Ahlstrom-Munksjö has expanded its offering of sustainable tape backing solutions by launching a complete product range for pressure-sensitive packaging tape applications.

MasterTape Pack is a sustainable fiber-based alternative to plastic packaging tapes with high bio-based contents. It offers excellent internal cohesion and mechanical properties for shock-resistant tapes, making it ideal for light/medium or even heavy-duty packaging.

MasterTape Pack is available in a wide range of saturation base papers with different weight and mechanical properties. Thanks to the new capabilities, the product range for pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape backings has been expanded with tailormade solutions, including saturated and one-sided release coated papers, and reinforced base paper with synthetic fibers. It also offers the capability to coat the other side with different types of primers or barrier coatings.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s tape application solutions can make the end-product stand out from the competition with innovative and performing designs.

"Our ambition is to strengthen our position in the packaging tape market with our unique offering for PSA tape end uses - crepe, flatback, extensible papers - that fit the purpose of light, medium and heavy-duty packaging for e-commerce and industrial carton box sealing," said Vesa Yliherne, VP Tape business. 

MasterTape™ Pack is produced from responsibly sourced and renewable wood pulp, certified according to Forest Stewardship Council standards. Aligned with Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s 'from Plastic to Purpose' campaign, that aims at raising awareness about the possibilities of fiber-based solutions as a renewable option, its bio-based contents are higher than 80%.

"We encourage global industry stakeholders to consider fiber and paper-based alternatives where plastic and non-renewable materials are being used today. We have developed a unique portfolio of products that fit the purposes of multiple packaging tape applications," adds Sebastien Ferrari, Business Development Manager for Packaging Tape.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s offering for packaging tape applications also includes a product range designed for Water-Activated Tapes. MasterTape WAT solutions are predominantly lightweight, unbleached base papers used as the bottom and top layers with scrim reinforcement laminated in between. The solutions also have heavier weight papers that don't need any reinforcement.

Razor giant Gillette has sharpened its approach to sustainability with the launch of new product packaging that uses fully recyclable packaging.

The shift to greener materials was prompted by research commissioned by Gillette showing that consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of the packaging encasing the products they buy. Around 55 per cent of customers told researchers at Ipsos Mori that recyclable packaging is among the most important factors when deciding to buy a bathroom product, with 69 per cent saying it influences their decision of whether or not to buy a product.

The findings are released as Gillette launches a packaging redesign which ditches plastic and embraces recyclable cardboard packaging across its range of refillable razors.

The new packaging is made with responsibly sourced paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, with the firm estimating the move will eliminate 66,000kgs of plastic across the UK and Ireland - the equivalent of 6.5 million water bottles. Across Europe, it will eliminate 30 million water bottles worth of plastic, it added.

"Men want to shave with confidence knowing the products they're choosing come with responsible impact," said Matt Thomas, Gillette brand director for the UK and Ireland. "As the biggest brand in male grooming we know we have a responsibility to drive significant change in the category and these upgrades across our packaging and razors are the first significant step in that journey. There's always more to be done, but through this, and our ongoing razor recyclable programme with Terracycle, we're making progress."

The new packaging is part of Gillette's work to meet a series of 2030 sustainability targets laid out late last year. Achieving its flagship goal will see the firm reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent against a 2008-9 baseline, building on the 26 per cent reduction that had been reached by the end of 2020. Other 2030 targets including reducing water consumption by 35 per cent, using 100 per cent renewable electricity, reducing absolute virgin plastic use by 50 per cent, and maintaining its zero-waste-to-landfill status.

Sustainability has become the primary focus of the packaging industry, at each level of the value chain.

As a result of this engagement and the continuous work done to contribute to packaging circular economy, Bostik has obtained the approval by Recyclass that two Bostik adhesives are compatible with the polyethylene (PE) film recycling stream.

With one of the largest range of available technologies in house, more than 130 years of experience, and a global presence, Bostik, the Adhesive solutions segment of Arkema, is well positioned and deeply engaged in helping its customers and all members of the value chain to solve this challenge.

This approval is aligned with Arkema’s efforts to propose sustainable solutions to its customers.  The Group has joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and has been rewarded in November 2020 for its performance in sustainability and for integrating its corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach within its development strategy.

Adhesives compatible with recycling

The recyclability approvals delivered by RecyClass concerns the M-Resins™ technology, a pressure sensitive adhesive enabling resealable packaging, and Bostik SF10M, a solvent-free polyurethane laminating adhesive.  Test results confirmed both technologies to be suitable for recycling in a polyethylene (PE) film stream when used in the right conditions.

RecyClass, a cross-industry initiative

RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to advance plastic packaging recyclability and to establish a harmonized approach towards recycled content calculation and traceability in Europe. As communicated by Recyclass, the results obtained from the testing for approvals of Bostik’s products contribute to the constructive developments within the Design for Recycling and to improving recycling rates of the PE stream.

