Weekly Roundup: Smurfit Kappa obtains chemically-recycled resin certification, kp announces new sustainability strategy

05 Mar 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Smurfit Kappa’s Vitop facility in Alessandria, Italy, became “the first” plant in the Bag-in-Box industry to gain ISCC Plus certification, giving the company license to incorporate chemically-recycled resins into taps and bags. Meanwhile, Klöckner Pentaplast announced its “Investing in Better” sustainability strategy, leading lubricant and plastic packaging manufacturers formed The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition and Coveris acquired specialty bags business Initial Packaging.

In brief: Sustainability action
Smurfit Kappa’s Vitop facility in Alessandria, Italy, producing the best-selling Vitop original taps for Bag-in-Box, became “the first” plant in the Bag-in-Box industry to be ISCC Plus certified. The certification recognizes Vitop’s industrial processes and standards comply with the bio-based and recycled resin chain of custody. ISCC is a globally applicable sustainability certification system and covers all sustainable feedstocks. Receiving the new certificate allows Smurfit Kappa to launch pilot projects with its customers and incorporate resins issued from chemical recycling into taps and bags shortly, the company indicates.

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp), a global manufacturer of high barrier protective packaging solutions with recycled content, launched its new sustainability strategy, “Investing in Better.” The launch follows the recent completion of kp’s entire capital structure refinancing, the first of its kind to incorporate an ESG-Ratchet Linked Term Loan marketed to US investors. With the new “Investing in Better” strategy, kp has set itself ten targets for long-term improvement grouped into three key objectives:

• Close the Loop, committing kp to using more recycled material, closing the packaging loop and taking “every opportunity” to make packaging recyclable.
• Work Smarter, encompassing targets focusing on using less energy, cutting carbon emissions and ending landfill.
• Act Responsibly, building on kp’s “culture cornerstone” of continuous improvement in the areas of employee engagement, safety, diversity and inclusivity.

Nalgene Outdoor’s reusable water bottles.Leading lubricant and plastic packaging manufacturers formed The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition (NLCRC). The industry-led technical coalition’s goal is to establish a market-sustaining program in the US, driving the recovery and recycling of plastic packaging used to transport lubricants for commercial and consumer use. Founding members include Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil – Quaker State Company, Graham Packaging and Plastipak Packaging.

Nalgene Outdoor, a maker of reusable water bottles, announced it will strive to convert all its reusable water bottles to Tritan Renew material, a revolutionary resin made from 50 percent recycled material, by the end of the year. The company kicked off this initiative in August 2020 when it led the industry in adopting the groundbreaking properties of Tritan Renew material for its Nalgene Sustain bottle. The bottle is the first and only reusable bottle on the market made from recycled materials that is durable, BPA-free and dishwasher safe, Nalgene says.

In brief: AcquisitionsPAC Machinery’s e-commerce mailer bags.
Coveris acquired Initial Packaging, a business focused on specialty bags production. With the global specialty packaging market experiencing continuous and solid growth rates – notably in e-commerce, hygiene, pharma and, medical packaging – Coveris says it has seized the opportunity to acquire the UK-based company specializing in protective, tamper-evident and customized packaging for security, logistics and diagnosis applications. With this acquisition, Coveris gains access to new markets and distribution channels and expands its product portfolio and manufacturing capability.

Berlin Packaging continued its expansion with the acquisition of Roma International, a supplier of bottles, jars and closures for high-end cosmetics and personal care products. Roma International boasts a large portfolio of glass and plastic bottles and jars, and pumps, sprayers, caps, and other closures, as well as custom designs and bespoke products to service luxury brands and high-end customers. The acquisition marks Berlin Packaging’s twelfth in Europe since 2016, confirming its commitment to offering packaging solutions in all European market segments.

Macfarlane Group UK fully acquired GWP, a protective packaging manufacturing and distribution UK business, for a maximum cash consideration of £15.1 million (US$20.8 million) and a further adjustment for net assets in excess of £1.6 million (US$2.2 million). The expected net assets on completion are £4.3 million (US$5.9 million), including £3.8 million (US$5.2 million) net cash. The acquisition is in line with Macfarlane’s declared strategy of expanding its protective packaging business through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth.Fresh Express’ new pack design.

In brief: Machinery investment
Graphic Packaging International revealed machinery investments will be made at multiple locations in Europe and Australia, keeping up with demand for its PaperSeal tray. PaperSeal tray machinery will be installed in company and partner locations in Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Greece and Australia as part of expansion plans to deliver “ready-to-go” trays to new customers. The PaperSeal tray is a barrier-lined solution made from renewable paperboard, reducing plastic packaging on fresh and processed protein and produce.

PAC Machinery, a leader in the heat sealing and flexible packaging industry, announced the availability of its proprietary Recylene brand recycled and recyclable bag material for e-commerce mailer bags. The new material blend features a unique formula containing over 50 percent recycled content, including both industrial and consumer recycled poly. The recycled consumer material is sourced mainly from the curbside recycling of food-quality poly used in milk jugs. While this unique mailer bag material measures only 2 ml thick, it is strong and complies with USPS and FedEx requirements, the company says.

In brief: Design and brandingSIG’s combiMaxx closure for Schwarzwaldmilch.
Fresh Express, a category leader in value-added salads, contemporized its brand with clean, refreshed packaging for its Garden, Premium Garden, Crunchy and Tender Leaf salad blends products. The new eye-catching design, featuring revised artwork and graphics, aims to increase consumer appeal and purchase interest. In independent qualitative and quantitative research, 86 percent of consumers said the updated look feels “fresh.”

In brief: Customer first
SIG secured its first customer for the innovative and highly convenient combiMaxx closure in Schwarzwaldmilch. The German dairy brand now offers combiMaxx on all its dairy products in SIG’s combiblocSlimline 1,000 ml carton packs. Due to its large opening with a 25 mm inner diameter, the closure offers optimal product flow, stream controllability and easy handling. Other benefits include a tamper-proof ring and the reassurance of resealable and leak-proof storage.

By Joshua Poole