Plastic at the core of a new circular economy
Shelton, Conn.-based Modern began making the shields recently and already is scaling up to production of more than 1
Cologne, January 2020 – Vacuum technology specialist, Leybold, has developed two new online tools to assist customer’s pump choice and layout of complete vacuum systems: The Pump Finder and the calculation tool LEYCALC. With these new web-based tools, users can select and build their vacuum solutions online. They are designed to be used for two different use cases: The homepage https://calc.leybold.com/en/lp leads to both the Pump Finder and LEYCALC, the vacuum system calculation tool. Users with vacuum know-how can use LEYCALC to calculate the behavior and performance of vacuum systems in detail. The Pump Finder guides even beginners to suitable products by a questionnaire. 
Step by step to the right offer
The Pump Finder is designed to navigate vacuum users step-by-step to find the ideal pump for their application. Throughout the selection tool, pumps can be refined by entering values for chamber size, target pressure and pipe dimensions. There are two calculation options for modelling different vacuum applications: process flow and vacuum chamber pump down. A process gas flow is a continuous gas flow where the constant pressure is conveyed. A vacuum chamber pump down is an application where the chamber is pumped/evacuated to a specific target pressure. The result is a selection of vacuum pumps that meet the customer's requirements.
Targeted product selection
LEYCALC can be used for detailed engineering of vacuum systems using the same powerful algorithms as Leybold’s application experts. The tool allows customers to calculate their vacuum systems fully independently and for complex scenarios, the experts offer their full support. "Previously, we had to adjust parameters such as chamber size, process gases, cycle times, pipe length and pressure values during the initial contact with the customer. With the help of the simulation software, the user can independently calculate configurations and get an initial idea of the vacuum performance," explains Dr. Tom Kammermeier, Global Application Manager, Industrial Vacuum. "In the past, there were often lengthy dialogues about such details," says Kammermeier. Now users can perform their calculations independently – with the result that the entire process leads to a more targeted and faster selection of the right solutions for the application. "We expect LEYCALC to improve the contact quality with our customers," summarizes Kammermeier.
Efficient communication and fast solutions
Once the user of the online tool has defined the pump’s chamber and the target pressure, LEYCALC performs the calculation of a pump down curve: The result is immediately displayed in a diagram. This shows exactly how long it takes to pump the air out of the chamber to a defined pressure and how the pressure develops over time. Alternatively, the user can calculate the pumping speed curve of a pump system. This shows which pumping speed is provided at a certain pressure. All calculation data is stored centrally and can be called up at any time and from any device by customers who have registered. Calculation results can also be shared with specialists at Leybold. This allows a detailed discussion about the respective vacuum application. Overall, the platform leads to considerably more efficient customer communication and faster solutions in complex projects. Leybold’s vacuum experts will be happy to answer any questions regarding specific calculations in a timely fashion.
Conductivity losses immediately apparent
"In addition to the chambers and pumps of a vacuum system, the different influences of pipelines are also taken into account. These include the conductance effects in all pressure ranges and flow regimes, blocking and, of course, the volume of the lines," explains Hannes Kamecke, the IT manager responsible for the online configurator. In some cases, it then becomes apparent that a pump with higher individual performance would not improve the overall vacuum performance because the reductions are caused by an incorrectly dimensioned pipeline. "However, the diagram immediately shows that the pipe diameter needs to be increased," explains Hannes Kamecke.
Further development planned
Navigation through the web-based software solution is conveniently possible on all kind of devices like tablets, smartphones. Sections in need of explanation are linked to more detailed background information on vacuum technique. In future, LEYCALC will comprise the whole Leybold product portfolio, covering also high vacuum applications. "With the publication of the new calculation tools, Leybold makes its vacuum know-how collected over decades available to its customers and thus lays the foundation for modern digital customer communication. The offer thus represents an important building block in the digital customer experience strategy of the vacuum specialist," concludes Hannes Kameck
ACG Group, the only supplier in the world offering end-to-end manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry – is showcasing a comprehensive portfolio of next-generation production, packaging and inspection machinery. Comprising equipment solutions from two of its four business units, ACG Engineering and ACG Inspection, the NXT Series are future ready machines which will provide smart USER experience to our customers. Under the NXT series, the machines included are Protab 300 NXT, Protab 700 NXT, BMax NXT, KartonX NXT, Verishield CS18 NXT.
