Pioneer in vacuum technology receives awards for "Best Organisation Culture" and "Employer of the Year" 2023 in a single night.

UK, November 2023 – On 1st November Leybold UK was honoured with two prestigious industry awards “Best Organisation Culture 2023” from the LAB Awards, and “Employer of the Year 2023” from Composites UK. Each award recognising Leybold’s core values of interaction, commitment and innovation, and commitment to making Leybold a Great Place to Work.

The LAB Award 2023 Best Company Culture category recognises outstanding commitment to the enhancement of equality, diversity and inclusion within the workforce. Leybold demonstrated evidence of Diversity & Inclusion policies, rewards and recognition programmes, retention rates and regular, meaningful communication with employees to achieve the award. Ian Dorman, General Manager Leybold EMEA N&E, says: "The fact that we have received the LAB Award in this category in particular is a special recognition of our efforts in these areas and means a lot to the entire team." Leybold promotes a safe place for employees 
to learn and develop to their full potential. The vacuum specialist strives to ensure that employees can fully engage at work and are free from judgement or prejudice.

Employer of the Year – Composites UK

It’s a hat-trick for Leybold at the Composites UK Awards after winning Employer of the Year 2023. This is the third year running Leybold have been recognised by Composites UK for their  commitment to building a culture of lifelong learning, constructive feedback and selfdevelopment, to enable people’s full potential. “It’s a privilege to be awarded Employer of the  year by Composites UK. Our positive culture is underpinned with a theme of inclusivity, where everyone feels they have a part to play in making Leybold a Great Place to Work”, says Sarah Cogswell, HR Manager Leybold. The award for Employer of the Year is designed to acknowledge and celebrate employers’ commitment to developing their workforce through apprenticeships or training. The Industry Association wishes to recognise the effort being made by companies investing in their employees and being committed to developing their workforce.

Focus areas over the past 12 months to make Leybold a Great Place to Work include: building an early careers talent network through local college partnerships, implementing people-led activities which focus on inclusion and engagement, and embracing a culture of lifelong learning

Both awards were announced at separate award ceremonies on the evening of 1st November  during the Advanced Engineering and LAB Innovations exhibitions in Birmingham, UK, where members of the Leybold team received their awards.
 

Enhancing sustainability by reducing product waste and extending shelf life, Edge Pull® and Simply Tab® liners suitable for variety of bottles and jars used 
in food, beverage, pharma, nutrition and cosmetics applications. 

Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Consumer Products, a globally integrated provider of innovative solutions through materials science and manufacturing technologies, has introduced a series of tabbed container liners combining easier opening with exemplary product protection, as well as optimized shelf life for reduced product waste. The company’s Edge Pull® and Simply Tab® solutions are compatible with a broad array of bottles and jars, making them ideal for products in sectors ranging from food & beverage and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and nutrition. 

Edge Pull® is available in half-moon and offset tab configurations, while Simply Tab® features a dual tab design. Key to both solutions is a strong bond between tab and liner, providing smooth peel away without delamination. Each features an induction heat seal for superior barrier protection, and thick, durable tabs for ease of grip – a benefit especially attractive to consumers with dexterity challenges. Printed instructions help to further the products’ hassle-free consumer experience. 
 
Exemplifying the sustainability-minded, product waste-counteracting purpose of premium liner solutions, TekniPlex Consumer Products’ Edge Pull® and Simply Tab® are compatible with a wide variety of substrates typically used for containers, including glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). Tamper resistance and contamination prevention elements can be incorporated, and both unprinted and custom-print options for enhanced brand messaging are available. 

Participants in a consumer trial found Edge Pull® and Simply Tab® liners preferable to other tabbed liners. The results align with rising consumer desires for easy product access, integrity, and safety.

“With product waste and shelf life extension a mounting sustainability concern – particularly in the food industry – liners can be critical both to preventing premature spoilage and maintaining package integrity,” said Eldon Schaffer, CEO of TekniPlex Consumer Products. “Both Edge Pull® and Simply Tab® provide ample product protection to optimize shelf life while offering the added benefit of a more enjoyable, hassle-free consumer interaction, which can be a critical driver of brand loyalty.”
 

JaeKwang is one of the best-known packaging manufacturers in South Korea. The company, which previously operated exclusively as a converter, decided last year to strike out in a new direction and take film production into its own hands. This was a big step for JaeKwang, which is now the first company in South Korea to produce CPP flat films in a 5-layer process.

Last autumn, JaeKwang installed the first 5 layer CPP film line from Reifenhäuser - a milestone, and not only for JaeKwang. After all, it is the first line of its kind ever in the country. In order to make itself independent of suppliers, the company, founded in 1999, decided to produce as much as possible in-house in the future. "We are keen to take on as many steps as possible in the manufacturing process ourselves. In doing so, we have very high quality standards," explains Hong-Soo Kang, CEO at JaeKwang. The high quality standard and the strong production output of the line of 1300kg/hour were also what convinced the company to make this investment.

Top output values thanks to individual line configuration

The remarkable productivity results from a technological focus on meeting the specific South Korean market and raw material requirements. In recognition of this crucial aspect, Reifenhäuser and JaeKwang have ensured that the CPP machine has been tailored to meet the optimum requirements of the end product. Thanks to Reifenhäusers core competencies in the hot part extrusion equipment, the Reifenhäuser team was able to fully align the line with the needs of its customer and the local raw materials.

