Weekly Roundup: SIG secures wind turbine power, 4evergreen alliance reveals fiber-based recycling insights

03 Dec 2021 --- In packaging news this week, SIG secured direct access to renewable energy from wind turbines to power its carton production in Germany. Meanwhile, the 4evergreen alliance shared insights on how to increase fiber-based packaging recycling. Also, Berry Global announced the availability of recycled plastic ahead of the UK Plastics Packaging Tax.

In brief: Renewable energy
SIG secured real-time renewable energy from wind turbines to power its production in Germany. The company claims to be the only beverage carton producer to make its packs with 100% renewable energy. The wind turbines have a total capacity of 2.6 MWp and generate around 2,800 MWh annually, enough to supply 1,000 four-person households for a year. SIG achieved carbon-neutral production in 2018 by using 100% renewable energy (electricity and gas) to make its packs. Initially, most of the renewable electricity was sourced indirectly either through guarantees of origin or GoldPower-certified international renewable energy certificates. The company is now focusing on securing its renewable electricity directly, including through wind turbines.

In brief: Fiber-based news
The 4evergreen alliance shared its first insights from research into different aspects of the fiber-based packaging value chain in an industry-wide attempt to increase recycling rates. After extensive research and analysis, conducted by more than 130 experts from 80 companies, the 4evergreen alliance presented the following highlights as it pursues 90% recycling rates by 2030:

• A new recyclability evaluation protocol: Fifty-two packaging samples have been tested and evaluated by their recyclability at standard paper recycling mills to provide a comprehensive toolkit to boost recyclability validation.
• Circularity by design guidelines: Explicit design recommendation tables have been created based on the expert consensus opinion, ensuring design for recycling.
• Collection and sorting guidelines: Collection and sorting practices across the EU have been investigated and summarized to elucidate best practices and anticipate the impact of the future regulatory challenges on EU level.
• Innovation: Three Innovative projects related to novel recycling and sorting technologies, aiming to find new ways to streamline the recycling process and reduce material loss.

Metsä Board equipped Finnish Tuorekartano Oy with a plastic-reducing potato packaging solution. The premium quality La Ratte potatoes will now be packed in easily recyclable and biodegradable packaging made of a lightweight and durable paperboard. The paperboard is designed to protect the potatoes from damage and sunlight. The small package size will also help to reduce food waste.Smurfit Kappa’s Barranquilla Paper Mill in Colombia.

Smurfit Kappa completed a two-phase upgrade of its facilities at the Barranquilla Paper Mill in Colombia. The US$7.5 million investment saw the implementation of a Wastewater Treatment Plant with state-of-the-art anaerobic technology, reducing water intake from the nearby Magdalena River and improving the quality of water returned to it. The facility produces containerboard from 100% recycled materials.

In brief: Plastics Circular Economy
Berry Global announced the availability of certified recycled plastic from six of its UK sites ahead of the UK Plastics Packaging Tax, which comes into force in April 2022. The levy will enforce a £200 (US$267) per metric ton rate for plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled plastic produced or imported into the country. “With the imminent arrival of the new tax, our customers need to understand the origins of recycled material in their packaging,” said Berry bpi’s external affairs director Mike Baxter. “This not only applies to the authenticity of the recycled material but also its quality, consistency and traceability.”Berry Global now offers recycled plastic from six of its UK sites.

Henkel gained RecyClass approval for recyclability for two adhesives from its Loctite Liofol RE range for use in flexible packaging. RecyClass found the solutions to be fully compatible with existing polyethylene recycling processes. The adhesives ensure flexible packaging can be recycled into higher quality plastics. RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that advances plastic packaging recyclability and ensures traceability and transparency of recycled plastic content in Europe.Neopac’s Polyfoil MMB tube.

Hoffmann Neopac was also granted RecyClass approval for its Polyfoil MMB mono-material barrier tube. The tubes can reportedly reduce packaging carbon footprint by up to 38% against traditional laminated tubes. The tube’s body is created through a unique adhesive laminated process, in contrast to existing blown film and extruded film solutions. The Polyfoil MMB tube’s shoulder and cap are made with low MFI HDPE and only 2% “foreign material.”

In brief: Plastic reduction
Liquibox updated its VINIflow bag-in-box and stand-up pouch dispensing tap by using 26% less plastic. The new version of the self-closing, top pull tap – MINIflow – has all the functionality of the VINIflow tap, but now with only three-quarters of the plastic against the original. The compact fitment has a shorter back end, minimizing the risk of oxygen exposure to keep products safe and extend shelf life, especially beneficial for premium wine.

In brief: Counting machines
Cremer, a supplier of product counting machines in the US for a wide array of applications, broadened its multi-counter machine systems offering for food and beverage product assortments and variety packs. The fully-customizable systems utilize several of the company’s HQ Series counters – a line of compact counting and packaging machines – providing fast, reliable and cost-efficient counting ideal for the efficient production of assortments, such as mixed chocolates, candies and coffee pods.

By Joshua Poole