Concept extends company’s materials-reduction mindset to cap and shoulder, saving customers carbon footprint, EPR fees & shipping costs without sacrificing product protection, haptics or esthetics.

Oberdiessbach, Switzerland – Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of high-quality packaging for pharma, beauty and oral care, has “capped off” its commitment to reducing plastics in its tube designs. The company has introduced Eco-Stripped Tube, which combines a significantly reduced sleeve wall thickness with a comparable materials reduction in the shoulder and cap. The result is a 30% reduction in overall virgin materials without sacrificing product protection, haptics or esthetics.

For cosmetics and personal care product customers, the benefits of Eco-Stripped Tubes are several. For starters, the trimmed-down tubes substantially reduce carbon impact; in fact, four Eco-Stripped Tubes can be made with the amount of materials it takes to produce three conventional tubes of the same size. Less overall plastics also means lower Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees – so-called “plastic taxes” – as well as lower shipping costs.

For Neopac, reducing overall materials to create lower-profile shoulder and cap represents a materials science breakthrough. For size D50 tubes, for example, the sleek Eco-Stripped tubes sit 9.4mm lower with a 3.75g weight reduction without sacrificing performance.

The latest in Neopac’s EcoDesign series, Eco-Stripped Tube is an evolution of its LIGHTWEIGHT TUBE, which reduces sleeve wall thickness from 0.5mm to 0.35mm. The next-generation Eco-Stripped Tube builds upon this sleeve weight reduction to create a comprehensively trimmed-down tube construction. An eco-conscious substitute for standard PE, PP and coextruded tubes, Eco-Stripped Tubes are available in diameters ranging from 30-50mm, for volumes from 40-300ml. For enhanced protect protection and safety, tamper-evident (first-opening) options also are available.

Neopac estimates that, in its own packaging manufacturing operations, the new tubes will eliminate the need for as much as 7.7 tons of HDPE and PP materials per one million tubes produced. This translates to an overall carbon footprint reduction of over 29 tons of CO2 per million tubes manufactured. 

“The concept behind our new Eco-Stripped Tube is ‘undress to progress’, meaning a key tool in moving toward a circular economy is overall materials reduction – and virgin plastics reduction specifically,” said Cornelia Schmid, Head of Marketing for Neopac. “As a company, we’re continuing to push our sustainability efforts further without sacrificing product protection, haptics, esthetics or other qualities brand owners hold dear.”

Other solutions in Neopac’s EcoDesign portfolio includes RECYCLED TUBE featuring 70% recycling material, 64% of which is PCR; Sugarcane Tube, made from renewable raw materials; and PICEA™ wood tube, comprised of 95% renewable material in the tube body and shoulder – including 10% of spruce wood from wood waste in sawmills.

About Hoffmann Neopac

Hoffmann Neopac is a privately-owned company, headquartered in Thun, Switzerland. The group produces high-quality metal and plastic packaging in six locations: HOFFMANN tins in Thun and Holland; Polyfoil® and plastic tubes with NEOPAC in Switzerland, Hungary and the US; and 3D Neopac in India. Its longstanding customers include internationally active pharmaceutical, cosmetics and consumer goods manufacturers in the European, North American and Asian markets.

Including its new production facility in the United States, Neopac employs around 1,250 employees and has a capacity of 1.3 billion tubes. The company is dedicated to sustainability in both its manufacturing processes with renewable electricity and corporate culture, including a dedicated eco-conscious packaging portfolio. For more information, visit www.neopac.com.

• Mondi moves to certified base paper for its full portfolio of glassine-based release liners.
• The switch to certified base paper helps ensure that the wood is harvested from responsibly managed forests.
• Mondi collaborates with certification schemes like PEFC to enable traceability and compliance.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has switched its entire portfolio of glassine-based release liners to certified base paper. The change is part of Mondi’s ongoing, proactive approach to sustainability, which includes developing solutions that are better for the environment.

Glassine-based release liners are mainly used for labels, tapes, and medical applications.  By moving to certified base paper, Mondi is improving traceability, working with partners who manage forests responsibly in line with its commitment to maintain zero deforestation in its forests and supply chain. This latest move to certified glassine-based paper is another step in Mondi’s commitment to responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency.

Mondi’s close collaboration with partners, known as its EcoSolutions approach, means that it will continue to ask the right questions and develop the most sustainable packaging solutions to support customers in achieving their sustainability goals. Mondi already works with a number of certification bodies to help increase the availability of certified wood fibre in its key wood sourcing markets in Europe.

All of Mondi’s pulp and paper mills are PEFC or FSC™ certified, 100% of its own forests are certified and 76% of externally sourced wood and 100% of sourced pulp is from certified sources.

As part of our MAP2030 ambitions, we commit to taking action on climate change, and setting an example for others working in international manufacturing, production and logistics to help them make sustainability a key priority. Offering certified base paper is part of this. It is the first step to upgrading our entire release liner portfolio, which will manage our impacts while providing the best possible solutions for the customer and the end consumer.

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2021, Mondi had revenues of €7.7 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.5 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

About Mondi Functional Paper and Films

Mondi Functional Paper and Films (FPF) is part of Mondi’s Business Unit Engineered Materials, providing paper and film-based solutions such as release liners, barrier coatings, and technical films following our approach paper where possible and plastic when useful so we can provide customers with products that are sustainable by design. The industries served are graphic arts, labels, tapes, fibre composites, industrial, building insulation, hygiene, medical, envelopes, food & consumer goods, corrugated case linings, foam liners, automotive, and industrial packaging. Oriented towards a sustainable future and committed to quality, Mondi FPF is an agile and innovative partner with technically advanced expertise, global availability, and customised solutions.  Well-connected within the Mondi Group, we are an integrated part of the value chain. Mondi FPF can imagine, design, and create innovations to meet the rapidly changing demands in the industry, and has access to an international network of specialists with over 11 plants in seven countries and three continents.