Bostik M-Resins for resealable packaging approved for PE recycling

Bostik’s reseal M-Resins are an innovative solution answering to consumer demands for convenience and providing sustainability by offering considerable material source reduction. M-Resins are used in the food packaging industry to produce resealable films and lids.

On December 8th Recyclass communicated that M-Resins™ reclosable technology is compatible and conforms to the current European PE film recycling stream. 

A natural important enrichment of our value proposition

Jean-François Le Cam, Market Manager Seal & Reseal EMEA says “M-Resins™ are not just a product, but a real technology. Today we are able to offer full peelable easy-open and reclosable solutions for food trays to packaging makers and brands that can be customized and adapted to their needs. For us, recyclability and fit to a circular economy is a key component of the solution performance.”

Significant step towards sustainable approach

Bostik’s values include not only the production of high-performing products, but also the creation of strong partnerships built on trust and further sustainable development of the industry. Having products approved by RecyClass means contributing to a value chain in which recyclability is as important as other performance criteria such as product safety and durability.

PU laminating adhesive “Bostik SF10M” conforms to the European PE film recycling stream

Recyclass has just announced on December 15th that the solvent-free laminating adhesive “Bostik SF10M” is fully compatible with PE flexibles recycling.

Bondi Sands self-tan and suncare products are globally known by consumers and beauty experts for their high quality, environmentally conscious formulas and packaging. Since last November, the Australian-based brand is also venturing into the promising skincare market and chose Quadpack to develop the packaging for its new Everyday Skincare Range.

“Everyday Skincare is a natural progression for Bondi Sands; first evolving from self-tan to suncare, through to body and now skincare – which completes our skin health story,” says Bondi Sands CEO and co-founder Blair James.

The challenge during product development was to ensure optimal customer experience by offering innovative, creative and environmentally-friendly packaging, without compromising formula and functionality. “We wanted bespoke packaging that sets us apart from any other skincare brand in the market whilst staying true to our brand value and look and feel. Quadpack offers hybrid and innovative packaging solutions and pushes the boundaries in what can be achieved in packaging,” says James.

The range has bottles and caps in PP, and five-layer tubes with PCR content. The decoration techniques used are silk-screening and hot stamping. Blair James is happy about the result and celebrates the partnership with Quadpack: “Besides having similar values to Bondi Sands, Quadpack allowed us to deliver a comprehensive range, without compromising our timelines.”

Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare Range is available online worldwide at bondisands.com and instore exclusively at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Farmers and Boots.

Florida Power & Light and its subsidiary Gulf Power came up with a unique solution to disposing of the boxes and packaging for the 200,000 to 250,000 solar panels recently installed at its Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in Escambia County and Blue Spring Solar Energy Center in Jackson County.

Approximately 10,000 refrigerator-sized boxes along with their accompanying wooden pallets were turned into mulch and reused on-site at both of the energy centers.

“The mulch is a great stabilizer and promotes the grass to grow, which causes the mulch to decompose even faster,” FPL Senior Project Manager Matt McCord, who came up with the solution, said. “After a year’s time, it’s gone back to nature, and you can’t see it anymore. The wildflowers and other vegetation are planted to transform the solar energy sites into stewardship sites that support wildlife and pollinators.”

They used a large grinder to chew up the wooden pallets and cardboard boxes, splitting the nails into a container. The output was then fed out of the grinder on a conveyor belt, creating a mound of mulch perfect for supporting grass and wildflower seeds.

It’s not only environmentally friendly, but it also saves money as it is more expensive to discard the tons of packaging into landfills and legally burn the wooden pallets. These industry standards cost about $180,000 per site, McCord said.

“All of that takes manpower and trucks,” McCord said. “The new method costs about $50,000 per solar site. Plus, we’re not burning or sending this material to the landfill. We’re working to reduce our carbon footprint through our 30-by-30 solar plan and the retirement of coal. By the time we’ve completed the 30-by-30 plan, you’re talking in the ballpark of $10 million in savings. This is good for the environment and saves our customers money.”

The mulching operation at Cotton Creek and Blue Springs went into full operation in the summer of 2020. It is now the company’s standard for disposal of packaging as it has been used at 16 more sites in 2020 and 2021. FPL’s 30-by-30 plan calls for the installation of 30 million solar panels statewide by 2030, so this is a solution that will be used quite often over the next 10 years.

“The mulching project is an innovative way to do both but also has the added benefit of supporting our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint,” Gulf Power Vice President Mike Spoor said. “We’re excited that Cotton Creek and Blue Springs solar energy centers are the first solar sites in Northwest Florida to use this method. Not only are we producing clean, emissions-free energy from the sun, we’re also disposing of the panel packaging in an eco-friendly way.”

Both Cotton Creek and Blue Springs will be operating in January 2022.