An acronym, USER stands for UltraHMI, StealthDesign, ExploreAR (Augmented Reality) and RevealiOT. Combined, the elevated elements, bring sweeping changes to a significant portfolio of ACG machinery including tablet presses, blister and cartoning packing equipment and serialization units for Track and Trace applications. The result is a sizable step forward in all facets of the production experience:
• UltraHMI: Aligning with the continued push for increasingly automated manufacturing solutions, ACG’s newly imagined HMI system provides seamless control of high-precision, contamination-free machines requiring minimal humanmachine interaction. Highlights include a simplified operator experience, better data visualization, decision dashboard and of course, IIoT enabled.
• StealthDesign: With a smooth, flowing style, the sleek new machine look exemplifies ACG’s commitment to versatility, maneuverability, and maximized output at a minimized footprint.
• ExploreAR: Smarter, secure, and faster, ACG’s unsurpassed Augmented Reality solutions raise the bar of process efficiency. Harnessing the potential of AR technology, ExploreAR reduces production downtime, identifies and resolves maintenance issues more quickly, and keeps manufacturing moving at a more optimized pace. Highlights include real-time monitoring, remote diagnosis and proactive service support, proactive maintenance and more realistic operator training.
• RevealiOT: ACG’s IIoT platform enables intermachine connectivity and smart manufacturing processes via easy-to-read dashboards detailing heretofore difficultto-measure KPIs. Digestible data provides actionable metrics, a quantum leap in transparency leading to predictive maintenance, improved product quality and maximized overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The treasure trove of new information also allows for “Golden Batch” repeatability and optimized production schedules, significantly improving machine efficiency while reducing line downtime.
About ACG
ACG group is the world’s only integrated pharma manufacturing solutions company absolutely committed to delivering exceptional solutions to the global pharmaceutical industry. The company’s diverse product range of Capsules, Films & Foils, Engineering, and Inspection systems meets international regulatory requirements. ACG is committed to just one goal: to offer everything needed for efficient capsule and tablet manufacturing.
ACG has over 5 decades of experience and is present in over 100 countries, with more than 4,500 associates around the world. Our customer-centric approach has won us many loyal, satisfied customers and partners by nurturing relationships.
The Swiss family business Hoffmann Neopac expands its metal business and takes over its longstanding partner CM Packaging in the Netherlands. The company invests in a 3- piece can making line at its new location and thus strengthens its market position.
Thun, Switzerland - Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of high-quality plastic and metal packaging for a broad array of industries and applications, has acquired a longstanding metal packaging partner, Netherlands-based CM Packaging. As of January 1, 2020, the company intends to operate as a single entity. The parties have agreed not to disclose the acquisition price.
Hoffmann Neopac is also investing in a three-piece canmaking line at CM Packaging’s facility in Dronten, The Netherlands. Among other benefits, the infrastructure investment provides expanded capacity and flexibility for the growing infant food sector.
Andreas Geiger, former CTO of Hoffmann Neopac, will assume leadership of the Metal Packaging division as Managing Director. The overall sales team will be led by Tomas Pivko, currently Head of Sales, Tins at Hoffmann Neopac. The three owners of CM Packaging will remain with the company.
According to Mark Aegler, CEO of Hoffmann Neopac: "The team at CM Packaging has been a tremendous partner through the years, and with them joining the Hoffmann Neopac family we now have a production site in the EU in the metal sector and can also successfully implement our internationalization in this area. In the tube business, we have been doing this for several years, and now produce high-quality tubes in Switzerland, Hungary, India and the USA.
” CM Packaging Sales & Marketing Director Herbert van de Beek comments: “The acquisition of CM Packaging by Hoffmann Neopac will combine the clear strengths of both companies and improve our position in an increasingly challenging market. It will also further strengthen our service and development power, which is a benefit to our customers.”
CHINA BRAND @ PAPEREX formally opened in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India from 3rd to 6th December, 2019. The exposition is sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and organized by HYVE Group and China International Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC Group).
CHINA BRAND @ PAPEREX is the first China – South Asia industrial capacity cooperation exposition, which aims to provide a platform for business and trade circles between China and South Asia countries in Paper, Printing and Packaging industries, to work hand in hand, promote trade and investment to achieve mutual benefits. CHINA BRAND @ PAPEREX this year expected presence of 70+ exhibitors, 2000+sqm show space from China.
