Leading printhead and inkjet technologies manufacturer Xaar, has announced a strategic partnership with Codpad, an inkjet coding and marking machine specialist based in Guangdong, China. 
The collaboration was formally announced at 2023 SWOP Packaging World Expo in Shanghai, where Codpad showcased its latest high-resolution UV inkjet coding machine, incorporating the Xaar Irix printhead. 
The new machine is designed for a wide range of coding applications including printing on metal, plastic, cartons, wood, aluminium foil, and films and supports different subdrop volumes for extra versatility by using both the Xaar Irix 40 picolitre and 80 picolitre variants. Offering simple and effective installation and maintenance, the machine’s built-in recirculation and ink supply temperature control, enable consistent performance in dynamic environments. In addition, the machine offers multi-level UV curing for superior adhesion on products with more challenging print requirements.
The print quality, user-friendliness, and reliability of the Xaar Irix printhead made it the ideal choice for Codpad. Individually lasered nozzles and Xaar’s AcuDrp Technology ensure uniform print quality even at long print distances. In addition, its highly accurate drop placement and enhanced factory calibration provides consistent printing even during extended print runs. These advantages, together with its compact design, makes the Xaar Irix a cost-effective, highly reliable printhead for coding and marking applications. 
As a subsidiary of the Docod Precision Group, Codpad boasts over two decades of expertise in the coding and marking industry. Specialising in providing comprehensive solutions for food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, construction materials and hardware, Codpad is widely recognised for its commitment to excellence. 
The launch of its latest machine, with Xaar’s printhead technology, perfectly positions Codpad to become a leading provider of robust printers in the industrial coding and marking sector.  
Mr. Xie Ruzhou, General Manager of Codpad, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are happy to partner with Xaar and this partnership enables us to open new possibilities in the market. 
“The integration of the Xaar Irix into our high-resolution UV inkjet coding machines will elevate our product performance and market competitiveness and we are very confident that our latest product launch will offer our customers the superior coding solutions required to meet their evolving needs.”
Samuel Tam, General Manager of Xaar Asia, added, 'We are extremely excited about our collaboration with Codpad. The Xaar Irix is a leading printhead in the coding and marking industry and delivers exceptional print performance and reliability for our customers. We look forward to working together to jointly explore new market opportunities and provide end-users with the latest in high-quality coding and marking solutions.”
 

Molkerei Forster is among the first companies in Switzerland to use self-separating K3® cups from Greiner Packaging. The sustainable cardboard-plastic combinations are offered under the proprietary brand Milbona in Lidl Schweiz's retail branches.

Molkerei Forster is using self-separating cardboard-plastic combinations for its Milbona brand 500 g natural yogurts.

In the future, the yogurt packaging will enable recovery in separate recycling streams.

With the conversion to this packaging innovation, Greiner Packaging, Lidl Schweiz and Molkerei Forster are once again emphasizing their focus on sustainability.

Kremsmünster, November. Companies wanting to package dairy products sustainably have been using cardboard-plastic combinations for many years. K3® packaging was first produced at the Swiss Greiner Packaging site in Diepoldsau over 40 years ago. The latest K3® innovation is now coming to the Swiss market: self-separating K3® r100. This innovative packaging is used for the Milbona brand natural yogurts sold by Swiss retailer Lidl Schweiz.

The foundation for optimal recycling laid
For the first time, innovative K3® r100 packaging makes it possible for cardboard and plastic to separate from each other without human intervention. This innovation lays the foundation for future collection systems in Switzerland. If it is forgotten to separate the cardboard wrap from the cup, the two parts separate by mechanical pressure. Plastic cups and cardboard wraps can be identified, assigned to separate recycling streams and consequently recycled. Until this happens, however, both components must continue to be separated manually and sent to the respective (local) disposal system. Greiner Packaging, Lidl Schweiz and Molkerei Forster hope sorting flows will be harmonized in the future. By switching to K3® r100, Molkerei Forster and Lidl Schweiz are already well prepared for such a system and are assuming a pioneering role in future-proof packaging design.

Partnerships ensure innovation

Greiner Packaging and Molkerei Forster have benefited from a partnership-based cooperation for many years and have already developed numerous innovation steps together. In 2021, for example, Molkerei Forster was one of the first companies in Switzerland to use the new Greiner Packaging design: a recess in the cardboard wrap allows easy separation from the plastic cup with just one movement. Close collaboration was required while developing the K3® r100. Numerous filling tests of the packaging innovation took place at Molkerei Forster.

“Without good partners like Molkerei Forster, innovations such as our K3® r100 would not be possible. Before we brought the cup to market, we perfected it in numerous filling tests - including on Molkerei Forster’s systems. Because having a good idea is one thing, checking it for marketability is another. This is only possible in collaboration with our customers,” says Antonios Kampouris, Sales Director of Greiner Packaging Switzerland.

Three companies, one goal

Like Greiner Packaging, Molkerei Forster and retailer Lidl Schweiz are also committed to a sustainable future. “We have set ourselves the goal of focusing on sustainability. This begins with the raw materials used and continues through our production processes to product packaging and beyond. With K3® r100 we are taking another important step towards a sustainable future,” company founder of Molkerei Forster, Markus Forster, says. 500 g tubs are used for Milbona brand natural yogurts with 1.5% and 3.5% fat content sold in Lidl Schweiz branches.

“We have a long-standing and successful partnership. We are pleased to be taking another joint step forward in the packaging sector. By introducing the innovative yogurt packaging, we are once again underlining our commitment to recycling sustainability and design,” says Andreas Zufelde, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl Schweiz.

Schreiner MediPharm offers a wide variety of smart blister packs for clinical trials. Now, thanks to the partnership with packaging specialist Keystone Folding Box Co., the expert for the pharmaceutical industry is extending its portfolio by a particularly child-resistant as well as senior-friendly solution. The use of integrated electronics turns blister packaging into a real time e-diary for capturing dosing history data.

Schreiner MediPharm has developed a smart extension for the proven Key-Pak® wallet for oral solid dose medication from U.S. based Keystone Folding Box Company. The novel solution combines a child-resistant paperboard package with state-of-the-art technology for digital adherence monitoring, and is suitable for customization.