HSIL Limited (NSE: HSIL; BSE: 500187), a leading Packaging Company, announced today that it is changing its name to AGI Greenpac Limited. In addition, the company has also changed the name of its PET business from Garden Polymers to AGI Plastek.

The name change is a part of the Company’s transformational journey and with the completion of the divestment of the Building Products Division as on 31st March 2022, the Company has now become a focused packaging player. The name “AGI Greenpac” is new however the motto “Excellence in Packaging” remains the same which resonates well with the company’s customers and truly reflects the product portfolio.

The new modern logo ties the brand closer to its identity as a sustainable packaging company. The word Green reflects the company’s commitment to offering best-in-class sustainable packaging solutions that have a positive impact on our environment. The Green Leaf represents the company’s focus on adopting sustainable best practices. It is the company’s promise to put sustainability at the core of day-to-day business operations.

AGI Greenpac will now lead the next phase of growth and the management team remains committed to capitalizing on the growing market opportunities, expanding its packaging business, and unlocking value for its stakeholders.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Sandip Somany, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, AGI Greenpac, said, “The Company’s corporate rebranding is a strategic step, and the new name “AGI Greenpac” reflects the company’s renewed market positioning post the completion of the divestment of Building Products Division. This new name and brand perfectly illustrate our commitment to expand the sustainable packaging business and remain one of the most profitable packaging companies in India.”

He further added, “With our new company name and logo, we have sought to provide our stakeholders with a clear and strong understanding of who we are and what we are set to achieve in the coming years.”

Commenting on the new identity, Mr. Rajesh Khosla, CEO, AGI Greenpac said,” A few months ago, we began the process to develop a new brand identity for the Company that aligns business with its product offerings. In addition to the name better reflecting its offerings, we also wanted the visual identity to have a strong foundation rooted in sustainability. We are now a complete packaging Company and a new shared purpose and identity will position AGI Greenpac to have a greater impact in the industry. Furthermore, we remain fully committed to applying resources strategically and driving innovation within the packaging sector.”

The Company has recently started manufacturing ‘Specialty Glass’ at a new greenfield facility in Bhongir. The Glaspac facility with its five manufacturing lines spread across 15 acres has a manufacturing capacity of 154 tonnes per annum. The plant manufactures clear glass products, such as vials, nail polish bottles, and other specialty glass products which are primarily used in the packaging of cosmetics and perfumery, pharmaceuticals, premium spirits, food & beverages water bottles, and candles jars.

About AGI Greenpac Limited:

AGI Greenpac formerly known as HSIL Limited is India’s leading Packaging Company that manufactures and markets various packaging products, including glass containers and PET bottles& products and security caps & closures. The company has six plants in India, located across Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka. The Division has a comprehensive product range, catering to 500+ globally acclaimed institutional clients in India.

 Major capex project will increase production capacity, strengthen competitiveness, improve safety and benefit the local environment in line with Mondi’s MAP2030 sustainability commitments

• Ceremony on 9 May celebrates Mondi’s investment in Kuopio mill, recognising its importance as a contributor to Mondi’s sustainable product portfolio and to the local economy
• Kuopio produces semi-chemical fluting - ProVantage Powerflute®, a high performance, top quality containerboard grade used as a key component of fresh fruit and vegetable trays and boxes

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, continues to make progress on its previously announced €125 million investment to expand and upgrade its Kuopio mill in Finland with expected start-up by the fourth quarter of 2023.

This morning, regional and local officials joined Mondi’s Group CEO and other senior leaders at a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate this major upgrade of the semi-chemical fluting mill.

Thanks to the best technology available, production capacity will increase by 55,000 tonnes per annum and product quality will be enhanced to better serve growing customer demand. The long-term sustainability of the mill will also be considerably improved, further consolidating its place in the community.

Andrew King, Mondi Group CEO

We are delighted with the investment in the future of this competitive and cost-advantaged asset. Over 18% of Finland’s exports come from the forestry and paper industry, and we are proud to be a growing part of that. Our site provides jobs for 240 people – value-added jobs involving a wide range of skills and with the potential for upward mobility.

Juha Koukka, Managing Director of Mondi Kuopio

The investment in Kuopio further improves Mondi’s local environmental performance and contributes to the Group’s ambitious plans to take action on climate as part of its MAP2030 sustainability commitments. The state-of-the-art equipment and process improvements will reduce noise and odour emissions as well as effluent emissions per unit of production. It will also mitigate wood loss in processing, boost energy efficiency and enhance occupational safety.

About Mondi 

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2021, Mondi had revenues of €7.7 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.5 billion. 

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007. 

R-Cycle starts into a new phase as an open community. The first official general assembly was held on May 3, 2022 at R-Cycle member Multivac's corporate site in Wolfertschwenden, Germany

R-Cycle was founded in 2020 as an initiative of various technology companies and organizations along the entire life cycle of plastic packaging with the aim of establishing a digital traceability standard in the market for plastic packaging via digital product passports. This prepares the technical basis for more precise waste sorting and higher-quality recycling to drive an effective circular economy

Dr. Benedikt Brenken, Director of the R-Cycle Community, explains, "Now that the development and testing of the technical infrastructure has been successfully completed in spring 2022, the rollout is taking place. From now on, R-Cycle is accessible as an open community for all companies, institutions and stakeholders that have a legitimate interest in the field of circular economy for plastic packaging and want to use, support or further develop R-Cycle themselves."

