Weekly Roundup: Smurfit Kappa aligns CO2 targets with Paris Agreement, Botta unveils paper egg envelope

22 May 2020 --- This week in packaging, Smurfit Kappa signed a commitment to align its CO2 reduction target with the Science Based Target (SBT) initiative. SBT will validate that Smurfit Kappa’s CO2 target is aligned with the Paris Agreement objectives and the recommendations of the latest climate science findings. Also, a Botta Packaging-Esselunga collaboration produced a corrugated paper-lined envelope for egg and bottle e-commerce delivery. SCREEN Graphic Solutions finalized the development of its PacJet FL830, a new high-speed, water-based inkjet system for flexible packaging.

In brief: Product innovation
Botta Packaging collaborated with Italian supermarket chain Esselunga to create a corrugated paper-lined envelope for egg and bottle e-commerce delivery. The renewable solution offers an alternative to widely-used plastic bubble wrap that typically goes unrecycled. Botta Packaging’s innovation maintains the necessary protection and durability to transport delicate products like eggs.Botta Packaging's corrugated paper-lined envelope for egg and bottle delivery.

SCREEN Graphic Solutions finalized the development of its PacJet FL830, a new high-speed, water-based inkjet system specifically designed for the flexible packaging market. The PacJet FL830 is currently scheduled for release around March 2021. The PacJet FL830 can handle media up to 830 mm wide at industry-leading speeds of up to 75 meters per minute. It is also capable of printing at a resolution of 1,200 dpi using CMYK and white water-based inks that conform to relevant food safety regulations. These features allow the inkjet system to deliver both superior safety and rich color expression for food product packaging.

Flexible packaging printed with SCREEN Graphic Solutions' PacJet FL830 inkjet system.Stora Enso’s ECO RFID Tag technology was adopted by Nordic fashion retailer Gina Tricot on its clothing hangtags. To date, Stora Enso has provided millions of sustainable ECO RFID tags to Gina Tricot’s clothing lines, available both online and in its 160 physical stores. The ECO RFID Retail Collection is designed specifically for the retail industry, as the intelligent tags can easily be applied to hangtags or stickers. The technology offers paper-based RFID tags, providing a plastic-free and recyclable solution for electronically managing product and pricing information.

In brief: Championing circularity
Smurfit Kappa signed a commitment to align its CO2 target with the SBT initiative. The move follows on from the packaging leader recently revealing in its 2019 Sustainable Development Report that it has reduced its fossil CO2 emission intensity by almost a third (32.9%) since 2005. The SBT is a collaboration between the UN Global Compact, WWF, CDP and World Resources Institute (WRI). SBT validation will provide Smurfit Kappa with confirmation that its CO2 target is aligned with the Paris Agreement objectives and the recommendations of the latest climate science findings.

WRAP was selected to be the Secretariat of the recently launched European Plastics Pact, the first regional pact to join the growing global Plastics Pact network. Launched in March in Brussels, the Pact brings together governments and businesses within the European Economic Area (EEA) to work towards a common vision for a circular economy for plastic, in which it never becomes waste or pollution. The UK circular economy charity’s role as Secretariat will include providing the day-to-day management, resources and governance structures required to co-ordinate and run the Pact, as well as being the focal point for members.Coveris' Neuwied plant in Germany transferred to natural gas for increased energy efficiency. 

Coveris' Neuwied plant in Germany switched to 100 percent natural gas. The key reason behind the supplier’s decision to run its production entirely on natural gas is efficiency – natural gas appliances work significantly faster, more efficiently and produce more heat compared to alternative methods, according to Coveris. As a result, the plant significantly reduced CO2 emissions at the same time generating approximately 20 percent savings, which sum up to €40,000 annually, Coveris reports.

Huhtamaki and international charity WasteAid have announced a €900,000 partnership to drive community-level circular economy innovation in Vietnam, India and South Africa for two years. The collaboration will enable WasteAid to work with key stakeholders to fast-track and amplify local solutions that create value and reduce waste and pollution in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To mark its 100th anniversary, Huhtamaki is also donating €3 million to global sustainability initiatives with a local impact.

A Friends of Glass and European Container Glass Federation-commissioned study found that Europeans are choosing glass packaging more than ever due to its earth-friendly benefits. The survey reached more than 10,000 people in 13 European countries and revealed that half of consumers are buying more products in glass packaging compared to three years ago and that 46 percent said they have significantly decreased their consumption of plastic to prevent littering. Meanwhile, 84 percent said they collect their glass separately for recycling.

By Joshua Poole