Xaar has launched its guide to help those new to inkjet maximise the potential of this extremely versatile non-contact technology.

The ability to apply a wide range of fluids with precision and accuracy across a variety of different substrates and materials, is seeing inkjet grow in importance to today’s manufacturing processes. Increasingly, it is either replacing traditional production methods or delivering new applications.

Titled, ‘Your guide to a successful inkjet development project’, the guide will help readers learn more about what to consider when starting their inkjet development journey, including ‘Why digital inkjet?’, ‘What fluid do I use?’ and ‘What system components do I need?’.

From the need to use difficult fluids on a variety of substrates, to the ability to print in multiple orientations, the guide encapsulates Xaar’s 30 years of experience in a single resource, to demonstrate how a wide range of industries can now seize the opportunity of inkjet technology.

Graham Tweedale, Chief Operating Officer at Xaar said, “Inkjet is enabling a multitude of new manufacturing applications, yet as a technology it can seem daunting to the uninitiated.

“That’s why we’ve created this guide; to help inform our customers’ inkjet development journey and assist in delivering a successful outcome with the shortest possible time to market. Ultimately, it will help businesses take advantage of on-demand and variable data printing, reduce waste, and deliver an improved return on investment – all through exploring the possibilities of inkjet.”

Users can download a free copy of the guide from the Xaar website

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About Xaar

Xaar is an inkjet innovator, providing printheads and technologies for OEM and UDI customers worldwide.

By helping customers lay down precise volumes of inks and fluids with absolute pin-point accuracy, time after time, Xaar’s inkjet printheads and technologies meet the needs of numerous markets. Covering graphics, labelling, direct-to-shape, packaging, product decoration, ceramic tile and glass decoration, décor, and outer case coding applications – as well as printing with specialist functional fluids for advanced manufacturing techniques.

Collaboration is at the very core of its business. Xaar works as a trusted partner from sites in Europe, China, and North America, providing expert insights and technical support every step of the way.

With over 30 years’ experience, 280 patents registered or pending, and major ongoing R&D investment, Xaar’s digital printhead and precision jetting technologies create infinite opportunities for today’s sustainable manufacturing innovation.

2021 Sustainable Development Report highlights reduction of over 40% in CO2 emissions since 2005 and an improvement of over 6% year-on-year

Smurfit Kappa continues to make significant progress on achieving its sustainability goals according to its 15th Sustainable Development Report (SDR). The report highlights the company’s progress towards its long-standing goal of driving change and supporting a greener planet through the three main pillars of Planet, People and Impactful Business. It shows that the company’s actions are delivering today, and together with its ongoing investments and continuous improvement, it is well positioned to deliver on its long-term ambition to have net zero emissions by 2050. 

Smurfit Kappa made significant progress in reducing its fossil CO2 emission intensity in 2021. The Group is the first in its industry to have announced targeting at least net zero emissions by 2050 and, compared to its baseline year 2005, it reduced its emissions intensity by 41.3% by the end of 2021. The reduction in 2021 versus 2020 was 6%, another significant step towards its net zero target.

During 2021, Smurfit Kappa delivered several landmark achievements highlighting its continued leadership in sustainability, such as:

• In March, Smurfit Kappa became the first FTSE 100 company to be awarded 5 stars by “Support the Goals” in recognition of the Group’s support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

• In September, the Group launched its Green Finance Framework which was accompanied by a very strong second party opinion with its product and circular business model being reported as a “significant contributor” to UN SDG 12 “Responsible consumption and production”

• In September, Smurfit Kappa launched its inaugural green bond which was over-subscribed multiple times and secured the lowest ever coupon for a corporate issuer of its credit rating, along with strong participation from “dark green” investors

• In December, Smurfit Kappa had its emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) as consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, and well below 2°C. This validation is further evidence of its long-term ambition coupled with delivery today. 

Tony Smurfit, Group CEO, said: “This report highlights our continued leadership in sustainability, and how it extends from our products and manufacturing into the local communities in which we operate. Our circular business model helps us to address many of the challenges our stakeholders face. With continued focus on sustainability and through close collaboration with our value chain partners, Smurfit Kappa can deliver an even greater social, economic and environmental impact.”

Smurfit Kappa has published a significantly enhanced disclosure consistent with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations in its 2021 Annual Report, including a comprehensive top-down identification and process review of climate-related risks and opportunities and an evaluation of the potential impact on Smurfit Kappa assets from physical and transition risks under different climate scenarios. 

Highlights from the 2021 SDR include:

• Social projects received €4.9 million during 2021

• Reduction of 41.3% in fossil fuel emission intensity since 2005, or 6% year-on-year

• SBTi approval of its emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement

• Reduction in water consumption of 6.2% year-on-year

• Decrease in waste to landfill intensity of 29.2% since 2013, or 7% year-on-year

As a leader in packaging, Smurfit Kappa continues to invest in sustainability to ensure continued delivery on its long-term goals. One such example from 2021 was an investment of €11.5 million into a multi-fuel boiler at Smurfit Kappa’s Zülpich paper mill which provides a more sustainable fuel source for generating steam and electricity. The investment will remove 55,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from 2022 onwards, delivering a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions at the mill.

Commenting on the release of the report, Garrett Quinn, Chief Sustainability Officer at Smurfit Kappa, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of all we do and how we think across our business. The progress outlined in this report is testament to the dedication and commitment of everyone in our company, our increasingly circular business, the benefits of our investments and our end-to-end approach to sustainability. In Smurfit Kappa we focus on long-term ambition coupled with action and delivery today, which is evidenced throughout the 2021 SDR.”