"We are pleased to have Reifenhäuser as a strong partner at our side," said Owner & CEO Mr. Kang at JaeKwang. "The line, which was specially designed to meet our requirements, enables us to achieve an enormously high throughput while maintaining the same high quality and functionality, thus offering us a decisive competitive advantage in the market," Mr. Kang continues

Technologically convincing for JaeKwang was in particular the feedblock system from Reifenhäuser. JaeKwang opted for a Coextrusion Adapter Pro. This enables multilayer production in extremely low tolerances and adjustment of the layer distribution during ongoing production. "The feedblock enables us to test and implement new recipes as flexibly as possible without having to accept high raw material losses," praises Mr. Kang at JaeKwang. The Korean all-rounder has therefore now commissioned Reifenhäuser to install a second line

Line with stretching unit is the first of its kind in South Korea

In South Korea, packaging materials are designed creatively and elaborately in terms of haptics and appearance. In addition, there are growing consumer demands for functionality. Currently, for example, the so-called Easy Tear function is particularly in demand for pouches.

With the Easy Tear function, any type of pouch can be opened quickly, safely, and cleanly thanks to an integrated tear strip. This user-friendly solution can be realized by a line with a stretching unit (MDO), which JaeKwang will now install in the next step. This plant technology will also be the first of its kind in South Korea

"We are very pleased to have found a partner in JaeKwang that we can actively support in its innovative product developments," explains Benjamin Pott, Area Sales Manager at Reifenhäuser. JaeKwang is also pleased about the renewed cooperation. "Reifenhäuser's know-how and technologies help us to grow steadily in the market and to create clear added value for consumers with our products," adds Mr. Kwang

Pregis®, a global leader in high-performance flexible packaging and protective packaging solutions, achieved International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certifications at its facilities in Hopkinsville, Ky., and Visalia, Calif. These certifications are a notable addition to the company's growing list of ISCC PLUS certified locations in the Netherlands and North America.

The third-party certification verifies mass balance chain of custody and traceability from raw materials to finished products. Given this, Pregis can produce films classified as advanced recycled (circular, bio-circular and/or bio-based).  

Ryan Wolcott, chief sustainability officer, explains the significance of this achievement, "Obtaining ISCC PLUS certifications for two additional facilities is a pivotal step in furthering our circular economy goals. This certification validates our ongoing investments in product development and our commitment to sustainability and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This step represents one more path toward overcoming plastic waste and our goals of incorporating recycled content into our products through both mechanically recycled and advanced recycled sources."

Earlier this year, Pregis launched the industry's first high-pressure and high-performance cushioning film using 80% post-consumer recycled content generated from mechanically recycled resins. The ability to engineer film formulations that align closely with customers' sustainability and performance objectives maintains the company's position as an industry innovator. 

These efforts are consistent with the Pregis Purpose to 'Protect, Preserve, Inspyre,' underscoring the company's commitment to delivering sustainable products while fostering a circular economy. With this achievement, Pregis continues refining its commitment to end-to-end supply chain excellence and advancing sustainable material technologies.
 

Visitors to Xaar’s Open Day & FuturePrint Tech conference in Cambridge last week were the first to see the results of a research study into jetting high viscosity water-based inks, performed by Dr Chris Phillips and Professor Davide Deganello at the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University. 
During the Open Day, Dr Chris Phillips provided independent evidence of the results of jetting higher viscosity inks when compared to ‘conventional’ viscosities on both coated and uncoated substrates. 
Using the Xaar Aquinox printhead and cyan water-based inks by Nazdar, the research team showed several advantages to printing high viscosity fluids, which is enabled by Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology. Measured colour densities were seen to be up to 60 percent higher, enabling productivity gains and an enhanced gamut by jetting the higher viscosity ink. 
Xaar’s printhead technology capabilities meant that the higher viscosity sample saw the same printing outcome with less ink, offering significant sustainability benefits through both reducing the volume of ink required and the energy needed in drying.
Two ink sets were tested, one with a higher pigment loading, and both high and conventional viscosity inks in each ink set had a fixed pigment to binder ratio to enable a fair comparison. This demonstrated that viscosity was the key enabler to the improved colour results rather than the pigment loading. The lower amount of water in the higher viscosity inks meant less absorption into the substrate, delivering the enhanced colour impact without the need for more pigment.  
In addition, the trials on the non-coated board showed that by using Ultra High Viscosity to enable a higher pigment load than is usually possible, a far higher colour density is achieved. This opens up the possibility of removing the primer when printing onto cardboard, delivering sustainability and process simplification benefits.
Xaar’s Group R&D Director, Karl Forbes presented the results as part of his talk titled, ‘Seeing is believing’ at FuturePrint Tech’s ‘Digital Print for Manufacturing’ conference. Commenting on the success of the week’s events he said, “Visitors heard how Xaar’s inkjet is enabling the development of new fluids and providing access to the many potential benefits of digital printing.
“This independent research from Swansea University shows the impact that high viscosity inks can have in traditional print applications with Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology. By improving print quality at higher speeds with less ink and energy required, the ability to jet a wide range of high viscosity, high particle loaded fluids is driving change on many levels.”
The full results of Swansea University’s research will be made available shortly and the project will continue to investigate the process, functionality, cost and sustainability benefits, jetting high viscosity, high particle loaded fluids can deliver.
 

