Mondi is investing over €16 million at its Krapkowice plant in Poland to increase production of its MailerBAG range.
Investment comes in response to demand for sustainable packaging from growing eCommerce industry.
MailerBAG lines in Poland ideally placed to serve customers across the whole of Europe.
Mondi's eCommerce portfolio is widely recognised as a supplier of economic, efficient and easy packaging solutions using base materials that are sustainable by design.

27 June 2023 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is investing over €16 million in its Krapkowice plant in Poland in response to demand for sustainable packaging from the eCommerce industry.

Durable, lightweight as well as puncture and tear-resistant, Mondi’s MailerBAGs are cost-effective for customers to transport as they save space and weight. Available in a range of sizes, the bags are easy to open and close making them ideal for delivery and returns. Excellent printability also ensures brands can communicate their key messages to consumers easily.

The Krapkowice plant is dedicated to the production of Mondi’s MailerBAGs, and based in Poland, is ideally located to serve the whole of Europe. This investment will more than double Mondi’s MailerBAG production capacity for 2023 in Poland and will include a new production line.

Mondi has a broad eCommerce offering, across its corrugated and flexible packaging businesses, which includes its MailerBAG solution. The MailerBAGs are made from Mondi’s kraft paper, which is made from responsibly sourced fibres, and produced and converted in-house – a benefit of the Group’s integrated value chain. In addition, the bags are designed to be recycled in conventional paper recycling streams across Europe, making them the ideal alternative to plastic mailers.

Thierry De-Vleminck, MailerBAG Director, Mondi Paper Bags, says: “Consumers are becoming more concerned about packaging materials, with research showing around 70% willing to pay more for best-fit packaging[1]. The growing eCommerce market needs a strong supply of quality packaging that has a real focus on sustainability, which is what we deliver, a bespoke solution for every customer, every time.”

Bogdan Rozio, Regional Manager Central and Eastern Europe and Managing Director Poland, Mondi Paper Bags, adds: “We’re delighted to be investing further in the eCommerce industry and in our Krapkowice plant. It contributes to our MAP2030 commitment to make all our packaging solutions reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and allows us to respond to the market demand in this key region.”

About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

leading Asian manufacturer of flexible packaging installs Vetaphone corona treater on its new Nordmeccanica laminator.

According to Kim Seon-Chang, CEO of Nam Kyung Co (NKC): “We pride ourselves on the lead we take towards a cleaner environment and are constantly striving to adapt to its fast-changing requirements through process change and the development of new products to ensure customer satisfaction.” An impressive introduction to a company that is still family owned and managed.

Founded in Korea in 1977, NKC developed many packaging material manufacturing facilities around Asia to facilitate entry into local markets, culminating in a joint venture in Indonesia in 1986, and a newly built plant in PyeongTaek in 2003, which has transformed production with the installation of a European manufactured 8-colour CI flexo press and solvent-free lamination capability.  The factory also uses water-soluble coatings.

In 2009, it established a wholly-owned facility in Vietnam that specialises in the manufacture of flexible packaging for the food and confectionary industries.  Nam Kyung Vina is located in the Binh Duong Province, some 50km north of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  The plant, which covers 23,0000 sqm and employs 160 people supplies a range of products to an elite portfolio of international brand owners, including Orion, Ottogi, Dan-Pak, Masan, and CJ. 

To meet the exacting standards demanded by international brand owners, the company is committed to regulations on occupational hygiene and safety as well as food safety and hygiene in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2018, and HACPP.  This quest for quality extends into the company’s investment policy, which sees a preference for the latest technology offered by European manufacturers.

Most recently, this included an addition to one of its three solvent-free Nordmeccanica Simplex SL mono-layer laminating lines in the form of a Vetaphone corona treater.  Mr Ha Tran An Phat, Production Deputy Manager explained: “We have European corona treaters on all our laminating lines but were experiencing quality issues that were causing problems downstream, so began looking for an alternative supplier.”  His conversation began with Mr Nguyen Anh Tu at the Vietnam agent for Nordmeccanica, Song Song Co Ltd, based in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Song Song represents a range of top-end manufacturers supplying the flexible packaging industry in both wide and narrow web formats from extrusion through to converting and processes in between, acting as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the Vietnamese market.  One of its premium brand manufacturers is Vetaphone, the Danish pioneers of the corona process, and the acknowledged global leader in surface treatment technology.

The conversation between NKC and Song Song resulted in an order for a Vetaphone VE1L-A (C4) Model that was installed in September 2022.  This 6kW corona treater has a web width of 1.3m and can match the typical production speed at NKC of 250m/min on a variety of substrates including PET, CPP, and LLVE up to 100-micron. 

Commenting on the new treater, Mr Ha said: “The Vetaphone gives us a consistently better quality surface treatment with a stable dyne level that guarantees adhesion.  Its design makes it much easier to maintain and service and this has saved us a considerable amount of time, and therefore money.  It was a great recommendation by Song Song who handled the installation and commissioning, so our future corona requirements will be met by them.”

In addition to laminating, the NKC plant handles extrusion coating, and printing on three rotogravure presses, which altogether deliver an annual sales value of $20m that represents an output of 350m metres.  Currently, 80% of output goes to Vietnam based customers with the remaining 20% exported to the USA, Canada, Europe, and Korea, with plans afoot to add Indonesia to export list of countries.  Nam Kyung has ambitious plans for growth and knows it will need the support of local experts like Song Song and industry leaders like Vetaphone to secure its future.

Oberschleissheim, June 27, 2023 – Every year the European Association of the Self-Adhesive Label Industry (FINAT) recognizes the industry’s best products. This year the Smart Blister Card from Schreiner MediPharm was the winner in the prestigious “Innovation & Electronic Printing – Electronic Devices” category. It extends standard multi-dose blister packs by a digital adherence monitoring tool enabling tracking of medication intake in real time.

Polypharmacy describes permanent therapies involving the simultaneous prescription of several medications. In our aging societies, that concerns more and more people. However, complex medication plans do not make it easy for patients to always take the right medicine at the right time, which may have fatal consequences: According to estimates, wrong parallel intake of different medicines causes up to 25,000 deaths per year in Germany alone. The Smart Blister Card from Schreiner MediPharm provides an innovative way of monitoring adherence to the medication regimen. 

In the case of polypharmaceutical applications, medicines are frequently filled into standard blister packs by hospital and large pharmacies so that patients can take them according to their medication plans. However, physicians and pharmacies actually have no way of tracking whether and when patients have taken their medicines. That is possible with Schreiner MediPharm’s Smart Blister Card because it enables digital medication adherence monitoring. Integrated into the Smart Blister Card are conductive lines combined with an electronic unit. As soon as the patient pushes tablets out of a cavity data is generated in real time such as the exact time of pill removal, the respective cavity, and the dose it contains. The data is stored in the Smart Blister Card and transmitted to a database via a smartphone app or a reader using NFC or Bluetooth technology. 

For physicians and pharmacists, the handling of the Smart Blister Card is both convenient and flexible. After filling and sealing the blister pack, the Smart Blister Card is simply attached to the back of the pack without impairing the filling process. The technology can be inconspicuously integrated into the packaging design. The Smart Blister Card is suitable for nearly all existing multi-dose and single-dose blister packs and can be adapted to the respective application. Thanks to the transparent film, the marking of each cavity remains clearly visible. In addition, a temperature monitoring feature for sensitive active ingredients is an available option. 