Keystone is a leading company in the field of paperboard pharmaceutical packaging. Its Key-Pak® wallet card has become established as a packaging mainstay in clinical trials. To the Key-Pak®, Schreiner MediPharm adds electronic functions for medication adherence monitoring with numerous benefits. 

The distinguishing characteristic of the “smart” Key-Pak® wallet is the integration of conductive trace-patterns linked to each of the cavity locations on the wallet card. As a result, data is generated at the moment the patient removes a dose from the wallet. The details, such as time and date of dose removal, and specific cavity location, are stored within the electronics inside the package, and can be transmitted by means of NFC or Bluetooth technology for precise patient compliance tracking.There is also an option to send medication dosing reminders to patients, and to adjust the therapy plan as needed. When used in combination with special software, central tracking as well as data documentation and analysis can be achieved. 

The Smart Blister Wallet based on Key-Pak® is both child-resistant and senior-friendly. Ease of use by the patient, in terms of accessing each dose, is accomplished by a push-through safety feature which is a hallmark of the Key-Pak® design. Pharmaceutical companies are provided with a flexible solution that can be customized to any clinical trial and its dosing scheme, such as number of cavities, blister arrangement, and various tablet shapes. By enhancing data quality and optimizing processes, the Smart Blister Package can shorten trial duration, thereby accelerating the approval process for new drugs. In addition, Schreiner MediPharm ensures end-to-end automated production of the Smart Blister Package due to scalable state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. This innovative packaging solution increases efficiency and flexibility in clinical research settings, and emphasizes patient safety and comfort.

One of the beauties of a new facility is that everything has a fresh start with less chance of breaking for many years. That does not, however, mean the facility should not take precautions against corrosion. In fact, protecting electricals and electronics from corrosion can be one of the first steps toward ensuring a long, healthy service life through good preventative maintenance habits.

High Cost of Corrosion on Electricals and Electronics
Corrosion can cause electricals and electronics to malfunction and fail. The risk is higher in a hot, humid climate and/or near the high chloride sea spray of the ocean. Often, the corrosiveness of a facility stems from its industrial activities. For example, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper manufacturing, and chemical processing create highly corrosive industrial environments. Possible results of accelerated corrosion in these facilities include electrical shorts, frequent repairs, or early replacements of expensive equipment. The potential cost of these damages comes into perspective when considering the experience of one wastewater treatment facility that faced the replacement of $15,000-$40,000 HMI panels once or twice every six months due to the corrosiveness of their wastewater pumping stations. Replacement costs aside, the cost of downtime itself can be substantial due to lost production.

The Ease of Corrosion Protection
Up against these potentially high corrosion costs is the relatively simple, cost-effective possibility of corrosion protection. Foremost is the use of VpCI® Emitters, small devices that contain Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors. Like the workings of a diffuser or air freshener, these devices release vapors that fill the enclosed space. These corrosion inhibiting vapors are attracted to exposed metal surfaces, where they adsorb, forming a protective molecular layer that discourages the corrosion reaction in the presence of oxygen and moisture. If the door of the electrical cabinet is briefly opened, the Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibiting layer will replenish itself once the cabinet is closed again. VpCI® Emitters typically offer enough corrosion protection for at least two years in a fully enclosed space. For additional protection in enclosures that are vented (and thereby lose some of their corrosion inhibiting vapors over time), a light coating of ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-238 can be sprayed on metal contacts and wires inside the panel. In environments such as wastewater treatment facilities with a high amount of H2S, maintenance can add further protection by placing a Corrosorber® cup inside the compartment to absorb the corrosive gases.

Forming Good Preventative Maintenance Habits
Cortec® recommends installing and replacing VpCI® Emitters inside electrical compartments once every two years. Starting this practice at the beginning of a plant’s life forms a protective habit that minimizes the hassle of corrosion damage and failure on electronics and electricals over the years. Application is as simple as calculating the size of the compartment and placing the proper size of VpCI® Emitter inside (e.g., VpCI®-105 Emitter protects 5 ft³ [0.14 m³] of space; VpCI®-111 Emitter protects 11 ft³ [0.31 m³] of space). The sticker on the convenient self-adhesive Emitter cup backing can be placed next to the Emitter to serve as a reminder label of when the VpCI® Emitter was installed and when it needs to be replaced.

Start with Corrosion Protection
Even new plants can be at risk for corrosion when they begin operations or while they await commissioning. Equipping facilities with VpCI® protection from the start can help electricals and electronics run longer without interruptions and costly corrosion-related replacements, making VpCI® Emitters an important part of a good facility preventative maintenance plan. Contact Cortec® to discuss the level of corrosiveness expected and the degree of corrosion preventative maintenance that is appropriate for your facility.
 

Kyle Seitel, Vision Engineering Manager & Marketing Coordinator 
for Norwalt, named to PMMI’s Emerging Leaders Committee

Randolph, NJ – Norwalt, a specialist in custom-built automation and line integration machinery for complex manufacturing applications, has had one of its promising young executives appointed to a key industry organization committee. Kyle Seitel, Vision Engineering Manager & Marketing Coordinator for Norwalt, has been named to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute’s Emerging Leader Committee. 

During the four-year term, Mr. Seitel will lend his expertise and insight toward the Board’s development of policies and programs. Meanwhile, the Emerging Leaders Committee serves as an outlet for networking and mentorship for the younger set of executives comprising its membership. 

With facilities in Randolph, New Jersey and Tampa, Florida, Norwalt is a supplier of concept-to-completion manufacturing equipment solutions. The company's engineers design, construct, validate and install premium production equipment whose functionalities include – but are by no means limited to – packaging and product assembly, post-mold automation, modular automation cells and robotics systems. Norwalt serves customers in a wide array of sectors, from medical devices and food & beverage applications to personal care and household items. 

PMMI is a global resource for the packaging and processing industry that aims to unite the sector across the manufacturing supply chain. Its members promote business growth in a variety of industries by developing innovative manufacturing solutions to meet evolving consumer demands. PMMI membership represents more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials, as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry.