Right at the start of the community, the circle has grown by 6 more companies to now a total of 19 members. The community offers access to a broad network of application-experienced partners and know-how in digitalization and sustainability. In addition to the general assembly at management level, the exchange takes place via specialized working groups that deal specifically with the various application areas of digital product passports. The R-Cycle platform can be networked with all common software systems as well as a wide variety of production equipment - from film or injection molding machines to processing, printing and filling machines to waste sorting and recycling systems. The traceability technology behind R-Cycle is based on GS1 standards - the leading global network for cross-industry process development and a founding member of R-Cycle.

By providing a digital product passport, all recycling-relevant data is automatically recorded during the production of plastic packaging and made retrievable via suitable markings (e.g. digital watermarks or QR codes) on intermediate and end products. This alDr. Brenken adds, "R-Cycle is not a concept, but a proven solution that we are now bringing to market together from our strong community. The first general assembly has already shown how much innovative spirit our members bring to the table to leverage the potential of digital product passports for plastic products as part of an efficient circular economy

lows waste sorting facilities to accurately identify packaging and form recycling-friendly and single-variety fractions. In addition to improving product sustainability, manufacturers and processors of plastic packaging also benefit in terms of process efficiency, quality and compliance with legal information requirements

Guido Spix, Managing Director MULTIVAC, said: “We had a lively discussion regarding R-Cycle's strategic goals within several presentations and a high-profile roundtable. Digital product passports offer enormous potential for an efficient circular economy of plastic packaging. Among other things, they enable data-based and thus more precise waste sorting in order to obtain higher-quality recyclates, as well as data-optimized production processes. We are looking forward to the next steps!”

The R-Cycle Community:

ARBURG, BRÜCKNER MASCHINENBAU, COMEXI, European EPC Competence Center (EECC), ENGEL, EREMA GROUP, GS1 GERMANY, Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV), ILLIG, IN.PACK, KAMPF, KAUTEX MASCHINENBAU, MULTIVAC, OLBRICH, PRODATA, REIFENHÄUSER GROUP, SIDEL, SIKOPLAST, STEINERT

The aseptic packaging process is used for various food products and beverages, including milk, soup, tomatoes, puddin

Company will also give presentation on using active material science solutions to address probiotic product protection needs.

Aptar CSP Technologies, part of AptarGroup, Inc. and a leader in active material science solutions to ensure product protection, extend shelf life and improve patient experience, will preview its first-ever active bottle featuring post-consumer recycled (PCR) content at VitaFoods Europe, Booth J60, May 10-12 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The new PCR active bottles are now part of Aptar CSP Technologies’ Activ-Vial™ solutions portfolio. As with the rest of the active packaging portfolio, the company’s proprietary 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ platform technology is fully integrated into the bottle to create a microclimate to protect against moisture and other environmental conditions. Unlike traditional packaging options, the technology co-molds highly-engineered active particles into the bottle, scavenging moisture before it reaches the contents inside.

Incorporating PCR content into its Activ-Polymer™ solutions is a step toward materials circularity, as sustainability becomes increasingly important to brand owners and their customers in the probiotic and nutraceuticals space. The company also plans to introduce an active bottle with higher PCR content in Q4.

Also at the VitaFoods show, Francois Bidet, Vice President of Business Development EMEA for Aptar CSP Technologies, will give a presentation on utilizing active material science technologies to solve common product probiotic protection challenges. Titled Reimagining Probiotics Protection with Breakthrough Active Material Science Technologies, the presentation will occur on May 11 at 12 p.m. CEST, both live at the event on via online broadcast.

About Aptar CSP Technologies

Aptar CSP Technologies is part of AptarGroup, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacturing of a broad range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active material science solutions and services. Aptar CSP Technologies leverages its active material science expertise to transform ideas into market opportunities, accelerate and de-risks the product development process, and provide complete solutions that improve consumers’ and patients’ lives. The company offers a complete set of services from concept ideation, to design and engineering, to product development, global production, quality control, and regulatory support that results in expedited speed-to-market. For more information, please visit www.csptechnologies.com and www.aptar.com.

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) today shared details of two major investments aimed at expanding its manufacturing capacity and improving factory efficiency in Europe to meet growing demand for its label and packaging materials.

The company said it is one year into a three-year, €45 million expansion of its facilities at Champ-sur-Drac, France. Enhancements include five new logistical buildings covering more than 8,700 square meters, a new automated warehouse, and an additional high-speed, state-of-the art hotmelt adhesive coater, scheduled to come online during 2024.

At its Luxembourg facility specializing in labels made with acrylic emulsion adhesives, the company has undertaken a €15 million project to redesign operational flow and add a new emulsion speciality coater. The coater is expected to come online during the first quarter of 2023.

“Our investments at Champs-sur-Drac and Luxembourg will allow us to meet customer demand now and into the future by freeing capacity throughout our European manufacturing network”, said Tim Presto, vice president of supply

chain & operations, EMENA.

The expansions at both Luxembourg and Champs-sur-Drac will enhance the reliability of service for customers by strengthening the company’s already robust network of manufacturing plants and distribution centers across Europe. Finally, these expansions will take us a step closer to fully embracing Industry 4.0 practices that increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and free our employees to perform safer, higher-value tasks.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products and solutions, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2021 were $8.4 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com

Zeus, the Irish-owned global packaging solutions company, has today announced the acquisition of Canadian agricultural supply business, Agri-Flex. Positioning Zeus as one of the world’s largest distributors of agricultural crop packaging product, this acquisition marks the next phase of the company’s €35 million investment strategy.

