Weekly Roundup: Sealed Air launches Prismiq, Tetra Pak fights for forest restoration

06 May 2022 --- In packaging news this week, SealedAir launched the cloud-based digital packaging brand Prismiq, and Berry Global released monomaterial PP vending cups. Meanwhile, TetraPak entered into a land initiative to restore at least 7,000 hectares of forest over the next ten years.

In brief: Launches and releases 
Sealed Air announced the introduction of Prismiq – a digital packaging brand with a portfolio of solutions for design services, digital printing and smart packaging. The brand eliminates waste and excess packaging while enhancing products and customer engagement. Sealed Air’s end-to-end cloud-based platform generates package-specific digital IDs that collect and manage data along the value chain. 

Tri-Star Packaging launched Snappy bags manufactured from high-grade recyclable PP that ensures clear glass presentation. An extensive range of stock bags is available in plain, perforated, pearl-backed and multi-perforated forms. All Snappy bags can be produced in bespoke sizes and printed to customer requirements.

The Lidl plastic-reducing laundry detergent refill station.Aptar Food + Beverage introduced SimpliCycle, a fully recyclable flow control valve, to bring environmental sustainability “to the forefront” of innovation for caps and closures. SimpliCycle is made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which have a density low enough to float to the top of a separation tank used in the mechanical recycling process, along with PP and PE materials. Unlike silicone, TPE can be melted and combined with PP and PE to create feedstocks that can be recycled into the manufacturing stream.

Berry Global launched monomaterial PP vending cups that can be used for cold and hot drinks. The company touts a safety brim that adds extra space at the top of the cup. This gap allows for contraction when held, thereby preventing the risk of the drink overflowing – “a big plus,” especially when people enjoy hot drinks or soups. 

In brief: Business news 
Avery Dennison shared details of two major investments aimed at expanding its manufacturing capacity and improving factory efficiency in Europe to meet the growing demand for its label and packaging materials. The company said it is one year into a three-year, €45 million (US$47 million) expansion of its facilities in France. Enhancements include five new logistical buildings covering more than 8,700 square meters, a new automated warehouse, and an additional high-speed, state-of-the-art hotmelt adhesive coater scheduled to come online during 2024. At its Luxembourg facility specializing in labels made with acrylic emulsion adhesives, the company has undertaken a €15 million (US$15.8 million) project to redesign operational flow and add a new emulsion specialty coater. 

Danimer Scientific announced a multi-year license and supply agreement with Kemira, a Finland-based global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries. Under the expanded agreement, the companies will commercialize biobased barrier coatings for paper and board products with food and beverage applications. The companies jointly developed the coatings using Danimer’s biopolymer polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which serves as a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic. Tetra Pak is aiming to restore 7,000 hectares of land in Brazil.

Smurfit Kappa announced the acquisition of Atlas Packaging, an independent corrugated packaging provider. The company is well invested with a strong market presence in the UK, which allows them to meet the needs of and deliver value to its broad customer base. With a particularly strong presence in shelf-ready packaging, gift boxing and the e-commerce sector, they offer a broad range of innovative products, says Smurfit. 

In brief: Refill solutions 
Lidl introduced a new cost-saving, plastic-reducing laundry detergent refill station. In partnership with refill packaging specialist Algramo, the supermarket chain launched a new refill station at its Kingswinford store in the UK. As part of a six-month trial to measure the performance of laundry detergent refills at Lidl, the machine allows consumers to save 20p each time they refill. 

In brief: Environmental initiatives 
Tetra Pak launched a land restoration initiative branded The Araucaria Conservation Programme in Brazil, marking “industry’s first nature-based” restoration project. The ambition is to generate positive environmental, economic and social benefits for local communities and restore and protect biodiversity in the region. Developed in collaboration with Brazilian NGO Apremavi, which specializes in conservation and restoration projects, the initiative is set to restore at least 7,000 hectares over a period of ten years – equivalent to 9,800 football pitches – of the Atlantic Forest, one of the richest biomes and the second most endangered in the world.  

By Louis Gore-Langton