• SBTi is the most ambitious and scientifically rigorous framework for companies to reduce their carbon footprint according to the highest standards

• Liveo Research's climate protection targets and measures are science-based, ambitious, and in line with the Paris Climate Agreement

Liveo Research AG’s decarbonization targets were approved in alignment with Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This enables Liveo Research AG to expand its climate protection activities in a targeted manner based on the latest climate protection science. In February 2023, the global pharmaceutical packaging company submitted its near-term decarbonization strategy to SBTi – including specific targets for Scopes 1, 2, and 3. After a 15-month validation process, the company successfully passed this process. The SBTi validation affirms that Liveo Research’s climate protection targets with the defined measures are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement to limit the global rise in temperature:

1. Scope 1+2 target:

“Liveo Research AG commits to reduce absolute scope 1+2 greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions 33.6% by 2028 from a 2021 base year.”

2. Scope 3 target

“Liveo Research AG commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 25% by 2028 from a 2021 base year.”

The submission of these climate targets at SBTi was preceded by a comprehensive analysis of the company’s carbon footprint across business units and production sites worldwide. This process was followed by close collaboration with key suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to understand and define what are the most advanced techniques and technologies that Liveo Research can implement over time to set ambitious reduction targets within the industry. Based on this, the company then defined specific sub-targets, action plans and KPIs to track progress. For a better understanding: Scope 1 are the direct emissions caused, for example, by the combustion of fossil fuels in Liveo Research production sites or by other processes within the company itself. Scope 2 are indirect emissions that arise, for example, from the purchase of energy or electricity. Finally, Scope 3, which accounts for more than 85% of the company’s carbon footprint, is associated with indirect emissions within the value chain that are generated by upstream (e.g. raw materials) and downstream (e.g. transportation of products or waste generated) activities.

On one hand, some of the main actions that Liveo Research is focusing on to achieve the Scope 1 and 2 targets include increasing the use of green energy and improving production efficiency at production sites. On the other hand, to achieve the Scope 3 target, Liveo Research is, among other measures, working closely with key suppliers to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of raw materials (such as PCR materials), reduce the amount of waste at production sites, and develop sustainable solutions in all business units to reduce waste and carbon footprint from design to end of life (e.g., “Cut The Waste!” services, One-Material Blisters, medical packaging with Post-consumer recycled content).
"We are very proud of this scientifically sound validation of our climate protection targets by the SBTi – this confirmation shows that we, as a comparatively small company, are taking on a pioneering role in climate protection and thus fulfilling our social responsibility," says Dr. Carsten Heldmann, CEO of Liveo Research. He adds: "Our detailed sustainability strategy and its consistent implementation in all areas of the company also show that we take our commitment to sustainability seriously overall."

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – An Overview

The SBTi is an alliance of the partners CDP, United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and works closely with scientific institutions to develop climate targets that are in line with the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement to limit the global temperature increase. SBTi targets are scientifically based, long-term and holistic and are consistently geared towards drastically reducing companies' direct and indirect emissions. Around 6,500 companies worldwide are currently working with SBTi

Liveo Research - An Overview

Founded in 1962, Liveo Research is a top global producer of materials for primary packaging in the pharmaceutical and medical industry, as well as special applications such as shrink labels. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, it has production sites in Boetzingen and Staufen (Germany), Delaware (USA), Singapore, and Taicang (China). Liveo Research currently has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. In addition to a broad product portfolio of packaging materials, the company also offers its customers value-added services like “LiveoOptima” that support them to find the best, sustainable packaging solutions.

On August 1, Marius Berlemann took over as the new Managing Director for Operations. The personnel change is accompanied by a restructuring of management responsibilities.
Düsseldorf, August 6, 2024. From now on, Messe Düsseldorf’s leisure trade shows will be consolidated under the leadership of the operative management. To that end, the responsibility for boot, the world’s largest watersports show, will shift from President & CEO Wolfram N. Diener to Marius Berlemann. The new Managing Director for Operations will also be in charge of CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf, the leading international trade show for mobile travel.

In turn, drupa, the global No. 1 trade show for printing technologies, will no longer be a part of operative management, instead moving to Wolfram N. Diener, who’s already in charge of many of Messe Düsseldorf’s industrial trade shows: the leading global trade shows for the wire and tube industries, wire und Tube; the international valve trade show, VALVE WORLD EXPO; the world’s largest packing trade show, interpack; the world’s leading trade shows for the metallurgy and foundry industries, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST; and numerous other trade shows of the portfolios around the world. One recent addition is XPONENTIAL, the world’s leading trade show for uncrewed systems and robotics in the U.S., which in February 2025 will for the first time host a European spinoff event in Düsseldorf: XPONENTIAL Europe.

Strengthening operations creates competitive advantages

Wolfram N. Diener empathizes the advantages of the reshuffled responsibilities: “Our trade fair portfolios are now organized in such a way to foster the best possible synergies in the coming years. That’s how we’ll reinforce the leading position of our trade shows in Düsseldorf and worldwide – while further driving their growth.”

Besides boot and CARAVAN SALON, Marius Berlemann will be in charge of the world’s leading trade show for plastics and rubber, K; the leading international trade shows for medical devices and healthcare, MEDICA and COMPAMED; the leading trade show for rehabilitation, prevention, integration and care, REHACARE; the global No. 1 trade show for Wines and Spirits, ProWein; the world’s largest retail trade show, EuroShop; the leading trade show for retail technology, EuroCIS; the world’s leading trade show for the glass industry, glasstec; the leading global trade show for occupational safety and health, A+A; the international cosmetics and wellness trade show, BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF; and the international trade show for hairdressers, TOP HAIR; plus a number of international trade shows in the respective portfolios.

Marius Berlemann is committed to an active future: “In my role as Managing Director for Operations, my focus will be on continuously boosting the position of our world-leading trade shows here in Düsseldorf to further reinforce our home base. This includes strengthening our foreign business in order to bring even more international trade show guests to Düsseldorf.”

Exhibition center investments as the basis for business success

While the operative business has been reorganized, Bernhard J. Stempfle, Managing Director Finance and Infrastructure, will continue to be in charge of the entire finance department as well as of the Digital Strategy & Communication division and the Technology division. “As we aim to provide the best foundation for the commercial success of our industries, we’re not only continuously evolving our digital services, we’re also expanding investments in our state-of-the-art, highly functional exhibition center in Düsseldorf. This is how we’ll create the best return on investment for our customers,” says Stempfle.

Consisting of Wolfram N. Diener, Marius Berlemann and Bernhard J. Stempfle, Messe Düsseldorf’s management is optimally positioned to work side by side with the entire workforce to elevate the company’s competitive edge.

Messe Düsseldorf Group
Messe Düsseldorf is among the most successful trade fair companies worldwide. It hosts around 40 trade fairs including 20 leading international trade fairs at its 613,000 m² exhibition center. In the 18 halls the international market leaders and top decision-makers of various sectors get together every year in order to present and discover innovations, to exchange and network. The sectors of expertise of Messe Düsseldorf include: “Machinery, Plants and Equipment” including metallurgy and foundry technologies (inter alia drupa, K, interpack, glasstec, wire and Tube); “Retail, Trades and Services” (EuroShop, EuroCIS, ProWein); “Health and Medical Technology” (MEDICA, COMPAMED, REHACARE, A+A); “Lifestyle and Beauty” (BEAUTY, TOP HAIR); “Leisure” (boot, CARAVAN SALON) as well as "Mobility" (XPONENTIAL, Flotte!). Add to this numerous conventions, corporate events, conferences and meetings by its subsidiary Düsseldorf Congress. Abroad, Messe Düsseldorf organizes more than 70 events. The global network of the group of companies encompasses 77 foreign representatives for 142 countries – including 7 international subsidiaries.