 Established in 1995, Agri-Flex is a leading supplier of crop packaging products and horticultural consumables to the entire Canadian agricultural market, with sales exceeding $14 million per annum. This latest addition to Zeus’s agricultural offering enhances its position in this specialist market sector where it has global revenues of €45 million.

 Speaking on the announcement, Zeus CEO Keith Ockenden said: “Agri-Flex is an established and well-respected agricultural supplies business within Canada. The acquisition not only strengthens and complements our current proposition within the North American market – it also demonstrates our commitment to our existing loyal customer base who have supported Zeus in this region.”

 ‘With an additional $14 million of revenue, we now have the opportunity to leverage further economies of scale, strengthen our competitive offering and introduce new quality products and services to our existing and new customers.”

 Mr Ockenden added: “We are delighted to welcome 13 additional staff into the Zeus organisation. Their knowledge, understanding and technical expertise will bring valued advice on best practice forage production and conservation. We look forward to working with the Agri-Flex team, delivering our product and service offering to our combined customers.”

 Agri-Flex founder Gilles Vezina said: “As a company with a wealth of experience in the global agricultural sector, I am delighted to have agreed this transaction with Zeus. The scale and capabilities of the Zeus organisation will deliver greater value to both our staff and customers. We look forward to joining the Zeus family and developing our business further across Canada.”

 In 2021, Zeus acquired Ireland-based Limerick Packaging. The company expects revenues to exceed €370 million in 2022.

 Zeus manufactures and supply a range of quality silage stretch films, silage covers, baler twines and round bale net wrap that are utilised in the production, handling and conservation of haylage, silage and bedding straw, used on farms in the management of dairy and beef livestock.

 In 2000, the company opened a horticulture division to meet growing demand for specialised horticultural products supplying products to vineyards and berry farms that complement greater growth efficiency and profitability.

About Zeus:

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

 Zeus has 42 locations worldwide, including Ireland, UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Canada, China and Australia. In 2018, Zeus announced a €27 million investment in new premises in Dublin and the UK.

 During 2019, Zeus began a €40 million investment program acquiring 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 and finalised the acquisition of Austrian firm Petruzalek in February 2021. In May 2021, Zeus announced a €15 million investment in Aldar Tissues, quadrupling capacity. In October 2021, Zeus announced the acquisition of Ireland-based Limerick Packaging.

 Zeus expect revenues to exceed €370m during 2022. In operation for over 20 years, Zeus employs 650 in total across 26 countries worldwide. Zeus has grown at a rate of 7 to 10 % per annum for the last 5 years

Innovative solutions that protect products, reduce inventory and shipping costs, and visually appeals to consumers

Cleburne, TX – AGE Industries, Ltd, a leading supplier of innovative and custom packaging and shipping solutions for industry and government agencies, offers custom-designed corrugated packaging for manufacturers across many different markets, with boxes that securely protect products, reduce shipping costs and inventory through custom design, and visually appeal to retail customers.

Manufacturers rely on AGE Industries’ expertise and reputation for reliably delivering complete packaging solutions. Custom packaging solutions range from products as diverse as heavy, bulky automotive parts and major household appliances, to premium consumer electronics and fancy lingerie, to fresh and packaged foods.

For each application, the package designers at AGE Industries select among many different box types and inserts, including Die Cut, Full Overlap Slotted Container (FOL), Full Telescopic Design Container (FTD), and Overlap Slotted Container (OSC). They utilize software to optimize the shape and size of the box to efficiently and safely package the product(s) contained within, and to ensure the boxes can be stacked securely on a pallet, without wasted space.

AGE Industries excels at designing boxes that provide the optimal balance between the crush strength and weight/thickness to reduce the cost of materials and shipping. The use of recycled fibers also adds strength and reduces material costs. With a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, AGE Industries works with customers to ensure that packaging is curbside recyclable and is committed to ensuring that 100% of all waste and byproducts created in its manufacturing process will be recycled to make useful and safe products.

AGE Industries offers custom printing, with exceptional color matching, that increases brand awareness and supports point-of-purchase marketing campaigns. A variety of wax and varnish coating options are available. Additional customizations include partitions, eyelets, transparent windows, and die cut foam inserts

During the current supply chain challenges, customers rely on AGE Industries’ dynamic Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management system and efficient operations for timely delivery of packaging materials to keep manufacturing and distribution flowing.

For more information about the AGE Industries, Ltd, visit www.ageindustries.com.

About AGE Industries, Ltd.

Founded by Arthur G. Eltzroth in 1974, AGE offers innovative custom packaging and shipping solutions for private industry and government agencies. AGE designs and manufactures corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and wood crating for Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico in the United States. AGE Box de Mexico, based out of Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico, provides custom corrugated packaging and overall packaging solutions for Mexico. AGE meets WBENC, Tx HUB, and CMBL certifications.

For more information, contact AGE Industries at 817-641-8178 or email sales@ageindustries.com.

Ronkonkoma NY - With the launch of CannaPouch, QuickPouch is aiming to use its decades of experience in the design and manufacture of automated pouching equipment for the medical and pharmaceutical industries to develop new features and systems to meet the unique demands of the ever-growing legal Cannabis markets in the US, Canada, and abroad.

“The overlap between the needs of medical packaging and cannabis packaging make QuickPouch an excellent fit for this market” the company said, “we have the experience and expertise to provide our Cannabis customers with specialized equipment to lower their packaging costs and increase their production efficiency”.