“It’s a privilege to have one of our talented young executives appointed to the Emerging Leaders Committee of our industry’s most effective, well-respected organization,” said Keith Harman, Director of Business Development & Technical Sales for Norwalt. “Kyle is an exceptionally dedicated equipment professional and represents the next generation of leaders here at Norwalt. This is a well-deserved distinction that will only further strengthen his skillset.”
 

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is thrilled to announce its participation in PaperEx 2023, one of the premier events in the paper and packaging industry. The exhibition will be held from December 6th to 9th, 2023 at the India Expo Centre in Delhi - NCR.

Visit Archroma at Hall 15, Booth P40 to explore cutting-edge solutions that redefine the standards of performance and sustainability in the paper and packaging sector.

Archroma is set to highlight the following product spotlights during the event

Cartaseal® range - Superior PFC-free barriers:
Archroma's Cartaseal® range - including Cartaseal® SCR, Cartaseal® VWAF and Cartaseal® HFU - boasts superior moisture vapor barrier properties, coupled with excellent resistance to water, oil, and grease. This innovative range addresses the industry's demand for high-performance, eco-friendly solutions, offering a sustainable alternative without compromising on performance.
Mowilith® LDM 7255M - Lamination adhesive for flexible packaging:
Mowilith® LDM 7255M is a versatile adhesive that meets a variety of packaging requirements. It's an excellent choice for sachets for mouth fresheners, that use a combination of paper and foil, and is equally effective for sealing plastic-to-plastic in the packaging of dry snacks like cookies, candies, chocolates, potato chips, and more.
This adhesive not only lowers energy costs but also enhances production speed, thereby optimizing overall efficiency. Attendees can explore firsthand how this innovation contributes to the evolving and dynamic landscape of flexible packaging.
In addition to the spotlighted products, Archroma will showcase a diverse range of innovative solutions for barriers and functional chemicals, whiteness management, colorations, and other specialty products.

"We are excited to invite industry professionals, partners, and stakeholders to join us at PaperEx 2023. Archroma's presence at this prestigious event signifies our dedication to advancing sustainability and performance in the paper and packaging sector," said Sameer Singla, Divisional President CEO of PP&C a t Archroma.

Archroma invites you to join them at PaperEx 2023 to explore these innovations and engage in discussions about creating a brighter, more sustainable future for the paper and packaging industry.

An Ishida multihead weigher, specifically designed to handle fresh, sticky produce with speed, accuracy and efficiency, has proved the ideal solution for a new range of products from French canned food company André Laurent, which specialises in cabbage and sauerkraut.

The company’s Veg’and Bio Probiotics brand offers a variety of fermented raw vegetable mixes. Available in three different recipes in 180g pouches, the products are manufactured on a small scale to serve the organic groceries sector. Originally the mixes were weighed using a circular weigher, but this proved unsuitable as the strips of grated vegetables were not easy to separate and became tangled together, which made them impossible to weigh accurately. This resulted in André Laurent having to carry out much of the production process by hand, leading to excessive product giveaway.

The company therefore sought an alternative weigher that would avoid damaging or cutting the strips of grated vegetables and guarantee accurate weighing, while at the same time ensuring the same quality of the vegetable mix and keeping within their investment budget.

The solution from Ishida was the CCW-R2-106-WB Fresh Food Weigher, a semi-automatic model that is able to cope with sticky and difficult-to-handle and delicate products, such as raw vegetables. The linear design receives product from a conveyor belt to the top of the weigher, where one or two operators evenly distribute it via belt feeders to the weigh hoppers. This helps to optimise the speed and efficiency of the weighing process. 

For André Laurent, the weigher has proved to be extremely effective in terms of accuracy, particularly given the small pack weights. The ergonomic inline layout makes it easy to spread out the products on the feeder table and the belt feeders facilitate a precise and consistent product feed to the weigh hoppers to retain the full quality of the vegetable mixes. Features such as scraper hopper gates, ribbed surfaces and scraper gates on the collection belt conveyors minimise product sticking.

Thanks to the installation of the weigher, André Laurent has cut its product giveaway tenfold, and reduced the number of packaging operators required for this range of products by the same amount.

The Ishida CCW-R2 is currently guaranteeing André Laurent a production capacity of 1500 pouches per hour. Set up and changeovers can be carried out simply and quickly. Ease of cleaning is another key benefit, with fast removal and replacement of the hoppers. 
“We can change recipes in five minutes,” confirmed Anne Prieur, Quality Manager at André Laurent. 

Thanks to all these benefits, the company is now planning to develop more formats for its vegetable mixes.

François Laurent, André Laurent’s General Manager said the new weigher has provided a value for money solution for this innovative new range:

“For five generations, our company has stood out due to its desire to develop product ranges that meet both market expectations and consumer trends. We already had the concept (fermented mixes of grated vegetables), we already had the packaging, and we already had the customer base. What we didn’t have was suitable equipment. 

“We knew we had made the right choice after the very first test runs with the Ishida linear multihead weigher. We never thought that a company of our size, with our sometimes tight investment budget, would be able to own this kind of equipment. Ishida was able to prove that it could meet any need we have, while remaining within our budget.”

Based in Blignicourt in north-eastern France, André Laurent was founded more than 110 years ago. In order to ensure a proud future for its craftsmanship and expertise, the company has kept the business in the family for five generations, while at the same time maintaining a perfect balance between resolute respect for tradition and a firm focus on innovation and new trends. 

In line with this philosophy, André Laurent markets high-quality products that are packed with flavour, as well as being perfectly accessible and easy to use, whether sauerkraut or cooked vegetable recipes. The company employs 30 people, rising to 75 in peak season, with a turnover of €7.2 million. Its markets are retail (30%), industry and wholesalers.
 

Berry Global will demonstrate its commitment to delivering innovative, patient-centric packaging, dispensing solutions, and drug delivery devices for India and the South Asia region on the company’s stand at this year’s CPHI India exhibition. 