With around 900 exhibitors in total, the trade fair duo Food Africa and pacprocess MEA 2024 again offer a pioneering platform for the food, beverages, food packaging and printing machine trade in the MEA region. Interested companies will find this an ideal opportunity to get ahead of the competition and establish themselves in a dynamic market. Both trade fairs will take place from 3 to 5 December in Cairo.

When it comes to the growing food industry in Africa, there is no way to ignore Food Africa. In 2024, the trade fair is being held for the ninth time, and for years has been the unchallenged number one for the region’s food sector. At the same time, pacprocess MEA offers excellent opportunities in the processing, packaging and printing sectors. In 2023, this combination led to a record edition with 27,500 visitors and a show floor of about 40,000 square metres. This year, the trade fair duo is again set to grow. The focus is on further internationalisation with regard to exhibitors and visitors, a hosted buyers programme for high-calibre contacts and an accompanying programme that discusses the challenges to the sector and relevant issues for the future, for example sustainability.

International trade for food and packaging machines
Egypt is a hub for trade and commerce which is of central importance for the Middle East and Africa, and with more than 110 million inhabitants and potential consumers, the country is the most populous state in the Arab world. The Egyptian food market achieved a turnover of 182.7 billion dollars last year. This proves that there is enormous potential for companies in the processing & packaging sector.

The Egyptian foreign trade for food and packaging machines is especially active with Italy, China, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Italy heads the statistic with a volume of 74 million euros in the year 2023 (VDMA). Components are also heavily sought after. In this area, Italy and Germany dominated foreign trade with Egypt in the last year. Apart from a strong food market, packaging machines are also in demand by other sectors, along with machines and devices for cleaning, filling and capping of bottles, machines and devices for packaging or wrapping goods, dairy machines and machines and devices for producing baked goods, processing meat, fruit and vegetables and manufacturing beverages, oils and greases. This large spectrum is being given optimum presentation by Food Africa and pacprocess MEA.

Sustainability and technologies
One special focus of both trade fairs this year will again be sustainability. This issue is of great importance for Africa and the MEA region, and in need of substantial investments. Visitors can expect a large amount of high-calibre input surrounding this topic in the accompanying programme. In addition, pacprocess MEA will present cutting-edge technologies and progressive solutions in the areas of packaging and processing which aim to minimise the impact on the environment while increasing efficiency.

Networking opportunities and participation
Food Africa is a magnet for visitors and as a global brand is creating an efficient network of traders, purchasers and their partners from Egypt, the MENA countries and the African region. In 2024, the trade fair will be even more international and thus more attractive. Among the newcomers on the exhibitor side are, for example, the countries of Georgia, Armenia and Slovakia. Suppliers will also present themselves in different national pavilions – for example India, the United Arab Emirates, Poland or Turkey. This year’s pacprocess MEA proves to be just as international, presenting innovations at, among others, the German, Saudi-Arabian, Indian and Chinese pavilion. All in all, both trade fairs are expecting exhibitors from more than 30 nations.

Benefits for exhibitors
Exporters at Food Africa and pacprocess MEA can expect focused networking with local, regional and international industry representatives, supported for example by a hosted buyers programme which for years has been a fixture at both trade fairs. Both events profit from support by local businesses, public authorities, associations and Egyptian governmental organisations. This also applies to the German Federal ministries which support exhibitors as part of the German Federal presentation, offering the opportunity to present themselves at the German pavilion. Along with their presentation at the trade fair, exhibitors at pacprocess MEA also have the opportunity to enter the SAVE FOOD DESIGN and SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN Awards.

Berry Achieves Four-Fold Success at Environmental Packaging Awards
Success underlines design and technical expertise in both rigid and flexible plastics

PARK PLAZA VICTORIA, London. –July 31st, 2024 – Global packaging leader, Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY) has received four awards at the 2024 Environmental Packaging Awards, including a Gold Award for Sustainable Innovation of the Year, two Silver Awards in the Ambient Food and Chilled Food categories, and a Bronze Award for Alcoholic Drinks. Recognising outstanding achievements in sustainable packaging, these awards represent Berry’s significant contributions to reducing environmental impact.

“Supporting our customers’ sustainability goals is central to everything we do at Berry,” said Jean-Marc Galvez, President of Berry Global’s Consumer Packaging International division. “Our achievements in the Environmental Packaging Awards – in both rigid and flexible plastics – demonstrate significant technical and design expertise and showcase the vital role that plastic can play in the move to a circular, net zero economy.”

Organised by leading UK trade title Packaging News, the Environmental Packaging Awards recognise the exceptional efforts of individuals and organisations committed to advancing environmental stewardship through their packaging designs. Berry’s Gold Award for Sustainable Innovation of the Year recognizes the company’s efforts to move the dial with the reusable milk bottle it developed for Abel & Cole’s Club Zero. These bottles can be refilled up to 16 times before being recycled, challenging the conventional use of refillable glass bottles for home milk delivery. 

Berry’s high-performance Entour polyethylene (PE) lamination film was recognized with a Silver Award in the Ambient Food category for its ability to improve the recyclability of traditional multilayer films through compatibilization, enabling converters and brand owners to transition to more recyclable structures. And its Omni® Xtra+ polyvinyl chloride (PVC) replacement film was recognized with a Silver Award in the Chilled and Frozen category. Omni® Xtra+ provides a high-performance, high-clarity alternative to traditional hard-to-recycle PVC cling film that is 25% lighter weight, recyclable in line with current European recycling guidelines, and RecyClass and Interseroh certified. 

Berry also received a Bronze in the Alcoholic Drinks category for its flat-pack shaped 100% recycled PET (rPET) plastic wine bottle for Packamama. This flat, rPET wine bottle is widely recyclable through standards kerbside collection and delivers an eye-catching effect while reducing the bottle's weight to a mere 63g compared to the average 460g glass bottle. 

In addition to Berry’s four awards, the GoUnpackaged refill packaging solution from the Refill Coalition, for which Berry designed and manufactured a bespoke 14 litre High-density polyethylene (HDPE) reusable container, was awarded Gold in the Ambient Food category.

Learn about Berry’s sustainability strategy and progress in the company's 2023 Sustainability Report.

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

In the world of electronics manufacturing, ESD managers have the critical role of ensuring that components do not get damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). Corrosion protection is often a lower priority but should also be on the radar for manufacturers who want their electronics to reach the end user in good condition. Fortunately, Cortec® has led the industry in designing two-in-one packaging solutions that meet both needs and today is eager to turn the spotlight on EcoSonic® ESD Paper as a sustainable alternative to standard plastic ESD bags.

