Microbes fully metabolize biodegradable plastics

16 Aug 2018
Bhaskar Ch

Berlin, 16 August 2018 – Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) succeeded in an interdisciplinary study to demonstrate that soil microorganisms metabolically utilised the carbon in the PBAT polymer both for energy production and also to build up microbial biomass. The researchers used the biodegradable polymer PBAT (Polybutylenadipatterephthalat) labelled with a carbon isotope. This isotope label enabled the scientists to track the polymer-derived carbon along different biodegradation pathways in soil.

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Labor Shortages Drive Adoption of Robotic Carton Loading

16 Aug 2018
Bhaskar Ch

In a 2017 industry research report from PMMI Business Intelligence, The Evolution of Automation, lack of skilled labor/labor shortages was positioned at the top of the list of drivers for plant floor automation in the packaging industry. This was certainly the case for White Castle Distributing LLC, which in 2016 switched from manual to robotic cartoning of its flow-wrapped burgers at two of its production facilities. Says Project Manager Brad Rife, “The labor pool seems to be getting smaller and smaller by the day, and it was that way back in 2016 as well.”

 

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Reusable waste removal bag

15 Aug 2018
Chhavi Aggarwal

Marc Mataya, Charlotte, NC, resident and serial inventor, created the Leaf Burrito, a reusable yard waste removal bag, which is designed to help eliminate detrimental single-purpose plastic bags. Currently in use in Charlotte, the Leaf Burrito won the 2017 Sustain Charlotte Award in the Waste Reduction category. The goals of Leaf Burrito are to - Help reduce the amount of plastic pollution by keeping plastic bags out of landfills and Make the arduous task of bagging leaves, hedge and garden clippings, and grass clippings a simple and eco-friendly experience.

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ProAmpac Site Receives Food Safety Certification

15 Aug 2018
Bhaskar Ch

CINCINNATI (August 15, 2018) – ProAmpac, a leader in global flexible packaging, announced today that its Auburn, Washington facility has been awarded Level 2 Food Safety Management Certification by the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute. SQF is a recognized organization by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), as well as retailers and food service providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.

 

Many Good Reasons for Liquid Dairy to Switch to Pet Packaging

15 Aug 2018
Bhaskar Ch

Acting in a competitive marketplace, typically impacted by low margins, liquid dairy manufacturers relentlessly seek innovations to achieve product differentiation and a sustainable business. To answer those challenges, Sidel can support the companies to switch their liquid dairy production to PET bottles and benefit from increased marketing opportunities, while leveraging a cost-effective and flexible production. Guillaume Rolland, Vice President Sensitive Products at Sidel, shares his expert insights into this topic.

 

At Healthcare Packaging Expo, MHI to Showcase EAGLE-Uni Blister Machine for Laboratory Work & Small-scale Production

14 Aug 2018
Press Packagin…

With universal station for forming, sealing & punching, multi-functional module ideal for packaging development & material testing.

Norwell, MA –– Maruho Hatsujyo Innovations (MHI) – the U.S. subsidiary of Maruho Co. Ltd, a Japanese healthcare company with subsidiaries in Europe and the U.S. with global sales of $800 million – will showcase its EAGLE-Uni semi-automatic blister machine October 14-17 at Healthcare Packaging Expo Booth #W-984.

Top performance with high product protection

14 Aug 2018
Bhaskar Ch

Loesch Verpackungstechnik, the system supplier, is exhibiting at FachPack in Nuremberg between 25 and 27 September. In hall 1, stand 1-218, the specialist for confectionery packaging from Upper Franconia is presenting its RCB-HS wrapping head machine. The machine from the Loesch R-Series is designed for the packaging of small-sized chocolate products in premium fold wraps. With the horizontal flow pack of the F-Series, the firm has a concept solution that combines efficiency and performance with low packaging material costs in its range.