Patients can take their tablets as usual because the cavities can be pushed through as easily as before. Additionally, smartphone apps can provide patients with digital self-monitoring support and even enable a reminder function to comply with their medication plan. Thus, the Smart Blister Card from Schreiner MediPharm helps reduce the risks of polypharmacy and enhance therapeutic success.

Zeus Group, the Irish global packaging solutions provider, has today announced the acquisition of Cima Paper S.p.A. With annual revenues of €65 million, Cima Paper S.p.A. was established over 150 years ago in 1870.

 

Cima Paper has since solidified its position as one of Europe’s leading convertors of paper and board for the packaging sector. This latest addition to Zeus Group will leverage Cima Paper's scale, expertise, and resources into existing and future supply chains, enhancing current manufacturing capability, streamlining existing Italian operations and expanding Cima’s geographical reach across Europe. 

 

"We are thrilled to welcome the Cima Paper to the Zeus Group family," said Keith Ockenden, CEO of Zeus Group. "With a long-standing tradition in the industry, Cima Paper aligns perfectly with Zeus Group's vertically integrated strategy, optimising supply chains and delivering enhanced value across our finished products, particularly within the manufacturing, food and retail packaging sectors.” 

 

Ockenden further emphasised the growing importance of sustainable solutions driven by legislation and the industry's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions: "Cima Paper operates under the FSC Chain of Custody certification, ensuring responsible and sustainable sourcing. Their unwavering commitment to quality, customer service, and family values are completely consistent with the culture of Zeus." 

 

Cima Paper S.p.A.'s extensive product range, which includes a comprehensive range of papers for corrugated convertors, coreboard for tubes, cores, rings, and edge protectors which perfectly complements Zeus Group's existing offerings.  

 

"Through this acquisition, we will harness our combined strengths and resources to deliver even greater value to our customers," added Ockenden. "By integrating Cima Paper into Zeus Group, we are strategically positioned to offer optimised solutions, drive innovation, and ensure continuity and reliability in the supply of raw materials for paper mills." 

 

Giacomo and Giovanni Cima will continue to lead the operation and are “delighted to become part of the Zeus family”.

 

Earlier this month, Zeus acquired Northern Ireland business, James Hamilton Group, which has an annual turnover of c.€18m.

 

NOTES TO EDITOR:

About Zeus:

Zeus is a leading global packaging solutions company, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. The company provide a diverse range of products and supply solutions into a wide variety of markets.

Zeus has 51 locations worldwide, including Ireland, UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Canada, China and Australia.

In February 2021, Zeus completed a €40 million, two-year programme of strategic acquisitions with the purchase of Austrian firm Petruzalek expanding the group’s distribution and logistics capabilities in food and industrial packaging. This programme began with the 2019 acquisition of Dublin-based Essential Supplies followed by manufacturer, Aldar Tissues. UK investments included 220-year-old Liverpool-based distribution business Smith & Bateson, Lincolnshire-based food packaging business Van Der Windt and Saffron Waldon-based Vaiopak Group. On 1 January 2020, it announced completion of the acquisition of Plasti-Cart operating across the Canary Islands.

In May 2021, Zeus announced a further €15 million investment in Aldar Tissues, quadrupling capacity. In October 2021, Zeus announced the acquisition of Ireland-based Limerick Packaging.

During 2022, 6 acquisitions across UK, Ireland & Canada. In March 2023, Zeus acquired Polpack in Poland, a specialist manufacturer of Pallet Wrapping Machinery and suppliers of industrial packaging products.

Zeus celebrates 25 years in operation and now employs 1100 people total across 30 countries worldwide. Zeus has grown at an average rate of 25% per annum since 2018.

In the "Circular Competence" interview series, the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association asks its member companies about their plans, solutions, and challenges on the road to a circular economy. 
What can the industry do to minimise the ecological footprint of packaging and other printed products?

Frankfurt, 20 June 2023 - As a leading manufacturer of knives, knife holders and cutting systems with a 110-year history, DIENES Werke für Maschinenteile GmbH & CO KG from Overath is driving energy efficiency both in its own production and in process solutions for its customers. With Maja Supe-Dienes, the fourth generation is already on board. She is a project manager and working on strategies to make the family business fit for the future.

The leading industrial nations want to have a climate-neutral economy by the middle of the century. Is this goal realistic in your view?
From a technical, economic, and political perspective, this is a very ambitious goal. However, numerous studies show that decarbonisation is possible by 2050 or even a little earlier. Even though, this requires massive investment, political support, and global cohesion. If energy-intensive processes are only relocated to regions with lax climate protection regulation, nothing will be gained.The road will not be easy for companies. The rise in energy costs caused by the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, inflation, wage increases, and supply chain problems are a foretaste of this challenge ahead. The Companies need quick access to climate-friendly energy and support for efficiency projects to overcome them.

What are you doing to minimise the energy demand of your production?
Our 110 years old history, is characterised by the pursuit of the most possible self-sufficient energy supply and increased efficiency. Our location here is on a river because our founder Karl Rudolf Dienes was able to buy an old mill to supply his knife production with waterpower. In the meantime, we don’t use the river anymore generate energy, but we use the water for cooling. Today we rely on photovoltaics. Our newest site is completely energy-optimised, other sites still need to be redeveloped. There are supply chain problems, too: for example, we have been waiting for a frequency converter for months to be able to feed solar power into the grid. We use the waste heat from our machines, from our processes and heat recovery to supply heat to our halls. We are constantly investing into modernisation and automation of our machinery to make our production more energy-efficient. We have also purchased employee e-bikes and installed charging stations for electric vehicles. 

How do you support your customers to become more energy efficiently?
By offering very durable, repairable, and recyclable knives and integrating them into increasingly smart, sensor-monitored cutting systems. This always ensures the most efficient knife setting. It is firmly anchored in our corporate philosophy that we focus on high-quality, durable products and intelligent process solutions. On the one hand, we want to ensure the maximum service life of our knives, which we achieve with our regrinding service, among other things. On the other hand, our knife holders contribute to minimal wear through the sensor-monitored optimal adjustment of the knives. In combination with condition monitoring solutions, this ensures very reliable, high-quality cutting processes. Nevertheless, cutting is usually at the end of the process chain for the customer, clean cuts are very important. A lot of time, energy and resources and correspondingly high value are already invested in the cut products. We have developed an extraction solution for the conventional edge strips so that they can be collected and fed directly back into the manufacturing process as recyclate.