Corrosion + ESD Protection
Shipping is a vulnerable time for electronics as they pass through a variety of climates and temperature fluctuations that could prompt condensation on subassemblies inside a package. Any corrosion or even staining will call the integrity of an electronic into question when the end user unwraps it. Cortec® therefore coats EcoSonic® ESD Paper with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI/VpCI®) to protect multi-metals from oxidizing. VpCI® molecules in the coating vaporize and diffuse throughout a packaging enclosure, adsorb on metal surfaces, and form a protective molecular layer that does not need to be cleaned off when the module is installed. To address ESD concerns, EcoSonic® ESD Paper also has a static-dissipative coating to eliminate static electricity buildup. With this coating, the ESD properties of EcoSonic® ESD Paper meet the requirements of ANSI/ESD STM11.11 for surface resistance and MIL-STD 3010C Method 4046 for static decay rate. The final result is a two-in-one recyclable VCI/ESD paper.

Replacing Plastic Bags for Everyday Use
Even while Cortec® has been creating dual corrosion inhibiting / static-dissipative packaging for electronics, plastic bags have remained the main packaging format for a variety of reasons. EcoSonic® ESD Paper takes an important departure from this norm by replacing plastic with recyclable paper sourced from trees, a renewable resource. This answers the call for paper packaging options from electronics manufacturers in Europe and Asia. EcoSonic® ESD Paper can be easily applied by wrapping it around an electronic and taping the folds to hold them in place and create an enclosure. EcoSonic® ESD Paper can also be used to create an instant static-dissipative workspace by laying the paper on a work bench where employees assemble or inspect sensitive electronic parts.

Take a New Approach to Electronics Packaging
ESD managers and packaging engineers who need static dissipation should also consider whether a specific application needs corrosion protection. With EcoSonic® ESD Paper, they have the additional option of choosing recyclable paper over plastic—in sync with the growing demand for environmentally responsible electronics packaging options.

At the FachPack trade fair in Nuremberg this year, MBM innovations is turning vacuum packaging into a real experience. The innovative and newly launched VSM® BULKY will take centre stage at the fair. The smart all-rounder can be seen live in action vacuuming and ver-tically packaging various products in bags. The third-generation family-run company from Augsburg will also be providing detailed information about its outstanding portfolio of fully and semi-automatic VSM packaging machines and customised solutions for a wide range of industries at Booth 432 in Hall 2.
The technology is unique - and also at the heart of the MBM innovations brand. Back in the 1970s, company founder Sebastian Mayer developed the VSM® vacuum system, with which all vacuum packaging machines are still equipped today. The special feature is that the atmospheric vacu-um system provides a structurally gentle yet high-quality vacuum - and of-fers far-reaching advantages in terms of product quality, vacuum safety, handling and resource efficiency. This is because air is evacuated directly from the bag using special suction nozzles; the entire evacuation process takes place under normal atmospheric pressure without a vacuum cham-ber. The extra-wide vacuum station with impulse sealing on both sides ensures reliable, crease-free sealing even with large formats and even with moist bags.
VSM® BULKY
Whether food, cannabis, pet food, electrical products or pharmaceutical items - the vertical packaging machine in hygienic design is a resilient component in the production process. It packs a wide variety of products efficiently, safely and sustainably in a vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) directly into transport boxes, E2 crates, drums or car-tons. Typical areas of application include transport and maturing packag-ing for meat and sausage products, ham, fish & seafood and cheese for bulk consumers and the catering trade, pouch packaging for natural cas-ings in brine or loose packs such as soya granules, animal feed, nuts or dried fruit. However, the compact BULKY is also a first-class choice for tamper-proof transport packaging of highly sensitive products such as medical marijuana and other pharmaceutical products, as well as for se-cure packaging of large containers such as bulk goods, electrical compo-nents, transformers or batteries. 
Thanks to its space-saving, slim design, this versatile model can be used in almost any working environment and, thanks to its castors, can be easily moved to wherever it is needed. 
For trade visitors …
the standard version of the newly launched BULKY will be available so they can familiarise themselves with the special VSM® vacuum system and for demonstrations. In addition to its high degree of flexibility in terms of usability, the machine is particularly impressive due to its high hygiene and safety standards as well as its simple, uncomplicated operation and maintenance. "Thanks to our more than 50 years of expertise in mechani-cal engineering and our high level of vertical integration, we at MBM can of course also realise individual special solutions as well as conveyor and transport technology - and adapt all the machines we offer to customer requirements," emphasises Sabrina Mayer-Mai, who, together with her sister, represents the third generation of the family business and is re-sponsible for Strategic Marketing. Accordingly, the BULKY can also be configured for smaller units and up to the XL variant (bags on pallets), for example.
An outstanding portfolio 
MBM is now represented in 17 countries. The fully and semi-automatic packaging solutions are widely used, particularly in the core food market and especially in the cheese ripening segment. However, demand in the medical goods and pharmaceutical industries is also steadily increasing: "Our high-performance models for industrial applications are coming to the fore. I'm thinking in particular of cleanroom packaging for the transport of pharmaceutical containers and primary packaging, as well as bulk and maturing packaging for tobacco or medical marijuana," explains Sabrina Mayer-Mai. The junior manager sees a strong market not least in the non-food industry: for the packaging of electronic components, in the area of space-saving vacuum packaging for textiles or bulk packaging for loose containers of all kinds.
Sustainability advantages 
MBM systems offer impressive energy-saving potential: for example, with the fully automatic systems for mature cheese packaging, between 36 and 50% energy can be saved in the vacuum system alone compared to various alternative packaging systems with the same output.
All models can also easily process recyclable mono-materials that are suitable for the circular economy. They are also characterised by low compressed air consumption and intelligent standby times.
"Special offer" for customers and the press
Customers and interested parties are cordially invited to find out more about the comprehensive range of products and services offered by the agile machine manufacturer from Augsburg, with no obligation. If they de-cide in favour of a semi-automatic system during the trade fair or by the end of 2024 at the latest, they will receive a pair of interchangeable seal-ing bars for quick and easy machine maintenance free of charge as a one-off bonus with the purchase price. 
The new BULKY will be presented to the press in detail in action on the 2nd day of the trade fair, 25 September, at 3.00 pm. This will be followed by an opportunity for constructive dialogue. Catering will also be provid-ed. 

About MBM Innovations GmbH
For over 60 years, the company has stood for innovation, quality and expertise in me-chanical engineering. Now in its third generation, the long-standing Augsburg-based company combines the down-to-earth values of a family business with a spirit of innova-tion and modern entrepreneurship.
MBM was founded in 1961 as Sebastian Mayer Maschinenbau GmbH in Augsburg, fo-cussing on special machine construction and machining activities. The development of the VSM® vacuum system in 1971 and the construction of the first vacuum packaging machine with the VSM® system marked the beginning of the success story of VSM® machines in the cheese ripening sector. Other milestones in the company's history in-clude the construction of the first VSM® vacuum packaging machine with automatic bagging using a bag magazine in 1986 and the launch of the first VSM® vacuum pack-aging machine with fully automatic bag feeding in 1997. The company was renamed MBM innovations GmbH in 2017.
Today, MBM is a performance-driven and reliable partner for customers all over the world with its semi-automatic and fully automatic vacuum packaging machines. The fo-cus is always on developing the best possible packaging solution for the respective re-quirements. All models are manufactured at the Augsburg site.
 

Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, today announces its successful completion of a comprehensive carbon audit. The audit consisted of two parts – the validation of the Partial Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of inks, coatings and varnishes and the verification of the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF). The PCF provides product specific carbon emissions. The CCF provides the overall emissions of Siegwerk, including emissions in the value chain. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH, an accredited verification body, conducted the verification and validation processes, ensuring rigorous adherence to standards.

The PCF validation confirms that Siegwerk’s procedures comply with DIN EN ISO 14067:2019 standards, covering the “cradle-to-factory-gate” and “cradle-to-customer-gate” stages. This includes the extraction, processing, and transportation of raw materials, production processes, and transportation to customers. The validation process involved on-site inspections, document reviews, and virtual audits with Siegwerk’s staff. The statement concludes that Siegwerk’s systematic approach is compliant with the relevant standards and that the greenhouse gas emissions are presented fairly. The validation is based on data from 2020 and is valid until the end of 2025.

The CCF, covering the years 2020 and 2022, was meticulously verified in accordance with ISO 14064-03:2019 and found to be compliant with the requirements of ISO 14064-01:2019 and the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and Scope 3 Standard. The audit encompassed Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions as well as various categories of Scope 3 emissions such as purchased goods and services, capital goods, fuel- and energy-related activities, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, business travel, employee commuting, and downstream transportation and distribution.

The validation and verification statement provides a reasonable level of assurance. Sarah Mah, Senior Global Sustainability Manager at Siegwerk and responsible for carbon data management & reporting, expressed her satisfaction with the certification: “Our commitment to environmental responsibility is unwavering. This ISO certification validates our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, deliver utmost transparency to our value chain partners and drive sustainable practices across our operations.” As a responsible company, Siegwerk has long been committed to do its part for a better and more sustainable future. That’s why the company always keeps an eye on the environmental impact of its business activities and products. Part of Siegwerk's sustainability agenda is to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2025 and to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030 by strategically reducing emissions from its own operations and products, thus limiting potential negative impacts in the long term.

Kuala Lumpur, June 2024 – KRAIBURG TPE, the global TPE manufacturer production site in Malaysia has recently obtained the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification for selected thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) solutions. This milestone caters to various industries including personal care, household appliances, wearables, and consumer electronics.

In response to the growing demand for more sustainable solutions in the plastics industry, KRAIBURG TPE has taken proactive steps to provide customers with alternatives. The GRS certification ensures that these alternatives meet stringent social and environmental criteria throughout the production process, including the use of GRS-certified raw materials and seamless traceability in the supply chain.

Utilizing GRS-certified recycling based TPE compounds offers numerous benefits for both customers and KRAIBURG TPE. The certification complies with international environmental and social standards. This supports sustainability initiatives and aligns with global climate targets.

The GRS certification for KRAIBURG TPE recycling based materials confirms:

• The chemicals used comply with international regulations and standards to ensure product safety. • Externally verified recycling content.

• Complete traceability in the supply chain, enhancing transparency and accountability.

• Transition from fossil-based to more sustainable raw materials, consequently reducing the carbon footprint.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, KRAIBURG TPE will gradually increase the use of recycled materials in its products, further reducing its carbon footprint compared to its counterparts produced using virgin materials.

The company ensures that all necessary measures are taken to maintain product quality and processing equipment, ensuring a simplified transition for customers.

The GRS-certified recycling based TPE compounds are tailored to industries where the benefits of more sustainable materials are most significant, including personal care, household appliances, wearables, and consumer electronics.

KRAIBURG TPE is dedicated to supporting its partners and customers on their sustainability journey, driving an improved environmental and social impact while delivering high-quality solutions.

With the GRS certification, KRAIBURG TPE reaffirms its commitment to innovation and more sustainability, empowering customers with choices for their sustainability application. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Currently, the GRS certification is valid for recycling content products produced from KRAIBURG TPE’s production site in Malaysia.

Transforming Laser Marking Operations with Collaborative Robotic Automation

Selmsdorf/Wood Dale, July 2024 – Laser marking and engraving is critical for unique part identification (UID), compliance, and branding. However, capacity constraints and labor shortage issues can create serious throughput challenges. To increase output and improve profit per part, forward thinking manufacturers are transforming their laser marking operations with advanced robotic machine tending. FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving works with Flexxbotics and Universal Robots to enable companies to achieve highest throughput and optimum marking quality. In August, the three companies will host an event where they will provide insights into practical implementation of robotic assisted laser marking.

Laser marking is a critical stage of the value stream for a product in many manufacturing processes. Bottlenecks can cause serious delivery problems and any mistakes can render the product unsellable. By introducing collaborative robotic automation with lean manufacturing principles, laser marking processes can be improved to maximize throughput, assure quality, and reduce waste. 

“Connecting robotic machine tending with our FOBA laser marking solution using Flexxbotics provides an even greater Return on Investment,” states Jeffrey A. Kniptash, FOBA’s Sales Manager for Americas. “Enabling Flexxbotics robot-driven manufacturing with our FOBA laser marking and engraving equipment to enable autonomous process control can remove bottlenecks and deliver continuous operation.”

Utilizing collaborative robots from Universal Robots with Flexxbotics digitalization technology, companies running FOBA’s laser marking and engraving machines can increase the machine-to-man ratio to 10:1 or more and run ‘lights out’ safely. Thus, they will benefit from additional capacity, highest precision, optimum marking quality and improved profit margins. Flexxbotics includes communication with FOBA’s integrated camera system for vision-based inspection providing closed-loop feedback to the robot for autonomous process control. FOBA’s three-stage laser marking process HELP (Holistic Enhanced Laser Process) which includes part inspection prior to marking, automatic mark alignment, and subsequent validation of the marking is coordinated with the robot actions. Flexxbotics utilizes either the Intelligent Mark Positioning (IMP) or Point & Shoot (P&S) capabilities in the FOBA equipment for precise alignment of the laser marker on the customer’s product along with vision-assisted workflows for unmatched accuracy.

“Combining FOBA with Flexxbotics is particularly valuable in industries with strict regulatory compliance requirements that dictate the highest levels of repeatable precision such as medical devices and surgical products along with aerospace, defense and space,” explained Tyler Bouchard, Co-founder & CEO of Flexxbotics. “Environments that require rapid and accurate processing like semiconductor and electronics operations also benefit substantially. With Flexxbotics and FOBA together customers can optimize cycle-time, expand capacity and increase profit per part.”
 

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, has been awarded a Gold rating by EcoVadis, the global rating agency for sustainability performance.

This consolidates Archroma’s position among the top 5% of the more than 130,000 companies from 180 countries and 220 industries assessed by EcoVadis against stringent criteria covering environmental performance, ethics, labor and human rights, and sustainable procurement.

“Archroma has a clear sustainability strategy that guides all of our efforts to develop and deliver innovative solutions that enhance people’s lives. This is encapsulated in the ambitious environmental operations targets we have just announced for 2030,” Mark Garrett, Group CEO, Archroma, said. “Our enduring goal is to lead our industry towards a more sustainable future. By engaging with platforms like EcoVadis, we strengthen our commitment to partnership and transparency while retaining our focus on consumers and the environment.”

It extends to Archroma’s own operational targets. From 2023 to 2030, Archroma will work to reduce water intensity by 40%, energy intensity by 15% and waste intensity by 10%, with zero hazardous waste to landfill. It will also aim for an ambitious 20% reduction in absolute Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its own plants and processes and a 40% reduction in absolute Scope 2 indirect GHG emissions from the energy it consumes.

