Weekly Roundup: Sealed Air innovates recyclable shrink packaging, Greiner Packaging unveils carbon-reduced yogurt cup

16 Apr 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Sealed Air developed a “world-first” recyclable shrink packaging for meat products. Greiner Packaging unveiled a polypropylene (PP) cup for Greek yogurt with 20 percent material reductions. Elopak re-introduced its D-Pak carton for non-food products. Linx Printing Technologies introduced a MEK-free, alcohol-resistant ink for F&B packaging, specially formulated to comply with Japanese regulations.

In brief: The carbon catalyst
Sealed Air developed a recyclable shrink packaging solution to support food companies moving toward the circular economy. The new Cryovac brand Designed-for-Recycling Standard Presentation Shrink Bag and Shrinkable Rollstock are the “world’s first” RIC4 coded heat-sealable food packaging materials, meaning they are 100 percent recyclable, depending on the availability of appropriate local recycling facilities. Enhanced efficiencies and environmental performance can also be realized through the range’s thinner, lighter EVOH barrier and mechanical resistance. These features can help reduce packaging material usage and overall carbon footprint by up to 60 percent, compared to widely used thermoforming packaging systems, Sealed Air says.

Greiner Packaging unveiled a PP cup for Greek yogurt with 20 percent material reductions compared with current production methods and a smaller associated carbon footprint, decorated by IML technology. The PP cup also offers numerous plus points through its design: the in-mold labeling technology (a label fused with the cup during the production process) boasts a premium look. Meanwhile, IML allows for a tailored brand identity with the same high quality as photo printing.Greiner Packaging’s PP yogurt cup.

Mondi began offering a comprehensive portfolio of CO2-neutral papers from its Uncoated Fine Paper business to serve the professional print, office and premium packaging sectors. Mondi Neusiedler has been offering CO2-neutral products for over a decade, including Color Copy original and selected products from the Nautilus range. This month, the mill has extended its offering of CO2-neutral paper to almost all premium paper brands, including Pergraphica, Mondi’s premium paper brand for creative design, publishing and luxury packaging applications, combining premium printing and finishing quality with sustainability in one portfolio.

In brief: Fiber-based frenzy
Elopak re-introduced its D-Pak carton for non-food products in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions. Elopak supplied around 500 million D-Pak cartons per year for the laundry care segment in the early 90s. Commenting on the move, Elopak CMO Patrick Verhelst said: “More and more consumers are weighing up the environmental credentials of a product’s packaging when making their purchasing decisions. Household products are no exception. Our D-Pak carton offers brands the sustainability advantages of our iconic Pure-Pak cartons and has been developed based on our experience selling award-winning cartons for the liquid food market across both fresh and aseptic products.”Elopak’s D-Pak carton.

Graphic Packaging International (GPI) partnered with Estrella Damm to replace 100 percent of its plastic shrink wrap packaging – equivalent to 99 tons annually – with paperboard alternatives on multipack cans. Estrella Damm has launched a unique rounded-corner pack, designed and developed by GPI.

In brief: Circular certifications
Faerch began providing third party-approved certificates on the share of post-consumer recycled content (PCR) in its PET food packaging. The certificates give customers full transparency for their products on individual recipe level, with statements audited by PwC. Audited certificates are available for Faerch’s entire UK CPET range, with PCR levels between 53 percent and 79 percent. Audited certificates for Faerch’s remaining PET products, which includes levels of up to 100 percent, will be available in the coming months, covering all countries across the Faerch Group.

Sabert Corporation Europe announced its recyclable, high-grade recycled PET (rPET) used in all its clear chilled food packaging solutions has been issued a “Global Recycled Standard” certification from Control Union Certifications. This certificate was delivered following the inspection and assessment of its facilities in Nivelles, Belgium.Morrisons’ paper retail bags.

In brief: Supermarket sustainability
Morrisons supermarket revealed plans to remove all plastic “bags for life” from its checkouts “if a trial in eight stores proves popular.” Single-use 5p carrier bags were removed from most major supermarkets in 2018, but customers still buy stronger plastic “bags for life.” There is “evidence” they are sometimes being used only once. Morrisons is therefore planning to remove all plastic “bags for life” from checkouts and instead offer large reusable paper bags at eight stores from 17 August.

Aldi supermarket launched a plastic-free trial for its basmati rice, brown rice, penne pasta and wholewheat fusilli products. The trial is available at one UK store, but if successful, Aldi will look to develop its refillable options in other stores. The products are available by weight, and Aldi will provide customers with free paper bags that are fully recyclable and made of FSC-certified material.

In brief: Ink technology
Linx Printing Technologies introduced a MEK-free, alcohol-resistant ink specially formulated to comply with the Japan Ethanol Business Act and Japan Organic Solvent Law. The Linx Black alcohol-resistant ink 3085 is designed for F&B manufacturing applications where the packaging and containers are subjected to alcohol during processing. The specialist ink contains components enhancing its durability and legibility across various materials after the production area has been sanitized and withstands hand sanitizer products in widespread use due to COVID-19.Linx Printing Technologies’ MEK-free ink.

In brief: Flexible packaging app
Polykar launched PolyApp, the “first-ever” iOS app for the flexible packaging industry. The free app provides all industry calculators in one centralized location. Developed for production planners, extrusion operators, or sales reps working for a converter or distributor, PolyApp allows users to prepare orders and do dimensional calculations for the specific product (rolls or boxed) being designed, manufactured, quoted or purchased. Calculations are all done quickly, within a matter of seconds after entering specifications.

In brief: New production plant
SIG revealed plans to construct a plant in Queretaro, Mexico, to serve North American markets. The plant will further expand SIG’s global production network and enable the company to build on its strong growth in the region. Through its existing sales and service presence, SIG has forged “strong relationships” with major dairies in Mexico, a large and growing milk market. In the US, SIG has a well-established co-manufacturing customer base and is “ideally placed to serve innovative and expanding new categories.”

By Joshua Poole

Aldi supermarket launched a plastic-free trial for its basmati rice, brown rice, penne pasta and wholewheat fusilli products.