The new division will focus on the key elements of Cannabis packaging: product freshness, odor minimization, local regulations, and child resistance, including a forthcoming child resistant resealable pouch option to be released in the summer of 2022. CannaPouch is currently working with Cannabis producers and packagers to specialize existing QuickPouch equipment to better fit their specific needs, with dedicated CannaPouch equipment in development and set to launch later in the year.

To learn more, request a quote, and stay up to date on the latest product offerings, customers can visit www.cannapouch.net or email contact@cannapouch.net.

About QuickPouch

Founded in 1994, QuickPouch began as a custom automation design and engineering firm under the name Adaptive Manufacturing Technologies, inc. Beginning with the launch of the QuickPouch Micro in 1998, the company shifted its focus toward developing standardized packaging automation equipment, offering a line of pouching systems with the ability to be customized to meet a variety of needs and industries.

Reifenhäuser Blown Film will be showcasing technical solutions for the economical and sustainable production of blown film that pay off in terms of a functioning circular economy and reduction of the carbon footprint at the new GREENPLAST 2022 congress trade fair in Milan from May 3 to 6 (booth 14 P / A38). Highlights include the patented EVO Ultra Stretch production process for fully recyclable All-PE Blown Film, the use of digital product passports in the interests of a functioning circular economy, and technologies for the economical processing of post-consumer and postindustrial recyclate. The blown film plant specialist is thus showcasing examples of future-proof technologies that are consistently designed for the production of sustainable products.

Recyclable packaging thanks to EVO Ultra Stretch

EVO Ultra Stretch, Reifenhäuser's patented stretching unit, enables the production of mono-material composites (All-PE Film) for fully recyclable flexible packaging in which the otherwise usual PET layer of the packaging is replaced by stretched PE. This is made possible by the maximum 10-fold stretch rate, which gives PE films completely new mechanical properties. There is no need to adapt further processing steps such as printing, laminating and converting. Thanks to the patented position of the stretching unit directly in the haul-off of the blown film line, the film is stretched at the ideal time and from first heat, which at the same time makes the process particularly user-friendly, stable and efficient. Sascha Skora, senior sales manager at Reifenhäuser Blown Film, explains: "We supply our customers with production lines that enable them to now use the sustainability shift as an opportunity to become a preferred supplier for new, recycling-friendly products that serve the environment and business success."

Digital product passport enables circular economy

To make the best use of the potential of fully recyclable packaging for the circular economy, Reifenhäuser relies on digital product passports via RCycle - the traceability standard for plastic packaging. At Greenplast, Reifenhäuser will show a fully recyclable ALL-PE pouch equipped with this technology.

R-Cycle automatically stores recycling-relevant information during production and makes it available as a standardized data record for the waste sorting process. This enables data-based and thus more precise sorting for high-quality recycling. Production machines along the entire value chain can thus record relevant data, such as the type of plastic, printing ink, adhesive, additives and also the use of the packaging (food / non-food), and make this information available on the end product via appropriate marking (e.g. digital watermarks). R-Cycle was developed to market maturity by various technology companies and organizations along the entire life cycle of plastic packaging. Reifenhäuser is a founding member of the cross-industry community that aims to establish digital product passports to build a functioning circular economy worldwide.

Lowest-quality recyclate processing with EVO Ultra Fusion

High recyclate content in packaging is just as important as recycling-friendly design of plastic products. However, manufacturers face new technical challenges in processing recyclates: The highly fluctuating quality of the input material is one of the biggest problems. With the Reifenhäuser EVO Ultra Fusion extrusion process, blown film producers make themselves less 3/5 dependent on the input quality and can also dispense with the energy- and cost-intensive regranulation of the recycling material. Fluff (film shreds) as well as all types of production waste and PCR material can thus also be extruded directly. Ultra Fusion processes even the lowest quality recyclates, which were previously out of the question for the blown film process, into functional films for applications such as trash or mailing bags. This is made possible by twin-screw technology, for a better melt homogenization, which ensures a stable process. Processors can also degas the system very easily and effectively, removing unwanted ingredients in the recyclate.

For processing better quality regranulates, Reifenhäuser recommends the already well-known EVO Extruder in the 33L/D variant. Thanks to optimized barrier as well as shear and mixing parts, this extruder processes recycled material as reliably and naturally as other raw materials - the ideal prerequisite for success in the growing market for products with a high recycled content.

About the Reifenhäuser Group

The Reifenhäuser Group is the leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. Founded in 1911, the company supplies high-technology solutions all over the world. 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.

About R-Cycle

R-Cycle is a cross-company initiative to develop an open and globally applicable tracing standard for sustainable plastic packaging. The aim is to automatically record recycling-relevant packaging properties during production by providing a digital product passport and to pass them on through the value chain. Recyclable packaging can then be identified in the recycling process via special markings and fed into pure waste fractions. This is the key to obtaining high-quality recyclates to close the loop. www.r-cycle.org

Exceptional Asahi support, reduced cycle time in plate production, improved press room OEE for customers are some of the benefits achieved

Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium, May 2, 2022. Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today reported that Italian repro house Zincografia Empolese has installed an Asahi AWP™ 4835 P flexographic plate processor and Asahi AWP-DEW CleanPrint water-washable plates to its production platform. The company, which has been in business since 1985 and is a business unit of ZE Group, is located in San Miniato, Italy. Zincografia Empolese provides high-quality flexo plates to its customers, who produce labels, flexible and corrugated packaging.