Berry will showcase a wide range of products from its extensive portfolio, including bottles and caps, ophthalmic solutions, nasal and throat sprays, vials, dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). Among these products will be the company’s latest advanced solutions for enhanced usability and administration safety, next generation digitalisation for medical devices and primary packaging, and circular design.

Many of the innovative products being shared at CPHI are produced at the company’s new factory and Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, India. The new location has both created local jobs and improved regional and global access to advanced healthcare solutions, providing customers with the necessary volume to support the forecasted growth for Asia’s domestic healthcare market.

“The Asia market is hugely important to Berry, as is evidenced by our ongoing investment in the region,” said Ramprakash Rai, Sales Director at Berry Global. “Our participation at CPHI India therefore provides the ideal opportunity to show the breadth of our products adapted to this exponential market, as we help our customers to Do Better by Dosing Better.”

“In particular, these solutions underline our abilities in developing solutions that enhance the user experience, improve disease management, and minimise environmental impact. We look forward to discussing customers' specific requirements during CPHI India”
Berry is recognised as one of the global leaders in pharmaceutical packaging and dispensing, with over 25 healthcare-focused, ISCC PLUS-certified sites worldwide that enable the company to offer international and localised support for customers of all sizes. The company provides bespoke and standard solutions to help customers meet their unique product requirements and sustainability objectives.

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

Meraxis Services GmbH and REHAU Industries, along with three other partners, have received funding for their ‘CO2ptiMat’ project from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The aim of CO2ptiMat is to develop a digital solution that allows plastics processing companies to determine and optimize the actual carbon footprint of their own production. The funding is part of the GreenTech Innovation Competition. At the launch event in October 2023, Dr. Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMWK, recognized the project and presented certificates to the project partners.

Plastics processors are increasingly required to report and reduce their Product Carbon Footprint. However, most manufacturers don’t have accurate data on the CO2 emissions that are actually generated during the production of their products. They therefore refer to benchmark data and estimates. The new solution is intended to help companies determine their Product Carbon Footprint based on their own data. 

“Accurate measurements of emissions are a prerequisite for identifying and visualizing potential improvements in the next step,” says Thomas Poddey, Project Manager for Sustainability & Digitalization at Meraxis Services GmbH and CO2ptiMat Project Manager at Meraxis. “Our digital solution shows how changes to the material composition, the energy mix and other parameters can impact  productivity and costs.” 

The digital solution will be connected to IT systems used in the production line, in order to collect and analyze all the emissions-related data. Together with its research partners, Meraxis is developing concepts for how this data needs to be merged and evaluated. Meraxis has extensive expertise in the development of digital solutions for the plastics industry. Among other things, the company has developed a digital customer portal and a tool that recommends the optimum material for the required application. The digital tool Co2ptiMat will subsequently be tested and validated under real-life conditions at REHAU Industries. In 2024, existing data points will be specifically added and the system network will be extended. This data input will be used to test CO2ptiMat during edgeband production at the Rehau plant. Daniel Elfe-Degel, Product Manager and Sustainability Officer Interior Solutions, explains what the Interior Solutions Division expects from this: “Additional data points will allow us to accurately record the CO2 emissions of our production. Using the digital solution, we will then be able to create simulations, as well as identify and implement potential savings. In future, all the companies involved in the supply chain will collect their data and make this available. This will be an entirely novel approach to the decarbonization process.”

CO2ptiMat is one of a total of 21 projects that are being funded as part of the BMWK’s GreenTech Innovation competition. The Ministry’s initiative supports digital innovations that will help the economy achieve greater sustainability, along with climate and environmental protection. In addition to Meraxis Services and REHAU Industries, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, the INC Invention Center on RWTH Aachen Campus and the film producer Terdex are also involved in CO2ptiMat. 

The CO2ptiMat project will be funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action for the next three years.
 

Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) microplastics are widely recognised as a significant contributor to marine plastic pollution, making up over 40% of plastic debris on Asian beaches.1 Bans on EPS packaging have gained tremendous momentum recently, particularly in the European Union and the wider Caribbean region.2,3 Legislation banning the use of EPS packaging has also been introduced in Fiji, the Philippines, and regions in the United States, just to name a few.4,5,6

With the ongoing development of the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution, governments from over 170 nations are working toward policy measures to combat the negative environmental impacts of hard-to-recycle plastics. The introduction of bans, levies, and increased disposal fees for EPS packaging materials will continue to be on trend for the foreseeable future, especially in regions lacking recycling infrastructure.

Corrugated Packaging: A sustainable alternative
Corrugated packaging solutions are 100% recyclable and 100% compostable, making them the ideal packaging material. What’s more, Mondi’s corrugated packaging solutions includes a wide portfolio of corrugated boxes made of recycled fibres. Paper-based packaging boasts an impressive 82.5% recycling rate in Europe, outperforming the combined recycling rates of all other packaging materials.7 The recycling value of corrugated packaging has enormous potential worldwide. Paper fibre can be recycled with good quality many times, keeping fibres in circulation.8,9

As a partner for sustainable growth, Mondi material and design experts are developing high-performance, corrugated solutions to enable a shift toward circular packaging for white goods and electronic equipment. Industries have long relied on crumble-prone EPS material to protect valuable goods. Until now, replacing EPS materials with paper-based solutions was prohibitive from a cost perspective, but extended producer responsibility mandates like those under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) have transformed economic factors.10

Snug & Strong: Recyclable, efficient, and sustainable
There is no silver bullet when it comes to white goods and electronic packaging – EPS can chip or break during transport, resulting in costly product damage and returns. When designing Snug&Strong corrugated solutions, Mondi gather an entire team of experts to collaborate with customers to understand their production line and packaging requirements. Whether developing a recyclable, multi-material packaging concept or creating a plan to gradually replace EPS components over an extended period – through collaboration it is possible to find sustainable and viable solutions.

 
By setting out to replace EPS materials in packaging, manufacturers have a unique opportunity when partnering with Mondi to create fully recyclable packaging solutions while also optimising and automating their packaging processes. Fit-for-purpose recyclable packaging satisfies consumer demands for sustainability, and fulfils upcoming legislative requirements. 