“We have been tracking our sustainability journey through the EcoVadis assessments since 2017 and it has been so motivating to chart our progress and to see how much the standard of sustainability management has also improved across industries over this time,” Martina Beitke, Group Sustainability Director, Archroma, said. “At Archroma, we believe that strong leadership, shared goals and a culture that supports innovation and partnership are the keys to creating value for our stakeholders and a positive impact on people and planet.”

Ishida multihead weighing technology has enabled Swiss pasta manufacturer Pasta Premium to cope with both growing sales and a move to paper bags, with three new Ishida weighers demonstrating impressive flexibility in the handling of small batches and allowing fast changeovers.

In line with its corporate sustainability goals, Pasta Premium has introduced paper bags for its Bschüssig pasta brand. This change in packaging, coupled with an increase in demand initially triggered by the Covid 19 pandemic, led to the need for new packaging lines. 

As part of this, the company selected Ishida’s mid-range multihead weigher, the CCW-RVE, which is ideal for free-flowing dry products such as short cut pasta, achieving outstanding accuracy at medium to high speeds. And with many companies now switching to more sustainable forms of packaging, Ishida weighers are able to handle latest formats including recyclable film and paper versions.

“We wanted to use Ishida multihead weighers for packing our pasta because we have already had very good experiences with previous Ishida models,” explained Simon Hofer, Head of Technology at Pasta Premium. 

In addition, reliable technical support has always been provided by Ishida’s local distributor, Itech AG in Rotkreuz. As a result, Pasta Premium commissioned Itech to design a packaging solution that included the Ishida weighers.

Two 14-head Ishida CCW-RVE weighers are handling short pasta at target weights from 100g to 450g. Speeds are up to 35 bags per minute, which is well within the capabilities of the weighers for this type of application, with accuracy to within 1g.

The pasta is fed through an inlet chute onto the weigher's dispersion table. A loadcell regulates the feed quantity, and individually controlled radial feeders convey the product evenly to the pool hoppers. The sift-proof pool and weigh hoppers maintain excellent product control for even very small pieces of pasta. 

It takes just a fraction of a second for each weigher's microprocessor to calculate the combination of weigh hoppers that comes closest to the target weight, with advanced automatic feeder adjustment and 5-stage digital filtering enabling them to operate with outstanding accuracy.
 
The pasta is then discharged directly into the paper bags via discharge chutes that incorporate anti-swirl fins to ensure a fast and accurate product transfer.

The third CCW-RVE model in operation at Pasta Premium is a 14-head GS (Gentle Slope) model, which is used for more delicate pasta such as tagliatelle and pasta nests. Developed especially for the high-performance and gentle weighing of fragile products, the CCW-RVE-GS features shallow angles and reduced drop distances between feeders, hoppers and discharge chute, a gentle slope discharge chute with anti-swirl fins, and a ring shutter to prevent product collisions in the discharge chute. These features ensure that the delicate pasta transitions smoothly through the weigher and that product breakage is reduced to an absolute minimum. 

The GS model runs at up to 28 weighments per minute, again with an excellent weighing accuracy of 1g per bag.

The three pasta lines are currently used in a two-shift operation. “All three Ishida weighers are proving to be highly reliable with only a minimum of maintenance required,” said Simon Hofer. 

The flexibility of the weighers is another major advantage. “Our company specialises in small batch sizes, which means we have to make a lot of things possible in a very short time,” he explained.

The three Ishida weighers facilitate this, allowing fast and frequent changeovers between more than 100 products by simply calling up the correct preset on their touch screens. The weighers are also very easy to operate, and the cleaning process takes very little time.

The team at Pasta Premium is very satisfied with the investment in Ishida weighing technology. “The multihead weighers help us to produce and pack small batch sizes efficiently and to secure a niche in the highly competitive pasta market,” said Simon Hofer. “The reliability and durability of the weighers and the long-term availability of spare parts also fit in with our sustainable corporate culture.”

The customer:

The slogan of Pasta Premium AG, based in Frauenfeld near Winterthur in Switzerland, is 'Swiss pasta since 1876'. The company has successfully specialised in small batch sizes, with its high-quality pasta available in over 120 different shapes, from pressed formats and cut-out products to small nests and Flädle, a Swabian soup made with savoury pancake strips. Annual production volume is around 10,000 tonnes. The pasta is distributed to Swiss food retailers under the company’s Bschüssig, Ami and La Chinoise brands as well as for private label, and is also supplied to the foodservice sector. Pasta Premium products are exported worldwide
 

As one of the largest trade fairs for the processing & packaging industry in Asia, Shanghai World of Packaging (swop) each year attracts tens of thousands of visiting professionals from the sectors food and beverage packagings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and consumer goods. A promising investment opportunity for international exhibitors.

More than 30,000 visitors attended swop 2023, among them well-known brands like Mars, Heinz, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Nestlé, Häagen-Dazs, Danone, Pepsi, Bayer, L’Oréal, Dior, Nivea, P&G or Unilever – in 2024, the halls are said to be of a similar calibre. The reason is that for these top brands, the trade fair is an important meeting opportunity within the booming Chinese packaging market. This is where all relevant market segments and trends come together. This year as well, national and international exhibitors, among them from China, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, are expected from 18 to 20 November on the approx. 65,000 square meters of exhibition space at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The swop trade fair, which is part of the portfolio of interpack alliance, covers all sectors of the packaging industry, from machines and materials to logistics and recycling.

88 percent of the visitors at swop 2023 were decision makers or influencers, and for the current edition, the hosts of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. are hoping that high-ranking experts from the industry will participate in order to purposefully strengthen new opportunities for networking and business. In this context, the cooperation of swop with important key players in the Chinese market is of central importance. For example, the new cooperation with the “Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST)” will attract numerous professionals from the food industry to the trade fair.

New forum for food processing and intelligent manufacturing

The new partnership with CIFST allows swop to purposefully extend its influence to exclusive purchasers within the Chinese food industry. The cooperation marks the debut of the “Food Processing and Intelligent Manufacturing Zone” at the trade fair, which specialises in innovative processing technologies and packaging solutions for food producers. The forum will cover a number of current topics, among them artificial intelligence, food big data, image analysis of food, machine learning, intelligent manufacture, nutrition and safety as well as quality control. Around 300 key players and managers from the industry are expected.

In addition, swop will again house the SAVE FOOD Forum with the SAVE FOOD Design Award and the Sustainability Design Award. The awards highlight the importance of sustainability in the conception of packaging, especially for the fight against food waste and food loss, and offer participating exhibitors added visibility.

Focus on market drivers 

The comprehensive accompanying programme at swop, which offers networking, lectures and special exhibitions, offers exhibitors an additional opportunity to present their products and innovations, exchange knowledge, establish valuable contacts and open up new business opportunities. The “Smart Packaging Zone”, with the motto “intelligence, digitalisation, personalisation” presents innovative packaging technologies and smart factories. The “Green Power Zone” focuses on sustainable and recyclable materials and offers a platform to discuss trends in packaging. There is also a matchmaking platform for intense, personal talks between exhibitors and users, supported by comprehensive global visitor data and a continually growing base of purchasers.