“Prior to acquiring our Asahi plate processor using AWP-DEW CleanPrint plates, we used a variety of different products,” said Noemi Bisoli, Managing Partner. “We made the switch for a number of reasons, including the excellent support we get from Asahi, the faster processing time for plates in prepress, and the reduced downtime in the press room for plate changes or press stops for plate cleaning at our customer sites. We also appreciate how sustainable the entire platemaking process is with Asahi AWP™-DEW water-washable plates, a factor that is more and more important to our customers.”

Bisoli notes that the company uses a significant amount of flexo plate material annually, and with the new efficiencies offered by the Asahi configuration, expects that number to grow a lot.

Asahi Photoproducts experts will be available at the upcoming Print4All trade show to explain the benefits of Asahi AWP™ plates and processing technology as well as the benefits Zincografia Empolese has achieved. Scheduled for 3 to 6 May 2022 at Fiera Milano, Print4All offers an opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in the world of print, including converting, package printing and labeling. Asahi Photoproducts will be located in Pavilion 9, Stand P17 – R18 at the show. Visitors to the Asahi stand will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with both Asahi experts to learn more about the benefits of Asahi CleanPrint plates and plate processing systems.

No VOC-based washout solvents required

Asahi AWP CleanPrint water-washable flexographic plates are processed without VOC-based washout solvents, use less energy in the production process and deliver a faster time to press than VOC solvent-wash plates. The ability of Asahi´s CleanPrint water-washable flexographic photopolymer plate technology to deliver high-quality print performance results from its engineered photopolymer chemistry design. The water-wash technology also features a low-surface energy plate, resulting in fewer press stops for plate cleaning, significantly improved OEE in the pressroom, and reduced press waste. All of these elements make them the most sustainable flexographic plates in the industry. In addition, AWP-DEW CleanPrint plates deliver extremely high-quality print due to their precise registration and ability to deliver perfect printing balance between highlights and solids.

Asahi will be showing its complete family of products and solutions for the flexographic printing market at the show, including:

• AWP-DEW plates deliver extremely high-quality print due to their best-in-class finest highlights and good balance with homogenous solids.
• AWP-CleanFlat plates are our new out-of-the-box water-washable FlatTop plate solution with high-quality printing press consistency for longer runs, including for usage on abrasive substrates. It also delivers a precise plate-to-plate registration due to the water-wash platemaking process. At the same time, it results in a sustainable reduction of the printer’s carbon footprint.

In addition, Asahi’s informative white paper, Sustainability: A Goal Worth Pursuing, will be available for visitors to our stand.

For more information about flexographic solutions from Asahi Photoproducts that are in harmony with the environment, visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com. To schedule a one-on-one discussion with Asahi Photoproducts experts, contact monika.d@duomedia.com.

About ZE Group

ZE Group is a repro house founded in 1985 under the name Zincografia Borgioli. The company was created to manufacture traditional zinc and rubber clichés. In 1992 it started the production of solid and liquid photopolymer plates in Empoli, Italy, and then moved its headquarters to San Miniato (Pisa) in 2006. In 2001, with new companies being integrated, it changed its name to Zincografia Empolese, and after the acquisition of FlexoTeam in 2019, the company adopted the name ZE GROUP.

About Asahi Photoproducts

Asahi Photoproducts was founded in 1973 and is a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Corporation. Asahi Photoproducts is a leading pioneer in the development of photopolymer flexo printing plates. By creating high quality flexographic solutions and through continued innovation, the company aims at driving print forward in harmony with the environment.

Calcinate, 29th April 2022 – IMS TECHNOLOGIES, an international standard-setter in the engineering and manufacturing of high-tech customized machinery in multiple sectors - including the Converting and Packaging industries - will be exhibiting with its world-renowned brands ROTOMAC, GOEBEL IMS and LAEM IMS at Ipack-Ima and Print4All tradeshows. Both events will take place from 3 rd to 6 th May in Milan Rho trade fair

ROTOMAC and LAEM IMS brands will be among the exhibitors of Ipack-Ima at Hall 7 Booth C18

ROTOMAC is the global leader in the production of rewinding as well as packaging and accessory machinery for food wrapping, boasting more than 1,500 machines installed all over the world. It designs, develops, and manufactures customized machines and complete turn-key plants that convert aluminum foil, plastic film, and baking paper from mother rolls into consumersized rolls for household, catering and professional use markets

At Ipack-Ima it will showcase its production line for micro-embossed foil rolls, consisting of one automatic rewinding machine from the new “ICEBREAKER” series – model 165 SG - and a cartoning machine, model 505. Visitors will be impressed by the enhanced performance and the new design of these machines, that perfectly meets the ROTOMAC worldwide unparalleled embossing technology quality.

LAEM IMS will bring to Milan its know-how in slitting and winding machinery for the converting and flexible packaging industries. With its portfolio featuring twin-shaft, turret and compact slitter rewinders as well as technologically advanced end-of-line full automation, it will show that converting can be easy, efficient but also very powerful.

Furthermore, the Group will present MAIA – Machine Artificial Intelligence Application – IMS TECHNOLOGIES innovative industrial IoT platform developed to meet the customers’ needs in the Industry 4.0 era.

MAIA will also be among the highlights of Ipack-Ima Digital, a thematic path with live demos and events promoted by MindSphere World. In the same days IMS TECHNOLOGIES will be present at Print4All trade fair as well. At booth E06-E08 in Hall 9 visitors will have the opportunity to discover why the machines of the Group represent the excellence in converting: thanks to its 170 years long history and a deep expertise in technologies and processes, solutions able to convert the widest range of materials are engineered and manufactured.

