Weekly Roundup: Smurfit Kappa installs new drying process for energy and CO2 reduction

21 Oct 2022 --- This week in industry news, Smurfit Kappa’s UK paper mill introduced a new innovation for energy and CO2 reduction. Meanwhile, LyondellBasell partnered with Shakti Plastic Industries for building and operating a fully-automated mechanical recycling plant in India. Also, Huhtamaki released its interim report January 1-September 30, 2022, showing that the company maintains a stable performance in Q3 2022. 

In brief: Paper news 
Smurfit Kappa’s Townsend Hook paper mill in the UK introduced a new drying process innovation to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Traditionally, paper drying is one of the most energy-intensive aspects of the manufacturing process. The company says that the new processes resulted in a 6% reduction in steam energy consumption and a 5% reduction in total CO2 emissions from the Kent-based paper mill. A “digital twin” approach was used in the project to create a virtual representation of the drying system to simulate how it would perform. 

ProAmpac announced the certification of their ProActive Compostable CPM-2000, a high-barrier paper-based laminate for dry foods. Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified that CPM-2000 complies with the specifications established by the American Society of Testing and Materials Standards ASTM D6868 for Industrial Compostability. “ProAmpac partnered with BPI to ensure CPM-2000 met their stringent guidelines for industrial compostability before delivering this groundbreaking solution to the marketplace,” states Nathan Klettlinger, director of global marketing at ProAmpac. 

ProAmpac’s high-barrier paper-based laminate for dry foods.Curtis Packaging, a specialist in luxury folding carton packaging, invested in the first Scodix Ultra 6000 Press powered by SHD, launched at Printing United this month. As the trends for shorter runs and increased versioning of products continue, the Scodix Ultra 6000 powered by SHD will allow Curtis to keep up with high turnaround speeds.

In brief: Plastic news
LyondellBasell and Shakti Plastic Industries, India's largest plastic scrap recycler and waste collection company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a joint venture to build and operate a fully-automated, mechanical recycling plant in India. The plant is intended to process rigid packaging post-consumer waste and produce 50,000 metric tons of recycled PE and PP per year, equivalent to the single-use plastic waste produced by 12.5 million citizens. The companies envisage that the new facility will become the largest mechanical recycling plant in India and is estimated to start at the end of 2024. 

Liquibox unveiled its new bag-in-box filling machines. The new automatic and semi-automatic bag-in-box filling equipment combines the expertise of Liquibox,with the latest technology in filling machinery. TheLiquibox launch includes two machines: the A-Series and S-Series, aptly named to differentiate automatic and semi-automatic options. The machines are capable of filling a broad range of liquid products, including liquid food, beverages and non-food. 

Rieke, a TriMas Packaging brand, launched a new two-piece child-resistant cap designed with environmental sustainability in mind. With Rieke’s latest innovation, Child Resistant Caps, manufacturers and distributors of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical products can contribute to protecting future generations from accidental access to harmful products.From left: Don Droppo Jr, Curtis Packaging President and CEO with Kerry C. Brown, Vice President of Operations.

In brief: Results, research and presentations
Huhtamaki released its interim report January 1-September 30, 2022, showing that the company continued strong performance in Q3 2022. “We are making good progress in the execution of our strategic priorities and see significant growth opportunities. We continue to focus on enhancing innovation and technological capabilities to develop sustainable packaging solutions, resulting in a good pipeline of new sustainable products. In particular, we are accelerating our investments in technology for smooth molded fiber applications and in solutions for recyclable flexible packaging,” said Charles Héaulmé, president and CEO at Huhtamaki. 

The Rieke caps. Voxburner, Student Beans’ youth insights agency, released its Gen Z or Generation Green report, which found three-quarters of young British people are more inclined to buy from brands that are doing good in the world and making sustainable choices. While Gen Z cares about the planet, they also want environmental sustainability to be more accessible and clearly demonstrated. Half (56%) want eco-friendly products to be more clearly highlighted in-store and online, whilst almost as many (49%) want brands to make the effort to produce eco-friendly products which are as cool and stylish as non-sustainable ones.

SGD Pharma announced it would present its pioneering new products and services at CPhI Worldwide held November 1-3 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany. The company will debut Idency, the next generation of Type I glass multi-dose vials that combine “easy to operate” features on existing filling lines on top of superior strength, mechanical resistance and chemical durability. Developed as the solution for pharmaceutical companies facing increased supply chain pressures from the growing demand for parenteral drugs, the Idency technological innovation has been designed by SGD Pharma to complement existing portfolios and is suitable for all parenteral drugs. 

By Natalie Schwertheim