Global leader in sustainable packaging wins prestigious ‘Supplier of the Year’ award

Smurfit Kappa has distinguished itself amongst all PepsiCo’s suppliers to win its ‘Supplier of the Year’ award. The prize recognises excellence across sustainability, speed to market and overall business performance.

The global leader in sustainable packaging is PepsiCo’s sole supplier for its European food business providing innovative solutions for many of its brands including Walkers, Doritos, Lay’s and Cheetos. It also supplies PepsiCo in several countries in the Americas including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the US.

The award is the latest milestone in a fifteen-year partnership during which PepsiCo and Smurfit Kappa have collaborated on various stand-out projects.

One such example was for PepsiCo’s Walkers crisps brand in the UK. Smurfit Kappa developed a 100% recyclable paper-based box to replace the plastic bag that its multipacks originally came in. By switching to cardboard, Walkers removed a staggering 250 tonnes of plastic from its supply chain, was able to increase its pallet load and deliver a faster, more efficient process.

Sherif Eskandar, Chief Procurement Officer of PepsiCo Europe, said: “This award recognises Smurfit Kappa for its outstanding performance and unwavering dedication to advancing our PepsiCo Positive agenda. Smurfit Kappa exceeded all our expectations in terms of delivering value, showing commitment to delivering our objectives, driving innovation, cost transformation and sustainability.”

Saverio Mayer, Smurfit Kappa’s CEO of Europe, added: “We are thrilled to receive this award from PepsiCo which acknowledges our steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation. Seeing how many excellent suppliers from a vast number of sectors were in the room, it was both an honour and a privilege to get this prize. Our partnership is based on our shared determination to do more to protect the planet. This is recognition of the excellent work of our teams, including our 1,000 world-class designers and the talented employees in our plants, who deliver quality, innovative packaging solutions that achieve real and measurable sustainability benefits for our customers.”

Glass packaging, a testament to human ingenuity and craftsmanship, has a rich history that spans millennia. From its humble beginnings in ancient civilizations to its modern-day applications, glass packaging has undergone remarkable transformations, blending tradition with technological advancements. 

Ancient Origins
The roots of glass packaging can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia around 1500 BCE. The first hollow glass containers were made by covering a core of sand with a layer of molten glass. 
Early artisans discovered the art of glassblowing, creating rudimentary vessels for storage. The Romans, known for their advancements in glassmaking, elevated the craft, producing intricate containers and contributing to the widespread use of glass in daily life.

The Renaissance of Glass
The Renaissance period witnessed a resurgence of interest in glassmaking techniques. Venice became a hub for skilled glassblowers, and their expertise spread across Europe. The delicate and ornate glass containers of this era adorned the tables of the aristocracy, emphasizing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Industrial Revolution and Mass Production
The 19th century brought about the Industrial Revolution, transforming the landscape of manufacturing. Innovations such as the automatic bottle-blowing machine, patented by Michael J. Owens in 1903, changed the game. This marked a significant shift from handmade to machine-made glass containers, increasing efficiency and accessibility.

The Rise of Glass Bottles for Beverages
With the invention of the crown cork in the late 1800s, glass bottles became the preferred choice for beverage packaging. Breweries and soft drink manufacturers embraced this form of packaging as it provided a durable and airtight solution for their products. The iconic contour bottle for Coca-Cola, introduced in 1916, further solidified the association between glass and quality beverages.

Technological Advancements in the 20th Century
The mid-20th century witnessed continuous innovations in glass packaging. Automation and advancements in glass composition improved strength and durability. The introduction of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company's glass-recycling program in the 1970s marked a pivotal moment, highlighting the recyclability of glass and its positive environmental impact.

Contemporary Glass Packaging
Modern consumers appreciate the eco-friendly nature of glass, which is endlessly recyclable without compromising quality. The versatility of glass is evident in its applications across various industries, including food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

As environmental consciousness grows, the enduring appeal and recyclability of glass packaging position it as a sustainable choice for the future.
 

Xaar, the leading inkjet printing technology Group has announced a partnership with innovative 3D printing company Lincsolution Inc.
Xaar’s Nitrox and Aquinox printheads will be used by Lincsolution in its latest Binder Jet Metal 3D Printers as the business focuses on delivering new machines for mold, jig, automotive and mass-customisation products. 
Established in South Korea in 2015, Lincsolution is a manufacturer of large-format SLA (stereolithography), FDM (fused deposition material), and Binder Jet Metal 3D printing machines. Its primary focus lies in application-driven production services in the automotive, defence, and consumable sectors using its proprietary machines.
Xaar and Lincsolution have been working together for over three years and today’s announcement at Formnext formalises the partnership built between the businesses during this time. 
Dexter Yoon, R&D Director, at Lincsolution said, “After comparing all the printhead manufacturers, we chose to work with Xaar as their outstanding technological products and service support give real confidence to both developers and end-users.”
Xaar’s Nitrox and Aquinox printheads, together with its unique technologies, provide the reassurance and reliability demanded by Lincsolution and its customers. Printheads used with powder can be vulnerable to clogging and are continuously used in production for periods of more than 10 hours, sometimes even for several days. Thanks to their reliability and the Xaar Hydra fluid management system, the printheads provide the quality and precision that these demanding applications require. 
John Mills, CEO at Xaar said, “We are delighted to have partnered with such an innovator as Lincsolution. 3D printing is one of the many exciting technologies for inkjet and the reliability Xaar printheads deliver make them the perfect choice for this growing sector.”
 

