New divisions strategically align company to better suit target markets in the automation space. 
Randolph, NJ – Norwalt, a leader in automation systems integration, is proud to announce the launch of its new corporate umbrella company, the Norwalt Automation Group. This strategic move brings together four specialized divisions under one unified brand to better serve the diverse needs of key industries. The new divisions include the Norwalt Automation Division, Norwalt Life Sciences Division, Norwalt Food & Beverage Division, and Norwalt Digital Division.
Under the leadership of Chairman Mike Seitel, Norwalt Automation Group aims to deliver tailored, cutting-edge solutions to its partners across various sectors. This expansion reflects Norwalt's commitment to innovation and growth, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of automation technology. 
Each new division will be led by a collective team of divisional managers and senior company directors, and function under the leadership of the larger groups’ experienced leadership and executive team featuring industry leaders: Keith Harman, Executive Director of Business Development, Herbie Hoos, Executive Director of Manufacturing, and Donna Collura, Executive Director of Finance. 
"I'm thrilled to announce the formation of our newly structured divisions under the Norwalt Automation Group umbrella company," said Mike Seitel, Chairman of Norwalt Automation Group. "These expanded divisions allow us to align more closely with the specific needs of our target industries, ensuring that we deliver tailored, cutting-edge solutions to our partners. This expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and growth."
The new divisions within Norwalt Automation Group include:
- Norwalt Automation Division: Focused on advanced automation systems for a wide range of industries.
- Norwalt Life Sciences Division: Dedicated to providing specialized automation solutions for the life sciences sector.
- Norwalt Food & Beverage Division: Tailored to meet the unique needs of the food and beverage industry, offering innovative processing and packaging automation.
- Norwalt Digital Division: A future-focused division specializing in digital printing and automation, integrating AI, vision/inspection equipment, data collection/security, Industry 4.0, and Digital Twin technologies.
For more information on Norwalt Automation Group and its new divisions, please visit www.norwalt.com or contact Mike@Norwalt.com.

About Norwalt Automation Group
For more than five decades, Norwalt Automation Group has specialized in custom-built automation and line integration machinery for complex manufacturing applications. The company's engineers design, construct, validate and install premium production equipment for a wide array of sectors, including medical devices, life sciences, food & beverage, personal care, and household items. Norwalt Automation Group produces machinery meeting a broad range of functionalities – from packaging and product assembly and post-mold automation to modular automation cells and robotics systems. Many customers rely on Norwalt’s vision system experience enabling them to incorporate highly technical vision systems, both stand alone and integrated, to ensure accuracy in a wide range of applications. 
Often, Norwalt's unique-to-customer solutions comprise intricate, low- to high-volume machinery and robotics designed from proof of concept, many of whose capabilities have never been attempted let alone realized. Always, its equipment provides maximum efficiency and minimal downtime backed by the company’s unsurpassed, engineering-centric customer service and support.
 

Start-to-finish services include precision, tight-tolerance metalworking expertise and injection molding solutions; company also will display new bio-based PVC compounds and its strongest-ever reinforced paper for med device packaging. 
 
Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, will emphasize its significantly broadened capabilities for the design and manufacture of Class III implantable devices and delivery systems at Compamed, November 11-14 in Düsseldorf, Germany. At Hall 8b, Stand N02, the company will highlight its status as a full-fledged CDMO in these niches, one capable of partnering with startups and established entities alike on everything from initial concepting, prototyping and pilot production through larger-scale manufacturing and commercialization. The company also will showcase several recently introduced solutions, including bio-based PVC compounds and its most robust reinforced paper to date for medical device packaging applications. 

Expanded Upstream Capabilities for Medical Device Development
TekniPlex Healthcare is among the few medical device CDMOs offering comprehensive, ideation-to-completion product creation across a wide range of categories including endovascular stents, heart valves and delivery systems. Among other differentiators, the company offers high-precision, tight-tolerance development and prototyping for the mission critical metal components typical not only in cardiovascular settings but also pulmonary, gastrointestinal, laparoscopic and other endoscopic applications – including devices for delivering chemotherapy drugs.

TekniPlex Healthcare now offers an array of services supporting customers from early ideation stages through product development, prototyping, clinical trials, testing, new product introduction and full production of catheter-based systems and other tubing-related solutions. This includes an array of precision secondary processes, as well as clean room assembly of Class II and Class III devices such as stents, heart valves, catheter-based devices and delivery systems. 

Bio-based Compounds for Medical Plastics Applications
TekniPlex Healthcare has become the first healthcare solutions company to introduce bio-based compounds for medical plastics applications whose performance and compositional properties are equivalent to conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins. Certified through the globally recognized International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) system, the bio-based medical-grade PVC compounds utilize resins and plasticizers manufactured with renewable energy and bio-attributed classification. The compounds are equivalent to traditional medical-grade PVC in terms of chemical composition, functionality and regulatory viability.

The bio-based, medical-grade PVC compounds enhance sustainability profiles without sacrificing the reliable performance for which traditional PVC compounds are known. Conveniently, the resins are drop-in replacements for a wide variety of injection molded or extruded PVC compounds utilized in a broad array of applications, including tubing solutions such as IV therapy tube sets, drip chambers, and peristaltic pump tubing; films used for trays, pouches, bags and other form-fill-seal settings; and other components composed of medical-grade plastics. 

Expanded Tyvek® Converting and Reinforced Paper for Med Device Packaging
At Compamed, TekniPlex Healthcare also will showcase samples of its medical device packaging offerings, including a variety of grid lacquer-coated paper specifications and coated Tyvek® options. Notably, TekniPlex Healthcare recently expanded its converting capability for DuPont™ Tyvek® healthcare styles to include the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region. For the company’s wide array of medical device customers in the EMEA zone, the development will yield local sourcing and shorter lead times for market-leading coated solutions containing Tyvek® products.

Compamed also will be the EU debut of TekniPlex Healthcare’s strongest-ever reinforced paper for medical device packaging applications. The HPC74 Series features the highest puncture and tear strength of all TekniPlex Healthcare reinforced papers to date, as well as outstanding porosity levels. Available in various proprietary coating formulations, the high-performing, breathable medical-grade paper provides a clean peel and wide processing windows for rollstock and lidding applications.

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 sterile barriers 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. 

In the medical device niche, TekniPlex Healthcare embodies a comprehensive CDMO partner capable of servicing every stage of the product life cycle, from design and development through component manufacturing and final assembly. Throughout its broad purview, the division’s ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients.

Company’s flexcare 101 is part of a broader series of precision filling & closing machines for glass or plastic bottles of various sizes; groninger also will highlight filler-closer for ready-to-use syringes, vials & cartridges.

Charlotte, NC – groninger, a leading manufacturer of filling and closing machines for the global pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare and cosmetics industries, will debut a flexible filling and closing line for medium- to high-volume OTC pharma and diagnostics products requiring hygienic processing at Pack Expo 2024, November 3-6 in Chicago. At Booth W-17023, the company will be highlighting the flexcare 101, developed to meet the heightened sterility requirements of cleanroom class products such as eye drops and nasal sprays. 