India is among the fastest growing economies. With increasing prosperity, both the desire and the need for modern packaging solutions emerges. A study by trade and commerce trade association Assocham and global consulting firm EY revealed that the packaging industry in India is anticipated to reach $73.6bn by the 2020 financial year (FY2020), due to India’s growing population and income levels. The conclusions drawn are therefore supportive of a continued expansion of the paper packaging demand globally, especially in the high growth regions of the world.
The Expo showcases many products and economic development concepts in various ways, thus promoting china’s investment to India and cooperation between Chinese and India. The expo will also include China-India Industrial Capacity Cooperation Seminar, preventatives of Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry, PWC India, Overseas Committee of the All-China Federation and some China brand companies will participate the meeting. Business matchmaking will also be held during show time.
CHINA BRAND @ PAPEREX aims to implement the achievements of China – South Asia industrial capacity cooperation, promote economic and trade investment between China and India as well as build a bridge of connectivity between China and South Asia. It is highly valued and widely welcomed by all parties.
Building on the success of Rippatape – the original market-leading tape-based opening device for board and paper-based packaging – Essentra Tear Tapes has launched Rippatape X. The new tape delivers improved cross-tear performance for the easy opening of paper sacks within the food and industrial sectors and mailers and large cartons used in e-commerce and retail packaging applications.
Manufactured using a specialised 75micron Monoaxially Orientated Polypropylene (MOPP) film, Rippatape X provides fast, safe and easy access to a pack’s contents. Importantly, its water-based adhesive solution does not impede the recycling of materials that it is applied to, ensuring both the tape and board can be processed through established recycling facilities.
Rippatape X removes the need for knives or any other sharp implements in the opening of packaging, reducing the risk of product damage or possible personal injury. Providing a clean and safe opening also ensures the product pack remains intact for any potential returns, avoiding the costs and impact on the environment from needing to supply extra packaging.
In addition, the tamper-evident nature of Rippatape X gives a clear indication if a package has been opened previously, providing brand and product protection for increased customer confidence.
Rippatape X has been designed to be easily applied to new and existing production lines at speeds of up to 450 metres a minute at the point of manufacture by using Essentra's custom build applicators.
“As the demand from consumers for easy opening increases, we wanted to create a product that had the same popular qualities of Rippatape, yet could also withstand the more durable retail and e-commerce packaging formats now available,” comments Ian Beresford, Head of Marketing and Development at Essentra Tear Tapes.
“The addition of Rippatape X delivers easy opening across the latest paper, corrugated and fibreboard packaging, protecting goods from damage while also providing evidence of tampering or packs being previously opened,” continues Ian. “This combination of consumer benefits, together with the ease of application for manufacturers, is ensuring Rippatape continues to deliver exceptional value to packaging.”
Constantia Flexibles – the world’s third largest producer of flexible packaging with headquarters in Vienna, Austria – opens the world’s first plant designed to produce more sustainable and recyclable flexible packaging only, in India. Production focus at the plant lies on the more environmentally friendly packaging family EcoLam. The official opening of the first of this kind site will take place on November 20, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in India.
The reduction of waste in general and plastic waste in particular is an important issue, also for the food processing and home and personal care industry in India. The Indian government is responding to the problem and therefore adopted ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules’ as early as in 2016. Among other things, the rules prescribe to scrap single-use plastic like pouches completely by the year 2022. Another part of the new regulations is the phasing out of multi-layered plastic, which is non-recyclable.
Alexander Baumgartner, CEO of Constantia Flexibles: “We know about our responsibilities towards the industry, the end consumers and – first and foremost – towards the environment. Thus, we are not only focusing on developing more environmentally friendly packaging, we also designed the first plant in the world dedicated to produce sustainable packaging only. The plant named Constantia Ecoflex Ahmedabad is located in Gujarat in India, which is the perfect market to implement such a forward-looking project.”
Sustainable packaging only at the new plant in Ahmedabad
The decision to open a plant in India was relatively straightforward. Amongst others, the new ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules’ show, that Indian government can exert pressure on the recycling economy and that it supports initiatives and companies which advocate for less waste.
The solutions produced at the new plant all belong to the innovative product family EcoLam, which is part of Constantia Flexibles’ innovative product line Ecolutions.
EcoLam is a lightweight Mono-PE laminate suitable for a great variety of packaging applications. Due to its mono-material structure it is fully recyclable, and its carbon footprint is approximately 32% lower than that of comparable products. The EcoLam family comes in different barrier grades (EcoLam, EcoLamPlus, EcoLamHighPlus) to deliver the barrier needs for a diverse range of products.