What role does the topic play in your R&D?
We have developed a smart solution - The End of Coincidences (TEoC), which records and analyses machine and process data. We are in the middle of the research and development phase, we learn more about our products and their cutting processes with every new connected machine.
The data enables us to make an increasingly accurate predictive forecast. This will allow us to further reduction of downtime and productivity increase in the future. We visualise the data in dashboards, so that our customers can get quickly an idea of the condition of their cutting system, the quality in the running process. We can also troubleshoot remotely. All this flows back into research and development to further optimise the systems on the basis of such incidents until finally there really are no more coincidences. We also test a lot to make the knives production more energy-efficient. We are exploring if we can also achieve our high quality standards with less energy.
What would you like to see from legislators on the road to climate neutrality?
The global perspective and a harmonised approach are central. So, that no loopholes open up for actors who do not care about climate protection. It can only work if we understand and implement decarbonisation as a joint global project. Incentives and support measures are important for implementation at the corporate level, so that the switch to climate-neutral energy can be made quickly and as smoothly as possible. Additionally, we need measures to adapt to climate change. In the meantime, we often have to deal with extreme temperatures and in river valleys such as here in the Agger Valley, with strongly fluctuating water levels. We have to adapt to this - and it causes costs. Another important point is the planning and approval procedures. We need here a revolution in order to be able to cope with the huge challenges in the remaining time. This leads us back to the initial question. With today's planning and approval procedures, decarbonisation by 2050 is not realistic - and our business location is endangered.
Do you have any questions? Lisa Raphaela Grübl, telephone 069 6603 1450, lisa.gruebl@vdma.org , will be happy to answer them. 

The VDMA represents 3600 German and European mechanical and plant engineering companies. The industry stands for innovation, export orientation and SMEs. The companies employ around 3 million people in the EU-27, more than 1.2 million of them in Germany alone. This makes mechanical and plant engineering the largest employer among the capital goods industries, both in the EU-27 and in Germany. In the European Union, it represents a turnover volume of an estimated 860 billion euros. Around 80 percent of the machinery sold in the EU comes from a manufacturing plant in the domestic market.

The VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association is the voice of around 180 manufacturers of equipment and systems for the printing and print processing, paper manufacturing and converting, and auxiliary materials and equipment sectors from Europe. It thus represents around 90 per cent of the industry. The trade association offers its members services, for example on topics such as trade fairs, public relations, technology, and research.
 

From the baseline year of 2019, DOMO has made the following progress: 
• Achieved a 27% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• Increased renewable electricity sources to 12% throughout its operations
• Boosted sales of engineered materials based on recycled feedstock to 11.3%
• As a responsible employer, providing a safe and inclusive working environment, DOMO increased the share of women in senior positions to 30%

DOMO Chemicals, a global leader in polyamide-based engineered material solutions and services, has published its latest annual Sustainability Report, detailing progress on its sustainability journey, including notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. DOMO’s mission is to engineer polyamide solutions that contribute to a better, more sustainable world. In publishing its second annual Sustainability Report, DOMO enters a new phase in its decarbonization quest, with confidence in its long-term aspiration to set the standard for sustainability in the industry by 2030.

“DOMO is pursuing a strategy of sustainable value growth and strives to become, by 2030, a benchmark for sustainable development and social responsibility, and to be recognized among the best in our industry,” said Yves Bonte, Chief Executive Officer, DOMO Chemicals. “We are proud to have made significant progress on our sustainability journey in 2022, together with all our stakeholders.

DOMO’s 2022 Sustainability Report was prepared for the first time in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Standards, the most widely recognized reporting framework for sustainability. DOMO also became a signatory to the Responsible Care Charter in 2022, joining forces to strengthen sustainability within the global chemicals industry. 

Notably, the Sustainability Report details DOMO’s achievements in 2022 toward realizing its 2030 sustainability goals. In terms of decarbonization and broader environmental achievements, against a 2019 baseline, the company:
• Reduced scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 27%, making significant progress toward its target of 40% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050
• Increased renewable electricity throughout operations to 12%
• Reduced waste by 24%
• Lowered water intake by 4.5%In addition, as a leading provider of polyamide-based sustainable and circular solutions, DOMO: 
• Achieved more than 11% of engineered materials sales based on sustainable feedstock, making excellent progress toward its 2030 target of 20%
• Allocated 25% of research and development resources to 

enhanced recycling
Moreover, fostering talent and ensuring the well-being of its workforce as a responsible employer is essential for sustainable growth, and 2022 highlights include: 
• Increased share of women in senior positions from 22% in 2021 to 30% in 2022 
• Providing a safe and inclusive working environment that encourages personal and professional development as well as a global safety culture“Our 2022 Sustainability Report summarizes a full year of  achievements and our inspiring sustainability journey will continue,” said Bouchra Caret-Rhers, Sustainability Director, DOMO Chemicals.3
“Our focus remains on making progress on our decarbonization roadmap, partnering to develop sustainable and circular solutions and offering a safe and inclusive work environment for our employees.”
For more information about DOMO’s sustainability journey and to view the full 2022 sustainability report, visit: 
report2022.domochemicals.com.

Also, visitors to the Fakuma 2023 international trade fair for plastics processing in Friedrichshafen this October can explore DOMO’s diverse range of TECHNYL®4EARTH® products and meet the DOMO experts who are making this happen.
 

About DOMO Chemicals
DOMO Chemicals offers polyamide-based engineered materials solutions and services for the automotive, consumer goods, industrial goods, electricals and electronics industries. Based on the company’s upstream and downstream integration, DOMO also serves the agricultural, chemical, pharmaceutical, fiber and textile sectors. Its complete portfolio of polymer-based products and services includes chemical intermediates, resins, engineering plastics and performance fibers. Some of its best-known brands include TECHNYL® engineered materials, STABAMID® PA66 virgin grades, DOMAMID® PA6 virgin resins, NYLEO® Polyamide 66 fibers and TECHNYL® 4EARTH®sustainable polyamides.
 

Martin Automatic, a leading supplier of nonstop unwind and rewind technology for the narrow web market, and long-term supporter of Labelexpo, will showcase its latest space-saving technology at the upcoming Brussels trade fair in September. On working display will be two of its most popular machines in the narrow web sector, an MBS automatic unwind

Mondi launches SolmixBag, a paper packaging solution that dissolves in water, eliminating waste.
SolmixBag is made from one-ply Mondi kraft paper, using renewable resources, and offering high strength and excellent product protection.
Launched with building materials supplier Baumit, the solution helps to reduce waste for the global construction industry

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is introducing SolmixBag, a water-soluble bag for the construction industry.

SolmixBag is a one-ply paper bag created to store and transport dry construction materials such as cement and dry mix mortar products. It’s designed to dissolve when getting in contact with water during the mixing process - the fibre of the packaging simply integrates with the product as it is mixed. This eliminates waste, reduces paper waste management costs and minimises dust on the construction site, as the bag is simply placed into the mixer without the necessity to open it up front.

The bag is produced in-house thanks to the company’s uniquely integrated value chain: SolmixBag is created from Mondi’s water-soluble sack kraft paper and uses 20% less paper than the industry standard 2-ply paper bags. The solution is able to run on existing filling machines, and it is available in standard sizes, offering customers a smooth transition from their existing solutions. SolmixBag provides the same strength and shelf-life as its predecessors, with good printing results for a quality, stand-out appearance on shelf.

Mondi has worked with its long-standing customer Baumit to bring SolmixBag to market for dry mix concrete. The two organisations collaborated closely throughout the product development and are committed to supporting the whole construction industry as it endeavours to reduce waste.

Ferdinand Muck, International Key Account Manager, Mondi says: "We are closely collaborating with our partners in the building material industry to eliminate waste disposal and dust, which benefits both the environment and the workers on site. The launch of SolmixBag with Baumit is an important step to make a real difference to the sustainability of the whole industry.”