Colpac is providing easily accessible sustainability credentials for its paperboard food packaging.

Together with its partners, Greiner Packaging is taking yet another step towards a circular economy: In future, Rauch brand beverages will also be presented in supermarkets in trays made of 70% PCR (post-consumer recycled) r-PET material.

- In addition to bottles made from 100% r-PET, Rauch now also uses trays made from 70% recycled PET

- Tray-to-tray recycling reduces dependence on the PET bottle flow

- Waste from yellow bags is used as the basis for recycled trays

- The trays are produced by the Greiner Packaging business unit Greiner Assistec, which specializes in the production of customer-specific plastic parts

Supermarket shoppers are all familiar with them: practical trays from which beverage bottles can be removed quickly and easily. They allow for efficient, space-saving, and safe transport of bottles and save supermarket employees the time-consuming task of putting them on the shelves. Taking a further step towards sustainability, Rauch Fruchtsäfte will in future be using beverage trays made of recycled material – the new trays are made of 70% recycled PET.

Waste acquires new value

Material taken from yellow bags is used for the beverage trays. In the course of a project, it was proven that r-PET flakes can be produced from post-consumer material by means of thorough pre- and postsorting followed by shredding and washing. From these flakes, a PET film (70% recycled material) is subsequently extruded, which is then thermoformed into r-PET trays by the Greiner Packaging business unit Greiner Assistec. In terms of quality, the recycled trays are in no way inferior to beverage trays made of new material.

Promoting independence from the PET bottle flow

The r-PET flakes are produced from input materials other than PET beverage bottles, such as cups, tubs, and trays. The project thus shows that it is possible to establish alternative PET value flows. After all, to produce packaging from recycled PET, the plastics industry today mainly uses r-PET flakes obtained by recycling PET bottles. This “bottle flow” is already well-established. The potential for recycling other PET packaging from the yellow bag, on the other hand, is not yet being exploited to any great extent. However, the aim is to establish corresponding recycling streams on a large scale in the future.

“For us, creating beverage trays from r-PET material that does not come from the bottle flow is a great opportunity: On the one hand, it means we are focusing on a sustainable product. On the other hand, we are promoting a tray-to-tray cycle. As a beverage manufacturer, we are of course particularly keen to ensure that high-quality r-PET from the bottle flow is also available for the production of new r-PET bottles and that alternative forms of packaging are used for the manufacture of other products,” says Hanno Mandl, purchasing manager at Rauch Fruchtsäfte, about the implementation of the recycling trays.

Success thanks to expertise

Greiner Packaging can already look back on many years of experience in processing recycled PET for its packaging. In September 2022, the plastics expert announced the acquisition of a Serbian r-PET flakes recycler, which now operates under the name Greiner Recycling.

“By expanding a year ago, we sent a clear signal and underscored that we believe in the potential of rPET for a sustainable future of the packaging industry. Even then, it was our clear goal to drive recycling streams away from bottles. The project together with Rauch Fruchtsäfte is just one step on this path, to be followed by many more,” says Peter Fessl, Director Operations Recycling at Greiner Packaging.

• Mondi and Skånemejerier collaborate to create new mono-material packaging for cheese.
• The new packaging is designed for recycling and replaces the previous solution not designed for recycling.
• Packs protect the food while keeping materials in circulation.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has collaborated with Skånemejerier to create a mono-material, polypropylene (PP) based packaging for, among others, ICA’s Hushållsost cheese.

The new packaging comprises a mono-material base web and lidding film, all of which is produced and printed by Mondi before being converted for 1kg and 2kg blocks of cheese by Skånemejerier. It will be sold in leading Swedish supermarket ICA and now comes in packaging that is designed for recycling.

Mondi’s mono-material solution provides high barriers against oxygen and water vapours, keeping the product fresh on the supermarket shelf. It offers high puncture resistance protecting the cheese, and great printability so that the brand and recycling messages can be communicated well on-pack.

This innovative packaging is being launched in the same time period as Site Zero, the world's largest sorting facility for used plastic packaging, will open its doors in Sweden. This state-the-of-art facility, slated to go live in November 2023, will process used plastic waste from both Sweden and Finland. Thanks to the packaging’s mono-material design, the facility will be able to effectively sort this solution for recycling, contributing to a circular economy.

Helene Brynell, Regional Sales Nordic Consumer Flexibles at Mondi says: “30% of the world’s food is lost or wasted - that equates to 1.3 billion tonnes – so fit-for-purpose packaging design has a crucial role to play. Fresh products like cheese need to be packaged properly – and protection must go hand in hand with sustainable packaging. Our new mono-material solution is fulfilling exactly that: it keeps the cheese fresh while also keeping the packaging materials in circulation through design for recycling.”