After a construction time of more than two years, Constantia Ecoflex Ahmedabad started test runs in September 2019. The plant has an area of 24,500 sqm, currently there are 50 people working at the plant, the number is expected to triple by the second quarter of 2020.
Clariant is proud to announce that the California-based Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute has awarded the Material Health Certificate GOLD level certification to Licocare RBW 102 Vita, Licocare RBW 106 Vita and Licocare RBW 300 Vita , bio-based lubricating and dispersing aids. This award is a further confirmation of their excellent environmental profile and contribution to a circular economy for plastics.
The Material Health Certificate uses the rigorous, globally recognized material health assessment methodology of the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard to verify a product’s support for safe and circular products. Cradle to Crade® is a design concept developed in the early 90’s by William McDonough and Michael Braungart that is inspired by nature and represents circular thinking and innovation.
To determine the suitability of Licocare RBW for the certification, Clariant worked closely with the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) Switzerland GmbH, an accredited assessor for the Cradle to Cradle Certified and Material Health Certificate Certification. All ingredients present at > 100 ppm in a product are assessed with regard to material health to enable safe and circular products. As lubricants and dispersing agents are process chemicals which may be released into water, the safety of such an ingredient is one of the five criteria of the Cradle to Cradle Certified certification standard.
Licocare RBW bio-based additives are derived from rice bran wax, a non-food-competing by-product from the production of edible rice bran oil. Clariant upgrades this renewable raw material to facilitate its use as value-added, highly-effective processing aids for plastics compounders and masterbatch producers. Melt flow improvements, easier mold release and ensuring a more homogeneous distribution of pigments are features among their extensive benefits.
Given their extraordinary heat stability, typical application areas include engineering thermoplastics, biopolymers and epoxy resins, which benefits various polymer using industries such as automotive, electrical and electronical, as well as finding uses in coatings, agriculture and consumer applications.
Licocare RBW products typically carry also Clariant’s Vita designator that identifies solutions that are based on a renewable feedstock and have a renewable carbon index (RCI) higher than 98%. In addition, the majority of Licocare RBW solutions have been assigned Clariant’s highly demanding EcoTain® label for sustainability excellence products showing best-in-class performance.
Albin Kälin, CEO of EPEA Switzerland, commented: “With this Material Health Certificate at the GOLD level, Clariant is a lighthouse, offering chemical solutions which are derived from renewable resources and are safe in water and the environment.”
“This Cradle to Cradle recognition is a further acknowledgement of Clariant’s ongoing sustainability focus as demonstrated by its listing on the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the seventh consecutive year. In fact, Clariant’s Licocare RBW Vita range fully supports the market requirement for additives that go beyond the current sustainability requirements, while at the same time, not compromising on the high performance requirements in customer applications. “We will continue to develop additives which can help plastic manufacturers to become part of the solution in the transformation to a circular economy,” added Manuel Mueller, Global Market Segment Leader, Clariant BU Additives.
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glenroy™ Inc., a converter and printer of flexible packaging for over 50 years, is proud to provide its innovative STANDCAP pouch as the package for the newly released Yucatan Guacamole® Squeeze. This new product release from Curation Foods is a first-of-its-kind packaged guacamole product in a flexible squeeze pouch that allows for greater usage convenience and extended shelf-life for reduced waste.
Innovative Packaging Design
The new Yucatan Guacamole Squeeze makes experiencing guacamole at home and on-the-go more convenient and hassle-free. The innovative packaging ensures that the homemade taste of Yucatan Guacamole is ready for any occasion, including healthy snacking, special meals and events. "The premade STANDCAP Pouch allows food and beverage brands to breathe new life into entire product categories,” stated Evan Arnold, director of product development for Glenroy. The unique package design maintains freshness of the 100% Hass Avocados, improves delivery of the product with the innovative AptarGroup SimpliSqueeze® valve technology that extends shelf-life to ten days after opening, and helps reduce food waste. According to Arnold, “This innovative package, available as a turnkey, premade pouch solution, is within reach of more brands than ever before.”
The revolutionary new packaging is helping to transform guacamole from mainly a dip to a healthier condiment option, thus also expanding the entire market for guacamole. “The foundation of our company is driven by innovation with our consumers and customers in mind,” said Curation Foods CEO, Dr. Albert Bolles. “And often the biggest ideas and impact are achieved by making incremental, smart innovations to existing products.”