Exhibitors can still register 

swop offers the opportunity to meet influential leaders in the industry, gain insights into the up-and-coming-Asian market and enter into strategic business partnerships. Interested exhibitors can still register for swop – one of the easiest and most comfortable ways is to participate in the German or International Pavilion with an all-inclusive package.

Participation by international exhibitors and visitors will be further facilitated by China's decision to implement a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 15 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Poland, to travel to China for 15 days without a visa, including for business visits.

Berry Global’s factory in Pamplona, Spain has achieved RecyClass and UNE 15343 Certifications, both highly regarded independent markers of the site’s commitment to improving the recyclability of plastic packaging and incorporating recycled content across its products.
RecyClass and UNE 15343 Certifications are awarded after a voluntary audit conducted by third-party recognised certification bodies. The Pamplona factory welcomed auditors over two days, during which various sustainability factors were monitored, including Berry’s capabilities in designing for recyclability and the traceability of recycled plastics used at the site.
These certifications mean that Berry can now offer RecyClass labelling on non-food packaging produced at the Pamplona factory, validating its claims around recyclability and the incorporation of recycled materials for its customers.
Other European Berry factories that have already achieved RecyClass Certification include La Genête and Lubien. Audits at other sites are also underway.
The Certifications, which are valid for three years, were awarded to sales director Ignacio Igea at the Hispack exhibition.
“Berry is committed to helping our customers with circular packaging solutions, and the RecyClass and UNE 15343 Certifications are a commonly-used and widely recognised means of sharing our credentials in recyclability and recycled plastics,” said Ignacio Igea.

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

A leading provider of cold chain packaging solutions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Colin Rowland as Managing Director. Colin played a crucial role in the initial development and growth of Hydropac, and now returns with renewed passion and vision to spearhead the company's ambitious growth plans.

"Quite simply, my love for Hydropac drew me back," said Colin. "It's in my blood, and I feel very passionate about the business I helped build." After a brief departure in 2021, Colin was inspired to return following discussions with Hydropac's new owners, Bunzl. "Bunzl's commitment to Hydropac and its employees made it clear that this was the right decision. We aligned quickly and easily on our shared vision for the future," he added.

Since Colin’s last tenure, Hydropac has benefitted from the support of Bunzl and has established a closer relationship with its sister company, Coolpack, in the Netherlands. "This shared expertise is a huge advantage to our customers and the group," he explained. "I'm excited for the future of Hydropac and the developing relationship with our Dutch colleagues."

Colin’s initial focus will be on understanding Hydropac's current operations to identify areas for improvement. "I want to ensure our employees are front and centre of all changes," he emphasised. "Employee engagement, production efficiencies, machine development, and new product innovation are top priorities."

He acknowledges the challenges ahead but is confident in Hydropac's ability to innovate and lead the market. "Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do," he said.  “I’ve watched with interest the rest of the market replicate what we have done, with Reflective-Air liners being a good example, as well as our HydroFreeze and EasiFreeze water-based ice packs and quilted ice sheets. We must always be ready with the next best innovation and it’s an area I need to ensure we deliver on over the coming 12 months. Watch this space!”

Colin added, "I'm excited about the new management team, our Dutch colleagues, advanced machinery, and our loyal customers. Most of all, I’m thrilled to be back and ready to continue to make Hydropac an enjoyable place to work and a preferred choice for our customers."

With a focus on innovation, Hydropac aims to stand out from its competitors. "We never copy others; we innovate solutions to simplify problems," he said. "Our ethos of 'simplicity engineered through innovation, not imitation' will drive us forward."

Despite a slowdown in mature markets, the demand for BOPP film in emerging markets is offering significant opportunities. In the latest market report from AMI, titled "BOPP Films - The Global Market 2024", our expert consultants have combined first-hand industry insight with data analysis to empower businesses to make informed decisions.

The report concludes that direct food packaging is still the most important application for BOPP films as modern retail caters to a market that craves packaged foods more than ever. Food security and convenience remain important drivers for packaged food growth in low-income markets. 58% of BOPP film demand is used for direct food packaging, and if labels are included, this rises to 65%. Snack foods are the most important food category for BOPP films by volume. Snacking and the consumption of packaged snacks for convenience is a growing trend, with busy on-the-go lifestyles encouraging more snacking occasions in all regions.

On the other hand, current inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty have caused consumers to fall back on cheaper food staples such as pasta and noodles, commonly using high volumes of BOPP film for simple and efficient packaging and display.

The diversity of markets for BOPP film is illustrated in the large volume in “other foods”, which covers a wide variety including frozen food and fresh fruit and vegetable packaging.

Snacks and other dried foods are forecast to provide the biggest opportunity for growth, particularly in emerging markets where per capita BOPP film consumption is lower and where convenient, protective packaging is still an appealing factor in food consumption, despite global commitments to packaging reduction and recyclability.

Packaging converters need to keep abreast of such end-use market trends and understand how they are influencing BOPP film supply and innovation.

A Market Shift Towards BOPE

Within the flexible packaging space the latest solution predicted to develop into a viable mass-market option is BOPE film, thanks to the interest in mono-material structures and brand owner recycling commitments.

A key feature of BOPE is mechanical recyclability and now with established PE film recycling streams in place across many countries, this can be truly utilised. Sustainability and mono-material structures remain key drivers within flexible film research and development. A growing body of sustainability legislation, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in Europe, is impacting packaging development.

Investors in BOPE film extrusion are hedging their bets by installing hybrid BOPE/BOPP extrusion lines so that lines can be used for both materials. Others have modified existing lines to be ready to ramp up production when the market demands it, and only one company so far has dived in by investing in a fully dedicated BOPE line. But this opportunity doesn’t come without challenges and within this latest market report, AMI assesses the key players, market growth and potential in a chapter dedicated to this fast-developing new material.

The report will also enable users of BOPP films to improve their knowledge of end-use applications, demand and production in each world region and get an independent assessment of the implications for future material sourcing.

Also newly included in this report is a chapter dedicated to Battery Separator Films. With green industry and new energy becoming increasingly important, the use of BOPP in this segment is explored and analysed for the first time by AMI’s market experts.

Selmsdorf/Wood Dale, July 2024 - FOBA will be exhibiting three laser marking systems at the International Manufacturing Technology Show IMTS in Chicago/USA (9 to 14 September 2024). The main focus will be on the lightweight and space-saving integration of the new UV laser head into a FOBA M1000.

At IMTS, FOBA will be showcasing a full range of laser marking solutions, from the largest laser marking workstation, the M3000, to the compact M1000 manual workstation and the world's smallest laser marking head, Titus™. Each laser system shows different application areas and functions for efficient industrial product marking, from metals to plastics.

The latest product in the FOBA product family is the optimised V series, which, with the 4 watt UV and 10 watt green marking laser, offers higher performance and better precision than its predecessor models, but at a fraction of the size. The laser head is so compact that it can be integrated into the FOBA M1000 manual workstation. The smaller size makes it easier to integrate into existing production environments.

"The new V-Series shows its strength above all in the marking of plastics and composites," says Philipp Febel, Director Product Strategy & Customer Experience at FOBA, "and is a sustainable alternative to other marking technologies such as continuous inkjet or pad printing." In contrast to these technologies, the marking lasers require hardly any consumables and therefore minimize waste and operating costs.