Smurfit Kappa is a leader in the circular economy providing sustainable, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable paper-based packaging solutions for over 65,000 customers.

To read more about Smurfit Kappa’s sustainability targets and achievements, or to download a summary or the full version of the Sustainable Development Report please visit Smurfit Kappa’s website. 

Goes green with the initiative of U-shape paper straw line at Sanand, Gujarat ~

~ New product line to address the challenge of restrictions on use of plastic straws

UFlex Limited, India's largest flexible packaging material solution and polymer science company, has announced its initiative to bring a sustainable change to its fold by setting up India's first U-shaped paper straw manufacturing line for its aseptic liquid packaging business. The manufacturing line is being set up at its existing aseptic liquid packaging plant in Sanand, Gujarat.

By becoming India’s first and world’s fastest-speed line U–shaped paper straw manufacturing company, UFlex through its aseptic liquid packaging brand Asepto continues its efforts to create a sustainable and clean environment. The paper straw manufacturing line will boast of fully automated Dutch technology, offering a production capacity of approximately 2.4 billion straws annually.

The sizes available in U-Shape paper straws will be 145mm and 165mm that will be attached to and utilized for portion packs for juices and other beverages. UFlex paper straws will be food grade, moisture-resistant and made from sustainably sourced papers, which are 100% recyclable.

On the launch of the new line, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President & CEO, Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business, UFlex Ltd, said, "In the wake of prohibitions on use of single use plastic coming into force across the world, including Indian government upholding its decision to not exempt some plastic straws from the impending ban, this move by UFlex is not just significant but also timely. With the launch of U-shaped paper straws, we are ready to change the dynamics of the industry. We are constantly looking for strategic ways to improve the environmental performance of our products and create avenues for superior, convenient, and sustainable packaging. The line’s installation for ready-to-drink aseptic liquid packaging at our Sanand facility is a great example of our company's commitment toward creating better and safer products for our future generations.”

"After the successful installation and commissioning, we aim to attain 100 million straw production in the first month and raise it to 200 million in the next couple of months. We aim to produce 2.4 billion straws annually. The aesthetics and quality of the product are at par with global standards.” he further added.

UFlex-Asepto is importing the machinery and equipment from Tembo Paper B.V, which is the leading European company and next generation Dutch Technology, around the globe. On the announcement, Pierre Mousson, Managing Director, Tembo Paper B.V. commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with UFlex Asepto to put up India's first high-volume U-Shape paper straw line. With global restrictions on single-use plastics changing, a long-term solution is urgently required. By combining our significant knowledge and strengths, we are enthusiastic to work together to promote and execute sustainable solutions. In the long run, this cooperation would carve out a significant position in the Indian market for mutual business success.”

Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, UFlex Ltd. remarked, “Sustainability is one of the foundation pillars at UFlex, and we are witnessing that our aseptic liquid packaging industry is progressively moving towards more environment friendly initiatives. Therefore, our emphasis is strongly on ensuring long-term viability of the entire value chain. The paper straws have created a huge impact in the global markets, and we are expecting the Indian market to mirror similar sentiments. As a responsible packaging solutions corporation, we are committed to support our beverage customers globally, and fulfil consumer and regulatory needs by increasing the environmental performance of their packaging while reducing their carbon footprint. This is another step toward achieving our mega goal to go green.”

In FY2021, UFlex had earlier announced doubling of its aseptic liquid packaging capacity to 7bn packs per annum in Sanand and the project which is near completion is undergoing trial runs currently. The latest paper-straw line initiative by UFlex will catapult aseptic liquid packaging industry into a different league altogether and will go on to add yet another sustainable edge to UFlex’ business approach.

About Asepto

Asepto is the Liquid Packaging brand from the house of UFlex Limited. It is the first Indian manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging material with a state-of-the-art facility in the industrial hub of Sanand in Gujarat. Its offering is designed to deliver user convenience, easy opening and optimal shelf life to products like juices, non-aerated alcoholic beverages and highly perishable liquid consumables like milk and other dairy products.

The facility is equipped with latest top of the line converting machines capable of manufacturing truly world class aseptic packs for its customers. For more details, click: https://www.asepto.com/

About UFlex

UFlex is India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials & solutions company and a global polymer sciences corporation. Since its inception in 1985, UFlex has grown from strength-to-strength and has created a presence across all verticals of the packaging value chain – Flexible Packaging, Packaging Films, Aseptic Liquid Packaging, Holography, Printing Cylinders, Engineering and Chemicals.

With a 10,000+ strong multi-cultural workforce that works to develop innovative, value-added and sustainable packaging solutions, the company has earned an irreproachable reputation defining the contours of the ‘Packaging Industry’ in India and overseas, by providing end-to-end solutions to its clients in over 150 countries. Headquartered in Noida, UFlex enjoys a global reach with sophisticated manufacturing facilities in India, UAE, Mexico, Egypt, USA, Poland, Russia, Nigeria and Hungary.

A winner of various marquee global awards for its products’ excellence, innovation and sustainability, UFlex became the ‘first company in the world to recycle mix plastic waste’ earning it recognition at Davos Recycle Forum in 1995.   For more details, click on: www.uflexltd.com

Bringing local production of Activ-Vial™, the world choice for blood glucose test strip protection, to diabetes patients in the China region

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, is launching its Activ-Vial system in China. Trusted by leading brands around the world, Activ-Vial will be produced at the company’s facility in Guangzhou, providing a best-in-class offering for the country’s growing diagnostics market, particularly for patients with diabetes conditions where blood glucose monitoring is a critical component of care.