Peter Weißmann, Head of R&D Dry Mix Mortar, Baumit Group says: “Working closely with Mondi means we have been able to test and trial these bags thoroughly and the results will soon benefit new product groups. The impacts on sustainability are vast. Our customers on building sites love the new technology due to the multiple benefits – no waste and reduced dust as the two most important. It was a pleasure to work with the Mondi team, their packaging expertise enables us to help the construction industry make effective, positive change for the future.”

 

With the theme “Brazil as a Shaper of Global Trends in Converted Plastics, the event will be featuring a seminar with international guests such as Karim Rashid and Dr. Sascha Peters, launch of the color trend book by Jum Nakao, global industry awards, launch of the yearbook, Buyer Project, and Image Project

Think Plastic Brazil (Brazilian Converted Plastics Export and Internationalization Program), created by INP (Brazilian Plastics Institute) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), will be holding the 3rd World Plastic Connection Summit, Brazil’s main event with an international focus on the Converted Plastics sector and the largest connection platform in the Americas for the industry in this sector. The Summit will be held In a hybrid format (in person and online), at Blue Tree Premium Alphaville (Alameda Madeira, 398 – Alphaville, Barueri, SP), on August 21-24, 2023, with simultaneous broadcasting in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. In 2022, the event brought together more than 300 people in person, with lectures broadcast online to 67 countries with over 14,000 hits worldwide.

In this edition, when Think Plastic Brazil celebrates 20 years of existence, one of the great attractions is the International Hybrid Seminar, which will feature renowned international names such as Egyptian designer Karim Rashid, Brazilian creator Jum Nakao, Finnish trend specialist Susanna Björklund, the German specialist in the development of new materials, Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters, and Brazilian researcher Giácomo Parolin.

“The event has become an international benchmark for the Converted Plastics industry, bringing together the world’s leading researchers in the sector in Brazil. The hybrid seminar, which will be held on August 21-22, is a time for renewing knowledge, as well as being a unique opportunity for a relationship between the main entrepreneurs, buyers and researchers in the sector,” explained Carlos Moreira, manager of Think Plastic Brazil.

REGISTRATION OPEN AT https://thinkplasticbrazil.com/wpc_summit_2023

The Summit is composed of:

Hybrid International Seminar: International technical seminar held in a hybrid format (face-to-face and online lectures and access). It will feature an exclusive selection of the most important global professionals to meet the information demands of the entire Converted Plastics chain and will be held on August 21-22.
The highlights of this edition include renowned international designer Karim Rashid, who will give a lecture on design and innovation; Finnish journalist and trend specialist Susanna Björklund, who will talk about trends in sustainable design; German specialist and professor Sascha Peters, who will present new materials for the sustainability of plastics; Brazilian researcher Giácomo Parolin, who will discuss the role of plastics in the circular economy; and packaging designer and specialist in the area of creative business governance, Lincoln Seragini, who will present success stories in packaging in Brazil; among others.

The Seminar’s schedule also includes panels on corporate leadership and design, in addition to the launch of the International Color Trends Guide (Color Trend 2024) and the International Yearbook (Yearbook 2023), with data from the international industry and information from member companies of the Program.

ACCESS THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE HERE
International Award: with the aim of acknowledging and publicizing companies that invest in internationalization processes, in addition to honoring relevant actions by member companies of the Program, the main innovation of this year’s award will be the opening of registration to companies not associated with Think Plastic Brazil.

Color Trend – International Color Trend 2024: An in-depth global study of color trends in the converted plastics market, reflecting Brazilian culture and presenting new possibilities for production and product development to Brazilian companies. The color survey was coordinated by renowned artist, creative director and product designer Jum Nakao.

International Yearbook: The third edition of the yearbook in three languages (Portuguese, English, and Spanish) has been reformatted, with even more information and highlighting the 190 Brazilian member companies of Think Plastic Brazil, in addition to presenting international sectoral information for 2023. The International Yearbook will be available in an online format and will have a few copies available in print format.

Buyer Project – Buyers Project International Show: Held on August 23-23, at the Hotel Blue Tree Premium Alphaville, the face-to-face event will be serving all verticals of the Converted Plastics sector, with negotiation roundtables and a large area for networking, in addition to a selected mailing list of international buyers with exclusive access to participants.

Image Promotion: At this event, held alongside the Buyer Project, member companies of the Think Plastic Brazil Program are able to welcome buyers and guest journalists.

Technical Visits: in the last two days of the event, international buyers and guest journalists will participate in technical visits to the plants of the member companies of the Think Plastic Brazil program.

Internationalization Consulting Clinics: A new feature at this year’s Summit, the consulting clinics will bring together representatives from ApexBrasil, law firms and business consultants, who will address various topics of interest to Think Plastic Brazil members.

The World Plastic Connection Summit is one of the main actions of the sectoral project for the verticals supported by the Think Plastic Brazil program: Agribusiness, Toys and Childcare, Construction, Packaging, Supplies (including the Masterbatch, the material responsible for coloring Converted Plastic products), and Housewares.

The World Plastic Connection Summit 2023 has the following supporters: Valgroup (Highlight Plastic); Braskem (Master Plastic); Colorfix and Engeflex (Masterbatch Special Plastic); Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce; Abiplast and Abiquim (Institutional Support); and the publications Plásticos em Revista, Plástico Virtual, and All Pet Food Magazine (Media Partners).
 

About Think Plastic Brazil

Think Plastic Brazil was created in December 2003, when the Brazilian integrated plastics chain was selected as one of the 10 largest in the world, being recognized for its high technology, as well as the capacity of its human resources. The project is carried out in collaboration with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and under the coordination of the Brazilian Plastics Institute (INP), to promote the export of converted plastic products.
www.thinkplasticbrazil.com

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade shows and visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn more about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.
 

The leading Group in the production of closures is committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 44%, by 2030. Important targets have also been set for the responsible management of the supply chain and for promoting a corporate culture based on inclusion and diversity.

Guala Closures Group, world leader in the production of closures for the spirits, and aluminium closures for wine, water, and oil markets, presents “Sustainable Together 2030”, its new 2023-2030 sustainability programme. This sets clear and ambitious corporate objectives involving three primary areas: Environment, People and Governance. 
“We are very proud of the path towards a sustainable approach undertaken by the company in recent years and made public with the preparation of the Sustainable Development Report – now in its twelfth edition – which will be released in the next days,” says Paolo Lavazza, Quality and Sustainability Director of Guala Closures Group. “The excellent goals achieved in 2022, described in detail in the Sustainable Development Report – and also reported in the 2022 Annual Report – in fact show particularly important information: despite the global challenges that have characterized the last few years, from the pandemic to the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, sustainability has represented and represents a priority for Guala Closures. A commitment that involves everyone – from employees to workers in the supply chain – and represents a determining challenge for the production industry of closures for beverages and spirits.”