Capable of processing up to 120 glass or plastic bottles per minute, groninger’s GMP-compliant flexcare 101 ensures hygienic, low-particle conditions throughout the filling and capping process. The machine also stands out for its versatility, and a moving filling needle supports increased output. Other attributes include continuous welds on the sorting bowls for enhanced cleanability, pharma-grade design materials for consistent hygiene, and inspection stations that ensure all packaging components have been properly applied.

The flexcare 101 also is notable for its ergonomics. The module’s hinged outflow openings offer efficient operator access, and integrated IoT features such as energy monitoring, process capability and overall equipment efficiency (OEE) are clearly laid out on an intuitive HMI dashboard.

"Considering their high-value products, our customers are increasingly requesting GMP-compliant machines that are ergonomic, easy to clean and flexible – all without compromising precision and high throughput,” said Otto Helmle, Vice President of Sales for the groninger Consumer Healthcare & Cosmetics division. “The flexcare 101 meets and exceeds these requirements, testament to our decades of experience designing and manufacturing high-performance, pharma-grade processing and packaging equipment.” Other models are available in the flexcare series for higher speeds. 

Another series standout that will be on display with live demonstrations at Pack Expo 2024 is the flexcare 10, a small-footprint unit that can fill and close up to 70 non-sterile glass or plastic bottles per minute. Multifunctional for increased versatility and expedited ROI, the module offers a GMP-friendly design and 100% in-process checkweighing, as well as options for gassing either before or after filling, and optional dropper and spray pump insertion capabilities. The flexcare 10 can fill via rotary piston or peristaltic pumps, and handle products with up to two closing components. Standard servo motor-driven pre- and post-torquing ensures precise torque control of caps. 

Filling and closing machine for ready-to-use syringes, vials and cartridges
Also at Pack Expo, groninger will highlight its latest machine for filling and closing ready-to-use syringes, vials and cartridges. Suitable for medium-sized batch production, the company’s flexfill provides a standardized, easily qualified and validated manufacturing solution that makes switching between container types and sizes simple and fast. Notably, flexfill does not sacrifice flexibility for speed: the module can handle up to 200 products per minute. 

flexfill’s modular concept ensures that 80% of configurations are predefined, enabling expedited deployment and line integration. The machine is essentially a “3-in-1” solution, with groninger’s combifill technology enabling nested syringes, vials and cartridges to be processed on the same platform by changing only container-specific format parts. 

groninger’s smartfill technology minimizes product loss, and a no-touch-transfer setup assures aseptic handling of all pre-sterilized primary packaging. All totaled, flexfill’s multifunctionality and speed-to-market makes it a highly attractive processing solution for both pharma companies and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).
 

About groninger 

groninger is one of the leading international manufacturers of filling and closing machines for the pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare and cosmetics industries.  
The slogan “We fill Visions with Life” sums up what groninger stands for – excellent know-how, innovative solutions and cooperative partnership in the design of customized machines.  

Since the founding of the company in 1980 by Horst Groninger, groninger has developed into a hidden champion and innovation leader in the industry. Today, the second generation of the family business employs over 1,500 people in Crailsheim, Schnelldorf and Charlotte (USA). The company’s headquarters are in Crailsheim, Baden-Württemberg. For more information
 

TekniPlex Consumer Products, a globally integrated provider of innovative solutions through materials science and manufacturing technologies, will highlight a variety of recent sustainability-minded solutions and expansions at Pack Expo 2024, November 3-6 in Chicago. At its Booth W-21047, the company will showcase solutions for a broad array of applications, from value-added liners for jars and bottles in the food and nutrition sectors to key components for a wide swath of packaging formats. Experts also will be on hand to discuss TekniPlex Consumer Products’ latest U.S. manufacturing plant, which opened just this month. 

Many of the solutions TekniPlex Consumer Products will highlight at Pack Expo comprise a range of potential materials to help costumers transition to more sustainability-minded substrates without sacrificing performance and functionality. Called the company’s “Sustainability AND” approach, the mindset has led to successful sustainability initiatives in several sectors, including F&B niches such as dairy, protein, eggs and shelf-stable products. 

Recyclable Paper-based Liners
Earlier this year, TekniPlex Consumer Products introduced a paper-based liner recyclable wherever paper recycling streams are available, and compatible with conventional induction heat sealing equipment. The company’s ProTecSeals® Recyclable IHS Liners are suitable for a wide range of bottles and jars, making them ideal for vitamins, supplements, protein powders, peanut butter and other non-reactive, non-acidic dry products.
 
ProTecSeals® liners are recyclable in the mixed paper recycling stream – proven by passing a reputable third-party testing protocol for re-pulpability and recyclability – while providing the same protective properties as conventional liners. ProTecSeals® Recyclable IHS Liners have moisture and oxygen barrier, leak resistance, contaminant prevention and shelf-life extension equal to a standard IHS liner. Printed recycling instructions on the liner can be supplemented or replaced with brand messaging, adding real estate for under-the-cap marketing opportunities. 

North American Manufacturing Expansion
Among the recent news TekniPlex Consumer Products brings to Pack Expo is the October opening of a 200,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the molded fiber solutions sector in northwest Ohio. Representing TekniPlex Consumer Products’ eighth specialty molded fiber manufacturing plant, the facility further expands capacity and capabilities in this fast-growing, sustainability-minded niche. Among the novel technologies featured at the plant will be a proprietary fiber production process allowing for stronger, better-quality final products with enhanced protective properties – a differentiator particularly in the egg carton space, but also for several other food categories. 

The Ohio plant signifies TekniPlex Consumer Products’ intentions to continue expanding its portfolio not only in specialty molded fiber but other sustainability-minded materials – especially those comprising significant amounts of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, or composed of more recyclable resins like polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In the broader dairy and shelf stable segments, TekniPlex Consumer Products also has assisted customers in lightweighting packaging, as well as transitioning from conventional polystyrene to alternative solutions incorporating polypropylene, PET or paper. 

Innovations in Protein Processing Trays
At Pack Expo, the company also will highlight its recent successes in the protein processor tray segment. As it continues to expand its GeoPack range of sustainability-minded products, the company has introduced a protein tray officially designated as biodegradable in industrial compost settings. Recognized by the Biodegradable Products Institute, the tray is composed of cellulose-based direct food-contact material, and is manufactured in the United States. The new trays are part of far-reaching efforts to help customers transition from traditional foam polystyrene to more sustainable substrates like PET or foam polypropylene. 

Integrated Performance Solutions
TekniPlex Consumer Products also features a roster of integrated performance solutions that help elevate overall packaging appearance, performance and sustainability. In addition to the aforementioned liner solutions, items on display at Pack Expo will include best-in-class gaskets for peak aerosol performance and durability; and plastic dip tubes manufactured with post-consumer recycled content, allowing brands to reinforce sustainability commitments.
 