Balancing protection, cost, and sustainability
Mondi’s Snug&Strong corrugated solution can do more: it can ease supply chain complexity, improve packaging processes, and help brands be more environmentally friendly. The custom-fit, 100% paper-based industrial packaging offers excellent protection for white goods and electronic equipment. Additionally, Snug&Strong is delivered flat and requires less space than traditional EPS packaging, making the component solution easier to handle and less expensive to store and transport.

It is not always easy to strike a good balance between protection, cost, and sustainability when it comes to packaging. Mondi’s Snug&Strong corrugated solution, however, is a cost-efficient and viable alternative to EPS when considering the total cost of ownership. 
 

One of Germany's largest retail chains, REWE, is trialling packaging waste-reducing solutions from the Czech company Miwa. The Miwa modules make it possible to buy food items such as pasta, rice, or cereals in reusable and returnable containers, thus preventing unnecessary waste of packaging and food. In the test phase, REWE will trial the technology in eleven of its shops in various German cities, for example Cologne and Bonn. The installation of the modules was completed in mid-November. Miwa also collaborates with the largest Dutch chain, Albert Heijn, and the Portuguese chain, Continente, as well as with the Aldi chain in Great Britain.

"For us, this is the largest pilot project in the retail segment so far. Other chains initially test our technology in only one to three shops, here it will be eleven shops. Germany is an interesting market for us, which is very receptive to ecological solutions, and reusable packaging is supported by a large part of the public there, as well as by the new legislation." says Mirek Lizec, Miwa executive director.

"The management of the chain was very interested in the hygienic and digital standards of our solution, in the safety and efficiency of sales. They also appreciated that our modules are user-friendly and easy for customers to understand. We are happy that we manage to establish cooperation with such important players even though the European retail market now has to recover from a series of problems such as inflation, the war in Ukraine, the repercussions of covid and the like." adds Mirek Lizec.

REWE primarily sells goods in bio quality in the waste-reducing modules. In contrast to classic zero waste solutions, there will be no direct handling of open food in shops, for example during pouring. The product is delivered in closed capsules, which are always simply inserted into the module. This is exactly the kind of solution REWE prefers because it guarantees perfect hygiene and maximum shelf-life of food.

In the REWE stores, the latest second-generation Miwa modules are being tested. These modules feature a newly integrated two-line display with scales, allowing customers to monitor the quantity of goods they have dispensed and their corresponding prices in real time. The entire system has been upgraded with new electronics and software. The second-generation modules make it possible to sell larger products that would not have fit through the capsule opening previously. Integrated vibrations assist in dispensing foods that are prone to getting stuck during the pouring process.

Miwa's solution for retail chains is based primarily on reusable standardized capsules - circulating between manufacturers, shops, and the service centre – and the maximum use of smart data. One such capsule saves almost 2,000 pieces of disposable packaging during its life cycle.

And how exactly do the Miwa modules work for end customers? They take a reusable returnable container directly on the spot. Alternatively, they bring their own container, in which case they must first weigh it on the module so that they only pay for the weight of the selected product. The customers then select the desired product on the integrated display and gently push the container onto the feeder. The container starts to fill, and the display shows the current weight and price of the product in the container. Finally, the module prints a price tag that the customers stick to the container. They then go to the checkout with it. Containers can then be returned via machines in REWE shops and other partners.

Notes for editors:

MIWA – Czech company, active on the market since 2016, which developed a system enabling waste-reducing shopping based on reusable packaging. This solution is based on capsules equipped with smart technology and meets the logistical and hygienic requirements of current retail chains and manufacturers, including the most demanding big brands. The company cooperations include, for example, the multinational group Ahold Delhaize, including the Czech Albert and the Dutch Albert Heijn, the Aldi chain in Britain or the Portuguese chain Continente.

In 2022, Miwa was the first Czech company selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) among the so-called Technology Pioneers, i.e. global technological pioneers in their field. Companies such as Twitter, Airbnb and Google received the same award in the past. As one of the few Czech companies, Miwa also managed to succeed in the demanding selection procedure of the European Innovation Council (EIC) in the "EIC Accelerator" program and obtained significant funds for further development.

The entire solution that Miwa has developed is based on the system modernization and transformation of the supply chain using the principles of the circular economy. This creates a circular supply chain based on reusable standardized packaging – circulating between shops, service centre and manufacturers – and on the maximum use of data. The efficient use of data flows is a very important part of the whole system, which cannot be simplified only to a shopping experience connected with top design and ease of use – this is very important, but Miwa's key competitive advantage lies precisely in what happens in the background. There, a circular B2B cycle based on data takes place, which does not disrupt the chains' existing logistics and operational processes, on the contrary, it brings them an economic and ecological advantage.

More about the operation of the Miwa system in video HERE.

REWE – with sales of 28.4 billion euros (2022), more than 160,000 employees and 3,800 shops, REWE Markt GmbH is one of the leading companies in the German food retail sector. The REWE Group is one of the most important retail groups in Germany and Europe. In addition to retail, it is also significantly active in the tourism industry. In 2022, the company achieved total sales of 84.8 billion euros. The REWE Group was founded in 1927 and has more than 384,000 employees. It operates in 21 European countries.

It reduces ink and solvent consumption while simultaneously optimizing print quality – with its innovative SPQ technology for flexo printing, SÜDPACK already offers potential carbon savings for package printing. The manufacturer has expanded the range of use for the innovative printing process to also include rotogravure printing and now offers an alternative that is not only highly efficient, but also conserves resources.

Using the technology for rotogravure printing requires the complete standardization of machine and process parameters as well as smart color management. And just like for flexo printing, all of the designs are mapped automatically in the pre-press stage using a reduced color palette.

Thanks to the PUR-based (polyurethane) color system, the ink is also suitable for pasteurization and sterilization. This opens up a wide variety of options for applications that involve heating, for example for packaging ready meals, pet food or baby food. The technology is also ideal for finishing flexible films for high-quality, fast-moving consumer goods, such as coffee, tea or confectionery, because it can also incorporate metallic colors, like gold or silver, as well as coatings for texture and other finishes. The process is also suitable for imprinting Digimarc digital watermarks.