The premade STANDCAP Pouch is an easy-to-use lightweight package that provides clean and controlled dispensing, eliminates the need for a utensil, and allows consumers to access nearly 100% of the product inside. In terms of shelf impact, eye-tracking studies within a retail environment performed by Clemson University and research firm Package InSight showed that the STANDCAP Pouch was noticed 40% faster and viewed 53% longer than rigid packaging.
Two leading names in metal packaging, which have over many years featured prominently as winners of international packaging awards, enjoyed great success at the 2019 Cans of the Year Awards. Ardagh Group’s Food and Speciality Metal Packaging Division and Exal Corporation officially merged into Trivium Packaging on 31 October 2019 and staged a joint celebration to mark the largest cluster of achievements at the prestigious event.
Ardagh Food & Speciality claimed Golds for its unique Gaya Gold Coffee can and the ambitious seafood can project for Stabburet, which also scooped the Can of the Year prize, Bronze for the D&I tinplate can with Easy Open End or Easy Peel for D’AUCY vegetables and Exal gained a Bronze for its resealable Califia aluminium bottle.
“We are delighted to receive such recognition for some of our most innovative products”, says Woep Möller, President of Trivium’s Food & Speciality business in Europe. He adds, “We are dedicated to provide added value packaging solutions for our customers, and we are immensely proud of these awards.”
Michael Mapes, CEO of Trivium Packaging, comments: “Although these admirable achievements present a hard act to follow, I confidently predict that with our even stronger focus on innovation, sustainability and customer service, the Trivium name will feature prominently in future awards with the strengths and capabilities of the new combined teams.”
The ultimate accolade awarded to the Stabburet seafood can project shows all the qualities that will make Trivium such a formidable force in metal packaging: attention to detail, with over sixty separate designs; sustainability with a lightweight and fully recyclable can; close cooperation between a state of the art packaging plant and its customer.
An ability to set new standards of innovation was the primary feature of the luxury iced coffee brand, Gaya, where gold printing was applied on the lid and base of the can and new techniques in blow moulding achieved the unique shape by expanding the can size by an impressive 26 per cent under 40 bar pressure.
Trivium Packaging becomes one of the world’s major metal packaging companies, with more than 60 locations worldwide, a workforce of approximately 8000 and annual revenues of USD2.7bn. Ardagh Group and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan are both shareholders.
The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) organised its prestigious competition for the world’s best and most innovative aluminium aerosol cans once again this year. A panel comprising editors from renowned specialist publications in the fields of packaging, the aerosol industry and cosmetics selected their respective favourites in two categories: cans already on the market and prototypes. The panel of ten specialist journalists from four different continents chose the following winners of the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2019.
The winner among the aluminium cans already on the market was Coombs Family Farms Maple Stream produced by Montebello Packaging of Canada. The 7 fl oz (207 ml) can has a special shoulder shape for convenient handling and was produced with a white base coating in dry offset printed graphics with gloss over varnish. It convinced the judges above all with its extraordinary print quality. One reason for this was without doubt the fact that the can manufacturer’s graphics team was involved in this new product development right from the start – from the concept phase through to the final implementation by the customer. This really paid off and was reflected more than positively in the print result.
The customer provided the graphics team with a true 4 colour process CMYK file with a lot of overprint. Selected spot colours were used to keep the overprint to a minimum and still obtain the desired printed image. The artwork was very complex, and this meant the graphics team had to interpolate the final artwork for the printed cans to achieve a match with the artwork supplied by the customer. Proprietary colour separation techniques and dry dot screening technology were used to prevent overprinting of the inks. The producer used his dot gain curves to make sure the screened area and screened images were reproduced as closely as possible to the customer’s artwork.
US manufacturer Ball Corporation was the winner in the prototype category with its innovative 360° technology, which enables a wide range of shapes to be created over the entire circumference of the aluminium can. The technology is not restricted to stock shapes but can also produce the proprietary shapes that the customer wants. A special graphic design, which is aligned to the respective relief area, further enhances the shape’s visual impact. It results in a can with a strong appearance when viewed from every angle and perspective. At the same time, the shape gives added grip and is thus a user-friendly ergonomic plus.