By locally manufacturing Activ-Vial, Aptar CSP Technologies will bring production closer to the local customer, mitigating supply chain disruptions, and more importantly, providing an optimal solution to the local diabetes patient. The move is a key component of the company’s strategic effort to significantly expand its market presence in China.

“This latest investment in local production expansion reflects our continued commitment to serving the China market,” said Badre Hammond, VP Global Commercial Operations, Aptar CSP Technologies. “This initiative not only represents an investment in the markets and communities we serve, but allows us to leverage local supply chains, improving our cost structure and sustainability of operations.”

Aptar CSP Technologies’ Activ-Vial™ solution features the company’s proprietary 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ platform technology fully integrated into the vial, creating a microclimate that protects against moisture and other environmental conditions that can impact diabetes test strip stability. Unlike traditional packaging options, this technology co-molds highly-engineered active particles into the vial, completely surrounding the product to scavenge moisture before it ever reaches the contents inside. Additionally, the company’s patented “close in the mold” technology ensures a moisture-tight seal that maintains its integrity throughout shelf life and patient use life to deliver greater product stability. 

cGMP produced Activ-Vial™ products are now available on site in Guangzhou for stability testing and readiness for commercial launch. Please contact the local Area Sales Manager, Steven Zhang at +86 152 956 04872 or steven.zhang@aptar.com for sales inquiries.

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. 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.

With the versatile Pure-Line portfolio, based on either PP or PE, SÜDPACK and SN German Pouch-Pack Technology are coming together at Anuga FoodTec 2022 in Cologne to present a solution that is both innovative and sustainable for the packaging of a broad variety of products in bags. The fully recyclable packaging concept by SÜDPACK will be on display on the rotary form, fill and seal machine FME 50 in hall 8.1 at stand B-049 of SN German Pouch-Pack Technology.

SÜDPACK has further expanded its tried and tested Pure-Line product family, which reflects the spirit of the times – and especially that of the visitors to the trade fair. Here too, in the filling & packaging segment at this year’s leading global trade fair for the food and beverage industry, the focus is on automated, cost-effective solutions that also go easy on resources and the environment while ensuring maximum product quality.

In addition to recyclable mono-materials based on PP, the SÜDPACK portfolio now also includes solutions made of PE. Both film structures offer the properties that are necessary for efficient and safe packaging, particularly of food products in doypacks. The spectrum of applications ranges from grated cheese to air-dried sausages and jerky, to nuts and snacks and right through to coffee, tea, herbs and grains. Depending on the products to be packaged, the high-performance films can be equipped with different barrier properties. Based on what is needed, the doypacks can be aroma proof and provide optimal protection against moisture, UV radiation or oxygen.

An additional advantage is the excellent machinability of the materials due to their broad sealing range, which results in a high level of process and packaging safety. At the same time, the formation of a sealing layer ensures the simple and efficient in-line application of common zipper systems, which are already available on the market as a PP-based product for flat bags and doypacks.

Last but not least, the Flow Pack Pure-Line can also be printed using SÜDPACK’s newly developed and pioneering SPQ printing technology, which is setting standards in flexo printing with its low carbon footprint and was honored with the German Packaging Award in gold in 2021.

Flexible and user-friendly HFFS bag packaging machines

The innovative and particularly sustainable film concept by SÜDPACK will be presented in Cologne on the SN horizontally operating bag packaging machine FME 50. The latest innovation by SN German Pouch-Pack Technology is an affordable, flexible and compact bag packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing three and four side sealed bags and doypacks. Using specifically designed dosing devices, the bags are filled with products of varied consistency and sealed. Without any difficulties or loss in speed or quality, modern recyclable materials such as PurePP or PurePE can be processed with an output of up to 100 cycles per minute.

The energy-efficient FME 50 impresses with its reliable SN technology and provides quick and easy access to the world of flexible bag packaging. It is designed to be a simple and efficient plug & play machine and is very easy to operate. The central gripper adjustment on the rotary table and the optimized height adjustment of the folding wedge contribute to a reduction of format changeover times, which greatly simplifies the operation of the machine.

A solution “on the cutting edge”

Both partners are expecting a great deal of interest among visitors at Anuga FoodTec from all industrial fields because the trend towards particularly resource-conserving, recyclable materials will continue. SÜDPACK is currently faced with increased demand, especially from brand manufacturers: “As a market and technology leader in our industry, we aligned our product and performance portfolio early on to meet the new requirements in the market – and have already demonstrated our expertise in much noted pilot and development projects. We are now in a position to offer our customers solutions that are pioneering in terms of material efficiency, recyclability, renewable raw materials and circular economy,” explained Holger Hoss, who as Product Manager is responsible for the flow pack solutions at SÜDPACK.

“The FME 50 allows us to combine customer needs, such as very short delivery times, ease of operation and a high level of quality, with low acquisition costs, and this is very much reflected by the popularity of the model. The fields of application are primarily dry food products, such as bulky goods, powder and granules, but also non-food products and lotions,” added Felix Eberhardi, Marketing Manager at SN German Pouch-Pack Technology.

About SÜDPACK

SÜDPACK is a leading manufacturer of high-tech films and packaging materials for the food, non-food, and medical product industries. The solutions ensure maximum product protection as well as additional pioneering features with minimum material input.