Environment
The Group's fight against climate change translates into the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption, and water resources and waste production efficiency. In 2022, the Group reduced both Scope 1 emissions (those generated directly by the company) and Scope 2 emissions (those deriving from the energy purchased and consumed by the company) compared to the previous year respectively by 12.6% and 19.1%. In parallel, the percentage of electricity from renewable sources has reached 42% of the total electricity consumed.
But Guala Closures always looks to the future: by 2030, the Group undertakes to reduce absolute emissions of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases by 44% compared to 2020, and to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions deriving from purchased goods and services and from fuel and energy-related activities by 25%, for every million closures produced. The 2030 commitments have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as meeting the more ambitious target of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C, as set out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. In this context, Lavazza continues, “We are planning energy efficiency projects, such as heat recovery afterburners and new lithography lines with UV light drying instead of traditional ovens and we have plans for the production and purchase of renewable energy.”
Finally, the efficiency improvement of water consumption implemented by Guala Closures – which focused in particular on the cooling systems of plastic molding presses – made it possible in 2020 to achieve the water reduction target of the 2016-2022 strategy. By 2030, the Group is committed to further reducing total water intensity by 15% and by 25% in countries where available resources are lower.

People
The “zero accident culture” is a top priority: to achieve this goal, the Group is adopting a rigorous approach and tools to avoid potential risks such as near-miss mapping, audits, injury analysis, training and certification of the health and safety management systems. The Group aims at obtaining by 2030 the important international ISO 45001 certification for all its plants, located on five continents.
The “Sustainable Together 2030” plan also aims to foster a corporate culture based on inclusion, diversity, and equal gender opportunities. As regards gender equality, in 2022 the percentage of women employed by the Group increased to reach 24.5%, while the percentage of women holding leadership positions rose from 20.8% (2020) to 22.8% (2022). As early as January of this year, the Group has promoted a series of activities – from initiatives aimed at supporting parenthood to professional growth programs dedicated to women in the company – to continue this virtuous path. 

Governance
The last part of “Sustainable Together 2030” is dedicated to the theme of Governance: in this area Guala Closures undertakes to encourage sustainable development along the entire production chain, as well as spreading its ethical principles with its industrial partners all over the world. 
For this reason, for the first time, the Group has included two specific and tangible “responsible governance” targets in its new 2023-2030 sustainability strategy.                                 The first one envisages the promotion of integrity and responsibility values along the entire supply chain, starting with the assessment and monitoring of the sustainability performance of its suppliers through the use of ESG rating platforms. The second target concerns the commitment of its strategic suppliers who will have to sign the Group's new Code of Ethics.

About:
Guala Closures Group 
Guala Closures Group delivers high-quality, sustainable and innovative closure solutions that offer protection and convenience to consumers while enhancing brand image. Guala Closures Group is a leading global producer of closures for spirits, wine, water and other beverages, oil and condiments markets.
With more than 30 production plants located across five continents, its global footprint means proximity to customers’ plants, offering localised services and solutions in more than 100 countries. The Group has more than 4,800 employees worldwide and produces around 18 billion closures per year.
 

200,000-sq-ft ISO 13485-certified production plant will significantly expand capacity of its engineered barrier products for flexible packaging in pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic applications.

 TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, is substantially extending its North American footprint and expanding global capacity with a new 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Madison, Wisconsin – the second TekniPlex Healthcare facility in the city. Scheduled to open in early 2024, the new facility will operate under the ISO 13485:2016 quality management system, which certifies the ability to provide medical devices and related services that consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.  

TekniPlex Healthcare’s new facility will feature sophisticated new manufacturing equipment that will significantly boost the company’s lamination capacity for a broad range of materials including PET, nylon, paper, foil, PE, EAA and ionomer, in both peelable and non-peelable structures. This will help drive shorter lead-times and ensure best in class quality. The laminate and coated products are utilized in a wide variety of applications for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics end markets, including flexible foil and plastic pouches, contact lens packaging, blisters and blister lidding, and sterilizable protective structures for medical devices, accessories and procedural tools. 

“Our business has grown substantially across the medical device, pharmaceutical and diagnostics sectors, and the new Wisconsin location will help TekniPlex provide our customers access to the most advanced process technology and available capacity, solidifying our industry-leading quality and delivery,” said Chris Qualters, CEO of TekniPlex Healthcare. “In addition to providing highly engineered products to ensure patient safety and outcomes, this facility also offers enhancement of our business continuity planning – a highly attractive benefit in an industry where supply risk mitigation is essential to guarantee lifesaving products are available when they are needed.” 

The plant will feature new coating and lamination assets, boosting capacity for a wide range of products, including coated Tyvek® and reinforced papers. The plant also will showcase new flexographic printing capability, adding to TekniPlex’s set of solutions. The high-definition printer features fast changeover to expedite customer delivery times and creates an almost zero waste scenario in the production environment.

All newly installed equipment will utilize the state-of-the-art technology to reduce energy consumption and process waste. Combined with a factory-wide trim waste recovery system, this will allow the plant to maximize its environmental efficiency.
 

About TekniPlex Healthcare
TekniPlex Healthcare utilizes advanced materials science expertise and technologies to develop and deliver critical solutions for medical and diagnostic devices, drug delivery systems and healthcare packaging applications. With a global reach, the division’s deep understanding of the greater pharmaceuticals and medical landscape helps it produce exemplary barrier properties for drugs and precision medical devices for interventional and therapeutic procedures. TekniPlex Healthcare’s ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com/healthcare.
 

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technique used to extend the shelf life of food products by altering the composition of gases within the package. It involves replacing the atmospheric air inside the package with a modified gas mixture that helps preserve the quality and freshness of the food.

To decelerate oxidation processes and thus, spoilage, the oxygen content within the package is reduced. Oxygen levels are typically lowered to around 1-5% and replaced with other gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Nitrogen is an inert gas that helps displace oxygen and creates a low-oxygen environment, preventing the growth of aerobic microorganisms and reducing oxidative reactions. Packages are usually modified to a nitrogen-heavy composition for products like potato chips, nuts, coffee, and dried fruits.

Carbon dioxide is used in MAP primarily for its antimicrobial properties. It inhibits the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms and helps maintain product quality. Carbon dioxide can also act as a pH regulator in certain food products. Packages are usually modified to a carbon dioxide-heavy composition for meat, poultry, seafood, and bakery products.

While reducing oxygen is a common practice, there are specific applications where higher oxygen levels are desired. High-oxygen MAP, also known as oxygen-rich packaging, is used for products like fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, salad mixes, and some types of seafood. Elevated oxygen levels delay the onset of browning and maintain the color and texture of the products.

Most often, a combination of gases is used to create the desired modified atmosphere. For example, a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen may be employed to optimize the preservation of a specific food product. The gas composition and ratio depend on factors like the product type, desired shelf life, and sensory attributes.

Proper packaging design and gas composition are crucial to ensure food safety and maintain product quality throughout its shelf life.

• Mondi and Syntegon have teamed up to develop new recyclable paper-based packaging for dry food products.
• Mondi's EcoVantage kraft paper using recycled fibres utilised for dry food packaging for the first time.
• Packaging approved for food contact by the ISEGA.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has partnered with Syntegon, a manufacturer of process and packaging machinery, to develop a recyclable paper packaging solution using recycled fibres for dried foods such as flour, sugar and pasta.

The packaging uses Mondi’s award-winning EcoVantage kraft paper which has been approved by ISEGA for the entire food packaging sector. EcoVantage is made from recycled and responsibly sourced fresh fibres and was previously mainly used for paper shopping bags. Mondi’s commitment to investing in research and development and its successful collaboration with industry players has enabled it to expand its application, meeting consumer’s growing demand for paper-based packaging.