The full fascination of the 360° technology only comes into its own when the lithography and embossing interact perfectly with this process technology. The artwork and the relief area are then combined precisely to further emphasise the depth of the design. This can be seen very nicely in the futuristic can with its clear lines. The graphic elements match the embossing precisely. The human eye is thus seduced into perceiving the difference between the recessed areas and the rest of the can even more clearly. With their playful design and honeycomb motif, the cans demonstrate the fantastic possibilities that are now available thanks to asymmetrical embossing. It means the new 360° technology is opening up a wide spectrum of additional design possibilities for the innovative and creative design of aluminium aerosol cans.
AEROBAL’s president Leopold Werdich emphasises that the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award inspires creativity, drives innovation and gives the industry new impetus: “Year after year, the AEROBAL competition is the benchmark for the innovative strength of the industry and a reliable indicator of new trends and ideas. This is also a reason why the competition attracts a great deal of interest and meets with a correspondingly positive response from the international packaging media. In recent years, solutions for reducing the weight of cans, breathtaking new shapes and printing techniques with photorealistic print images or fascinating tactile effects have been awarded prizes. Our competition has thus paved the way for many new ideas and improvements to make it to the markets.”
AEROBAL Secretary General Gregor Spengler is also extremely satisfied with the results and quality of this year’s competition: “Our Aluminium Aerosol Can Award once again demonstrates our industry’s high level of performance and the creative potential of our member companies. At the same time, the competition also reflects the wealth of benefits that aluminium aerosol cans have to offer over other comparable packaging materials. Just think of their excellent hygiene standards, their first-rate product protection, their endless recyclability, their high degree of safety and their easy and consumer-friendly use.”
Crystal Lake, Illinois, October 22, 2019 – AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR), a global leader in consumer dispensing, active packaging and drug delivery solutions, today announced that its Activ-Blister ™ packaging solution for oral solid dose drug delivery was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a HIV prevention medicine.
The oral solid dose drug was developed by a leading pharmaceutical company in the HIV treatment and prevention space, and represents the first FDA approval of Aptar’s proprietary Activ-Blister ™ packaging solution and proprietary application process developed by Aptar CSP Technologies.
The system protects oral solid drug products with a 3-Phase Activ-Polymer ™ solution that is fully integrated into the blister package. This 3-Phase Activ-Polymer ™ technology, which can be customized specifically for the drug developer’s formulation, offers a broad spectrum of specific drug protection including moisture adsorption, and oxygen and odor scavenging. The technology can also scavenge volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emit aromas.
Aptar’s portfolio of 3-Phase Activ-Polymer ™ protective solutions helps biotech and pharmaceutical partners meet specific drug long-term and in-use stability requirements while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, all in a patient-friendly packaging configuration.
“I am very pleased to announce this recent FDA approval of our proprietary Activ-Blister ™ technology,” commented Stephan Tanda, Aptar’s President and CEO. “This is a significant step that further validates the expanding portfolio of solutions offered by Aptar CSP Technologies. We will continue to leverage our proprietary 3-Phase Activ-Polymer ™ technology to help our customers with unique protective formulations that derisk their drug development process and help strengthen their own offerings. The ultimate result is that we are creating meaningful solutions that help improve and save lives.”
• To be unveiled at K 2019: collaborative sustainability projects and the products behind them; taking EcoTain® to the next level
• Focus on solutions in reduction, reuse & recycling to drive innovation & close the loop for plastics
• Key partnerships to develop new solutions
As action to tackle the challenge of plastic pollution gains momentum, including a new international framework signed by G20 ministers to address marine plastic waste, specialty chemical company Clariant announces proactive steps to foster partnerships and create a more sustainable plastics industry through a “Symphony of Collaboration”.
Whilst plastic has been described as the ‘success story of the 20th century’, its sustainability is increasingly under the spotlight. Every year, about 200-million tons are disposed of in landfills and about eight-million tons leak into our oceans. Responding to consumer-led concern around this waste, Clariant’s “Symphony of Collaboration” recognizes that regulators, industry and society have a responsibility to work more closely to drive design for, and innovation in, the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastics.
At K 2019, Clariant will shine a light on collaborative sustainability projects and the products behind them, supporting the development of solutions that will be adopted in the market. This includes the launch of a major new company-wide initiative specifically focused on plastics’ recycling. It aims to change the current take-make-dispose consumer attitude, moving towards a circular economy for post-consumer and post-industrial plastic through three key elements: the development of product and system solutions for recycling; partnerships with players across the recycling ecosystem to draw on different perspectives and develop new solutions; achieving a vast and diverse understanding of the challenges by sharing knowledge across different recycling technologies and the value chain of recycling.