The family business, which was founded by Alfred Remmele in 1964, is headquartered in Ochsenhausen. The production sites in Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA are equipped with the latest plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions. The worldwide 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 carrying out application tests and for developing individual and tailor-made solutions.

SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment, and its customers by developing packaging solutions that are unparalleled in their efficiency and sustainability.

www.suedpack.com

About SN German Pouch-Pack Technology

SN German Pouch-Pack Technology produces custom-made, horizontally operating form, fill and seal machines (HFFS) as well as fill and seal machines (HFS) for nearly all bag forms and a machine output of up to 540 bags/minute. At the company site in Wipperfuerth near Cologne, up to 300 employees develop customized packaging machines for the food, beverage, pet food and seed industries as well as for household, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. SN is valued internationally by both large corporations and SMEs for the quality of its products and can be found in nearly all renowned establishments.

Tower Cold Chain’s commitment to driving sustainability in pharmaceutical logistics – through its reusable temperature-controlled containers and reliable global network of hubs – has been recognised with a prestigious award.

The company was voted Best Supplier of the Year – Packaging and Environment at the Asia Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards 2022.  The award, open only to companies with a notable presence in the Asia Pacific region, is judged by a combination of peer voting and a selection panel compromising key opinion leaders from across the industry.
Tower’s win acknowledges its efforts to minimise waste in the transport of pharmaceuticals, life-science, and biotech products, through the use of reusable passive containers.  With a robust, reusable, reliable container design capable of maintaining thermal protection for up to 120 hours, Tower’s solution offers sustainability advantages over single-use containers, or active solutions which require power.
Containers are supplied via Tower’s global network of hubs, ensuring that solutions can be delivered locally within 24 hours of order, to minimise unnecessary movement.  Tower currently operates from four locations in the Asia Pacific region, in China, India, Singapore and Australia.
“The Asia Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards are a proven barometer of the latest advances and best practices in manufacturing,” said Robert Paterson, Regional Commercial Manager – Asia Pacific. 
“We’re delighted to be recognised for the value we bring to the cold chain, and to be voted a winner alongside so many of our partners amongst pharmaceutical manufacturers, airlines and 3PL providers.”
The award was announced at a ceremony coinciding with the Annual Biologics Manufacturing Asia 2022 and 6th Annual Biologistics World Asia 2022 events held on 29th – 31st March 2022.
For more information, visit the Tower Cold Chain website.
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About Tower 
www.towercoldchain.com

Tower delivers proven physical and temperature protection for pharmaceutical and life science products and our robust, reliable and reusable containers are the essential link in the stability of the cold chain. 

Headquartered in the UK, we operate a global network ensuring availability and easy access to our products for all customers. 

We are trusted by global pharmaceutical, logistics and airline companies and our experienced team, supported by a centralised quality-management system, reinforces customer confidence that our shipping facilities will meet requirements throughout the supply chain. Our patented design technology ensures our solutions meet the pharmaceutical industry performance standard, providing a minimum of 120 hours temperature compliance in any environment, anywhere in the world. 

We work closely with our customers, realising their requirements and how we can address emerging needs. and to deliver customer-focused innovation in temperature controlled protection. 
 

Mondi Paper Bags has acquired the paper bag converting lines from Lafarge Cement Egypt, part of Holcim Group.
Mondi's paper bag production volume in Egypt will increase by around 150-180 million bags annually.
New long-term supply agreement means Mondi will become a key supplier of paper bags to Lafarge Cement Egypt.
Mondi Paper Bags, part of Mondi Group, a leading global packaging and paper manufacturer, has acquired the paper bag converting lines from National Bag and Egypt Sack, two subsidiaries of Lafarge Cement Egypt, a major cement producer in the country. The acquired production lines will increase Mondi’s capacity by around 150-180 million bags annually and strengthen Mondi's position in the Egyptian paper bag market.

Mondi Paper Bags already operates two plants in Egypt and with this acquisition will become a key supplier of paper bags to Lafarge Cement Egypt.

“Lafarge Cement Egypt is part of leading global building material company Holcim Group who has been a key global customer of Mondi Paper Bags for years. We are excited to have signed a long-term supply agreement with Lafarge Cement Egypt and to servicing them locally in Egypt. The collaboration will offer Lafarge access to our latest innovations, industry expertise, strong plant network and customer service. Thanks to Mondi’s vertical integration, Lafarge will further benefit from our high quality kraft paper,” said Claudio Fedalto, Chief Operating Officer of Mondi Paper Bags.

“We are pleased to now expand Holcim's and Mondi's global and long-standing cooperation also to Egypt and are looking forward to jointly serving the building industry in the region,” said Solomon Baumgartner Aviles, CEO, Lafarge Cement Egypt.

Notes for editors
National Bag Company and Egypt Sack are both subsidiaries of Lafarge Cement Egypt, part of leading global building material company Holcim Group.

Mondi Paper Bags in Egypt consists of Suez Bag and Mondi Cairo. Plant photos are set out below.

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.

www.mondigroup.com

About Mondi Paper Bags
Mondi Paper Bags is part of Mondi’s Business Unit Flexible Packaging, and a global player with capacity of around 6 billion bags, and the leading industrial paper bag producer in Europe. Thanks to our broad range of bag specifications, Mondi Paper Bags serves major industries including cement and building materials, chemicals, food, feed and seed and e-commerce. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of industrial bags not only optimised for high-speed filling lines, but also high-end solutions for chemical, hygiene and food contact, and innovative packaging solutions for the growing e-commerce and logistics market. The specialised bag filling equipment department Natro Tech is an additional service for our customers, as well as the in-house Bag Application Centre, where innovative packaging solutions are tested. Committed to producing products that are sustainable by design, we act globally with around 40 plants, and have an extensive operations, sales, and service network spanning five continents.

