Weekly Roundup: Smurfit Kappa creates environmentally sustainable packaging solution for wine, ProAmpac partners with JBT Proseal

11 Nov 2022 --- This week in industry news, Smurfit Kappa created an environmentally sustainable packaging solution for wine. Meanwhile, ProAmpac partnered with JBT Proseal to offer North America’s “first” in-line sandwich packaging testing lab.

In brief: Environmental sustainability
Smurfit Kappa created an environmentally sustainable packaging solution tailored for wine to help businesses in the sector capitalize on the continued growth in e-commerce wine sales. The new solution holds Amazon’s “Frustration-Free Packaging” (FFP) certification, which is a “world first” for a generic packaging solution that caters to different case counts and wine bottle types. Smurfit Kappa’s new wine multi-pack consists of a sleek design comprising an outer box and buffers and is robust enough to reach the end consumer in good condition, “no matter how complex the supply chain is.”

Smurfit Kappa’s wine packaging solution. Berry provided an improved solution for the packaging of Norwegian ice cream producer Diplom-Is’s Royal brand. The company replaced Diplom-Is’s previous carbon black color containers with new non-carbon black versions, making it possible to recycle the ice cream containers. Contrary to traditional carbon black, new non-carbon black plastic packaging is detectable by the Near Infra-Red (NIR) scanners used for waste sorting processes. This means that the containers can be identified for recycling purposes. Berry uses a special high-quality non-carbon black masterbatch with special pigments to improve NIR technology detection and sorting.

Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) partnered with Loveseen, a cruelty-free, natural-looking false eyelashes brand, to develop environmentally sustainable packaging for its more than a dozen lash varieties. Launched in 2020 by Jenna Lyons, former creative president of J.Crew, and makeup artist Troi Ollivierre, the brand leaned on IBG to develop its packaging. Through the collaboration with IBG, the eco-friendly packaging features an inner tray made of 100% molded sugarcane pulp, also known as “bagasse.” The tray slides into an outer pack composed of post-consumer recycled paperboard. A cotton cord elevates the look while also making it easier to slide the tray out.

In brief: Food and health packaging
ProAmpac partnered with JBT Proseal, a leading tray sealing machine manufacturer, to offer North America’s first in-line sandwich packaging testing lab at ProAmpac’s Collaboration & Innovation Center. Available in day fresh and modified atmosphere options for longer shelf stability, ProAmpac’s Sandwich Wedge is a fiber-based package that includes a thin film lining for product viewing and freshness. Once the film is peeled away, the fiberboard packaging can be introduced into paper recycling streams. With minimal materials used and the majority made from certified renewable sources, the Sandwich Wedge is lightweight and shipped in a flat-pack design for easy distribution and storage.ProAmpac’s Sandwich Wedge.  

TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, announced it will showcase its recently expanded range of paratubing solutions at COMPAMED, November 14-17, in Düsseldorf, Germany. TekniPlex Healthcare’s paratubing solutions can be produced in up to eight tube configurations, including custom-colored, textured, or striped tube formations to distinguish between flow paths. Paratubing consists of multiple, single-lumen tubes bonded together for operations such as arterial drills or biopsies, as well as with medical devices utilized for wound management, laparoscopic, neurovascular and ophthalmic procedures. 

In brief: Design news
Ed Sheeran and Heinz Tomato Ketchup collaborated to launch a limited-edition ketchup bottle. Celebrating the 150th birthday of Heinz. The singer has lent his tattoos to the condiment kings, culminating in “Ed Sheeran X Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Tattoo Edition,” with Ed’s Heinz Tomato Ketchup label tattoo taking center stage. 150 bottles are available across the world, with each one hand signed by Ed Sheeran. 

TekniPlex Healthcare’s paratubing solutions.Selig Group announced it is now stocking its press fit vents in Europe. The Selig PreVentor Press-Fit vents range has been developed to allow containers to breathe and equalize pressure without risk of leakage or contamination. Developed around Selig’s world-class package venting design, the vents not only resolve off-gassing problems but can be used as lightweight packaging. Selig’s vents come in a range of sizes and use various microporous films and media, including microporous ePTFE membranes, to eliminate container bloating and paneling issues. They have been designed to prevent container distortion and can even be used for peroxide, bleach, acid, solvent and essential oil applications. 

In brief: UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac’s series of Pressure Sensitive Labels (PSL) underwent testing in accordance with RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols. The PSLs were evaluated separately for high-density PE and PP rigid, colored recycling streams and have been both approved as limited compatible. Within the list of tested PSLs were variations of adhesives applied on either PE, PO or PP white facestocks. These types of labels are suitable for home and personal care, food, oil and industrial chemical labeling.

UPM Raflatac made further progress toward a more circular economy for plastics and a future beyond fossils in 2021. This is detailed in the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 2022 Progress Report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme. UPM Raflatac joined the Global Commitment as the first label materials company in October 2018. According to this year’s report, the target of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging will almost certainly be missed by most organizations. Not meeting all 2025 targets reinforces the urgency for businesses to accelerate action, particularly around reuse, flexible packaging and decoupling business growth from packaging use. 

By Natalie Schwertheim