 3D fiber packaging is renewable and sustainably grown Finnish wood. The packaging is wet wood-fiber pulp in Äänekoski at Metsä Group and Valmet’s joint demo plant. The packaging solution comes in various sizes and shapes, tailored to the end user.

In brief: Business news
J&J Green Paper (JJGP), the creator of Janus, a compound and process for producing water-resistant paper and packaging free from toxic oil-based materials, closed several transformative global agreements to enable large-scale production of this environmentally friendly solution. The production run of Janus products is slated to meet early-stage orders from major brands. Among the collaborations, JJGP has partnered with Sintesa Group, a Jakarta-based strategic investment firm committed to environmental sustainability, and Anmol Polymers Private, an India-based company specializing in producing and distributing specialty products for the paper industry. Together, they will orchestrate the production of Janus. 

Vibrantz Technologies announced it would invest about US$20 million to increase the capacity of its patented Pearls tinting solution at its facility in Sittard, Netherlands. Through a series of optimization projects over the next two years, the expansion is anticipated to increase Vibrantz’s global Pearls production capacity 20-fold (producing approximately 1.2 million liters per year) and position the company to meet the environmental sustainability, performance and cost demands of colorant producers and paint retail stores.Taki’s released a new snack flavor with returnable packaging.

Ella’s Kitchen stated that almost three-quarters (73%) of its pouches will be fully recyclable at curbside by the end of 2024. The pledge comes as the company publishes its fourth annual “Good Stuff We Do” report, illustrating its commitment to social and environmental impact. The company introduced its first monomaterial pouch last month called The Green One. Ella’s Kitchen will transition its entire pasteurized range to monomaterial pouches over the next 18 months. 

In brief: Product launches 
ProAmpac introduced its fiber-based modified atmosphere packaging RAP Sandwich Wedge to the North American market. Designed for sandwiches and wraps, the package introduces the concept of modified atmosphere packaging to a fiber-based format. By combining the benefits of modified atmosphere packaging with fiber materials, ProAmpac addresses the demand for reduced food spoilage, environmentally friendly packaging and an enhanced consumer experience in the food-to-go market. The wedge can keep a fresh sandwich or wrap preserved for up to 28 days.

Takis announced an addition to its snack portfolio, Takis Dragon Sweet Chili. The flavor has the classic Takis intensity with a touch of sweet heat. As part of its continued partnership with TerraCycle, all Takis Dragon Sweet Chili packaging can be recycled via TerraCycle. Consumers can make an account on TerraCycle.com and sign-up for the Takis Snacks Free Recycling Program and mail in their Takis packaging with the prepaid shipping label provided. The Dragon Sweet Chili variety won Canada’s 2022 Product of the Year Award. Now, Takis will launch the new flavor to US consumers. 

Restaurantware launched a comprehensive collection of over 50 no-added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sugarcane takeaway and catering products. Restaurantware’s Pulp Safe line includes compostable plates, cups, trays and take-out containers without the addition of PFAS. This expansion caters to all addressable segments in the catering, fast food, delivery, buffet, grocery, hospitality and restaurant markets, making Restaurantware a convenient marketplace for food service businesses looking to comply with strict state regulations concerning food packaging materials. The Pulp Safe products are microwave-friendly, cut-resistant and suitable for hot and cold foods.

By Sabine Waldeck