Primary focus – sustainability

Using SPQ can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of package printing. This is due in particular to the reduction of the standard color palette from ten to just seven colors, which decreases both ink and solvent consumption. “With SPQ, we significantly reduce ink consumption, ink waste and the number of color changes. Even though the color palette is reduced to seven colors, it is still possible to realize virtually the entire color spectrum as well as additional metallic colors – all while maintaining superior print quality similar that of a photo as well as excellent color brilliance,” highlighted Enrico Riesel, Senior Site Director at SÜDPACK Bioggio. In-house calculations performed by SÜDPACK have shown that limiting the palette to seven colors leads to a savings of approximately 36.5% in a typical standard process for a print order for 15 thousand running meters.

Additional factors in terms of sustainability include lower energy consumption and the reduction of film waste that would have usually been produced during the changeover of printing machines for the next print order.

Greater efficiency with real added value for customers

SÜDPACK customers benefit most particularly from the reduced amount of effort required in the pre-press stage. Using a strictly defined color space eliminates not only constant color adjustments, but also complex and costly on-site print approval. An additional advantage is that different print designs can be combined in one print order.

Impressive print quality and color brilliance

Last but not least, the new technology stands out due to its high register accuracy as well as its outstanding color consistency and color brilliance. This is thanks to consistent, smart color management along the process chain, which, as Enrico Riesel confirmed, SÜDPACK “completely reinterpreted and reconceptualized from the very beginning of the project.” Realistically speaking, the standardized color palette can create approximately 95% of all Pantone colors – and does so with stable, reproducible color conversion. As a result, SPQ completely eliminates all of the adjustments that had been necessary for conventional printing processes.

EcoCortec®- Green Anticorrosion Packaging Plant
Becomes Solar Powered!

EcoCortec® is anticorrosion  films and bioplastics manufacturer, located  in Croatia. As a daughter company of Cortec® Corporation, global corrosion inhibitor manufacturer, EcoCortec® is committed to achieving full circular economy model. We are proud to announce that EcoCortec® is the first bioplastics plant in Europe that is now solar powered. Solar panels have been installed for energy. They are generating electricity by collecting renewable energy from the sun and convert it to electrical energy. This energy is used to power EcoCortec’s facilities. By using new, solar power system, the plant is now able to achieve significant energy savings and contribute to reducing pressure on our atmosphere from the emission of greenhouse gases.  
“EcoCortec’s dedication to utilizing sustainable technologies has been our mission since our beginnings. As pioneers in producing green corrosion protection inhibitors, all of us at Cortec® take environmental responsibility very seriously, in fact, it is one of our main values. We use sustainable resources in our product development and operations wherever possible. This transition to solar power and our own energy resources is the latest step in implementing full circular economy model in our operations”, says Boris Miksic, CEO and owner of Cortec® Corporation. Company makes huge efforts to provide circular economy model at the highest level in numerous ways. One is by extending the life of materials. The plant recently installed a state-of-the-art, Erema regranulation machine to reprocess plastic scrap and waste onsite. Customers and other local businesses can now send their used plastic bags back to Croatia for recycling into new materials. 

EcoCortec® reprocesses plastic waste from four main sources:
1)     Scrap from in-house production.
2) Used packaging from incoming shipments at EcoCortec®. 
3) Used packaging from incoming shipments at local companies.
4) Used VpCI® Films and Bags from EcoCortec®’s distributors and end users who can earn reprocessing credits by sending the materials back for regranulation. EcoCortec® is especially eager to expand this last category of plastic waste suppliers to create a win-win-win situation for the plant, its customers, and the environment. Main goal of this initiative is to prolong the lifetime of materials made at the plant. EcoCortec’s team adds the recycled content back into VpCI® films and bags, which inhibit corrosion by forming a molecular protective layer on metal parts packaged inside. Metal parts packaged in VpCI® films and bags are protected from corrosion by patented VpCI® technology. EcoCortec® adds 30% of recycled content back into its VpCI® Films upon request. Company’s plan is to achieve the European goal of incorporating 35% recycled content into plastic packaging by 2030. 
Patented VpCI® technology licensed under Cortec® Corporation encompasses most widely used and renowned corrosion protection products in the world. Cortec® Corporation has ten locations around the globe with headquarters in St. Paul, MN. The company is supplying three continents—Europe, Asia and USA—from its facilities in Croatia. Capacities in Croatia include EcoCortec plant, CorteCros’s logistics and production center and sales offices in Zagreb. EcoCortec’s team dedicated huge amount of time and resources to achieve these environmental milestones. They incorporated green mindset in every aspect of their business. Using renewable energy through solar panels is the latest chapter in achieving EcoCortec’s goal: sustainable approach to all aspects of business and full commitment to producing environmentally safe corrosion protection technologies.
 