GOEBEL IMS and LAEM IMS experts will be happy to present their high-performance machinery range and to suggest the most fitting solution for almost any application, be it paper, board, flexible packaging, film, aseptic packaging, alufoil or nonwoven.

Moreover, the Group’s comprehensive after-sales services, aimed at fully and continuously supporting its customers, will be disclosed.

New lock-up dispenser is recyclable, suitable for e-commerce applications and can handle products with all types of viscosities.

Berry Global has become one of the first packaging manufacturers to develop a recyclable lock-up 2cc dispenser. The new Berry Wave2cc, a product of the Company’s B Circular range, meets market demands for a more sustainable version of the popular pump format that is widely used for a variety of personal care products including liquid soaps, body lotions, body milks, shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments.

The 2cc size is the first in Berry’s new Wave atmospheric dispenser platform, with 3cc, 4cc and 0.25ml versions to be launched in the future. The company expects to invest over $100 million in the coming years in manufacturing capabilities throughout its global operations in order to provide localised supply to meet the identified demand from both national and international customers.

Jean-Marc Galvez, President, Consumer Packaging International (CPI) Division at Berry Global, said; “Circular innovation plays a fundamental role in delivering the sustainable and versatile dispensing solutions our customers demand. We are proud of our new Wave global platform. Our significant investment will sustain our global leadership in circular dispensers meeting local needs across our global manufacturing footprint.”

The Berry Wave2cc is made from 100% polyolefin, with no metal parts, which makes the dispenser recyclable when paired with a PET bottle where appropriate facilities exist. This has gained the Wave2cc a RecyClass A rating. It will also be available containing up to 70% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. * 

Alongside these improved sustainability benefits, the Berry Wave2cc offers excellent flexibility and adaptability for manufacturers, together with many user-friendly benefits for end-consumers. In particular, for the growing personal care e-commerce market, the strength of its construction has achieved the ISTA6 certification when combined with Berry’s wide range of stock bottles in 200ml, 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre sizes. 

At the same time, the robust design of the Wave2cc means it is able to handle even the most viscous formulations, such as hair conditioners, to ensure consistent, reliable and accurate dosing of all product types. In addition, the dispenser is showerproof. For brand owners, these benefits make the Wave2cc the ideal multifunctional solution, which can be used across their entire product ranges, thereby significantly simplifying supply chains and providing economies of scale.  

A further advantage of the dispenser’s construction is that, through innovative design, Berry has reduced the number of components to just eight, compared to the 12 to 14 components that are typically found in other versions. 

A user-friendly benefit of the Wave2cc is the dispenser’s locking system which has the ability to operate in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. This provides added convenience for consumers while giving the dispenser greater flexibility in meeting the requirements of different filling lines.

The flexible design of the Wave2cc also means it can be adapted to different actuator styles and closure sizes to enable customers to satisfy individual branding requirements. 

The new dispenser will be available from the end of 2022. 

Vincent Clauzel, Head of Berry CPI Care, responsible for the Dispensing, Closures and Healthcare markets commented: “This significant investment in our new Wave platform demonstrates our global design and engineering expertise in the development of products that meet the latest consumer and market requirements. In particular, as part of our B Circular initiative, it underlines our commitment to create packaging solutions that maximise the many benefits of plastics while ensuring the packages can also play a valuable role in the circular economy. In this way, we help our customers to meet and exceed their sustainability goals.”
 

As a new member of the MIT FRAUEN IN FÜHRUNG initiative, Siegwerk joins an alliance of Cologne-based companies committed to greater diversity at management levels. The focus is on career advancement for women and thus the creation of a gender-oriented corporate culture.

Siegwerk, one of the world's leading suppliers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, yesterday announced its membership in the Cologne-based alliance MIT FRAUEN IN FÜHRUNG (With Women in Leadership). The local initiative specifically promotes gender parity and career advancement for women and offers companies in and around Cologne a unique platform for exchanging experiences on gender-oriented management. Siegwerk's formal acceptance into the alliance took place during the ceremony "FRAUEN EMPOWERMENT - Fakten schaffen!" at Sparkasse Köln Bonn. Ulrich Voigt, Chairman of the Board and new patron of the alliance, and Christine Kronenberg, initiator of the initiative welcomed Siegwerk as another family-owned company and the first manufacturing company in the Cologne alliance.

"Diversity, equality and inclusion are the drivers of successful and satisfied teams. Colorfully mixed teams bring together the most diverse perspectives, enabling disruptive thinking and breaking out of old patterns," explains Dr. Nicolas Wiedmann, Chief Executive Officer of Siegwerk. "Expertise knows no gender, background or personal orientation. And as a company in a classically male-dominated industry, I can only say we need more diversity and urgently more women, at all levels."

As part of its new sustainability agenda, Siegwerk has set itself the goal, among other things, of doubling the proportion of women at management level by 2025. Joining the Cologne-based corporate alliance FRAUEN IN FÜHRUNG (Women in Leadership) once again underscores this commitment and is intended to specifically help improve structures and the working environment and ultimately thus attract more women to management positions at the Siegburg headquarters. "We are pleased to be part of this unique initiative and to exchange ideas with other companies on gender-oriented management and measures for the systematic advancement of women," adds Wiedmann. "For me, diversity is a clear leadership issue and for this reason I have also made it my personal mission to sensitize managers to the relevance of diversity and to consistently raise awareness within the company. In this unique network, we are therefore very happy to exchange ideas and learn from each other." Siegwerk sees itself as a pioneer in its industry and is ready to actively tackle change, put its own structures to the test and adapt the organization accordingly.