Ingemar Jönsson, Packaging Manager, Skånemejerier, adds: “Our collaboration with Mondi has been a thorough process: we started our first test and trials in 2019 and are delighted to be bringing this fully recyclable packaging to market before the end of 2023. The great working relationship we had, meant that we were able to adapt materials and machinery efficiently, resulting in a successful, fit for purpose solution. We have strong, effective and good-looking packaging that keeps materials in the loop and responds to consumer demands for more sustainable solutions.”

Rickard Jansson, Development Engineer at Swedish Plastic Recycling states; “We are very positive about the new packaging that Mondi has developed together with Skånemejerier for ICA. By using mono-material film instead of laminate consisting of different types of plastic, we can sort out and recycle the packaging that is left in the system, thus avoiding incineration. With Site Zero's new technology, this PP film-based packaging will be able to become new products, which has not been possible in any facility in Sweden before. It provides circular plastic flows that reduce the need for fossil raw materials and combustion”.

The mono-material cheese packaging on ICA’s shelves won this year’s PackNorth Award in the ‘Food’ category and was also recognised at the Empack fair in October in Stockholm, Sweden.

Suitable for high-barrier applications and friable OSD products, Alu-Alu construction meets highest child resistance  standards while remaining senior-friendly.
 

Keystone Folding Box Co., a designer and manufacturer of paperboard packaging solutions, has introduced a f=1 version of its popular Key-Pak® Child-Resistant blister card suitable for use with cold-form foil (Alu/Alu) blisters. As with the original Key-Pak®, the solution achieves its category’s highest child resistance rating of F=1 while remaining easy to open for seniors and consumers with dexterity challenges.

Ideal for clinical trials, physicians’ samples and retail prescription pharmaceutical products, Key-Pak® is the most widely used child-resistant medication packaging solution on the market. The customizable, cost-effective fold-over package provides highest-possible child resistance to each dose while earning outstanding marks for senior-friendliness. The new Alu-Alu version is particularly suitable for pharma products requiring high barrier protection, as well as delicate or friable oral solid dose products requiring a peel-back opening to prevent physical damage to tablets or capsules. 

For pharma companies, among the issues making Key-Pak‘s new Alu-Alu iteration especially attractive are reports of longer-than-usual lead times to obtain some conventional blister packaging materials, especially polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Aclar® substrates. 

Notably, as it is mostly paperboard, Key-Pak® comprises up to 75% less plastic than bottles or amber vials. Its novel, back-side “zipper” design provides for safe, clean, simple removal of each dose, while its broad, flat surface gives ample room for usage instructions or drug information. Important for high-volume, efficiency-dependent pharma manufacturing settings, Key-Pak® also features a single-component composition that streamlines production and leads to fewer specifications, inspections, assembly, graphics, engineering and necessary tooling.

The new Alu-Alu version of Key-Pak® is already being used in several pharma packaging applications, with Keystone fielding inquiries from pharma companies and contract packagers both in the US and overseas. 

“Introducing a proven f=1 cold-form, all-aluminum version of our Key-Pak® blister card is a logical next step in the product’s evolution and series expansion, providing another option to an already customizable line of solutions,” said Ward Smith, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Keystone Folding Box Co. “Given the recent lead time challenges for traditional blister materials that some pharma companies and contract packagers are experiencing, the product’s timing also aligns with a defined market need.” 
 

About Keystone Folding Box Co.
While Keystone continues to be a leader in the manufacturing and design of paperboard packaging, they are also a design center and source for non-paperboard packaging components. To learn more about Keystone Folding Box Company, please contact Ward Smith at Keystone Folding Box Company, at (513) 871-4747, ward.smith@keyboxco.com or visit www.keyboxco.com.
 

55,000-sq-ft expansion includes new medical tubing extrusion equipment,  as well as additional room for warehousing and assembly operations.

TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, celebrated the recent expansion of its production facility in Cartago, Costa Rica. Comprising 55,000 square feet, the additional room is being utilized for new medical tubing extrusion lines, downstream equipment for assembly and other operations, and warehousing space.

For TekniPlex Healthcare’s Cartago facility, the October 26 ribbon-cutting commemorated the third stage of a multiphase expansion. For this phase, a new building allows manufacturing to be segregated from warehousing, and provides additional capacity for both. Highlights to date include new medical tubing extrusion equipment installed in a cleanroom environment; the continuous closed-loop feedback extrusion system will help drive tighter tolerances at high manufacturing speeds, allowing TekniPlex Healthcare to increase its medical tubing and profile capacity amid a growing medical device components market. 

The Phase 3 expansion also helps further improve TekniPlex Healthcare’s business continuity capabilities – often a key factor in strategic partner selection where dual validation is critical – by building upon existing medical tubing manufacturing operations in the United States, Mexico, Europe and China.

For TekniPlex Healthcare, the investment and expansion at its Cartago plant further extends its ability to produce and deliver complex medical device assemblies that meet and exceed stringent requirements. Upon completion, the project will add new extrusion lines, essentially doubling TekniPlex Healthcare’s capacity for micro-extrusions, quad tubes, thermally bonded paratubing, and advanced multilayer coextrusions for complex drug delivery applications. It will also include a dedicated cleanroom to perform other value-added activities and assembly.
 

The company's airtight metal lid takes gold in the lids and closures category, while its all-metal CR cans are awarded bronze for prototyping.