It reduces ink and solvent consumption while simultaneously optimizing print quality – with its innovative SPQ technology for flexo printing, SÜDPACK al-ready offers potential carbon savings for package printing. The manufacturer has expanded the range of use for the innovative printing process to also in-clude rotogravure printing and now offers an alternative that is not only highly efficient, but also conserves resources. 
Using the technology for rotogravure printing requires the complete standardi-zation of machine and process parameters as well as smart color management. And just like for flexo printing, all of the designs are mapped automatically in the pre-press stage using a reduced color palette. 
Thanks to the PUR-based (polyurethane) color system, the ink is also suitable for pasteurization and sterilization. This opens up a wide variety of options for applications that involve heating, for example for packaging ready meals, pet food or baby food. The technology is also ideal for finishing flexible films for high-quality, fast-moving consumer goods, such as coffee, tea or confectionery, because it can also incorporate metallic colors, like gold or silver, as well as coatings for texture and other finishes. The process is also suitable for imprint-ing Digimarc digital watermarks. 
Primary focus – sustainability 
Using SPQ can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of package printing. This is due in particular to the reduction of the standard color palette from ten to just seven colors, which decreases both ink and solvent consumption. “With SPQ, we significantly reduce ink consumption, ink waste and the number of color changes. Even though the color palette is reduced to seven colors, it is still possible to realize virtually the entire color spectrum as well as additional metallic colors – all while maintaining superior print quality similar that of a photo as well as excellent color brilliance,” highlighted Enrico Riesel, Senior Site Director at SÜDPACK Bioggio. In-house calculations performed by SÜDPACK have shown that limiting the palette to seven colors leads to a savings of ap-proximately 36.5% in a typical standard process for a print order for 15 thou-sand running meters.
Additional factors in terms of sustainability include lower energy consumption and the reduction of film waste that would have usually been produced during the changeover of printing machines for the next print order. 
Greater efficiency with real added value for customers
SÜDPACK customers benefit most particularly from the reduced amount of effort required in the pre-press stage. Using a strictly defined color space elim-inates not only constant color adjustments, but also complex and costly on-site print approval. An additional advantage is that different print designs can be combined in one print order. 
Impressive print quality and color brilliance
Last but not least, the new technology stands out due to its high register accu-racy as well as its outstanding color consistency and color brilliance. This is thanks to consistent, smart color management along the process chain, which, as Enrico Riesel confirmed, SÜDPACK “completely reinterpreted and reconcep-tualized from the very beginning of the project.” Realistically speaking, the standardized color palette can create approximately 95% of all Pantone colors – and does so with stable, reproducible color conversion. As a result, SPQ completely eliminates all of the adjustments that had been necessary for con-ventional printing processes. 
 

For coronary and non-coronary angioplasty applications, balloon catheter tubing is manufactured at tight tolerances with concentricity exceeding 90%.

Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, will highlight its recently introduced PTA/PTCA Balloon Catheter Tubing for coronary and non-coronary angioplasty applications at Medtec Innovation Forum, December 12-13 in Shanghai, China. At Booth B42, the company will be showcasing and discussing various aspects of the new tubing solutions, which are produced and extruded in ISO-certified cleanrooms and can incorporate up to three layers of medically certified raw materials. 

Ranging in balloon size from 1 to 30mm, TekniPlex Healthcare’s customized balloon catheter tubing is manufactured at tight tolerances (± .0005”) with concentricity of over 90%. The tubing’s controlled elongation rate provides blown balloons with uniform wall thickness, improving overall yield and substantially reducing bursting risk.

TekniPlex Healthcare’s tri-layer inner tubing constructs are particularly sophisticated. The solutions consist of polyamide (nylon) or polyether block amide copolymer (PEBA) outer layers with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) inner layers. The small-diameter, thin-wall, tight-tolerance, high-precision configurations are required for use in interventional vascular apparatuses to allow diagnostic and therapeutic devices – for example, balloon catheters for coronary, peripheral and neurovascular intervention – to more easily advance over guidewires. 

The inner tubing’s HDPE inner layer reduces friction on the wire, while the outer layer is bondable to balloon catheter tubing of similar materials; the middle layer is an extremely thin adhesive ‘tie layer’. The thickness of the inner and outer layers can be customized to suit various applications.  

“Various complex angioplasty applications – both coronary and non-coronary – require reliable, precision tubing solutions such as our new range of PTA/PTCA balloon catheter tubing,” said Chris Qualters, CEO for TekniPlex Healthcare. “Critical factors such as consistent wall thickness, friction reduction and bonding capabilities can affect surgical procedures to some degree, and we look forward to stressing their importance at the MedTec Innovation Forum.”
 

Combining strengths of sales, field service and support teams, 
companies will offer complementary processing and packaging machinery.

Fairfield, NJ – MG America, the U.S. subsidiary of MG2 of Bologna, Italy and a leading supplier of processing and packaging equipment, is announcing a strategic alliance with prominent life sciences equipment provider Romaco North America to cross-promote and sell complementary production machinery. The agreement synergizes machinery offerings from two key pharma industry equipment players, allowing each to offer a more comprehensive range of market-proven solutions to their respective customer bases. 

Among other benefits, customers of both MG America and Romaco North America will see enhanced equipment servicing options; combined, the two companies can deploy more than a dozen field service technicians in various geographies throughout the US & Canada. Each company is also able to leverage the other’s outstanding industry reputation, while offering a wider range of precision-crafted equipment.

While both companies offer robust, multidisciplined product lineups, the alliance largely focuses on complementary solutions. For instance, MG America will now be offering its customers several packaging platforms from Romaco, including popular cartoners such as the Promatic P 91 intermittent motion and Promatic PC 4200 continuous motion models. On the processing side, MG America will also be showcasing Romaco’s Kilian series of tablet presses, along with a variety of sophisticated coating and granulation equipment. 

In turn, Romaco will highlight MG America’s full line of capsule filling machinery – including the recently introduced Essentia, a compact, versatile unit suitable for medium- to large-batch manufacturing that offers minimal production floorspace allocation, easy cleaning, and simplified maintenance. Romaco will also be able to sell a wide range of MG America packaging equipment, including case packers, tray formers, sachet machines and palletizers. 

“Teaming up with our friends at Romaco provides an immediate, turnkey array of solutions that align with and supplement our own equipment portfolio,” said Claudio Radossi, President of MG America. “Synergistic relationships are designed to make all parties stronger, and this agreement certainly accomplishes that – not only for Romaco and MG America but for our growing, evolving customer bases.”

Sabri Demirel, Managing Director for Romaco North America, agrees: “Combining our strengths allows each company not only to expand its portfolio with proven, highly regarded solutions, but also grow the resources we have in the sales and servicing field. This alliance takes two companies with decades in the market and strong name recognition and makes them even more attractive to pharma manufacturers and other customers.”
 

Ishida’s recently launched IX-PD X-ray inspection system has been named Best Food Safety Innovation at this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards.

Food quality and safety have always been of paramount importance for manufacturers and processors. However, in today’s highly competitive markets, with pressures on margins and the need to maximise throughput and efficiencies on production and packing lines, the requirement for effective quality control systems has never been greater. 

Equally important, retailers are also imposing increasingly stringent quality standards, while the proliferation of social media channels is making the consumer’s voice – particularly when it comes to complaints – ever louder. This means that even a minor quality issue can have a marked effect in terms of both financial penalties and loss of brand reputation.