About TekniPlex Consumer Products
TekniPlex Consumer Products specializes in advanced materials science solutions for companies in the food & beverage and CPG industries with a focus on protecting products, strengthening brands, and innovating sustainably. TekniPlex Consumer Products serves companies around the world in sectors including beauty and personal care, household items, and food & beverage.

With an expanding selection of material-diverse solutions – bolstered in recent years, by a series of strategic acquisitions – TekniPlex Consumer Products is leading the way creating next-generation packaging designs that address real-world challenges in the markets it serves. Most notably, the company is focused on developing more sustainable solutions that continue to provide product safety and consumer satisfaction

Versatile collection of bath, body, skincare, color cosmetics and tools features innovative textures and multi-tasking products for a complete sensory experience. 

New York, USA – IBG (Innovative Beauty Group), a leading global beauty solutions provider, has launched a new Fall collection: Urban Oasis. Designed specifically for the modern urban lifestyle, the collection offers an innovative approach to beauty and wellness that harnesses powerful ingredients to protect and revitalize skin amidst the daily stressors of city life.

The Urban Oasis Collection brings a holistic sensory experience to everyday beauty routines, offering a blend of luxury, innovation, and efficiency in every product. From bath and body essentials to skincare, color cosmetics, beauty tools and accessories, each item is thoughtfully crafted to engage the senses with unique textures, fragrances, and innovative applicators. The collection features bi-phase essence, sensorial jelly formats, and transformative gel-to-oil moisturizers that provide a spa-like experience at home, calming and rejuvenating the senses while enhancing skin health.

Designed with versatility in mind, the Urban Oasis Collection simplifies beauty routines with multi-tasking products that deliver long-lasting results with minimal effort. Featuring innovative hybrid textures like milk-to-oil and liquid-to-powder, the collection meets the needs of today’s fast-paced consumer by combining convenience and effectiveness in every step.

At the core of the collection are powerful, accessible ingredients known for their skin benefits:
•    Strawberry Extract: Rich in antioxidants, brightens the complexion, and protects against environmental stressors.
•    Lychee Extract: Deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, promoting a youthful appearance.
•    Vegan Collagen: Firms and revitalizes the skin, offering effective anti-aging benefits.

Standout products of the Urban Oasis Collection include:
•    Flawless-Lock Liquid Baking Powder: A transformative liquid-to-powder formula that starts as a liquid for easy blending and ends as a powder for a soft, matte finish. This highly effective format is ideal for locking in makeup, while offering a natural, lightweight finish that supports the growing “no makeup” makeup trend.
•    Super Shine Pillow Balm: A deeply hydrating, glossy lip balm enriched with cherry, kiwi and lychee extracts. Packed with antioxidants and essential vitamins, the moisturizing balm keeps lips soft and hydrated while providing a shiny, glossy finish.
•    Moonlight Glow Water: A bi-phase evening essence infused with hibiscus, ginseng berry and saffron. Designed to be applied before bed, it hydrates, repairs, and brightens the skin overnight, revealing a refreshed and radiant complexion by morning.
•    Quick Slide Compact Collection: A sustainable and adaptable sliding compact concept that minimizes parts and materials. Available in small, medium and large sizes, the compact collection features a mono-material, metal-free structure and hot-pour formula compatibility designed for easy recycling.

To complement its skincare offerings, the Urban Oasis Collection also includes high-tech beauty tools designed for flawless application including an AirTouch Pro Blender which features Zero Negative Pressure Technology for a streak-free, airbrushed finish. In addition, a CrystalTech Pro Brush utilizes advanced scale crystal fibers to maximize product pickup and ensure even application.

“We created the Urban Oasis Collection to offer a balance between the demands of a fast-paced lifestyle and the crucial need for self-care,” said Jennifer Raphael, CEO of Innovative Beauty Group North America. “This collection is an invitation to pause, rejuvenate, and experience beauty in a way that is both luxurious and efficient.”

About IBG 
IBG (Innovative Beauty Group), comprised of Orchard Custom Beauty, FASTEN Packaging and Roberts Beauty, is a leading global beauty solutions provider proudly serving some of the world’s most dynamic mass and prestige beauty brands. IBG supports its customers with agile project management expertise combined with innovative design, sourcing, formula development, bespoke packaging, and accessories for all product categories.

With a global team of beauty experts and a distinctly personal approach, IBG empowers all its clients – from established beauty brands to first-time private label retailers – with strategic partnerships that bring visions to life, and products seamlessly to market. The company has offices in Shanghai, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, the Netherlands, and Paris.
 

ClariPPil™ bottles offer enhanced sustainability (reduced carbon footprint and improved recyclability vs a PET container solution) together with excellent functionality, product protection, and aesthetics.

Leading packaging solutions provider Berry Global has launched a range of clarified polypropylene (PP) bottles for healthcare applications, which offer superior sustainability and enhanced product protection compared to traditional coloured PET pill bottles.

Ideal for a wide variety of products including vitamins, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, beauty supplements and OTC treatments, the new ClariPPil™ bottle has achieved a RecyClass A certification for its recyclability in countries with the appropriate recycling infrastructure in place, when combined with Berry’s PP closures.

“We believe our ClariPPil bottle provides an advanced packaging solution that will transform healthcare packaging,” said Jessica Rodriguez, Sustainability Project Manager at Berry Global.

“As well as its superior sustainability profile, the bottle offers excellent performance and quality.”

ClariPPil bottles are available in green, and light and dark amber, enabling them to meet the requirements of different product types. Custom colours can also be produced on demand. Significantly, whereas similar packs in coloured PET can pose a challenge to the recycling stream, the coloured ClariPPil bottles are all widely recyclable in countries with the appropriate recycling infrastructure in place. Equally important, Berry says that its new manufacturing technology for the bottle delivers a reduction of approximately 71% in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to the traditional injection stretch blow moulding process for PET bottles**.

Alongside these enhanced sustainability benefits, ClariPPil bottles also deliver up to 84% improved moisture ingress protection compared to PET, to ensure extended product integrity and effectiveness.

The bottle is available in 100, 120 and 150cc sizes and feature a universal 38mm neck for compatibility with a range of standard closures, including child-resistant options. As well as the choice of colours, the design includes a wide decoration area for individualised branding.

“ClariPPil bottles meet the demand for a sustainable packaging solution without compromising functionality, aesthetics, or barrier performance,” said Ryan Maszton, Director of Sales, Berry Global. 

“Equally important, our high-capacity production facilities mean we can offer companies speed of supply and fast response to help them bring products quickly to market, maximising opportunities in growing sectors such as vitamins, minerals and supplements.”
 