• Mondi Paper Bags has acquired the paper bag converting lines from Lafarge Cement Egypt, part of Holcim Group.
• Mondi’s paper bag production volume in Egypt will increase by around 150-180 million bags annually.
• New long-term supply agreement means Mondi will become a key supplier of paper bags to Lafarge Cement Egypt.

Mondi Paper Bags, part of Mondi Group, a leading global packaging and paper manufacturer, has acquired the paper bag converting lines from National Bag and Egypt Sack, two subsidiaries of Lafarge Cement Egypt, a major cement producer in the country. The acquired production lines will increase Mondi’s capacity by around 150-180 million bags annually and strengthen Mondi's position in the Egyptian paper bag market.

Mondi Paper Bags already operates two plants in Egypt and with this acquisition will become a key supplier of paper bags to Lafarge Cement Egypt.

Lafarge Cement Egypt is part of leading global building material company Holcim Group who has been a key global customer of Mondi Paper Bags for years. We are excited to have signed a long-term supply agreement with Lafarge Cement Egypt and to servicing them locally in Egypt. The collaboration will offer Lafarge access to our latest innovations, industry expertise, strong plant network and customer service. Thanks to Mondi’s vertical integration, Lafarge will further benefit from our high quality Kraft paper.

“We are pleased to now expand Holcim's and Mondi's global and long-standing cooperation also to Egypt and are looking forward to jointly serving the building industry in the region,” said Solomon Baumgartner Aviles, CEO, Lafarge Cement Egypt.

New technology will result in more sustainable flexible polyethylene packaging

Chicago, April 12, 2022 – Amcor (NYSE: AMCR) (ASX:AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, today announced it is the first company to purchase certified circular polyethylene material using ExxonMobil’s Exxtend™ technology for advanced recycling. Amcor will leverage this new material across its global portfolio, providing customers in healthcare and food industries with more recycled content in a variety of solutions and applications.

Increasing the use of advance recycling materials, such as circular polymers, is one way Amcor is meeting its sustainability pledge to develop all of its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025. The use of these materials will significantly add to the 113,000 metric tons of recycled material Amcor used in its packaging in fiscal year 2021. The technology behind advance recycling materials allows plastic waste to be converted into brand new products that are no different in quality and performance from ones made with virgin raw materials, providing customers peace of mind and the benefit of increasing the use of recycled content in their packaging.

“Using advanced recycled materials is yet another step forward in Amcor meeting the challenges of our industry and offering our customers more sustainable packaging solutions,” said Amcor Chief Commercial Officer Peter Konieczny. “By leveraging ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology across our global product portfolio, Amcor is providing a true differentiator for our customers and the environment.”

“We are proud to see our relationship with Amcor expand with our Exxtend technology to help address their sustainability goals, as well as those of their customers,” said David Hergenrether, Vice President, Polyethylene, ExxonMobil. “We look forward to working closely with Amcor to develop products that meet customer expectations for high-performance PE products, while helping to recycle plastic waste.”

Using its Exxtend technology, ExxonMobil offers certified circular polymers with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC PLUS) certification, which is widely recognized as an effective standard for certifying the circularity of chemical products that result from advanced recycling operations via mass balance attribution.

About Amcor
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures and services. The Company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly light-weighted, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. Around 46,000 Amcor people generate $13 billion in annual sales from operations that span about 225 locations in 40-plus countries.

About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. The corporation’s primary businesses - Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions - provide society with products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower-emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources, and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants and chemical companies in the world. To learn more, visit exxonmobil.com, the Energy Factor and exxonmobilchemical.com/exxtend.

Acquisition expands the company's wine and olive oil offerin

Berlin Packaging, the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier®, announced today the acquisition of Panvetri, a family-owned supplier of glass and metal packaging for the wine and olive oil industries.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Modugno (Bari) in southern Italy, Panvetri serves a wide range of wine estates, cooperative wineries, oil mills, and food manufacturers, mainly in the Apulia and Basilicata regions. In addition to wine and olive oil bottles, Panvetri's portfolio includes beer, spirits, and sparkling wine bottles, olive oil cans, food jars, and closures. With its strong local presence and established sales team, Berlin Packaging can help Panvetri expand its product offerings.

"Italy is a key country for the wine and olive oil industries, and Panvetri enriches our presence and expands our coverage of southern Italy," said Paolo Recrosio, CEO of Berlin Packaging EMEA.

"We are proud to join Berlin Packaging and bring our experience in southern Italy to the rest of the company. We are also keen to expand our product portfolio with Berlin Packaging's unique shapes and sizes that will now be available to our customers," said Alessandro Pantaleo, CEO of Panvetri.

"This acquisition is another testament to our commitment to growth in Europe. Panvetri strengthens our already robust presence in Italy and furthers our position as a leader in Italian food and beverage packaging," said Bill Hayes, Global CEO of Berlin Packaging.

This is the 20th acquisition that Berlin Packaging has completed in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) since 2016 and its 1st acquisition in EMEA in 2022.

All employees and locations for this acquisition will be retained.

