Weekly Roundup: Viridor sold for US$4.9 billion, Clariant and Floreon to expand biopolymer applications

20 Mar 2020 --- In packaging news this week, recycling giant Viridor was sold to US global investment firm KKR for £4.2 billion (US$4.9 billion). The deal is widely regarded as one of the most significant transactions in the UK resources industry in recent years. Also, Clariant and Floreon joined forces to expand high-performance biopolymer applications to the hygiene, consumer goods and rigid and flexible plastic packaging sectors. Meanwhile, SIG celebrated the billionth filling of its aluminum-free aseptic carton combibloc EcoPlus, which reduces aluminum foil-induced environmental impacts.

In brief: Business news
Utility specialist Pennon Group agreed to sell Viridor to US global investment firm KKR to complete the former’s exit from the waste and recycling sector. Pennon Group has said that it will now concentrate fully on its water and wastewater businesses. The deal is expected to close mid-2020. Viridor provides household waste and recycling services to around 150 local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, in addition to building and running a fleet of facilities which generate heat and electricity from incinerating waste.

The billionth combibloc EcoPlus pack by SIG was filled this week.Clariant and Floreon arranged future collaboration to extend the performance properties and market potential of biopolymers, while preserving their environmental benefits. By integrating the benefits of Clariant’s additives with Floreon’s proprietary material solutions, the collaboration aims to open up additional possibilities for plastic manufacturers and brand owners to consider biopolymers as a viable, low carbon footprint alternative to fossil-based plastics for both single-use and durable applications. 

SIG hit a major milestone as its one billionth combibloc EcoPlus pack was filled, a global first in aluminum-free aseptic cartons. The pack is made of 82 percent renewable paperboard sourced from FSC-certified sustainable sources. Using combibloc EcoPlus packs results in a 28 percent lower carbon footprint than a conventional SIG carton in the same format, as shown by an independent life cycle assessment by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU). The one billionth pack was filled by DMK Group, Germany’s largest dairy cooperative. 

Having developed various types of 100 percent natural biomass, petroleum-free, biodegradable resins, Green Science Alliance’s technology was registered to Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP) of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office, Tokyo (ITPO Tokyo). The Alliance satisfied the necessary criteria of “Applicability in Developing and Emerging Countries,” “Competitive Advantage,” “Conformity with UNIDO's Mandate of Industrial Development,” “Contribution to Sustainability” and “Technical Maturity.”

Smurft Kappa's new QCV tap.In brief: Product development
Smurfit Kappa developed a tap called QuickConnect Vitop (QCV) for concentrated drinks in its Bag-In-Box. The new tap was designed to fit existing soft drink and wine dispensers that are widely used in fast food chains and restaurants to serve drinks by the glass. Industry’s latest injection and assembling technologies enable optimum levels for hygiene and quality control, alongside a 0.5 bar tightness test. In sustainability strides, all components, including the cap, inner valve and gland, are injected with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), leaving only the inner valve colored in blue.

Innovia Films launched Rayoface mBoss, the company’s Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film that has been especially engineered to offer long-lasting premium embossing performance. The film can increase shelf appeal and consumer engagement through bold tactile features as well as “eye-catching” print and foiling capability of the paper-like surface. At 130 microns, it has a premium feel and offers high conversion and labeling efficiencies due to its exceptional dimensional stability. Rayoface mBoss is suitable for a wide range of inks and foils as well as textured varnishes.

Eco-Products, a Novolex brand, expanded its Regalia line of foodservice ware to feature soak-proof, half-pans and lids made from sugarcane and lined with plant-based compostable PLA material for extra protection against leaks. Arriving in one-, two- and four-compartment sizes with compostable, form-fitting lids, the Eco-Products are ideal for restaurants and caterers seeking environmentally friendlier solutions for their foodservice events. The half pans are both microwave- and freezer-safe, are grease- and cut-resistant and offer locking tabs for a more secure lid fit.

Eco-Products expanded its Regalia foodservice ware line of compostable half-pans made from renewable resources.Ampacet became the first company to obtain certification from the Technical Committee for the Recycling of Plastic Packaging (COTREP) for black masterbatches using black HDPE and PP bottles following COTREP protocols. This certification extends to the company’s near-infrared (NIR)-sortable REC-NIR-BLACK 1900302-EA and 4900147-E, both designed for polyolefin rigid applications. “The European Plastic Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan sets the goal of recyclability of plastic packaging by 2030, with a minimum of 50 percent of plastic packaging recycled by 2025. Ampacet REC-NIR-BLACK masterbatches provide a significant contribution to the recyclability of black plastic products,” affirms Philippe Hugelé, Ampacet Strategic Business Manager Molding.

Participating in the European FLEXPOL project, Aimplas developed a plastic film designed to cover surfaces that are highly exposed to contact with microbes and to prevent surface proliferation of these organisms by stopping them from adhering. Essential oil encapsulation technologies are being used to obtain a product that is easily applied and removed. Significantly reducing the use of detergents and antibiotics, the resulting product will be developed in real hospital environments after the laboratory phase and makes nanoencapsulation an eco-friendly alternative. This method is also less expensive than those currently in use.

By Anni Schleicher