About Berry 
At Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY), we create innovative packaging solutions that we believe make life better for people and the planet. We do this every day by leveraging our unmatched global capabilities, sustainability leadership, and deep innovation expertise to serve customers of all sizes around the world. Harnessing the strength in our diversity and industry-leading talent of over 40,000 global employees across more than 250 locations, we partner with customers to develop, design, and manufacture innovative products with an eye toward the circular economy. The challenges we solve and the innovations we pioneer benefit our customers at every stage of their journey. For more information
 

• Patented and proven: 150 PAM systems in use worldwide

• Greater efficiency, safety and easy operation: PAM makes flat film producers less dependent on qualified personnel

• Manufacturer-independent: PAM can be retrofitted to flat film dies from Reifenhäuser and third-party suppliers

After extrusion machine specialist Reifenhäuser presented the automation system PAM (precise, autonomous, mechatronic) for flat dies and coextrusion adapters for the first time at the K 2022 plastics trade fair, the 150th system has now been installed on a customer line. The patented mechatronic control system has decisive advantages over conventional automatic thermal expansion bolt systems. PAM uses high-precision electric actuators to automatically control the adjusting screws for setting and regulating the flexible die lip. Depending on the die design, it is also possible to autonomously adjust the dust bar, the width adjustment and the lip opening by adjusting the lower die lip. PAM is available for all new Reifenhäuser flat dies and as a retrofit for dies from all third-party manufacturers.

The 150th unit was delivered to a customer in Germany who has automated his PET thermoforming sheet line with PAM. The system is characterized by its simple design and handling. At the same time, the sophisticated control works with absolute reliability and precision. In addition to the increase in efficiency, the system is now much easier, more convenient and safer to operate. Once settings have been saved, they can be called up via the system HMI and PAM delivers perfect and reproducible film quality at the touch of a button. Processors are therefore less dependent on the qualifications and experience of the system operators, achieve a faster start to film production, higher output and consume significantly less energy. This is because the motorized actuators only need to be supplied with power for a short time during adjustment and not permanently, like conventional thermal expansion bolts. The overall equipment efficiency (OEE) improves significantly overall.

Tim Bänsch, Product Manager at Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems, explains: “With PAM automation, we can offer our customers a unique system that offers decisive competitive advantages thanks to the patented mechatronic control system and has proven itself in every respect with 150 systems on the market.”

The technology was developed by maku AG, which was founded by Robert Maeder in 1983. In 2022, Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems (RES) - the Reifenhäuser Group's business unit specializing in extrusion components - entered into a strategic partnership with maku to jointly develop the PAM system further and market it worldwide. Reto Maeder, the current managing director, co-owner and son of the company founder, continues to be active in the development and customer support of the PAM system and is available with his many years of expertise in the field of mechatronic die control.

Simple operation and high work safety make producers less dependent on highly qualified personne

Usually, starting up an extrusion line or changing products requires many skilled operations. Producers are therefore dependent on well-qualified machine operators, which is a huge problem in times of a shortage of skilled labour and high staff turnover. With PAM, producers become more independent, as the system itself can restore the optimum die setting at any time

Another decisive advantage of PAM automation is the increased work safety. With a manually controlled flat film line, the machine operator works directly on the so-called hot part of the line. When using PAM, the operator does not have any contact with hot metal elements of the line or with the hot melt itself. Burns or other injuries caused by working on the running extrusion line are therefore ruled out. In this way, producers can easily fulfil the mandatory occupational safety requirements in high-tech markets, such as North America or Europe, and protect their employees in the best possible way.

PAM for coextrusion adapters

The PAM control system is not only available for flat dies but also for the Reifenhäuser Coextrusion Adaptor Pro. This feedblock is the only coextrusion system on the market that enables the profiling of individual film layers while the system is running. Unlike conventional solutions, the elements in the adapter do not have to be removed, processed and reinstalled in a time-consuming manner. Instead, profilers can be flexibly controlled individually or together during operation via a central adjustment.

With the PAM option, Reifenhäuser goes one step further and automates the setting of the layer distribution and simplifies adjustments and optimizations thanks to integrated recipe management. This is particularly worthwhile for manufacturers of films with many layers and many product changes.

While the coextrusion adapter for simple 3-layer laminates can be set in a few simple steps, up to 70 profilers need to be adjusted for barrier laminates with 11 layers, for example. Compared to manual adjustment by a machine operator, automation saves around half an hour of changeover time, depending on the number of profilers to be adjusted

Reifenhäuser is one of the few machine manufacturers on the market that produces all hot part components itself - extruder, coextrusion adapter and die. Thanks to this hot part expertise within the group, all process-related interfaces can be perfectly designed to work together. PAM takes the whole package to a new level

About the Reifenhäuser Group

The Reifenhäuser Group together with its highly specialized business units is the leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. Founded in 1911, the company is a global supplier of high-tech solutions. With its technologies and the know-how of its 1,750 employees, Reifenhäuser has the world's largest network of expertise in plastics extrusion technologies. The CEO of the Group is Bernd Reifenhäuser

• Revenue growth of 19 percent forecast for 2025 compared to 2024

• Slower growth forecast for 2024 than expected in spring

• Positive employment and R&D trends

While the printed electronics industry faces near term challenges due to global economic uncertainties and a cooling automotive sector, we remain optimistic about the future. The reduced growth forecast for 2024 reflects a cautious wait-and-see attitude, but with strong signals for a rebound in 2025," said Dr. Klaus Hecker, OE-A Managing Director, commenting on the results of the latest business climate survey. The biannual survey is conducted by the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association), a working group within VDMA. The survey predicts revenue growth of +7 percent for 2024, a significant decrease from the previous survey (March 2024: 13 percent). However, optimism remains high for 2025, with a forecast growth of 19 percent. "It is encouraging to see that companies are prioritizing innovation, as evidenced by the increased focus on R&D and employment growth. We believe that by focusing on key sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive and medical, the industry is well positioned for sustainable long-term development," emphasizes Klaus Hecker

OE-A predicts 19Percentsales growth in 2025 compared to 2024

The revenue forecast of +19 percent for 2025 shows a positive outlook for the printed electronics industry in the future. However, for 2024, the growth rates for both revenue forecast and order intake are significantly reduced compared to the results of the March 2024 survey.

The industry is facing headwinds from global economic and geopolitical hurdles, as well as a slowdown in the automotive sector, especially EV, resulting in reduced and delayed orders. Only 6Percentof companies plan to increase production investment over the next six months (down from 53 percent in March 2024), although a majority (57 percent) will maintain investment levels.

After the clouds bright prospects for 2025

As the printed electronics industry navigates these turbulent waters, the signs for 2025 point to a promising horizon of opportunities for growth and progress. Encouraging signs are emerging in both employment and research and development (R&D). The latest results indicate a significant shift in the employment landscape, with 46Percentof companies planning to increase their workforce over the next six months. This is a turnaround from March 2024, when only 7 percent of firms expressed intentions to hire more staff. In addition, there is a notable increase in R&D activity, with 46 percent indicating plans to expand their R&D efforts. "This commitment to innovation underscores the industry's determination to remain competitive and adapt to changing market conditions. By prioritizing R&D, companies are positioning themselves to take advantage of emerging trends and opportunities, ensuring long-term growth. This innovative strength will be on display at electronica next month and at LOPEC 2025," concludes Klaus Hecker.

Schreiner Group is proud to announce the appointment of Ken Forlenza as the new President of its U.S. site in Blauvelt, New York. With a distinguished background in engineering, business development, and leadership across various industries, Forlenza brings a dynamic vision for the future of Schreiner Group’s U.S. operations. Forlenza is excited to guide Schreiner Group through a phase of significant growth, leveraging the company’s leadership in innovative labeling solutions.