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier® of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services

“Digitalization” and “Sustainability” are key forward-thinking topics of the healthcare industry. This is also the motto of Schreiner MediPharm’s trade show presentation at this year’s Pharmapack in Paris. On May 18 and 19, at Booth C46, the specialist in innovative Pharma-Labels will showcase its new Smart Blister Wallet, which is extendable from 32 to up to 64 cavities, among other solutions. The digital tool enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to track compliance of their clinical trial participants automatically and now also with clearly greater flexibility. In addition, Schreiner MediPharm will present proven products such as the Needle-Trap needle protection system. Due to their special materials and characteristics, these products can contribute to greater sustainability in the healthcare industry.

Digital Medication Adherence Monitoring Using the 64-Cavity Smart Blister Wallet
Compliance with prescribed medications is crucial for the success of a therapy—especially in the case of clinical trials. Digital tools such as Medication Adherence Monitoring enable pharmaceutical manufacturers to track compliance of their trial participants automatically. With the 32-cavity Smart Blister Wallet, Schreiner MediPharm already has an innovative solution in its portfolio providing the requisite digital support. For greater flexibility, the Blister Wallet has now been extended to 64 cavities that can be individually tracked electronically.

The evolution of the Smart Blister Wallet featuring twice as many cavities as before can be implemented for all blister designs as well as for two- or multiple-fold blisters. This prolongs the period of time during which the wallet can be used and enables extended integration of several dosage strengths. Schreiner MediPharm supplies the cardboard box including the integrated conductive tracks and printed circuit board to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or contract manufacturing organization (CMO). They can process the smart packaging as usual and fill it with the respective tablet blister. For patients and healthcare professionals, the extendable version is equally convient to use: easy push-through removal of tablets, simple NFC-based data reading at just one point on the wallet, irrespective of the number of blister cards it contains.

For clinical research, there are benefits as well. For instance, the digital Smart Blister Wallet delivers enhanced and more reliable data quality, reduces the failure rate due to non-adherence to prescribed medications, helps reduce trial periods and costs, and accelerates approval and time to market for new drugs. In addition, it enables more efficient processes by eliminating manual tasks such as documentation by hand and counting of pills.

Integrated Sustainability Identifies Sustainable Products
Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the healthcare industry.  Especially for existing products, the materials and raw materials used have to be reviewed and optimized in terms of their environmental compatibility.  

Schreiner MediPharm’s Needle-Trap needle protection label has been on the market successfully since 2009 and, demonstrably, is particularly sustainable compared to conventional needle protection systems: For instance, re-granulated materials account for up to 50 percent of the plastic trap. Due to its compact design, Needle-Trap also requires less plastic material per se as well as for its secondary packaging. This reduces space requirements during shipping, storage, and disposal, which benefits the environment and reduces the ecological footprint.

Thus, Needle-Trap can bear the distinction of “Integrated Sustainability”–a new logo that has been developed in-house to identify products meeting defined sustainability criteria.  

• Mondi and Thimonnier launch a new recyclable mono-material berlingot sachet for liquid soap refills
• The innovative new packaging reduces plastic usage by more than 75% compared to rigid plastic bottles
• The solution is designed to replace the current industry standard of non-recyclable plastic

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has joined forces with French machine supplier Thimonnier to develop a recyclable packaging that reduces plastic waste.

The companies have created a new packaging for liquid refills that is designed so that it can be entirely emptied. The berlingot sachet is made from a recyclable mono-material, coextruded polyethylene (PE). It not only weighs less but also reduces plastic usage by more than 75% compared to rigid plastic bottles. The refill solution can replace the current industry standard of multilayer PVC refill containers, which are effectively not recyclable.

The unusual shape of the sachet is eye catching and differentiated. The durable and leak-proof solution allows consumers to smell the product inside, a particularly useful feature for the liquid soaps it is designed to protect. The lightweight material also makes it more convenient for customers, especially those who are buying in-store.

“Our goal working with Mondi was to find a packaging alternative with low environmental impact and good runnability. We are pleased to have found a solution that achieves both”, explained Eric Duhoo, General Manager at Thimonnier.

For Mondi, the solution was further demonstration of the benefits of partnership and its importance to achieving a truly circular economy.

Our Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability framework sets ambitious goals to tackle global issues across the value chain: creating circular-driven packaging and paper solutions that are made by empowered people taking action on climate. We are proud and excited to partner with customers like Thimonnier to achieve our goal of keeping materials in circulation and making a real difference.

Olivier Werbrouck, Regional Sales Consumer Flexibles, Mondi

MAP2030 includes a target to make 100% of Mondi’s products reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The sustainability plan also includes other commitments and targets in relation to circular driven solutions, people and climate – all of which are underpinned by a set of responsible business practices. Mondi has a long history of working with industry leaders to design packaging that is both effective and sustainable by design. The berlingot refill packaging was launched during the 25th edition of the CFIA in Rennes, France from 8 March to 10 March.

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 Consumer Flexibles

Mondi Consumer Flexibles is part of Mondi’s Flexible Packaging business unit and a global manufacturer of tailor-made flexible plastic and hybrid packaging solutions that are sustainable by design. The product range includes pre-made bags, stand-up pouches and high-performance barrier materials with film- and paper-based solutions. Making it possible to provide paper where possible, and plastic when useful.  We serve some of the world’s biggest brands and FMCGs in categories such as fresh food, pet food, home, and personal care. Committed to quality, we provide customer-oriented packaging solutions and cutting-edge innovations developed by our state-of-the-art R&D centre in Gronau. Our network serves customers from 27 operations located in 12 countries.

