Weekly Roundup: Zume and Solenis share PFAS-free recipe for paper containers, Alpla acquires Wolf Plastics

20 Aug 2021 --- In packaging news this week, molded fiber technology pioneer Zume partnered with chemicals company Solenis, publicly sharing a PFAS-replacement recipe for food packaging. Zume plans to ensure all its production globally is PFAS-free by the end of 2021. Meanwhile, Alpla acquired the Wolf Plastics Group in Austria. Also, Sappi Europe unveiled a smart paper solution embedded with RFID tags.

In brief: PFAS-free knowledge sharing
Zume, a fiber-based solutions company creating economically viable substitutes for single-use plastics, partnered with Solenis, a global producer of specialty chemicals. The partners have open-sourced a PFAS-replacement recipe for food packaging manufacturing to CPG brands across the global market. In conjunction, Zume announced it will no longer manufacture any products that contain PFAS from its California packaging with immediate effect and is collaborating with its global partners to ensure all production globally is PFAS-free by the end of 2021. “Open sourcing our PFAS-free solution creates a path for brands across the world to remove plastics and harmful chemicals from their consumer packaging and single-use goods,” said Alex Garden, Zume CEO and Chairman. “Brands have made pledges to remove PFAS and this new launch will enable them to deliver on their promises.”

In brief: Acquisition
Alpla, a global packaging solutions and recycling specialist, acquired the Wolf Plastics Group, expanding its product portfolio and growth potential in Central and South-Eastern Europe. In acquiring all the shares in the Austrian packaging manufacturer, Alpla intends to use its expertise, particularly in the manufacture of plastic buckets and canisters, to expand its product portfolio. With its three production facilities in Austria, Hungary and Romania, Wolf Plastics is described as the market leader in its line of business in Central and South-Eastern Europe. The Austrian and Romanian competition authorities are currently examining the proposal. Closure of the deal is subject to regulatory approval.Zume partnered with Solenis to open up the PFA-Free molded fiber packaging and manufacturing playbook to food and CPG brands.

In brief: Connective Packaging
Sappi Europe and ISBC brought together the digital and paper sectors with a smart paper solution embedded with RFID tags. The product is sheet-fed and made with 100 percent fiber-based Swiss Matt paper substrate from specialty paper manufacturer Sappi. RFID chips are embedded into the paper sheets causing no effect over the paper surface – it remains flat and smooth. RFID Paper delivers significant advantages over conventional plastic tags, the partner says. Ivan Demidov, ISBC founder and inventor, explained: “Our patented technology is unique on the market. It offers end-users a PVC-free, more sustainable and future-proof option.” Paper-based RFID tags reduce waste both during production and at the end of the product’s lifecycle. Printing processes also consume less energy and resources, which leads to a reduced carbon footprint for forward-looking, sustainability-conscious B2B and B2C companies.

In brief: Industry team-ups
Ineos Styrolution, a global leader in styrenics, joined the Cyclyx consortium as a founding member. Cyclyx International is a consortium-based feedstock management company with a mission to increase the plastic recycling rate from 10 to 90 percent. Ricardo Cuetos, VP at Ineos Styrolution America, will join the Cyclyx executive advisory board. Ineos Styrolution will have access to the Cyclyx platform, which includes an integrated set of innovations such as chemical characterization of plastics and predictive modeling of feedstock sources to product pathways, custom feedstock recipes, and customized supply chains.

Pregis, a leading global manufacturer of protective and flexible packaging solutions, joined the Flexible Packaging Association, the leading advocate and voice for the growing US flexible packaging industry. “With Pregis’ recent investment in world-class film extrusion operations, the time was right to become an active participant in this long-standing and prestigious association,” said David Timm, president of Pregis’ performance flexibles operations. Pregis recently announced an $80 million investment in a new South Carolina film extrusion operation which will be serving food, CPG, medical, and converter market segments with engineered, customer-focused flexible packaging solutions tailored to the dynamic needs of brand owners and suppliers. The new facility is in addition to the company’s extrusion operations in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which will be expanding with new lines in 2021.Sappi Europe and ISBC combined the digital and paper sectors with a smart paper solution embedded with RFID tags.

Ardagh Metal Packaging and Crown funded a new aluminum can capture grant awarded to a recycling facility northeast of Orlando to install additional can capture equipment as part of a larger facility upgrade. Once installed at GEL Recycling’s Port Orange, FL, material recovery facility (MRF), this equipment will result in nearly 3.5 million more beverage cans captured at the facility that were previously missorted. The GEL facility is the third MRF to receive funding from a grant program facilitated by Can Manufacturers Institute.

In brief: Climate-friendly label
Antalis revealed it will launch the new and improved version of the graphic self-adhesive range by UPM Raflatac called RAFNXT+, the world’s first label material to be verified by The Carbon Trust. “We are pleased to be the exclusive self-adhesive sheet distributor for UPM Raflatac in the UK, and its new RAFNXT+ range provides customers with a fully FSC-certified product, which also has the advantage of being the world’s first label material to be verified by The Carbon Trust,” said Ben Cahill, product manager at Antalis.

In brief: Printing tech
Alexir introduced the highly-specified Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 print machine. The Rapida 106 features seven printing units and a coater, two drying units followed by another additional printing unit and a final coater unit allowing the widest range of effects and finishes to be produced on a press. The press has a top speed of 18,000 sheets per hour and can print with both UV and conventional inks and coatings.

By Joshua Poole