Weekly Roundup: Smurfit Kappa debuts 100% recyclable composite tube, Ampacet unveils jewel-toned palette additives

07 May 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Smurfit Kappa unveiled a completely recyclable traditional composite tube called Eco-Tube for premium applications. Meanwhile, Ampacet launched the Gemstones Collection jewel-toned palette masterbatch for packaging and molded consumer goods. Also, TricorBraun Flex debuted a compostable, plant-based flexible packaging film, and Tetra Pak boosted the sales of a nectar drinks brand through a “scan and win” connective packaging initiative.

In brief: Bio-based creations
Smurfit Kappa debuted a traditional composite tube that is 100 percent recyclable through existing consumer recycling schemes. The Eco-Tube retains the recognizable look and feel of the traditional tube but adds full recyclability without impacting strength. The supplier indicates the tube can perform as a premium packaging solution for “shelf disruption.” Composite paper tubes have long been the packaging-of-choice in premium markets for industries such as alcoholic spirits, beauty and cosmetics. Made using only FSC-sourced papers and recycled board, they are a cost-effective solution and a viable alternative to virgin plastics.

TricorBraun Flex, the flexible packaging division of global packaging supplier TricorBraun, launched Biotre 3.0, a compostable, plant-based flexible packaging film made from renewable and compostable resources, such as wood and pulp. Available in a range of sizes, Biotre can reduce the amount of packaging in waste disposal as it breaks down naturally in a home composting environment. Biotre also preserves natural resources by reducing the use of fossil fuel and mineral resources. The film is available for specialty food and snacks, pet treats, nutraceuticals, and other non-coffee products. TricorBraun Flex is also working on a solution for coffee products.Modi, Silbo and Meade’s FSC-certified kraft paper bag (Image credit: Mondi).

Mondi partnered with Silbo, a Polish compostable packaging producer, to create a paper-based high-strength packaging for the Irish farm potato business Meade Farm. The bags replace hard-to-recycle plastic with paper, a renewable resource enhanced with a bio-based coating and are certified as compostable. Working closely for two years, Silbo, Meade and Mondi developed the FSC-certified bag using specialty kraft paper, ensuring strength in handling while providing barrier properties to keep the produce fresh. The bag has multiple sustainability features: a cornstarch-based netting for a small cut-out window, water-based ink and Mondi’s biodegradable Sustainex coating, which provides heat sealing and moisture barrier protection.

In brief: Plastic masterbatches
Ampacet introduced the Gemstones Collection, a jewel-toned plastic additive palette providing a broadened colorspace with a luxury, reflective look. The collection produces consistent color and a high-quality finish for PE, HDPE and PP blow molded and injection molded products for all packaging applications and molded consumer goods. “Mirroring healing properties of stones for the mind and body, our Gemstones collection provides visual energy,” says Linda Carroll, Ampacet’s director of global insight and innovation. “Gemstones reflects the sparkle of jewels infusing elegance into packaging with an economical touch of glitz and glamor.”

In brief: Digital tools
Tetra Pak reported that a leading nectar drinks brand regenerated sales during COVID-19 disruptions using a san and win promotion on its Tetra Brik Aseptic Slim 200 ml packs. Through an app, the brand sent messages supporting parents in their daily lives and rewarding them with instant prizes such as air time and gift cards. The promotion led to a recovery in nectar sales and exceeded the objective of 15,000 scans by “a good margin,” with nearly 26,000 scans recorded. Sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 at the time of the campaign increased by 11 percent compared to the third quarter.

The Recycling Partnership and Systemiq launched Plastic IQ, a cutting-edge digital tool to help US companies develop effective plastic packaging waste reduction strategies. Created with support from Walmart, Plastic IQ is a forward-looking, data-based planning tool aligned with industry best practices. The tool allows companies to prioritize actions to address plastic packaging waste, meet their sustainability goals, and accelerate toward a circular economy. Plastic IQ is free, enabling companies of all sizes and resources to analyze their plastic packaging data and calculate how their strategy impacts their costs, plastic use and carbon emissions.Ampacet unveiled the Gemstones Collection jewel-toned palette masterbatch for packaging and molded consumer goods (Image credit: Ampacet).

In brief: Eco-sustainability initiatives
The UK government announced its 10p plastic bag charge will come into force on 21 May. The single-use carrier bag charge, which has seen a 95 percent cut in plastic bag sales in major supermarkets since 2015, will be increased from 5p to 10 and extended to all businesses in England to help drive down sales further. The average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014. By extending the charge to all retailers, it is expected the use of single-use carrier bags will decrease by 70-80 percent in small and medium-sized businesses. The Co-op recently voiced support for the extended charge.

Pregis announced 2030 sustainability goals, including eliminating one million unnecessary reshipments, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent, saving 15 million new trees from harvest, and making 100 percent of its products recyclable, reusable, or with a minimum 30 percent reduced reliance on new fossil-based ingredients. The US supplier is also targeting 100 percent product and process waste reduction at its facilities globally and investing US$15 million in “circular, scalable, and sustainable material, process, and waste solutions.”Tetra Pak boosted the sales of a nectar drinks brand by 11% through a “scan and win” initiative (Image credit: Tetra Pak).

In brief: Acquisitions
Constantia Flexibles acquired the packaging producer Propak, located in Dücze, Turkey. Propak is a leading player in the European packaging industry for the snacks market. The acquisition enables “strong synergy potentials” and is a “sizable step in Constantia Flexibles’ film packaging presence in a growing market segment,” adding flexo printing capabilities and access to an adjacent market segment.

Schur Flexibles acquired Italian packaging specialist Sidac, adding a center of excellence for customized and high-quality packaging solutions. With annual revenue of approximately €34 million (US$41 million) last year and a workforce of 120 employees, Sidac located in Forli near Bologna has been a successful manufacturer of flexible packaging since 1929, particularly in the food, beverage, confectionery and animal feed segments. The product portfolio primarily encompasses complex laminates supplied on reels and used in the ready-to-eat convenience food and pet food segment, namely stand-up pouches.

Berlin Packaging acquired Raepak, a UK supplier of plastic packaging for the cosmetics and personal care markets. Based in Norwich, England, Raepak offers a wide variety of pumps, sprayers, dispensers, airless bottles, tubes, roll-on bottles, and other packaging containers and closures for the beauty industry. Raepak has “a wealth of innovation and design experience to complement its product offering,” including a range of recyclable and eco-friendly packaging. All Raepak employees and locations will be retained.

By Joshua Poole