Experienced applications engineer joins company pioneering sustainable packaging in F&B sector.

IMA DAIRY & FOOD USA – whose equipment solutions comprise the long-established brands Gasti, Hamba, Hassia, Fillshape, Corazza, Erca and Intecma – has hired materials science engineering specialist Robert Lindsey as its newest Project Manager. In this role, Mr. Lindsey will oversee a variety of the company’s ongoing projects to improve sophisticated packaging processes in the dairy and food sectors.

Most recently, Mr. Lindsey spent more than a decade as an Applications Engineer with Sulzer Mixpac USA, a manufacturer of cartridges, industrial syringes and other liquid dispensing solutions. Prior to that, he was an Applications Engineer with Epoxy Technology, an adhesives specialist serving the aerospace industry and other high-leverage sectors.

Mr. Lindsey comes to IMA Dairy & Food at a promising time. The packaging solutions company recently introduced a means of producing single-serve, sustainability-minded PET cups for dairy and other food items. Called Zero Technology, the innovation tackles a longstanding sustainability hurdle in F&B materials science.

“Robert’s extensive engineering expertise will help IMA continue to introduce forward-thinking solutions in the dairy and greater food packaging landscape,” said Patrick Carroll, President of IMA Dairy & Food USA. “As our footprint in North America expands, our talented team of materials science specialists grows as well.”

Mr. Lindsey earned a degree in Mechanical Polymer Engineering from Ohio’s University of Akron. He resides in Pelham, New Hampshire.

About IMA DAIRY & FOOD

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

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

UK, April 2022 – Leybold UK, the leading vacuum technology specialist, today opened its newly extended service facility in Chessington, Surrey, offering a comprehensive in-house service for the SCREWLINE dry screw pump range, along with the capability for the larger portfolio of dry pumps. This expansion means customers will no longer need to ship pumps overseas for service and maintenance, thus reducing transport costs, lowering environmental impact, and improving lead-times, meaning a better-quality service for customers throughout the UK.

This is the first and only certified facility in the UK for the Leybold SCREWLINE range. To ensure consistency in standards UK engineers have completed extensive hands-on training at the Leybold Service Technology Centre in Dresden, Germany, working along time-served engineers who have service the SCREWLINE range for many years. In addition, the new service line in Chessington has been designed to maximise productivity and efficiency in accordance with Leyboldʼs high quality standards, with only genuine parts and tools from the manufacturer used and backed with a full 12-month warranty.

SCREWLINE is a dependable backing pump, installed across a range of demanding and harsh environments, including the areas of vacuum furnace, aerospace, composites, and the production of lithium-ion batteries for electric mobility. Compared to oil-sealed pumps, the dry-compression SCREWLINE is more powerful, delivering a consistent and reliable performance.

“Itʼs an exciting time for the Leybold UK Service team, as well as customers,” explains Erik Vosselman, Business Line Manager, Service. “As a manufacturer of vacuum pump equipment, we are now able to offer local service support across the range of Leybold dry pump ranges, including DRYVAC, LEYVAC and VARODRY, as well as SCREWLINE, making us the partner of choice when it comes to vacuum repair and maintenance in the UK.”

"With this new fast and efficient service, major servicing can now be carried out within ten days at our own on-site facility in Chessington, using genuine OEM parts,” adds Paul Carroll, UK Service Manager, “quick response and minimal down time is also ensured by our exchange pool of pumps.”

About Leybold

Established in 1850, Leybold is a pioneer in vacuum innovation. Our inventions have paved the way for many modern-day vacuum technologies, including our range of next-generation vacuum products. We are recognized globally as a leader in the manufacture of vacuum pumps and systems for industrial and scientific vacuum applications, that are supported by our specialized and globally accessible Service solutions.

We are proud to live up to our brand promise - Pioneering products. Passionately applied.

Founded in Cologne, Germany with sales and service locations around the globe. We are a part of the Atlas Copco Group. For more information, visit leybold.com

About Atlas Copco Group

Our industrial ideas empower our customers to grow and drive society forward. This is how we create a better tomorrow. Atlas Copco is a global industrial group, founded in 1873 in Stockholm. In 2020, we had revenues of BSEK100 (BEUR 10) and at year end about 40 000 employees.

Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating - the Reifenhäuser Group's business unit specializing in cast film, sheet extrusion, and extrusion coating lines - has developed a particularly efficient production process that allows PET recyclate to be processed directly into food-safe sheet without an upstream drying process.

If recycled material comes into direct contact with food, it requires special certification from the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA). Up to now, the production of sheet for food packaging of this type has been very laborious and complicated. Reifenhäuser MIREX PET lines now simplify the task for processors. By using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and a specially developed high-performance vacuum system, the certified process allows PET recycling material to be processed directly without pretreatment and predrying - processes that are usually required. Processors then save their investment in an extra line component and avoid additional energy and maintenance costs. It also allows for quick material and product changes, for example from post-consumer PET bottle flake (PCR) to post-industrial PET production waste (PIR) or to virgin PET. The end product, such as a meat tray, then meets extremely high hygiene standards and is EFSA-compliant for use in direct contact with food

Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating supports customers during the certification process with the competent authorities. This includes the cleaning process of the flake material, quality monitoring of the feed material, and production under the criteria defined by EFSA.