Hoffmann Neopac, a global supplier of high-quality cans for the baby food, wellbeing and consumer goods industries, was recognized in The Canmaker Magazine's annual competition for two of its recently launched can solutions. Specifically, the company's resealable, airtight metal lid received a Gold Award in the "Ends, Caps & Closures" competition category.

The airtight metal lid was developed in collaboration with the customer and is made with an added food-safe compound that makes it ideal for coffee and other dry products. In countries with high humidity, products suffered from a short shelf life after first opening. Hoffmann's latest metal lid for 3-piece cans in diameter 73 mm seals well and guarantees freshness and refillability. In addition, the packaging is fully recyclable in the metal stream.

The lid's freshness seal is made possible by the precise placement of a food-safe sealing ring that presses on the rim of the can container when it is closed. The lids can be embossed for a customized design and are also available in a Green Steel version, with 70% less carbon emissions. In addition, the lid is stackable, making it easier to store and transport the cans.

In the Prototyping category, Hoffmann received a Bronze Award for its child-resistant all-metal can with high barrier. The fully recyclable cans are ideal for various products where child safety is a must, such as medical cannabis and certain foods and cosmetics. The all-metal cans are the company's second generation of CR cans. The first generation still contained plastic inserts. By switching to all-metal construction, the cans are not only more recyclable, but keep fresh and provide protection from light. 

Hoffmann’s all-metal CR cans are lightweight, durable and can be labeled or offset printed. Both the lid and the body of the can can be decorated, providing enough space for branding and the necessary safety instructions. The cans also protect the taste and integrity of the product and are easy to fill, refill and reseal by hand. Most importantly, they protect children from unplanned ingestion of a product.

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

In the Business Unit HOFFMANN, the company employs around 165 employees and has a capacity of 900 million tins. The company is dedicated to sustainability in both its manufacturing processes with renewable electricity and corporate culture, including a dedicated eco-conscious packaging portfolio. For more information, visit www.hoffmann.ch.
 

SN Maschinenbau and SÜDPACK have entered into a developmental partnership to create an innovative overall concept for the in-house production of stand-up pouches with spouts designed for packaging pasty and liquid products. 
The concept is intended for food producers and fillers who have up to now been using pre-made spout pouches and will be presented for the first time at the international trade fair Prod&Pack in Lyon from November 21 to 23, 2023 (hall 6, booth J75). 
With their innovative solution for the in-house production of stand-up pouches with spouts, the two cooperation partners are breaking new ground and providing the producers and fillers of thick and thin fluid products, such as fruit purées, smoothies and other liquids, with a sustainable and economical alternative to pre-made pouches. 
The overall concept relies on powerful packaging technology and high-performance, recyclable packaging components made of polypropylene that are perfectly coordinated and offer users not only simple handling, but also maximum process and packaging reliability. The concept is also pioneering in terms of quality, economic profitability and flexibility, and offers sustainability as an extra benefit thanks to the use of recyclable monomaterials.
Attractive alternative to pre-made pouches 
“With the overall concept, we are offering our customers an attractive alternative to high-cost pre-made pouches, the processing and filling of which often entails a great deal of logistical effort. Our solution makes it possible for the producers and fillers of pasty and liquid food products to manufacture spout pouches in-house that can then be filled and sealed as usual on their existing filling machines. Our concept is based on a user-friendly pouch making machine combined with films and spouts that are perfectly coordinated, which means they can be reliably processed,” explained Lutz Neugebauer, Product Manager at SÜDPACK. “The film can be processed from the reel, which provides many advantages in terms of efficiency and economic profitability without having to make compromises when it comes to quality,” elaborated Neugebauer. This makes the concept an economically attractive overall solution for all production quantities.
Focus on recyclability and sustainability 
The PP-based Pure-Line films used in this packaging concept are classified as recyclable due to their monostructure. In combination with the PP spouts that are currently on the market, the result is a recyclable spout pouch. And thanks to its heat resistance, the pouch can also be used for hotfilling and pasteurization. Moreover, the films can be equipped with different barrier functions to suit the products that are to be packaged. The film material was developed based on SÜDPACK’s many years of expertise, particularly in producing innovative sealing layers. 
Maximum packaging efficiency and reliability
On the SPM 50 horizontal pouch making machine from SN Maschinenbau, the spout pouches are manufactured horizontally from the film reel and the spouts are sealed in. They are then automatically inserted into the commercially available rail systems and are stored on a transport cart. Every rail can then be easily and ergonomically inserted into the existing pouch-filling machines to allow filling of the empty spout pouches. Compared to pre-made pouches, this significantly simplifies handling and allows staff to process an increased number of pouches more efficiently, for example because the time-consuming process of separating the rails is eliminated. The low-maintenance machine is highly efficient and can be used in tight production spaces thanks to its compact design. This allows flexible placement, either right next to the filling machine or on its own in a separate room. 
Pouch production can be insourced easily because the machine is extremely user-friendly and can usually be operated by the existing staff. One of the many advantages is that the reel change requires minimal set-up time and has to be performed at most once every shift. The 
SPM 50 from SN Maschinenbau makes up to 4,200 pouches per hour and can achieve continuous production of over 30,000 spout pouches per eight-hour shift with just one film reel. This results in an annual production volume of seven million spout pouches in one-shift operation and up to 21 million in three-shift operation.
“The factors mentioned above make investing in this pouch concept highly viable in economic terms. In combination with substantially improved ergonomics for spout and rail handling and a high level of flexibility regarding different pouch and spout designs, the SPM 50 is an excellent investment that can also enhance your own value creation,” explained Thomas Fuest, Director Global Sales at SN Maschinenbau. 
Interested trade visitors can visit SN Maschinenbau in Lyon at booth J75 in hall 6 to experience the pouch manufacturing process live and to receive information and advice about the film structures used as well as SN’s machine concept.
Savings in logistics and handling 
Producing pouches on site eliminates the complex handling and logistics needed for finished pouches, which would usually be delivered on rails in cardboard boxes. The space that is necessary for reels is roughly one third of what is needed for pre-made spout pouches. In addition to reduced transport costs, this also simplifies warehousing. Furthermore, the cardboard packaging from pre-made pouches is no longer required. 
High level of flexibility and a shorter time-to-market
When it comes to flexibility, the concept for in-house spout pouch production also provides substantial benefits. The machine can be flexibly adapted for the production of pouches of various shapes and sizes, as well as for the processing of different materials. This allows producers to quickly adapt to changes in demand and shortens their lead times and time-to-market. Last but not least, the concept can offer added value by providing more resilience in case of disruptions in the supply chain.
 