Mondi supplies EcoVantage rollstock to Syntegon who then applies spot coating to create dust-tight, heat sealable packaging that eliminates contamination throughout the entire product lifecycle – from production to the consumer’s home. Syntegon’s unique technology ensures that only the minimum amount of sealing agent needed is used. The versatility of their technology ensures protection of powdered food goods and packaging strength which is recyclable in existing paper streams.

The development of these new packaging solutions illustrates a key element of Mondi Group’s MAP2030 targets – by using recycled fibres EcoVantage kraft paper prevents waste, keeps materials in circulation and is recyclable in existing paper waste streams, as evidenced by Mondi’s Recycling Lab.

Elisabeth Schwaiger, Head of R&D and Intellectual Property Flexible Packaging, Mondi, says: “Thanks to the close partnership with Syntegon and our extensive technical expertise and knowledge of paper, we can support our customers in making more sustainable choices. With high recycling rates of paper and the use of wood as a renewable material, we are delivering a packaging innovation that embraces resource efficiency, waste reduction and recyclability.”

Torsten Sauer, Director Sustainability at Syntegon, adds: “It is our goal to create sustainable packaging solutions with the minimum environmental impact possible. With paper packaging that is both recyclable and containing recycled material we are making a big step towards closing the circularity loop for primary food packaging.”

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate. Mondi

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

Company also will showcase a range of healthcare packaging solutions, including new Recyclable Blister system, coated structures like Flexapharm® SBC, 
and its Pentafill® vial filling & sealing machines, among others.
 

Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, will provide an in-depth look at the pharma packaging landscape amid the latest proposed sustainability and recyclability guidelines – including potential restrictions surrounding poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – set to take effect across Europe at Connect in Pharma, June 14-15 in Geneva, Switzerland. On June 14 at 10:30am, Wouter Geurts, Business Development Manager for TekniPlex Healthcare, will present PPWR and REACH: Where are We Now, and Where are We Going?, exploring the pharma sector’s unique challenges involving these two distinct regulations intended to promote recyclability, reduce packaging waste, support a more circular economy, as well as reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer. 

Late last year, the European Commission presented the proposal to amend the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive into a regulation, setting elevated sustainability standards for packaging materials. In February of this year, the European Chemicals Agency followed with proposed bans on both the use and production of PFAS. While the pharmaceuticals sector may be delayed in meeting the guidelines of both proposals in the short-term, the new mandates will require near-term innovation to meet longer-term compliance. For example, many drugs require high-barrier packaging solutions that face sizable hurdles to lofty EU goals for recyclability, post-consumer recycled content, single-use packaging limitations and other sustainability benchmarks. In his presentation, Mr. Geurts will stress the need for transparency, collaboration and innovation among materials science companies, drug manufacturers and supply chain organizations to achieve tangible, holistic progress toward compliance with both regulations. 

In addition, at Connect in Pharma Stand C26, TekniPlex Healthcare will showcase a broad array of packaging and coating solutions. Among these is the world’s first fully transparent recyclable mid-barrier blister package. Recyclable in geographies where the #5 (polypropylene) recycling stream is available, the mid-barrier blisters feature a polyolefin blister film paired with a barrier PP lidding film. This marks the first time a formed blister + lidding combination is certified as recyclable– a significant milestone in the evolving push to make healthcare packaging more sustainable. TekniPlex Healthcare also will exhibit a fully recyclable polyester mono-material blister + lidding combination, suitable for products that do not require barrier protection. 

Other solutions on display include Flexapharm® SBC, TekniPlex Healthcare’s series of PVC super barrier polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) coated structures – which offer exemplary barrier against oxygen and moisture – as well as an array of Aclar® laminates designed to preserve the efficacy and shelf life of drugs with demanding environmental protection requirements. The company also will be available to discuss its series of Pentafill® vial filling and sealing machines, designed specifically to fill its single- and multi-dose packaging container

About TekniPlex Healthcare
TekniPlex Healthcare utilizes advanced materials science expertise and technologies to develop and deliver critical solutions for medical and diagnostic devices, drug delivery systems and healthcare packaging applications. With a global reach, the division’s deep understanding of the greater pharmaceuticals and medical landscape helps it produce exemplary barrier properties for drugs and precision medical devices for interventional and therapeutic procedures. TekniPlex Healthcare’s ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com/healthcare. 
 

Serving as hub for materials science research & development, the facility features state-of-the-art labs, rapid prototyping capabilities, and ideation rooms.

Holland, OH – TekniPlex, a globally integrated provider of innovative solutions through materials science and manufacturing technologies, recently modernized its Global Innovation Center in Holland, Ohio. The improvements further enhance the center’s ability to serve as a hub for materials science research & development through sophisticated labs, rapid prototyping capabilities, and collaboration spaces. 

TekniPlex’s Global Innovation Center focuses on the development of new materials science platforms for a variety of everyday items, including packaging solutions for healthcare, food & beverage, personal care, and household products. The facility also strives to be a center for learning; for example, TekniPlex recently hosted students from the Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering for an in-depth tour relevant to their coursework. Students met with experts from a variety of disciplines and enjoyed demonstrations of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment – bringing abstract science into the real world of modern product packaging and protection.

“We’re committed to making this facility a world-class innovation center for our global materials science teams, customers, and surrounding community,” said Oscar Martin, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation for TekniPlex. “Continuing to invest in this hub for ideas and breakthroughs allows TekniPlex to remain at the forefront of materials science. This includes consumer products such as food & beverage and personal care products – where our solutions enhance customer experiences – as well as healthcare, where our overarching goal is always improving patient outcomes.” 

About TekniPlex 
TekniPlex is a globally integrated company that provides innovative solutions through materials science and manufacturing technologies. A global leader in the healthcare and consumer product markets, TekniPlex provides medical device components and a multitude of materials science solutions that lead to a healthier and more sustainable world. Its solutions are found in some of the most well-known names in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, personal care, household, and food & beverage markets. 

Headquartered in Wayne, Pa., TekniPlex employs 7,000 team members throughout its operations in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Northern Ireland, and the United States. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com. 

 

An Ishida multihead weigher and checkweigher are helping to deliver effective speed, accuracy and quality control at leading Irish petfood manufacturer Irish Dog Foods. The machines are part of a complete turnkey line installation designed by Ishida’s Irish distributor SF Engineering.

Irish Dog Foods, part of the Queally Group, produces premium dog treats and pet food. The company is a leading name in the pet foods market in Ireland and also exports to over 54 countries around the world in Europe, North America and Asia. The new line was required to process and pack pre-formed pet treats into doypacks.

The speed and accuracy of the 14-head Ishida CCW-RVE-214W multihead weigher are helping the line to operate at 80 packs per minute, exceeding the target originally set for the installation of 60 ppm, and deliver an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of 85%.

Key to the CCW-RVE’s excellent weighing accuracy is its advanced combination calculation software. After the best weight combination has been calculated from the 14 weigh hoppers, it is double checked to ensure the discharge is as accurate as possible before the portion is released to the bagmaker.

A customised feed system maintains a consistent feed of product to the multihead weigher. This works in conjunction with Ishida’s patented Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology that provides greater control of the infeed of the product both at the top of the weigher and to the weigh hoppers. The ability to automatically vary both the amplitude, time and frequency of vibration ensures a steady and consistent flow of product, maximising speed and efficiency and eliminating the danger of overfill in the hoppers.