Another feature is the automatic documentation of relevant production data. EFSA audits require recipe- and product-related data from the certified process to be stored for several years. The ExtrusionOS Production Compliance software bundle was specially developed to monitor and securely document production processes and compliance with EFSA-related thresholds in a real-time database. A live dashboard provides a transparent display of ongoing production and thresholds, permitting rapid response to anomalies. ExtrusionOS Production Compliance is based on Reifenhäuser's connectivity solution ExtrusionOS Core & c.Hub Middleware. It can also be retrofitted to existing lines.

Via ExtrusionOS production data can also be transferred to a digital product passport - for example, via the open R-Cycle standard. Digital product passports are data records clearly linked to preliminary and end products that contain specific data on the materials, ingredients, and utilization of the product. Specific markings allow their use for data-based and therefore more precise waste sorting and recycling processes, among other things.

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.

National Test Centre Circular Plastics (NT

According to Unilever, the move will see the brand use 93% less plastic per pack compared to the previous Carte D’Or

A new report and database from AMI Consulting published in March 2022 quantify and analyse the European PP market and examine the most recent industry dynamics.

Rhian O’Connor, Senior Consultant and Katrina Purser, Senior Research Analyst are the authors of the 2022 editions of AMI’s Polypropylene Markets Europe report and Polypropylene Processors Europe database which are the result of an extensive research programme, providing a detailed independent assessment of this industry. The report revises and updates the size and growth of demand for different applications and countries with Europe as well as looking at the key themes and supply picture. The database gives a detailed list of buyers and divides demand by application and country.

The key theme for the last two years has been Covid-19 with some positive impacts on sectors like hygiene and packaging and some negative impacts on sectors including automotive. In 2021, the total volume of PP (including compounds but excluding recyclate) in the European market was 10 million.

 AMI believe the key theme of the next five years to be sustainability. Single use plastics legislation could impact the rigid and flexible packaging markets, with consumers looking to turn away from plastic packaging. However, there are limited alternatives, and we believe legislation will instead look to simplification/redesign of packaging – using monomaterials and increasing recyclability.

 Recyclate should continue to take share, but we believe the impact will be relatively limited on PP over the next five years – effectively depressing demand only 0.7%pa. The main reason for this low impact – much less than industry anticipate is availability of recyclate. Most consumers interviewed were working to have the technical knowledge to put recyclate in their product. Everything from fibres, compounds to food-grade packaging. The database gives a detailed overview of buyers of PP recyclate.

The market is more uncertain now, than at any other edition of this report. Challenges include the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, new standards on single use plastics and sustainability, polymer shortages, logistics challenges and changes to retail channels. Finally, the war in Ukraine is adding further complications to logistics and cost pressure.

 As a result, we believe it is even more crucial to look at individual markets – whether geographical, by application, technology, or grade – to monitor the growth of the European polypropylene market. The report and its expert analysis, as well as the database

• Mondi’s new BCoolBox keeps meals chilled to 7°C or below without refrigeration, allowing TYME Food to ship all across the UK from one central kitchen
• Corrugated mono-material construction makes recycling BCoolBoxes a breeze, meeting TYME Food’s ambitious sustainability goals

When TymeFood needed higher-performance, more sustainable packaging for extending its reach out of London, it turned to Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper. The solution, BCoolBox, is now keeping TYME Food’s weekday meals fresh as it delivers them to all corners of the UK.

The London start-up had a stunning local launch with its nutritious, plant-based, high-quality offerings, with a brand image appealing to environmentally-conscious consumers seeking to reconcile busy lifestyles with healthy eating. But repeating this success nationally required better packaging – more robust, thermally insulated, and easily recyclable. The solution also needed to be scalable to keep up with fast projected sales growth.

TYME Food tested several multi-material options before turning to us. After analysing the conundrum with our customer-centric EcoSolutions approach, we proposed a trial of our new BCoolBox packaging system optimised for TYME Food’s needs. BCoolBox’s tough, lightweight corrugated sides and insulation panels keep contents well protected at under 7°C for a minimum of 24 hours during standard shipment. Its all-corrugated, mono-material construction simplifies the supply chain. It’s been great to be able to prove the effectiveness of this product.

BCoolBox can be thrown into the paper sorting bin, unlike multi-material packaging where the UK does not have the necessary recycling infrastructure. With their core commitment to sustainability, this was a particular concern for TYME Food’s management. “We were looking for an insulation material that would maximise the possibility of it actually being recycled. Mondi’s perforated panel concept is very smart. Paper is a material that customers know how to recycle in the conventional infrastructure in the UK rather than requiring novel education or conditions to do so. So we invited Mondi to test their product for us.” said Joe Cooke, Creative Director, at TYME Food.

The trial, conducted in various conditions with sensors implanted in the BCoolBoxes, proved successful: meals arrived undamaged and unspoiled - and, of course, cool, their contents never exceeding the critical 7° limit. Shipping weight charges were also reduced due to the compact and lightweight composition of the packaging. BCoolBox was clearly ready to serve its first volume customer.

Joe Cooke continued: “The sampling and trial process was very fast and the ability to test with sensors in our different supply chains was critical. Mondi’s contribution to testing a proof of concept using solid data was amazing. The data, and the fact that Mondi had set up it’s concept clearly for mass production - allowing us to quickly scale as we grow - supported our decision for BCoolBox. They also offered flexibility to meet our requirements with printing and packing, giving us both brand and operational value. Key factors of a good design. Mondi certainly allowed us to open our service to the whole of the UK. Consumers so far are happy with their experience and the freshness of our meals when they arrive. Relationship-building with Mondi and their attention to detail has been terrific; we still have ideas how to further optimise, and Mondi is already at work here for us.”

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.