What excites Ken Forlenza most about his new role is the chance to align the organization toward a unified vision while building a high-performing team. “With our expected expansion into new markets, attracting top talent and investing in staff development will be critical to success,” he explains. Forlenza is focused on fostering a culture where innovation and collaboration thrive to ensure Schreiner Group continues to delight our customers.

Forlenza sees major growth potential in the Pharma, Automotive, and Industrial sectors, where Schreiner Group’s innovative solutions have been established for decades. Drawn to the company for its focus on innovation and strong family-oriented culture, Forlenza felt an immediate connection to the company. "There’s a deep sense of pride here, and everyone is committed to long-term success," he shares. His extensive experience in the specialty chemicals industry, particularly adhesives, aligns well with Schreiner Group’s core product offerings.

His first weeks at Schreiner Group have been marked by a warm welcome from the team. “The local team has been incredibly supportive,” he says. “I even had the chance to run my first label on the production press, and I plan to frame it as a keepsake.” Listening and collaboration are key to Forlenza’s leadership style, and he’s committed to mentoring and coaching the team to help Schreiner Group reach new heights.

“We are thrilled to have Ken Forlenza join us as the new President of our U.S. site,” says Roland Schreiner, CEO of Schreiner Group. “His wealth of experience in various sectors, combined with his passion for innovation and collaboration, make him the perfect fit to drive our growth in our key healthcare and mobility markets.” Forlenza’s career has spanned engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and strategy, giving him a well-rounded perspective. His hands-on approach, passion for problem-solving, and focus on customer satisfaction position him to lead Schreiner Group’s U.S. operations toward a successful future.

Schreiner Group established its production site in Blauvelt in 2008, which initially produced exclusively for the Schreiner MediPharm division and the pharmaceutical industry. The site since has expanded to include Schreiner ProTech, which focuses on the automotive and general industries. Today, over 90 employees at the Blauvelt facility produce high-tech labels and functional parts for the entire North American market.

•    Nefab kommer att visa upp sina fiberbaserade förpackningslösningar och lösningar för att skicka farligt gods, så som litiumbatterier (LiB).
•    Niklas Zenk, Global Projekt ledare inom LiB , kommer att hålla ett seminarium om ”Litiumbatterier och förpackningar” torsdagen den 24 oktober 2024, från 15:00 till 15:25.
•    Besök Nefab i monter C01:02 på Scanpack 2024, på Svenska Mässan i Göteborg, 
från 22 till 25 oktober.

Jönköping, Sverige, 9 oktober 2024 – Nefab, en global ledare inom hållbara förpacknings- och logistiklösningar, kommer att visa sina senaste innovationer på Scanpack 2024, som äger rum från 22-25 oktober på Svenska Mässan i Göteborg. Besökare kan se Nefabs erbjudanden i monter C01:02, där företaget kommer att visa upp sina prisbelönta fiberförpackningslösningar och sitt erbjudande för  farligt gods. Dessutom kommer Nefab också att hålla ett seminarium fokuserat på säker transport av litiumbatterier. 

Prisbelönta förpackningslösningar av fiber

Nefabs fiberbaserade lösningar är anpassade för att möta den växande efterfrågan på hållbara förpackningar. EdgePak Collar, som vann ScanStar-priset 2024, är ett lätt, återvinningsbart alternativ till traditionella träpallkragar som används vid engångsleveranser. Genom att byta till EdgePak Collar kan företag minska koldioxidutsläpp, deponiavfall, transportkostnader, och samtidigt behålla pallkragekonceptet. Dessutom kommer Nefab att visa upp WorldStar Award vinnande FiberFlute, som ger utmärkt dämpning. Dess stapelbara design sparar utrymme och minskar därmed transport- och lagringskostnader. Denna fiberbaserade dämpningslösning kräver ingen limning, kan enkelt vikas, och kombineras med andra material för att skydda komplexa produktformer: Dessutom har FiberFlute överlägsna skyddsegenskaper jämfört med PE-skum. 

Innovationer inom farligt gods-förpackningar

På Scanpack kommer Nefab att lyfta fram sina innovativa förpackningslösningar för farligt gods, specifikt utformade och rigoröst testade för att förhindra läckor eller annan potentiell skada. Företaget kommer att presentera ett sortiment av förpackningar för säker transport, lagring och hantering av alla typer av litiumbatterier – vare sig nya, skadade, instabila eller avsedda för återvinning. Besökare på Scanpack kommer också ha möjlighet att se Nefabs termoformade plastlösningar och återanvändbara plywood-förpackningar, som uppfyller de högsta standarderna för transport av farligt gods och är certifierade för gällande krav. 

Expertseminarium om säker transport av litiumbatteri

För att fördjupa förståelsen av säker transport av litiumbatterier, bjuder Nefab in besökare till ett seminarium som leds av Niklas Zenk, Global Projektledare (LiB), den 24 oktober 2024, från 15:00 till 15:25. Sessionen kommer att behandla de olika förpackningskraven för litiumbatterier, klassificeringar, och unika utmaningar för frakt av dessa viktiga produkter.

“Vi är stolta över att presentera våra lösningar på Scanpack 2024. Vårt engagemang för samarbete med kunder driver oss att utveckla och skapa skräddarsydda förpackningslösningar som hanterar deras unika utmaningar. Vi uppfyller inte bara gällande regler; vi sätter en ny standard för säkerhet och hållbarhet i branschen,” sade Alexander Necovski, chef för Nordics Europe-regionen på Nefab.

Besök Nefab i monter C01:02 på Scanpack 2024 för att utforska branschledande förpackningsinnovationer på nära håll.

Vi sparar resurser i leveranskedjor för en bättre morgondag.
OM NEFAB

Nefab sparar miljömässiga och ekonomiska resurser genom att optimera leveranskedjor. Vi gör detta genom att innovera tillsammans med våra kunder för att skapa smartare förpacknings- och logistiklösningar samtidigt som vi alltid visar respekt för människor och höga etiska standarder. Detta bidrar till en bättre morgondag för våra kunder, för samhället och för miljön.
Med mer än 75 års erfarenhet kombinerat med kompetens och närvaro i mer än 38 länder erbjuder vi globala lösningar och lokal service över hela världen till företag inom branscher som Telecom, Datacom, Semicon, Energy, Healthcare equipment, Mining & Construction och LiB & E-mobility. Nefab Group har över 4900 anställda i 38 länder, med en årlig omsättning på 10,3 miljarder kronor.
Ägare är familjen Nordgren/Pihl och FAM AB, ett privatägt holdingbolag inom Wallenberg.
 

ESD managers in the electronics industry are well-aware of the critical threat electrostatic discharge poses to electronic equipment. Did you know that you can shield your components from both ESD and corrosion at the same time? Cortec® Corporation’s European plant, EcoCortec®, launched EcoSonic® VpCI®-125 HP Permanent ESD Bubble Film and Bags powered by Nano VpCI®. They combine vapor phase corrosion inhibitors with cushioning packaging bubble bags and permanent ESD protection to protect sensitive electronic equipment from corrosion, physical damage, and the creation of triboelectric charges. This innovative packaging solution provides comprehensive protection for electronics throughout the manufacturing, shipping, and storage processes.  