After weighing, product is transferred to the pouch filling and sealing system. Packs are then passed through the Ishida DAGS-G-S015 checkweigher and metal detector combination to ensure product is the correct weight and free of metal contaminants.

The checkweigher incorporates Ishida’s Anti-Floor Vibration (AFV) technology to maintain high weighing accuracy in environments susceptible to floor vibration. It also features the company’s Retail Reject Confirmation (RRC) software that checks and confirms that out-of-spec products or packs have been successfully removed from the line.

“We have enjoyed a longstanding working partnership with Ishida,” commented Patricia Molloy, Marketing Manager of SF Engineering. “The company’s equipment is the best on the market, particularly in terms of its efficiency and reliability, and the CCW-RVE and DACS-G were the perfect choices to ensure we could deliver our targets for the line.”

The new line has increased throughput by 75 percent. Operator requirement has been reduced by 60 percent and personnel reallocated to other manufacturing processes, thus improving overall facility productivity. These benefits have led to a reduced cost per pack, with Irish Dog Foods achieving a return on investment within 12 months of installation.

“The line has been working well against agreed targets and is helping with our plans for further expansion and automation,” said Andrew Flynn, Irish Dog Foods’ Factory Manager. “The solution that SF Engineering and Ishida have delivered really is impressive.”

Global leader in sustainable packaging has been increasing production capacity in the country by investing over USD350 million in the last five years. 

Mexico is the second largest economy in Latin America, after Brazil, and has an ideal location for accessing the US market. It is becoming increasingly attractive for global companies that are nearshoring by moving production away from Asia to the north part of the country, between the cities of Monterrey and Tijuana. The Mexican economy is estimated to grow up to 3.0% both this year and next, boosted by increased manufacturing investment, according to the most up-to-date government forecast*. 

Smurfit Kappa’s latest USD12 million investment in its Tijuana plant includes new machinery and process upgrades which will significantly increase both printing quality and efficiency. Laurent Sellier, Smurfit Kappa CEO of the Americas, commented: “Mexico is an important market for Smurfit Kappa. We have invested substantial resources both in paper machines and corrugated plants while increasing our network to support the country’s economy and our customers’ needs. 

“This important investment will lead us to increase capacity and productivity so we’re ready for the fast pace of our customers’ businesses. We will continue to invest as part of our firm commitment to Mexico and its growing market”. 

Smurfit Kappa has operated in Mexico since 1957 and has had a presence in the northern Baja California region for over 10 years. The Group has been increasing production capacity in the country, and in the past five years has invested over USD350 million in its operations.

“PharmaGuard” is the name of the innovative blister concept for solid ap-plications, which SÜDPACK Medica will showcase at Stand E1 at the Con-nect in Pharma trade fair and convention in Geneva in mid-June. This recy-clable packaging concept for the pharmaceutical industry is characterized by outstanding material properties and serves as a building block for im-proving their eco-balance. 
PharmaGuard sets new standards. The PP-based top and bottom webs are manufactured in a unique coextrusion process and, as a complete mono-material solution, they can be allocated to the existing material streams. Furthermore, this solution offers outstanding material efficiency and, thanks to the low density of PP, saves a considerable number of resources while maintaining high yields. According to a life cycle assessment conduct-ed by Sphera, the new packaging concept is associated with a greatly re-duced climate impact (in CO2-eq) as well as lower energy and water con-sumption compared to other popular blister solutions. 
PharmaGuard not only convinces in terms of sustainability … 
… but also when it comes to performance. Successful applications are virtu-ally guaranteed thanks to the material’s excellent sealing performance, which ensures the highest possible packaging quality and safety in a highly efficient process. Thanks to its large processing window, the bottom web combines outstanding thermoforming properties with uniform demolding behavior. And despite the specific material features of PP films, SÜDPACK customers also benefit in terms of processing – these materials can be pro-cessed safely with only minor modifications to existing packaging lines.
For optimum product protection and maximum stability, the high-performance films can be equipped with different barrier and mechanical properties, depending on the product to be packaged. Another feature that sets SÜDPACK’s films apart from the competition is their excellent pharma-copeia-compliant water-vapor-barrier properties over the entire residual wall thickness. In addition, the SÜDPACK solution also stands out thanks to its very high transparency compared to the other PP-based blister film solu-tions currently on the market. 
A recipe for success with real added value
Now SÜDPACK Medica and Liveo Research, the European market leader in pharma blister packaging, join forces to introduce the new PP blister innova-tion. Customers looking to switch to a more sustainable packaging concept can count on active support from the two film specialists. Getting in touch is easy: SÜDPACK Medica and Liveo Research will share a stand at Connect in Pharma and are committed to providing their customers with the best pos-sible alternative for their individual requirements. This exclusive collabora-tion also allows synergies to be exploited – for example, in the area of con-sulting on applications and process technologies. Thanks to Liveo’s exten-sive manufacturing and market knowledge, its expertise also encompasses aspects such as the stability of specific drugs as well as risk management and the current regulatory framework.
Exciting presentation on industry trends and innovations
On June 15 between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. in Theater 1 in the conference area, SÜDPACK Medica and Liveo Research will shed light on new trends for the pharmaceutical industry in a half-hour presentation entitled “Innovation Showcase – Innovative Primary Pharma Packaging”. The preferred sustaina-ble alternatives include, in particular, mono-solutions and non-vinyl poly-mers. Experts from both companies will discuss the various options and provide some relevant details regarding the key factors for LCA studies.

About SÜDPACK Medica AG
SÜDPACK Medica AG is headquartered in Baar (CH) and is one of the leading suppliers of sterile packaging solutions in Europe as well as a pioneering partner for the global medical, pharma-ceutical and diagnostics industries. The company is part of the SÜDPACK company group and was founded in 1989. The core competency of SÜDPACK Medica is the development of plastic-based packaging solutions for sterile goods. The product and performance range of SÜDPACK Medica extends from standard solutions to tailor-made, customer-specific packaging concepts. It includes the production of coextruded flexible and rigid films, which are used as base and lid-ding films, and of pre-made pouch solutions for a wide variety of products. SÜDPACK Medica also benefits from the SÜDPACK Group’s long-standing leadership in technology and innovation in the coextrusion of polymer-based film solutions. 
The production of SÜDPACK Medica products is performed at four sites in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. These sites are equipped with the latest plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, including the capacity to op-erate under clean room conditions.
For optimal support and collaboration with their customers around the world, SÜDPACK Medi-ca relies on a specialist team working in quality, sales, development, and application technolo-gy, one that has long-standing expertise in polymers and process engineering and in the market for sterile packaging. This makes SÜDPACK Medica a competent solutions partner for their cus-tomers when it comes to the implementation of packaging solutions, including those with the most demanding requirements.
SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment, and its customers. With its own site for processing bi-opolymers and its own compounding facilities, the SÜDPACK Group is also among the trailblaz-ers in the production of forward-looking, sustainable, and recyclable packaging concepts. 