The installation of an Ishida AirScan leak detection system at Sinnack Snacks, Germany’s only large-scale bakery to focus on tortillas, has enabled the company to automate its end-of-line packing process, while ensuring that its quality control procedures are able to keep pace with the increased throughput. The Ishida solution can inspect as many as 2,500 packs per hour, reliably detecting leaks as small as 0.5mm to ensure the integrity of the protective atmosphere packaging.

Sinnack Snacks produces wheat, multigrain and protein tortillas in diameters of 20, 25 and 30cm, which are sold in packs of 6, 8 and 12. The fresh products are made without preservatives but have a shelf life of six months thanks to their protective carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmospheres – provided that the thermoformed packaging is absolutely airtight.

However, bits of the tortillas can sometimes get into the seals during the packing process and cause leaks. Other potential sources of defects include wrinkles in the seal. The stage of the process that comes after the films are changed on the thermoforming machinery is also critical. If the films overlap at this point, the packaging may not be sealed correctly. 

For these reasons, Sinnack Snacks has always made sure to test the integrity of its protective atmospheres. The company previously used a system with a vacuum chamber to check the entire content of fully packed boxes for leaks. “This was a very time-consuming quality control exercise, because when a reject was found, we didn't know first which of the packs was the one with the leak,” said managing partner Jana Sinnack. “Not only that, but quality control was also not 100% reliable.”

With growing sales of its tortillas, Sinnack Snacks needed to automate the end-of-line packing on one of its lines and this required a new means of leak testing. “We were looking for an in-line system that was capable of checking every single pack at high speed and picking out any rejects,” explained Jana Sinnack. 

The Ishida solution is the company’s fully automated AirScan, which uses a laser module to detect the specific vibrations caused by leaking carbon dioxide molecules. The machine can reliably detect leaks measuring just 0.5 mm. As a result, users not only gain the security of knowing that leaks will be found but can also cut down on material costs because the inspection process exerts minimal pressure and is therefore non-destructive.
 
In addition, the Ishida AirScan is compact in size and can easily be integrated into existing packing lines. Another factor in Sinnack Snacks' decision was the fact that Ishida had already successfully deployed the system in a similar application in the bakery industry.

The Ishida AirScan has enabled quality assurance at Sinnack Snacks to reach a new level. Up to 2,500 packs can be inspected per hour, with the system checking both the top and bottom sides for escaping carbon dioxide. The leak detector compiles all the process data in reports that can then be viewed. As Jana Sinnack explained, “We scrutinise any rejected products in minute detail, because identifying the causes of problems ultimately makes our processes more efficient.” 

The success of the first machine has led Sinnack Snacks to install Ishida AirScan systems on two further lines as part of its ongoing automation process. Ishida customised the machines to suit the company's specific requirements in terms of pack dimensions and its reject system. “The leak detectors are now standard for our processes,” confirmed Jana Sinnack. The quality control systems are also included in customer audits.

The Ishida AirScan’s operate in a three-shift mode and are very easy to use. No changes to settings are needed for product changeovers; only the control arm with the sensor head has to be adjusted to the different pack heights.

Jana Sinnack does not think that there is any alternative to automation given the shortage of skilled workers. “Using end-of-line packing robots saves us one employee for every line. However, faster processing requires quality control that is just as fast and needs to absolutely reliable.

“The AirScan systems have allowed us to grow whilst enhancing quality at the same time,” he concluded. 

Sinnack Snacks’ packing department is now running at full capacity. The company intends to build a new facility so that it can continue to grow, and the Ishida AirScan is already very much part of those plans.

FlexiTubes, the packaging tubes manufacturing division of UFlex Ltd., India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solutions company, will showcase its wide range of sustainable and high-performing packaging tubes at Stall No. J-27 at “Beautyworld Middle East 2023”, being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 30 to November 1, 2023.   