In live demonstrations on the M3000 laser marking machine, visitors will see the deep black marking of stainless steel in combination with the MOSAIC feature, which automatically aligns the marking - even on parts that are randomly placed in the marking field. With the Titus™ fibre laser marker, FOBA is showcasing the smallest laser marking head available on the market at the trade fair. It is predestined for fast marking in production lines and offers maximum flexibility in terms of integration.  All three systems will be available for live demonstrations at the trade fair stand.
 

With its new deinking solution for UV-printed labels, Siegwerk once again underlines its commitment to drive the recyclability of packaging in the sense of a Circular Economy. Initial customer tests have already proven the new primer’s effectiveness in deinking energy-cured inks and thus ensuring a high quality of recyclates

Siegburg, Germany, and Białystok, Poland, July, 17, 2024. - Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, today announced the launch of its first full UV flexo deinking system for the European market: CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02. The new primer technology for non-food packaging applications offers a validated solution for safe and economic deinking of UV-printed self-adhesive labels (PSL). As a result, it improves the recyclability of labeled plastic packaging and enables the recovery of high-quality recyclates that are suitable for reuse in non-food packaging applications.

Although UV inks offer some advantageous properties for printing labels, they also pose a challenge for the subsequent recycling. “Depending on the substrate, UV inks are often very difficult to remove and can therefore lead to contaminations of recyclates, which significantly limits their further reuse,” explains Marc Larvor, Head of Technology Narrow EMEA at Siegwerk. “As a result, it is not surprising that UV-printed packaging has so far been considered as problematic in terms of a Circular Economy.” With CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02, Siegwerk now offers a primer solution that specifically addresses this challenge. By enabling easy and safe deinking of UV-printed self-adhesive labels, it eliminates the need for prior label removal if the used plastics are compatible. “Such combined mechanical recycling of labels and plastic packaging can not only help to increase recycling rates, but also to save time and costs,” adds Marc Larvor. “Thereby, our new UV flexo deinking primer actively contributes to realize high-quality recyclates for circular waste streams.”

In a first field test with Masterpress, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of high-quality labels and printed decorative packaging solutions, Siegwerk’s new deinking primer has proven its effectiveness in all aspects. Masterpress’ research and development (R&D) experts used uncoated transparent or white pressure sensitive labels (PSL) made of PE85 and applied Siegwerk's CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02 followed by bleeding resistant UV flexo inks and an UV flexo OPV. First, the primer created a perfect adhesion between substrate and inks and later enabled full ink and varnish removal of the printed polyethylene (PE) film at standard deinking conditions based on the QT 507 washing protocol of the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP). The primer layer also dissolved residue-free in the hot washing process and thus proved its ability to generate high-quality transparent or white recyclates, while the used non-bleeding ink formulations ensured a clean and reusable washing solution.

In-house laboratory tests at Masterpress and Siegwerk have shown great recyclate results underlining the effectiveness of the new deinking primer. “Consistently investing in its R&D laboratory, Masterpress brings state-of-the-art capabilities to test and trial new inks or materials before they enter the market. We are dedicated to advancing innovation within the shrink sleeve and self-adhesive label industry and are well positioned to help accelerate the commercialization of new, sustainable, recyclable products and materials on the market,” said Katarzyna Wasilewska, research and development manager at Masterpress. “Our tests confirmed an impressive recyclability of the UV-printed PE labels. Compared to other labels with no deinking technology, we could observe that contaminations of plastic recyclates due to discoloration could be massively reduced by using Siegwerk's UV Deinking Primer.”

Therewith, CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02 makes a significant contribution to improving the quality of recyclates and increasing their reusability. It works perfectly with the company’s established Sicura flexo series such as the non-low migration Sicura Flex 39-8 or the dual-curing series Sicura Flex Dual Cure. In addition, the new primer is compliant with different film materials and allows an inline printing of deinkable materials in a 100% UV-Flexo press setup keeping the complexity for users as low as possible. “With only three minutes, the new UV flexo primer even offers a deinking speed as fast as a water-based deinking primer making it to a great alternative for converters who are using a pure UV flexo press and are not able to process a water-based primer,” adds Katarzyna Wasilewska.

With CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02, Siegwerk has not only added another functional coating solution to its CIRKIT product portfolio for packaging designs in the sense of a Circular Economy, but is also continuing to drive deinking as a new industry standard to further improve the recyclability of plastic packaging. Currently, the company’s portfolio of circular coatings already covers several water-based and solvent-based technologies for different applications, substrates, coating processes and performances: From barrier coatings against liquids, oil and grease, water vapor, oxygen, and UV light through heat seal and protection coatings to delamination and deinking primers.

To learn more about Siegwerk’s coating offering, please visit https://www.siegwerk.com/en/inks-coatings/coatings.html

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs - from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a seventh-generation family business, we have long been aware of our for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity. Here, 30+ country organizations and ~5,000 employees worldwide ensure consistent high-quality products and customized support around the world.

New Crown Hair Society haircare series coming to Family Dollar stores will offer luxury haircare products at affordable prices.

Innovative Beauty Group’s (IBG) Brand Incubator, the brand development segment of the leading global beauty solutions provider, has partnered with value retailer Family Dollar to launch an elevated haircare line. Named Crown Hair Society, the 9-product assortment features a versatile range of shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, and oils designed to offer a luxury haircare experience at an accessible price point. Ranging in price from $5-6 USD per item, the haircare line will be exclusively available in over 7,500 Family Dollar stores nationwide beginning in July.

The Crown Hair Society collection is designed to give hair the royal treatment. Inspired by fan-favorite hair products, all items in the series are formulated with high-quality, nourishing ingredients tailored to specific hair types. Consumers can enhance the look of their locks based on individual hair needs without breaking the bank. Products in the collection are vegan, cruelty free and free from parabens.

The product offerings include:
•    Color Care Shampoo: A shampoo infused with rosemary oil, vitamin E, and protein complex that helps lock in nutrients and restore color-treated hair. 
•    Color Care Conditioner: A conditioner made with argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E that revitalizes hair with ingredients that work together to restore hair’s moisture content, giving it a healthy and vibrant appearance. 

•    Hydrating Shampoo: Featuring niacinamide, aloe vera, and avocado oil, the shampoo works to leave hair feeling clean and looking shiny. 

•    Hydrating Conditioner: A hydrating conditioner made with coconut oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E that helps restore moisture and shine to the hair. 

•    Curl Enhancing Shampoo: A shampoo infused with nourishing argan oil and grape seed oil to enhance the bounce, shine, and manageability of curls. 

•    Curl Enhancing Conditioner: Enhances curl definition, elasticity, shine, and manageability for bouncy curls. Made with aloe vera, vitamin E, and keratin. 

•    Anti-Frizz Treatment: Infused with aloe vera, vitamin E, coconut, argan, and jojoba seed oils, the spray treatment tames frizz, adds shine, and promotes smoother, more manageable hair. 

•    Leave-In Treatment: A weekly leave-in treatment infused with aloe vera and vitamin E that helps to combat frizz and maintain hair health. 

•    Bonding Oil: An ultra-lightweight, concentrated formula comprised of rosemary oil, argan oil, and vitamin E that effectively restores and moisturizes all hair types.