The Cologne Alliance WITH WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP was founded in 2016 by Female Resources, a management consultancy in the field of gender management, to specifically promote development opportunities for women in companies in the region. With a network of 15 different companies from the Cologne area, the alliance represents a unique platform for local business to exchange ideas across industries about gender-oriented HR policies and the advancement of women in particular, and to further drive change in society.

"We are pleased to include Siegwerk, another leading company in the region, in our circle that is committed to actively improving the proportion of women in management positions," says Christine Kronenberg, founder of Female Resources and initiator of the alliance WITH WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP. "I am particularly pleased with Dr. Wiedmann's personal commitment to working for more gender fairness, diversity and equal opportunities in the company. This commitment from the top of the company is exactly what is needed for sustainable change."

Siegwerk recognizes that diversity, in combination with equality and inclusion, can make a valuable contribution to the success of individuals and the company as a whole. Diverse teams have been shown to increase individual productivity and creativity. Based on their different skills and different perspectives, employees of diverse teams are enabled to jointly develop new approaches to solutions and sustainable innovations. For example, scientific studies show that companies with more diverse leadership teams bring more innovative products and services to market than those with homogeneous leadership teams. At the same time, diverse leadership teams statistically achieve above-average business success. "In this context, a diverse workforce and supportive work environment are not only important aspects for retaining employees, but above all for becoming a company that is attractive to women and to potential applicants," Wiedmann adds. A diverse workforce is important to the majority of those looking for a new job when deciding on their new employer.

The company wants to reposition itself in the medium term in order to further increase its attractiveness as an employer, especially for female specialists and managers, and to make greater use of the potential of diverse teams. To achieve this, Siegwerk is focusing on education within the company to create awareness of everyone's collective responsibility. Among other things, this includes reviewing current promotion and hiring processes, conducting training on unconscious bias, or defining new personnel-related key figures and reporting them transparently. In this regard, managers in particular are called upon to personally contribute to making the organization a diverse and inclusive workplace.

By participating in this local initiative, Siegwerk hopes to gain targeted, practice-oriented insights into strategies and measures for implementing successful gender management and, consequently, for creating an attractive working environment in which all those who want to make a career can do so. You can find out more about the Cologne Alliance WITH WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP here: https://mitfraueninfuehrung.de/.

You can find out more about Siegwerk's sustainability agenda HorizonNOW here.

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk, a sixth-generation family-owned company, is one of the leading international manufacturers of printing inks and individual solutions for packaging, labels, and catalogs. With more than 180 years of experience, the company has solid expertise in and knowledge of many printing procedures. A global manufacturing and service network ensures customers consistently high-quality products and services. In keeping with the company’s philosophy “Ink, Heart & Soul,” Siegwerk seeks long-term cooperation with its business partners. Siegwerk employs some 5,000 people worldwide in more than 30 country organizations and is headquartered in Siegburg near Cologne. Further information on Siegwerk can be found at www.siegwerk.com

Berlin Beauty Industries attends Cosmoprof 2022 with Berlin Packaging | Premi Industries and presents a wide range of over 1,500 products from skincare solutions to makeup, from fine fragrance to home fragrance, all with a strong focus on sustainability.

The prestigious refillable and sustainable solutions that will be on display at the fair, such as the new Glass Makeup collection, Airglass Jar, and Foamy 150ml, are key products for the company.

Makeup in Glass

Makeup in Glass is the highlight of the range. It features 5ml and 10ml VIP bottles with a 13/415 neck that can be combined with multiple accessories to cover different application areas

The advantages of Makeup in Glass products are numerous. They are recognised as VIP bottles as they are thick and made of extra-flint glass, which emphasises their quality. This makes them suitable for packaging that targets both the mass and luxury markets.

Their unique screw neck has been designed to be combined with different types of closures, including the recyclable RE VIP cap made of polypropylene.

The closures can be combined with a range of accessories that allow the creation of specific products for face and lips, with flocked applicators, to those for eyes and eyebrows, with mascara applicators in different shapes to obtain different performances.

This variety allows the creation of unique and consistent designs for collections that can be launched with a limited product line.

This collection allows the creation of beauty sets with a unique design that is also sustainable and recyclable.

The glass increases the product's perceived value. It allows a wide variety of decorations to meet all brand needs, including external varnishing and metallisation or different screen-printing techniques, hot stamping, laser etching, inkjet, and 3D inkjet.

Airglass Jar

Airglass Jar is the new, airless, refillable glass packaging solution designed to improve end users’ experience and increase brand loyalty. The consumer can refill the jar in a few simple steps thanks to the innovative mechanism designed by Berlin Packaging | Premi lndustries, consisting of a removable glass jar that can be refilled using a practical PP bottle.

This solution combines an elegant design with the benefits of airless technology and is available in two different capacities, 30 ml and 50 ml, ideal for masstige and prestige skincare products. The components of the Airglass jar set can be disassembled easily and separated by material to help the consumer dispose of them and recycle them correctly. Airless technology protects the formula from contamination and reduces product waste. This product is one of the finalists for the prestigious Cosmopack Awards

Foamy 150ml

Foamy 150 ml is the first glass packaging for foam formulas in the skincare market, with a premium quality feel, made from recyclable materials, and with infinite possibilities for decoration. Glass was chosen because of the intrinsic properties of the material. It is inert, ideal for containing beauty product formulas, and 100% recyclable.

In addition, the use of glass makes the container seem more significant and increases the product’s perceived value. Numerous decorative techniques can be applied to the material, such as painting, acid etching, and laser etching for luxury products.

The product, consisting of the foam dispenser and a 150 ml glass bottle, is easy to recycle. The consumer can easily separate the main components by material.