About Liveo Research
Liveo Research is a leading manufacturer of blister packaging for the pharmaceutical industry with unique services and global reach. With subsidiaries all over the world Liveo Research is a one-stop-shop for blister packaging and medical device packaging providing optimal protection for your products. The company offers a full range of thermoforming films and cold from foil to meet the high demands of its customers.  The company’s value-adding service portfolio fol-lows the pharma Quality by Design principles. Its technical service experts support and accom-pany pharma industry projects to make product launches safer and faster. Over 1.000 Liveo employees around the world make a daily effort to focus on the needs of pharmaceutical cus-tomers.
 

Experienced technical sales professional to drive sales efforts in the western United States.

Leominster, Massachusetts – IMA DAIRY & FOOD USA – whose equipment solutions comprise the long-established brands Hassia, Gasti, Hamba, Fillshape, Corazza, Erca, AlphaMAC and Intecma – has hired automation specialist Alex Donovan as its West Coast Sales Manager. In this role, Mr. Donovan will lead customer relations and sales efforts across a swath of Pacific states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. 

Most recently, Mr. Donovan enjoyed a seven-year tenure with a global packaging machinery manufacturer. For the past three years, he served as the company’s Business Development Manager for their automation division, where he supported more than 200 distributor sales representatives and contributed substantial revenue growth throughout his tenure. 

For IMA Dairy & Food, the sales team expansion parallels its recent company growth. In Q4 of 2022, the company took over sales activities for extrusion blow mold machinery suppler AlphaMAC, an Italy-based equipment provider (and IMA Group member) specializing in solutions for the packaging of liquid products. 

“Alex brings intricate knowledge of packaging and automation equipment in a variety of niches – as well as a reputation for growing sales by meeting a diverse set of customer needs,” said Patrick Carroll, President of IMA Dairy & Food USA. “Our western region has the potential for significant market share growth, and Alex’s background, experience,and people skills make him ideal for his new role with IMA Dairy & Food.”

Mr. Donovan earned a B.A.in Organizational Communication from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and studied graduate-level communications at Portland State University. He resides in Portland, OR. 

About IMA DAIRY & FOOD
IMA Dairy & Food USA serves the dairy and food industries with several brands of the IMA group (Hassia, Gasti, Hamba, Fillshape, Corazza, Erca, AlphaMAC and Intecma) and offers a portfolio covering nearly all areas of packaging machine application, including:

•    Filling and sealing machines (FS) for preformed cups and bottles
•    Forming, filling and sealing machines (FFS) for packaging products in the food, dairy, and beverage segments (filled up to the aseptic level)
•    Filling systems for flexible stand-up pouches with and without spout for dairy, food, beverage and personal care sectors
•    Wrapping machines for packaging butter, fresh cheese, soup cubes, yeast, margarine, etc.
•    Aseptic vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal machines for stick packs / pouches (with corresponding dosing systems)
•    FFS machines for packaging single portions of coffee, honey, jam, etc. 
•    Extrusion blow molding machines for plastic converting

For more information, visit www.imadairyfood.com.

Efficiency is a critical factor in the success of any packing system. A well-optimized packing system ensures timely delivery, reduces errors, and maximizes productivity. Whether you are in the e-commerce, manufacturing, or logistics business, improving your packing system's efficiency can significantly impact your bottom line.  

This article will explore practical strategies and techniques to enhance your packing system's efficiency, allowing you to streamline operations and deliver exceptional customer service. Read here to learn more.

I. Standardize Packing Procedures

Standardizing packing procedures is crucial to ensure consistency and efficiency in your packing system. Establishing clear guidelines and protocols can minimize errors and reduce the time spent on each packing task.

To standardize your packing procedures:

• Develop a packing checklist: Create a comprehensive checklist that outlines all the necessary steps involved in the packing process. This will help packers follow a standardized workflow, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
• Implement visual aids: It’s ideal to use visual aids such as images or diagrams to illustrate the correct way to pack different types of products. This visual guidance can reduce errors and speed up the packing process.
• Provide training: Train your packing staff on the standardized procedures and ensure they understand the importance of following them consistently. Ongoing training and refresher courses can help maintain efficiency and keep employees up-to-date with any changes. 
• Conduct regular audits: Regularly review and audit the packing process to ensure adherence to the standardized procedures. Identify any areas where deviations occur and provide additional training or guidance to rectify them. Auditing helps maintain consistency and identify opportunities for improvement.

This proactive approach ensures that your packing system remains efficient and consistent over time, improving overall performance.

II. Optimize Packaging Materials

Choosing the right packaging materials can significantly impact packing system efficiency. Selecting appropriate materials and optimizing their usage can improve productivity and reduce waste.

Consider the following tips for optimizing packaging materials:

• Right-sizing packaging: Use packaging materials that are appropriately sized for the products being shipped. Avoid excessive packaging that adds weight and increases shipping costs. Ultimately, light-sizing packaging improves efficiency and reduces material waste and environmental impact.
• Invest in quality materials: Choose high-quality packaging materials that provide adequate protection for the products during transit. This reduces the likelihood of damage and eliminates the need for re-packaging or returns.
• Organize packaging materials: Arrange packaging materials in a systematic and easily accessible manner. This ensures that packers can quickly locate the required materials, minimizing time spent searching for supplies.

By optimizing packaging materials, you can ensure that your packing process is efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious.

III. Implement Technology Solutions

Incorporating technology into your packing system can revolutionize its efficiency and accuracy. From automated processes to intelligent systems, various technological solutions are available to streamline your operations.

Consider the following technology solutions for improved efficiency:

• Barcode and scanning systems: Implement barcode and scanning systems to track and manage inventory. This helps reduce errors, improve order accuracy, and speed up the packing process.
• Automated packing machines: Utilize automated packing machines to reduce manual labor and increase the speed of packing operations. These machines can handle repetitive tasks efficiently, allowing your employees to focus on more complex tasks.
• Warehouse management software: It’s ideal to invest in comprehensive warehouse management software that integrates various aspects of your packing system. Doing so can streamline inventory management, order processing, and shipping, ensuring a seamless and efficient packing process.

By implementing these technological solutions, you can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your packing system, leading to improved productivity and customer satisfaction.

IV. Streamline Workflow

Efficient workflow management is essential to maximize packing system efficiency. By optimizing the flow of tasks and eliminating bottlenecks, you can achieve higher productivity and reduce turnaround times.

Consider the following strategies to streamline workflow:

• Analyze and reorganize workstations: Evaluate the layout of your packing stations and reorganize them for improved efficiency. Ensure that frequently used tools and materials are within easy reach, minimizing unnecessary movements and saving time.
• Implement batch processing: Group similar orders or products together for batch processing. This approach allows packers to complete multiple orders simultaneously, reducing setup time and improving overall efficiency.
• Continuous process improvement: Encourage feedback from your packing staff and involve them in the process improvement initiatives. Identify areas that can be further optimized and implement changes based on their suggestions.

Implementing these strategies can streamline workflow and enhance packing system efficiency. They will help you minimize wasted time and effort, resulting in faster and more accurate packing operations.

Conclusion

Improving packing system efficiency is vital for businesses seeking to enhance overall operations and customer satisfaction. By considering the tips provided in this article, you can achieve significant improvements in productivity and accuracy. 

Remember to continuously evaluate and refine your packing system to adapt to changing demands and stay ahead of the competition. Invest in efficiency today and reap the rewards of a well-optimized packing system in the long run.