EcoSonic® VpCI-125 HP Permanent ESD Bubble Film and Bags work by saturating the enclosed airspace with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that form a protective molecular layer on all packaged metals without leaving behind a noticeable film or residue. The bubbles serve as cushioning, dunnage, and void fill material. Why combine corrosion and permanent ESD protection in a single bubble bag? Consider this: electronics are complex and sensitive components that often contain multiple metal types within a single unit. Any discoloration, let alone corrosion, can lead to rejection by end users due to the potential for failure. While dry environments pose small risk, shipping electronics across continents or exporting them worldwide exposes them to unpredictable and extreme conditions—fluctuating temperatures, humidity, and even condensation. This creates a fertile ground for corrosion within the electronics package. And let's not forget the high costs and logistical challenges of climate-controlled warehousing in hot, humid climates. By combining corrosion protection with ESD packaging and bubble wrap, you're combating three threats at once. It's a more convenient and efficient solution that ensures your valuable electronics arrive at their destination safe and undamaged. 

Where to Use EcoSonic® VpCI-125 HP Permanent ESD Bubble Film and Bags 

EcoSonic® VpCI®-125 HP Permanent ESD Bubble Film and Bags are recommended for packaging integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, PCB components, telecommunications equipment, electronic and electrical panels and enclosures. Fragile or static-sensitive components where triboelectric charge generation and corrosion are concerns will receive full protection. 

EcoSonic® VpCI®-125 HP Permanent ESD Bubble Film and Bags meet NACE TM0208-2018 “Vapor Corrosion Inhibiting Ability” standard for corrosion protection as well as German TL-8135-002 standard for corrosion protection. They are available by prompt delivery to our customers worldwide from EcoCortec® plant located in Croatia. Film and bags are available in custom-size rolls, sheeting, or heat-sealed bags. 

What companies in Germany keep resources in the loop longest through re-use, recycling, or repair? What innovative approaches to waste reduction are in use today? ServiceValue GmbH and the F.A.Z. Institute examined these questions in detail. In a two-stage web monitoring process between 2022 and 2024, they analyzed the data from 5,500 companies in 38 industries. Now the results are in: SÜDPACK achieved the top rating in the “Packaging Manufac-turer” category. With a score of 100 points, the company sets the benchmark for all the other companies in its industry included in the study.
“Leadership in Sustainability” is a primary goal of SÜDPACK. The company orig-inally aimed to meet the ambitious targets in its sustainability strategy by 2030, but is already close to achieving them. In the 2022 and 2023 cross-sector sus-tainability rankings of WirtschaftsWoche magazine, the film manufacturer was named one of the top sustainability performers among Germany’s medium-sized companies. This latest study, which was supported scientifically by the Institute for Management and Economic Research (IMWF), defines SÜDPACK as a pioneer and model in the area of circular economy in the packaging industry, awarding it top position in this market in 2024.
The process
The study is not just a current snapshot but the result of extensive research and evaluations over many months. The first stage from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2024 consisted of crawling German-language internet sources, including editorial webpages and social media, using defined key words to identify all relevant texts from the internet. The second stage, processing, used AI to ana-lyze the collected data and its fragmentation. In this way, some 3.5 million uses of the key words by around 5,500 companies were identified, allocated, and weighted in terms of range and tonality balance. In the tonality balance, “ecological sustainability” was weighted at 50%, “economic sustainability” at 30%, and “general sustainability” at 20%. Next, the points awarded to all companies and brands were standardized according to industry. The best company in each industry achieved the benchmark of 100 points, and received the award “Germany’s best in circular economy 2024”.
SÜDPACK actively drives the transformation process
“With this award, the initiators recognize companies that apply sustainable methods and business models to combat today’s throwaway society and that prove ecological and business success can go together,” underlines Erik Bouts, the CEO of SÜDPACK. He believes the award has come at just the right time. “We set new standards with our recyclable and material-reduced product developments and point the way to a sustainable future. The same goes for our policy of expanding capacities and technologies for compounding, regranulation, and chemical recycling. But a genuine transformation can only happen if industry, politics, legislation, and society take the next steps jointly.”
This dedication to the responsible use of raw materials and recyclables, curbing the consumption of fossil resources, and optimizing the carbon footprint along the entire supply chain is rooted in the DNA of the successful, family-owned company. SÜDPACK operates its own material management system and holds the majority share in carboliq GmbH. carboliq is a groundbreaking process for direct oiling of a wide range of plastic fractions. As a result of these two factors, SÜDPACK is currently the only film manufacturer able to use both mechanical and chemical recycling for its products. 
“As a valuable resource, carbon must be kept in the loop”
The carboliq plant in Ennigerloh has already impressively demonstrated that mixed and contaminated post-consumer plastics as well as previously non-recyclable composite materials can be transformed into a high-value liquid resource. Erik Bouts sums it up best himself: “The circular economy in the plastics and packaging industry is no utopia. It’s already a reality at SÜDPACK!” 

About SÜDPACK
SÜDPACK is a leading manufacturer of high-performance films and packaging solutions for the food, non-food and medical goods industries and also of customer-specific compounds for technically demanding applications. 
The family business, which was founded by Alfred Remmele in 1964, is headquartered in Ochsenhausen. The production sites in Germany, France, Poland, India, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA are equipped with cutting-edge plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions. The global sales and service network ensures a high degree of proximity to the customer and comprehensive application technology support in more than 70 countries.
With its state-of-the-art Development and Application Center at its headquarters in Ochsenhausen, the innovation-oriented company offers its customers an optimal platform for developing individual and tailor-made solutions and also for performing application tests.
SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. For its sustainable product developments and consistent commitment to a functioning circular economy in the plastics industry, SÜDPACK has received numerous awards.
 

Company’s fully automated UDS Vial Filling & Assembly System can produce up to 100 unidose nasal spray devices per minute, and incorporate a variety of sophisticated inspection parameters. 

TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC, an equipment specialist dedicated solely to the design and development of liquid filling and assembly machines, has developed an automatic version of its assembly and vial filling machine for unidose liquid nasal devices. Capable of producing up to 100 devices per minute, the company’s UDS Vial Filling & Assembly System features a racetrack format with vibratory product feeding. 

After an air jet and vacuum system cleans all vials, the UDS Vial Filling & Assembly System’s initial inspection station checks for cracks in each. To perform this step, vials are raised and rotated, allowing for 360-degree high-resolution camera inspection. The machine also can be equipped with a variety of additional upstream and downstream inspection capabilities, including safeguards checking for unstoppered vials, an enhanced lens for exacting fill height verification, and a push-pull station that tests the nasal device’s integrity. 