Tube-packaging forms that are sustainable and customizable have become increasingly popular over time. To help its clients and brands improve the customer experience for their products, UFlex's FlexiTubes has been at the forefront of creating tailored solutions. FlexiTubes will showcase its extensive collection of tubes at "Beautyworld Middle East 2023," which are designed under the ABCE principle of "Aesthetics, Barrier, Counterfeit arrest, Eco-friendly." This concept successfully combines sustainability, usefulness, and aesthetic appeal in a tube packaging style.

FlexiTubes, a leader in fostering innovation in the tube-packing format, will also showcase their paper-based packaging tube, known as "KRAFTIKA". The idea behind this tube, the first of its kind in this category, was to lessen the overall environmental impact by decreasing the usage of plastics at the source.

With KRAFTIKA, plastic is swapped out with FSC-certified Virgin Kraft paper, which has a high bursting factor, and high moisture resistance, and can help reduce a tube's body weight by up to 45%. In addition to offering all the characteristics of traditional tubes, KRAFTIKA tubes are environmentally friendly, which increases their acceptance compared to traditional packaging tubes. Even with continued use and a decrease in content, the tube's overall construction offers outstanding bounce-back qualities and stiffness, preventing the tube from collapsing.

A large selection of FlexiTubes' environmentally friendly packaging tubes, including ‘REMIKA’, will also be on display.

We at UFlex's FlexiTubes are delighted to have you visit our booth at J-27, Trade Centre Arena.

UFlex is India’s largest multinational flexible packaging and solutions company. Since its inception in 1985, UFlex has grown from strength to strength and has built a strong presence across all verticals of the packaging value chain — packaging films, chemicals, aseptic liquid packaging, holography, flexible packaging, printing cylinders, and engineering. 
With a 10,000+ strong multicultural workforce across global regions that works toward developing innovative, value-added, and sustainable packaging solutions, the company has earned an irreproachable reputation for defining the contours of the ‘Packaging Industry in India and overseas. It provides end-to-end solutions to numerous Fortune 500 clients across various sectors such as FMCG, consumer product goods, pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobiles, and more, in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Noida, the National Capital Region, India, UFlex enjoys a global reach with advanced manufacturing facilities in India, UAE, Mexico, Egypt, USA, Poland, Russia, Nigeria, and Hungary.
A winner of various marquee global awards for product excellence, innovation, and sustainability, UFlex is the first company in the world to earn recognition at the Davos Recycle Forum in 1995 for conceptualizing the recycling of mixed plastic waste. For more details, please visit: www.uflexltd.com
 

• Mondi announces compostability certification for its full portfolio of kraft papers for packaging.
• Certification reaffirms the Group's MAP2030 commitment to make all its packaging and paper products recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has announced that its entire portfolio of kraft papers for packaging has been certified as home or industrially compostable[1].

The certification underpins Mondi’s MAP2030 (Mondi Action Plan 2030) sustainability commitment to make 100% of its packaging and paper products reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, ensuring a sustainable end-of-life for all paper and packaging products. While recyclability remains Mondi’s focus to keep fibres in circulation, composting can be a viable end-of-life option for certain applications, such as those disposed in the biowaste stream.

Mondi’s kraft papers are made from renewable and certified sources, which can support customers to achieve their own sustainability targets. Customers can benefit from a comprehensive product range to meet requirements for industrial packaging, shopping bags for retailers and attractive food packaging for supermarket shelves.

An example of Mondi’s compostable kraft papers is Advantage MF EcoComp, which is specifically designed for household and agricultural use and is used for paper bags for wet organic household waste. Another example is Mondi’s EcoVantage kraft paper, which combines fresh and recycled fibres for sustainable and food compliant shopping packaging.

Silvia Hanzelova, Sales Director Specialty Kraft Paper, Mondi says: “Certifications like these illustrate our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the most suitable and sustainable packaging materials and solutions. They give all our industrial, commercial and manufacturing customers the confidence that our papers are compostable and reassure them that, with us, they are working towards a more sustainable future. A future that continues to provide strong, effective packaging tailored to their individual needs.”

Radford, VA – October 2023 – Nippon Pulse is pleased to offer additional precision motors for OEMs. Our latest models are the lightweight, yet powerful, MDx series of direct-drive AC servo motors perfect for factory automation, semiconductor, life science, security, and haptics applications

Radford, VA – October 2023 – Nippon Pulse is pleased to offer additional precision motors for OEMs. Our latest models are the lightweight, yet powerful, MDx series of direct-drive AC servo motors perfect for factory automation, semiconductor, life science, security, and haptics applications

The MDx series is available in a variety of sizes (13-70mm) and multiple stack-lengths. Both standard (MDS) and hollow-shaft (MDH) options can be customized to meet exact requirements. Customizations include special shaft arrangements, alternate mounting options, anodized surfaces, and encoder resolutions.

About the Company: Nippon Pulse America Inc. is an American subsidiary of Tokyo-based Nippon Pulse Motor Co., Ltd. Nippon Pulse is a global manufacturer and Tier 1 supplier of precision motion control products for original equipment manufacturers. We provide a wide array of motion control solutions to meet your needs, including industry-leading stepper motors, the innovative Linear Shaft Motor, controllers and drivers. For more information about Nippon Pulse's quality products, visit nipponpulse.com or call 1-540-633-1677