The Ishida IX-PD is helping manufacturers overcome these challenges with the introduction of new sensor and image processing technology. This delivers the highest level of detection sensitivity, producing an ultra-high resolution and clearer image than conventional X-ray systems. 

As a result, the new model can detect both low-density and very small size foreign bodies – for example bones in fish fillets and minute stainless steel wires - with excellent accuracy while enabling manufacturers to maintain high productivity rates. It is also capable of reliably detecting foreign bodies in applications where products are overlapping or standing up in a pack.

In tests, the IX-PD demonstrated near 100% detection rates for bones in a variety of products including chicken, diced meat and sausages, for example achieving an increase from 40% to 100% compared to existing X-ray technologies for the detection of bone in chicken breast fillets. 

The enhanced detection capabilities of the IX-PD further minimise the need for manual inspections, and the machine’s ability to recognise the difference between food and foreign bodies with high accuracy reduces the rate of detection errors. In this way, companies can maintain stringent quality control procedures without compromising on throughput rates.

“While food manufacturers already impose rigorous quality and safety standards, today even the smallest error can have serious consequences for a company’s or brand’s image,” said Dominika Puszczynska, Product Manager for X-ray Inspection System of Ishida Europe.

“The IX-PD was therefore developed to offer businesses the best sensitivity and complete confidence in the effectiveness of their quality control procedures. We are extremely proud that this major advance in X-ray inspection technology has been recognised by the winning of this prestigious award.”
 

Cortec® has released new metals packaging solution with an eye to sustainability and convenience! CorShield® VpCI®-146 Heat Sealable Paper combines the heat sealable properties of EcoShield® Heat Sealable Paper with the corrosion inhibiting properties of CorShield® VpCI®-146 Paper for a dual corrosion inhibiting heat sealable paper that opens the door to a wide variety of recyclable custom packaging solutions for metal parts.

VCI/VpCI® Paper Mechanics
CorShield® VpCI®-146 Paper is coated with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that vaporize and diffuse off the paper over time. When VCI/VpCI® paper is wrapped around metal parts, folded, and taped shut, the corrosion inhibiting vapors are trapped inside the package. These corrosion inhibitors are attracted to metal surfaces, where they adsorb as a molecular protective layer against corrosion. Common uses for VCI/VpCI® paper include packaging of bearings, brakes, and automotive aftermarket parts. Because the protective molecular layer simply floats away after the component is taken out of the package, there is no need for special cleaning or degreasing as is often the case when using traditional greasy and oily rust preventatives. This creates a huge advantage for end users who can immediately use or install the part.

Heat Sealable Paper Mechanics

On the other side of the equation, EcoShield® Heat Sealable Paper offers an innovative recyclable packaging solution that is highly customizable. A water-based heat sealable adhesive coating creates a strong bond when the paper is heated with coated sides together, allowing it to be made into custom envelopes and bags. In testimony to the flexibility and sustainability of this material, one creative application that made industry news in 2023 was the use of EcoShield® Heat Sealable Paper to make dunnage bags. A tool distribution center made the bags with EcoShield® Heat Sealable Paper on an AVM vertical form, fill, and seal machine, automatically filling them with chopped cardboard boxes from their recycling waste to make cushioning material for outgoing packages.

Two-in-One Packaging Paper

Now, with the merging of these two papers, CorShield® VpCI®-146 Heat Sealable Paper expands the potential applications for each paper. Manufacturers and distributors like the company that made dunnage bags with regular EcoShield® Heat Sealable Paper can expand to packaging and protecting metal parts with a VpCI®-enhanced version. Automakers and auto parts manufacturers who could only wrap or interleave parts with VCI/VpCI® paper can now make custom bags out of CorShield® VpCI®-146 Heat Sealable Paper, automatically fill them with metal parts, and seal them shut for delivery to the customer.

Do a Heat Sealable VCI Bag Assessment
Cortec® is eager to find creative solutions to corrosion that help the end user do their job better while also being mindful of the environment and offering alternatives to plastic. CorShield® VpCI®-146 Heat Sealable Paper does so in a special way, opening up new doors to metals packaging opportunities that were previously unavailable with regular VCI/VpCI® paper

The acquisition will greatly enhance and expand technology solutions platform in the minimally invasive and interventional therapies sector

WAYNE, PA. — TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Seisa Medical in a deal that significantly extends TekniPlex Healthcare’s medical technology solutions platform. This acquisition specifically enhances the company’s materials science and process technologies for minimally invasive and interventional therapy devices on a global scale.    

Based in El Paso, Texas, Seisa is a medical device manufacturer servicing every stage of the product life cycle including design and development, component manufacturing, and final assembly. It employs more than 2,000 people across four facilities in the U.S., Mexico and Slovakia.

“This is a transformative acquisition for TekniPlex Healthcare, moving us squarely into the CDMO (contract, development, and manufacturing organization) segment of MedTech for medical technologies,” said Chris Qualters, CEO of TekniPlex Healthcare. “The ability for us to engage with our global customers on new medical technologies by developing engineered materials, co-designing components and assemblies, utilizing advanced process technologies and providing sterile barrier products allows us to truly partner with them from concept all the way to the point of care to help improve patient outcomes. 

“Medical technologies are rapidly evolving to support more minimally invasive procedures and efficient interventional therapies,” said Bryan Wesselmann, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TekniPlex Healthcare. “Seisa brings broad capabilities to advance these interventional technologies across a variety of stent grafts, mitral heart valves, endovascular procedures and cardiovascular catheter delivery systems.”

Julio Chiu, Seisa founder and CEO, said “our customers count on us to deliver solutions for their most challenging applications. I am very confident that they will continue to count on us as TekniPlex Healthcare shares our same commitment to deliver better patient outcomes. We believe the combination of our two organizations will result in one of the most comprehensive value-added CDMO platforms in the industry.” 

This is the 20th acquisition that TekniPlex has completed in the past decade, supporting its strategy to grow its business through transformative acquisitions and strategic add-ons. The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon regulatory approval.