Vials are filled via a series of precision valve-less ceramic piston fillers, whose volume can be set and calibrated electronically. Stoppers are inserted using a servo-controlled pick-and-place module featuring a burping tube to allow air escape during placement. Next, nasal actuators are introduced in-line via a vibratory feeder, and inspected to ensure cannulae are present and straight. The nasal devices are automatically placed around the vials, pressed into place with an automatic tamping system, and automatically transitioned to a labeling station with requisite serialization capabilities.  

TurboFil’s UDS Vial Filling & Assembly System is both precise and flexible, and its microdosing prowess can meet or exceed accuracy tolerances of +/-2.5 microliters on a fill volume of 100-125 microliters. Stopper position can be determined down to 0.3 millimeters, ensuring device specifications are met. To bolster sterility, the unit’s product contact parts are composed of ceramic, 316L stainless steel and Teflon. All operations are performed via a 15” touchscreen HMI with recipe control and the ability to turn on or off any station or inspection as required for the particular application. 

“With intranasal administration devices experiencing a tremendous growth curve, pharma manufacturers require solutions that can produce such intricate drug delivery systems not only effectively but also expeditiously,” said Deborah Smook, VP of Marketing & Business Development for TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC. “The UDS Vial Filling & Assembly System makes such efficiencies possible, and opens the door for pharma companies to consider producing medicines in a format where ease of use and direct dosage dispensing is fueling rapid expansion.”
 

About TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC

TurboFil is an equipment specialist dedicated solely to the design and development of liquid filling and assembly machines for the pharmaceutical, medical device, health & beauty and chemical industries. Since its inception in 1999, the company has created novel, durable production solutions for some of the industry's most challenging applications, consistently setting new benchmarks for filling precision and operational simplicity.

TurboFil's equipment portfolio features a broad range of standardized equipment, and the company also frequently collaborates with customers to develop, design and construct customized, built-to-spec machines. This versatility has made TurboFil a leader in supplying reliable, efficient and cost-effective filling and assembly systems that fit seamlessly into existing operations. For more information
 

Global leader in surface treatment technology, Vetaphone A/S, will be co-exhibiting at the upcoming ALLPack Indonesia 2024 with its Sales & Service partner for the region, PT Merindo Makmur.

The three -day expo, which will take place in the JIExpo Centre in Kemayoran, Indonesia from the 9th to the 12th of October, will showcase the latest technology for processing, packaging and handling of goods for the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, amongst sectors.

With more than 1500 exhibitors, ALLPack is sure to attract a host of visitors from across the region who are keen to see what’s new in the market.  Speaking for Vetaphone, Area Sales Manager for Asia-Pacific Holger Selenka commented: “Along with our local agent Mr Tedy Lim, I am looking forward to meeting old friends and welcoming new customers at the show in Jakarta.”  

With its continued growth in demand for branded goods with printed packaging, Indonesia is a key target market for Vetaphone, and the company is looking to build on its recent successes in the region.  Visitors who would like to more about cutting-edge corona treatment technology are assured of a warm welcome on visit Stand DD001.
 

Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of high-quality packaging and dispensing solutions for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and consumer goods industries, announces the appointment of Manfred Zurkirch as its new CEO, effective January 1, 2025. With his extensive experience in executive positions in the packaging and manufacturing industries, including as CEO of Thielmann AG, Ferag AG, and PackSys Global AG, Manfred Zurkirch will lead the Hoffmann Neopac Group to continued success. Zurkirch succeeds Mark Aegler, who stepped down in June after 13 years as CEO.

Peter Schildknecht, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hoffmann Neopac Group since June 2024, is pleased: "With Manfred Zurkirch, we have gained a CEO with a strong customer focus and a clear emphasis on innovation. He will help to further strengthen our position as a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Stefan Pulfer, the Group's long-standing CFO, who is leading the company on an interim basis until the end of the year."

About Hoffmann Neopac 

Hoffmann Neopac is a privately owned company headquartered in Thun, Switzerland. The group produces high-quality metal and plastic packaging at six locations: HOFFMANN cans in Thun and the Netherlands, and Polyfoil® and plastic tubes at NEOPAC plants in Switzerland, Hungary, the USA and India. Long-standing customers include international pharmaceutical, cosmetics and consumer goods manufacturers in Europe, North America and Asia.

Hoffmann Neopac employs 1,200 people and has a production capacity of 1.3 billion tubes and 900 million cans. The company is committed to sustainability in both its manufacturing processes and corporate culture and offers an environmentally friendly packaging portfolio.
 

Company’s bio-based compounds are a drop-in replacement for a variety of injection molded or extruded medical-grade PVC compounds utilized in tubing, films, components and other applications.

TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, has become the first healthcare solutions company to introduce bio-based compounds for medical plastics applications whose performance and compositional properties are equivalent to conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins. Certified through the globally recognized International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) system, the bio-based medical-grade PVC compounds utilize resins and plasticizers manufactured with renewable energy and bio-attributed classification. The compounds are equivalent to traditional medical-grade PVC in terms of chemical composition, functionality and regulatory viability.

As the healthcare industry increasingly emphasizes eco-friendliness and carbon footprint reduction, TekniPlex Healthcare’s bio-based, medical-grade PVC compounds enhance sustainability profiles without sacrificing the reliable performance for which traditional PVC compounds are known. The bio-based compounds are a drop-in replacement for a wide variety of injection molded or extruded PVC compounds utilized in a broad array of applications, including tubing solutions such as IV therapy tube sets, drip chambers, and peristaltic pump tubing; films used for trays, pouches, bags and other form-fill-seal settings; and other components composed of medical-grade plastics. 

Offering excellent cost-performance characteristics, TekniPlex Healthcare’s new bio-based PVC compounds can reduce CO2 output/emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional PVC resins, and approximately 60% relative to traditional PVC plasticizers. Produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the material’s ISCC PLUS certification assures its production and distribution via a transparent and traceable supply chain.

“The ability to produce a broad array of medical-grade PVC solutions with bio-based compounds is a significant step forward in healthcare materials science sustainability,” said Meg Henke, Global Head of Product Management for TekniPlex Healthcare. “We’re proud to be the first to introduce such a groundbreaking capabilities set, which brings the potential to substantially reduce our customers’ overall CO2 output while staying unwaveringly true to our top priority of delivering better patient outcomes.”
 

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 sterile barriers 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. 