Already, one important partnership has delivered some breakthrough results. Together with the Finnish oil refining company, Neste, which is passionate about giving fat residues and discarded cooking oils a second life, Clariant has been exploring opportunities to use renewable hydrocarbons, derived from this waste. More will be revealed at K, including new products for plastic applications based on mass-balance certification for usage of renewable polyolefins.
With a partner for Near Infrared (NIR) scanners , Clariant developed new colorants for the black coloration of plastics that can be identified by NIR sorting devices. This new range of black colorants can be used for various polymers (e.g. Polyolefins, PET, PA) and applications such as packaging and E&E. This offers brand owners and masterbatch producers new opportunities.
In line with making recycling a viable option, Clariant announces a support boost for effective monomaterial consumer solutions. A key priority here is ensuring the attractiveness of virgin PET for packaging. At K 2019, Clariant will launch its new masterbatch for PET destined for the food and beverage market. The patented oxygen scavenger is based on a new molecule that goes beyond existing solutions for PET in protecting content shelf life and taste. It’s proving a real success in initial customer trials, offering the potential to address a number of challenges for packaging producers in one solution.
In a further drive for collaboration, Clariant is also taking its EcoTain® label, currently awarded to a portfolio of more than 200 products that show outstanding sustainability advantages, to the next level. EcoTain is being expanded to include EcoTain Partnerships that will foster collaboration between at least three partners in the value chain to create concrete sustainability and business impacts, and advance environmental protection and the circular economy. At K 2019, Clariant will issue an open invitation to companies to come together and collaborate specifically on one particularly challenging aspect of recycling.
Clariant’s Richard Haldimann, Head of Innovation Excellence and Business Incubator, said that the company is proud to be fostering these partnerships across the value chain, from producer to recycler: “Clariant has been providing solutions to reduce the use of plastics, extend their lifetime to enable reuse, and supporting recycling for years. But we’ve learned from experience that the wider problem can’t be solved at an individual company level. It’s a system problem and collaboration is key.”
The Symphony of Collaboration has begun, and will continue, to open dialogs, develop and deploy projects that minimize and manage plastic waste and promote plastic post-use solutions, helping to turn brand owners’ and manufacturers’ sustainability commitments into achievable goals. Advancing plastics in these directions through dedicated cooperation is the chosen way forward. Clariant believes it will more effectively find the optimal solutions for the recycling challenge of its customers, increasing the attractiveness and functionality of post-consumer and post-industrial recyclate. And ensure additives such as flame retardants or pigments don’t stand in the way of an application’s recyclability or biodegradability, or the adoption of renewable-based plastics.
With EU, and other national plastics regulations, set to come into force within the next five years, it’s clear that collaboration, innovation and solutions to plastics waste are not only necessary, they must begin now.
Chongqing (China) – The Marchesini Group will take part in the 58 th edition of the China International Pharmaceutical Machinery Exhibition (CIPM) - namely one of the pharmaceutical packaging industry's must-attend shows in China - from 5 th to 7 th November. The machine on show (Stand S1-20) will be the Integra 520 blister line, the perfect solution to pack blisters into cartons. Together with the Integra 720 model, this line is the fastest robotized integrated blister line produced by the Marchesini Group and can deliver up to 520 blisters and 500 cartons per minute.
Technical features
Integra 520 combines two machines: a thermoformer and a cartoner. Integra 520 features not only the innovative functions of Integra 320, but also new pushers, a drum-type carton opener to deal with high speeds and a new leaflet pick-and-place system.
The carton pick-up and opening unit has been built according to the operating principles of all the cartoning machines of the Marchesini Group, with a drum that picks up the cartons and opens them out, holding them firmly and accurately even at high speeds. The cartons are then taken directly to the carton conveyor belt.
Access to the frontside of the machine has been improved, making it easier for operators to have an even better view of the whole machine.
The GUK feeding unit is in an ergonomic position (lower than previous models) to ease leaflet loading. In view of the high processing speeds involved, a new rotating pick-and-place unit has been designed and installed to transfer the leaflets to the pushers.
Blisters are inserted into the cartons by MA 500, an ingenious product insertion unit which represents the latest mechanical innovation of the Marchesini Group. Two different combined units, pusher and blade, insert the product into the carton with impeccable precision, even at high speeds. A simple input from the display will rise the unit automatically when the machine has to be cleaned or serviced.
