Weekly Roundup: Siegwerk seeks recycling HolyGrail 2.0, Berry Superfos develops plastic-cardboard solution for hot food-on-the-go

16 Oct 2020 --- In packaging news this week, Siegwerk, a leading global provider of printing inks for packaging applications and labels, joined the HolyGrail 2.0 recycling initiative. This smart technology could revolutionize the sorting of packaging waste and the quality of recycling. Berry Global company Superfos unveiled the SuperLight plastic-cardboard container for hot food-on-the-go convenience. DS Smith partnered with World Kinect Energy Services to manage energy consumption for its recycling, paper and packaging sites in Europe.

In brief: Sustainability action
Siegwerk joined the HolyGrail 2.0 recycling initiative. Under the auspices of the European Brands Association (AIM), the initiative investigates a pioneering digital watermarks technology for packaging in the EU. Siegwerk is one of more than 85 companies and organizations from the complete packaging value chain, which are part of HolyGrail 2.0. The technology works like a digital passport for packaging. Digital watermarks the size of a postage stamp are integrated multiple times into the surface of labels or paper-based packaging. These little codes are imperceptible to the human eye but can be read by cameras and can carry a wide range of information, such as manufacturer, SKU, plastic type and composition for multilayer objects and food versus non-food usage.

DS Smith formed a partnership with World Kinect Energy Services to manage energy consumption for its recycling, paper and packaging sites across 26 European countries. World Kinect Energy Services will support DS Smith’s long-term goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030, in line with the reaffirmation of that target in the company’s newly launched Now and Next Sustainability Strategy. With a large focus on the company’s 14 European paper mills, the partnership will provide DS Smith with tactical solutions to energy purchasing and usage, increasing efficiencies and reducing waste in production.Berry Global company Superfos’ SuperLight container.

Metsä Board announced two of its folding boxboards, MetsäBoard Natural FBB and MetsäBoard Pro FBB OBAfree, as well as two foodservice grades, MetsäBoard Natural FSB Cup and MetsäBoard Pro FSB Cup, have received home compostability certificates complying with NF T 51-800 standard. Metsä Board’s eco-barrier paperboard MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB already holds the same certificate.

The City of Apopka in Florida, US, launched a pilot of The Recycling Partnership’s Feet on the Street cart-tagging recycling education campaign to improve the quality of recycling in the city’s single-stream curbside recycling program by providing select residents personalized and real-time recycling education and feedback. The program is intended to increase the capture of quality recyclables – items that are accepted for recycling that are clean, empty, and dry, so they can circulate back into the recycling system to become new products or packaging.

Biffa, a leading UK waste management business, acquired Simply Waste Solutions, an industrial and commercial waste collection business in the south of England. Biffa acquired 100 percent of the share capital of Camo, which trades under the Simply Waste brand, for an upfront debt and cash-free consideration of £35 million (US$45 million), funded from existing committed debt facilities.

In brief: Pack launches
Berry Global company Superfos unveiled the SuperLight container for the new MakeGusto range of Italian ready meals that are easy to prepare and suitable for on-the-go. SuperLight uses a combination of plastic and cardboard, providing a user-friendly solution when boiling water is added to the ingredients. The inner part of the packaging is made of a plastic that withstands the heat, while the cardboard on the outside of the cup makes it comfortable to hold, even though the contents are scalding. After use, it is easy to separate the cardboard from the plastic for recycling.Pont Packaging re-engineered the traditional carafe bottle.

Ampacet introduced Pearl 368, a high-performance organic cavitating plastic masterbatch designed for premium quality labels and white-opaque BOPP packaging. The Pearl 368 masterbatch enables processors to achieve low film densities with high yield while enhancing film aesthetics and opacity.

Pont Packaging re-engineered the traditional carafe bottle, taking the classic curves of the elegant glass bottle and combining it with modern equipment’s practical advantages. The result is a glass carafe bottle that can be filled on automated filling lines by adding a standard twist-off closure and a large labeling area. The bottle range is applicable to juices, dairy drinks, cereal and pulses, and the extended family of four sizes now covers full branding from a 150 ml sample size, standard 250 ml and 500 ml reaching 1000 ml for bulk buys.

In brief: Machinery and production
KHS launched the Innopro BoxFlash, a flash pasteurizer machine with compact design, high energy efficiency, simple installation and fast commissioning. The engineering company first presented its flash pasteurizer machine, specifically developed to meet the demands of small and medium-sized breweries, four years ago. The technology is now available for several new areas of application: where it was initially only used in keg racking, it is now compatible with glass, can and PET container segments.KHS’ Innopro BoxFlash flash pasteurizer machine.

Sealed Air launched a series of paper void-fill and cushioning packaging machines. The five new Sealed Air Brand Paper Systems series machines mean the company can now offer a full range of recyclable, reusable and cost-effective paper packaging solutions. The two paper cushioning systems provide protective block and bracing, using wrapping and coiling methods to package and protect light, heavy and sharp products effectively.

Novolex brand Shields stepped up its poly mailers’ production to help companies ship their products more securely amid increased demand. Manufactured in the US, the Shields e-commerce mailer bag is durable, puncture-resistant and waterproof. Its easy-to-use closure uses a secure, pressure-sensitive adhesive with an anti-static release liner. The mailer is also labeled with the How2Recycle “store drop-off” label, which instructs consumers and businesses to bring mailers to participating retailers for recycling.

IMA Dairy & Food US introduced a portfolio of high-speed, continuous motion rotary machines for assembling, filling and sealing spouted pouches in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Offering significant cost savings when compared to buying premade pouches, the Ermetika Series has four models whose output capacities range from 120 to 480 pouches per minute, far faster than intermittent motion modules.IMA Dairy & Food US’ high-speed, continuous motion rotary machine.

Bizerba launched the CleanCut Linerless Solution – a complete solution that includes linerless labels and a new labeling system to “revolutionize labeling with Full-wrap and C-wrap linerless labels.” The solution uses linerless rolls, minimal set-up times and significantly less work to clean blades. Compared to labels with backing paper, a roll carries up to 90 percent more labels.

In brief: Business investments
Wipak UK unveiled plans for a major, multi-million-pound strategic investment to enhance its capabilities and sustainable product offering. The Welshpool-based manufacturing site is investing over £5 million (US$5.5 million) in state-of-the-art conversion equipment, which will produce flexible packaging solutions with less plastic, a lower carbon footprint and increased recyclability.

By Joshua Poole