In the medical device niche, TekniPlex Healthcare embodies a comprehensive CDMO partner capable of servicing every stage of the product life cycle, from design and development through component manufacturing and final assembly. Throughout its broad purview, the division’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. 
Z

Schreiner Group, a leader in innovative high-tech labels and functional parts for healthcare, mobility and general industry, has hired Ken Forlenza as its new U.S. President. Mr. Forlenza will oversee operations at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Blauvelt, NY.  
Mr. Forlenza brings a distinguished background in engineering, business development, and leadership across various industries. He is tasked with guiding Schreiner Group through a significant growth phase, as the company continues to leverage its prominence in innovative and multifunctional labeling solutions. Notably, Schreiner Group LP is in the early stages of expanding the company’s capabilities to new applications in healthcare, electronics, industrial and automotive/mobility applications. 
“With our anticipated expansion into new market opportunities, attracting top talent and investing in staff development will be critical to success,” Mr. Forlenza explains, adding that his focus is on fostering a collaborative culture to ensure Schreiner Group continues to exceed customer expectations.
His extensive experience in the specialty chemicals industry – and adhesives in particular – aligns well with Schreiner Group’s core product offerings. Overall, Mr. Forlenza’s career has spanned manufacturing, sales, marketing, and strategy, giving him a well-rounded perspective. His hands-on approach, reputation for problem-solving, and consistent focus on customer satisfaction position him to successfully lead Schreiner Group’s U.S. operations.
“We are thrilled to have Ken Forlenza join us as the new President of our U.S. site,” says Roland Schreiner, CEO of Schreiner Group. “His wealth of experience in various sectors, combined with his passion for innovation and collaboration, make him the perfect fit to drive our growth in our key healthcare and mobility markets.” 
Schreiner Group established its production site in Blauvelt in 2008, with the facility initially catering to pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries through its Schreiner MediPharm division. The site soon expanded to include Schreiner ProTech, which focuses on the automotive, electronics and other industries. Today, over 90 employees at the Blauvelt facility produce high-tech labels and functional parts for the North American market.
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With its EcoTrace™ LCA service, SÜDPACK has adopted a holistic and data-driven approach to evaluating the environmental impact of its products throughout the value chain. By means of various scenarios and projections, EcoTrace™ makes it possible to compare different packaging concepts, make objective decisions regarding optimal packaging solutions, achieve ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, and expand and optimize product reporting based on reliable LCA data.
According to a study by WWF Germany, the volume of plastic waste could be reduced by around 8% by eliminating unnecessary packaging and introducing improved designs. Up to 365 kilotons, or 9%, of all single-use plastics could be replaced with materials that have a smaller ecological footprint. Furthermore, phasing out multipolymer materials would boost closed-loop mechanical recy-cling yields by 185 kilotons, or approximately 30%. “By incorporating chemical recycling as a viable recovery option, the potential environmental benefits in-crease manifold as carbon is retained in the material loop indefinitely,” ex-plains Carolin Grimbacher, Managing Partner of SÜDPACK. 
Relevant impact categories and insights
EcoTrace™ enables SÜDPACK to analyze the entire life cycle of its own products, as well as customer concepts, in terms of their environmental impact.  These calculations are based on a cradle-to-grave approach, which takes not only greenhouse gases (CO2e) into account, but also factors like fossil resource con-sumption, eco- and human-toxicity, as well as various energy sources and end-of-life options, within defined system limits. This is an important approach because around 10% of the environmental impact of SÜDPACK’s flexible films occurs at the end of their life cycle (assuming an average recycling rate of 48% and a thermal recovery rate of 52%).
In collaboration with Sphera, SÜDPACK recently conducted an LCA study in accordance with ISO 14040/44 for its Flow Pack PurePP solution – to assess the potential environmental impact of these innovative high-performance films from the company’s Pure-Line range. The materials in question are flexible film laminates used to produce flow packs for various applications, primarily in the food sector. They are made from PP and, due to their mono-material structure, have a recyclability rate of 92% according to the cyclos-HTP institute. 
For the end-of-life analysis, a current German recycling mix served as the base-line scenario and was compared with the results from an analysis of 100% me-chanical recycling, 100% chemical recycling, and 100% thermal recovery. Addi-tionally, the study examined the impact of different energy sources used in production, as well as the incorporation of recycled content into the granules. 
Summary of the LCA study results
In the baseline scenario, 1 m² of Flow Pack PurePP generates 246 g CO₂e/m² over its entire life cycle. As expected, incinerating the Flow Pack at the end of its life results in the highest emissions, at 293 g CO₂e/m², while mechanical recycling reduces this by approximately 50 g CO₂e/m². Therefore, by using me-chanical or chemical recycling as an alternative to thermal recovery, the ecolog-ical footprint is significantly improved. Even with chemical recycling, the differ-ence compared to thermal recovery is around 50 g CO₂e/m². If renewable elec-tricity is used, CO2e emissions are reduced even further – by more than 5%. Moreover, mechanical recyclate performs better than chemically recycled input materials, as the latter require more energy during production. 
Overall, the results show that significant environmental impacts occur throughout the life cycle of Flow Pack PurePP, highlighting the need for fact-based assessments to make informed decisions on sustainability criteria.
Smart service
Another benefit of EcoTrace™ is that the results of these studies can serve as a foundation for fact-based product development and optimization based on various sustainability criteria, and can also be shared with customers when needed. EcoTrace™ makes it fast and easy to integrate the datasets into the customer’s “LCA for Experts” software. 

About SÜDPACK
SÜDPACK is a leading manufacturer of high-performance films and packaging solutions for the food, non-food and medical goods industries and also of cus-tomer-specific compounds for technically demanding applications. 
The family business, which was founded by Alfred Remmele in 1964, is head-quartered in Ochsenhausen. The production sites in Germany, France, Poland, India, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA are equipped with cutting-edge plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions. The global sales and service network ensures a high degree of proximity to the customer and comprehen-sive application technology support in more than 70 countries.
With its state-of-the-art Development and Application Center at its headquar-ters in Ochsenhausen, the innovation-oriented company offers its customers an optimal platform for developing individual and tailor-made solutions and also for performing application tests.
SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. For its sustainable product developments and consistent commitment to a func-tioning circular economy in the plastics industry, SÜDPACK has received nu-merous awards.
 

Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, today announces the launch of its new Business Partner Code of Conduct.

As a family-owned business with a history spanning two centuries, Siegwerk recognizes its profound responsibility to uphold human rights and safeguard the environment. This new Code of Conduct is a testament to Siegwerk’s dedication to building resilient operations and supply chains, reflecting both legal obligations and moral imperatives.

The Code is rooted in Siegwerk’s Human Rights Guiding Principles, emphasizing risk acknowledgment, knowledge seeking, collaboration, stakeholder focus, and continuous improvement. It sets clear expectations for suppliers and business partners, encouraging transparency and proactive engagement to address human rights and environmental risks.

Siegwerk has developed a “Siegwerk Sustainability Checklist” to identify and address high-priority issues. Partners are encouraged to disclose any severe non-compliance issues and work collaboratively with Siegwerk to develop action plans and timelines for improvement. “We value transparency and support our business partners in addressing human and environmental issues in our shared supply chain” said Cathleen Hansohm, Global Supplier Sustainability Manager. Immediate action is required for severe breaches, with a focus on improvement for affected stakeholders. Siegwerk also expects its partners to extend these principles throughout their supply chains, fostering a culture of ethical and sustainable practices.

“Our new Business Partner Code of Conduct is a significant step towards ensuring that our values of sustainability and ethical practices are shared across our entire supply chain. We invite our business partners to join the journey towards a packaging industry, which is truly sustainable for people and the planet - today and in the future,” said Alina Marm, Head of Global Sustainability and Circular Economy & Human Rights Officer at Siegwerk.