“At IBG, we're passionate about developing high-quality, innovative beauty products that are accessible to all,” said Jennifer Raphael, CEO of Innovative Beauty Group North America. “The Crown Hair Society line epitomizes that, ensuring that anyone can indulge in salon-quality products at an attainable price, without compromise. We are excited to see the positive impact these products will have on customers' haircare routines."

"We are thrilled to team up with IBG to bring the Crown Hair Society line to our customers as this collection embodies our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable products to our shoppers," said Steve Biehl, Vice President of Private Brands. "We are confident our customers will love the luxurious experience these haircare products offer, without the luxury price tag.”

The Crown Hair Society line is the second launch in the collaboration between IBG and Family Dollar, following its successful October 2023 Levitate Beauty skincare line introduction.

IBG’s brand incubator was created to cultivate a portfolio of brands in collaboration with strategic partners, and to promote the development of unique beauty concepts. The brand incubator designs and develops exclusive brands in the following capacities: 1.)  in synergy with major retail partners to fill white- space opportunities and offer exclusive distribution, 2.) alongside an influencer or celebrity to bring their exclusive beauty brand to life, 3.) develop IBG’s own brands for multi-channel distributions through retailers and/or direct-to-consumer, or, 4.) invest in existing early-stage brands to fuel expansion.
 

Rajoo Engineers hosted an exclusive, invite-only event on the 4th and 5th of July, 2024, bringing together the processors, innovators & leaders of the flexible packaging industry. This prestigious event was held in Rajkot, India and featured a blend of cultural and industry-focused activities, catering to a global audience.

The event began with a heartfelt welcome address, setting the tone for an evening of networking and collaboration. Guests experienced a cultural performance, highlighting the richness of Indian heritage and traditions, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding amongst the attendees.

The highlight of the evening was the panel discussion titled "Drishtikon", focusing on the supply chain of the flexible packaging industry. The session was moderated by Shri Sunil Jain, Executive Director & President of Rajoo Engineers Ltd. Panelists were: Shri Unmesh Nayak, COO of Reliance Industries Ltd, Shri Chandrakant Virani, Chairman of Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. Shri Rajesh Doshi, Chairman of Rajoo Engineers Ltd., Shri Pranav Bhalara, Director of Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd., Shri Gabriele Caccia, Group President & CEO of Syncro SRL, and Shri Vipin Chaudhry, Director of Hi-Tech Inks Pvt. Ltd. The panelists shared their insights and perspectives on the current trends and future directions of the flexible packaging industry, providing valuable information and engaging discussions among the attendees.

This event served as a networking prelude, bringing together key stakeholders from the entire value chain of the flexible packaging industry. It set the stage for meaningful interactions and paved the way for future collaborations.

The second day of the event marked as an exclusive Product Premiere at Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd., heralding the grand debut of the PROEX Series, the latest in high-performance blown film extrusion technology.

As the curtains parted, the PROEX series was unveiled, captivating the audience with its remarkable performance. The line in commercial production highlighted its capability to produce film at 900 kg/hr , 22 micron thickness and 2800 mm layflat width. The RELEX 4.0 extruders, established for their low shear heat design, showcased optimal energy efficiency and high yield. CSD 4.0 die, the heart of the line, capable of delivering film thickness from 20 to 200 microns across a wide 2800 mm lay flat width and low gage variation, the system achieved unprecedented line speeds of 150 m/min.

Shri Pranav Bhalara, Director of Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd., expressed his pride in supporting the 'Make in India' initiative and the 'Vocal for Local' movement, stating, "I am delighted with the PROEX series. This high performance blown film line exemplifies that we can achieve world-class quality through Indian ingenuity and innovation.

This milestone not only signifies a substantial advancement in manufacturing capabilities but also exemplifies Rajoo's steadfast dedication to achieving Excellence throughout our journey.

Rajoo Engineers Ltd. is a pioneer in the plastics industry, committed not only to technological innovation but also for customer’s advantage. "Spiritual professionalism inspires us to embrace integrity, respect, and holistic growth in our innovative pursuits, ensuring that our efforts benefit not only technological advancement but also the greater good of our customers, community, and environment. Guided by a higher purpose, we align our values with our mission, creating an impact that resonates far beyond our walls." Shared Khushboo Chandrakant Doshi, Managing Director, Rajoo Engineers Limited

About Rajoo:

Rajoo Engineers Limited, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Rajkot, has evolved into a prominent global player in blown films, sheet extrusion lines. Through a dedicated focus on blown film, sheet extrusion lines, thermoformers and extrusion coating and laminating lines, the company has attained a prestigious market position. Driven by technology, Rajoo is renowned for its product innovations, world-class quality, state-of-the-art workmanship, enhanced energy efficiency, and sophisticated automation, distinguishing its offerings on a global scale. With a presence in numerous countries and a customer base spanning over 78 nations, the company's exports have surged since its international debut in 1990.

Joins India-Austria Business Meet during PM Modi’s visit to Vienna

Offers to support domestic secondary raw material development through circular economy solutions

Magnesita, the Global leader in the manufacturing and supply of refractory products, systems, and solutions, has appealed to the Government of India for strategic policy initiatives to diversify the sourcing of critical refractory grade minerals to ensure raw material supply security for the sustainable growth of the country. This was pressed upon by Gustavo Franco, Chief Customer Officer of the company, during the India-Austria Business Meet held recently as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Austrian capital, Vienna. The company has also requested policy measures to restrict the environmentally harmful landfilling of used refractories and to promote recycling, which in turn ensures the availability of secondary raw materials for the industry and contributes towards building a circular economy.
Parmod Sagar, Managing Director and CEO of RHI Magnesita India Ltd. said, “Refractory products and solutions are critical for production of steel, cement, glass, aluminium, energy and all such products that require high temperature manufacturing processes. India, purely for geological reasons, lacks domestic sources for critical raw materials like refractory grade Magnesite and Alumina. With very high import dependency, it is imperative to have a diversified sourcing network for supply security to ensure long term sustainability of the Make in India drive.”   
India is already a pioneer in recycling in the refractories sector due to its low reserves of raw materials. However, there is still enormous potential, as thousands of tonnes of used but valuable refractory material is thrown into landfills. Landfilling is not only extremely damaging to the environment, but it also results in the enormous waste of precious raw materials. The company has asked for preventive policy measure on landfilling. This would protect the environment, level up the reuse of important raw materials and push recycling. The entire industry - including the steel industry in India would improve CO2 footprint while ensuring further raw-material security through circular economy solutions.
Parmod reiterated that RHI Magnesita India is fully aligned with PM Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and will continue playing a crucial role in India’s growth story. The company has committed approximately 400 mEur (Rs 3600 Cr) of phased investment by FY 2026 to build and modernize its production capacity in India. Out of this, it has spent about 300 mEur in last 2 years in India for building local capacity. It now has more than 500,000 tons of local refractory production capacity in India.
About RHI Magnesita India Limited
RHI Magnesita India Ltd. is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. This includes Magnesia and Alumina based bricks and mixes for large industrial customers as well as specialty refractory products like Isostatic products and Slide Gates. With 2,000+ strong skilled workforce in 8 state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, 3 main offices, 30 site offices across the country and a world-class R&D centre at Bhiwadi, RHI Magnesita India serves customers in India and more than 75