Industry news
28 November | Recyclable packaging
Beverage company PepsiCo has introduced locally manufactured, recycled plastic bottles for its low-calorie Diet Pepsi product in Kuwait. Trade Arabia reported the new Diet Pepsi bottles are made from recycled, reprocessed and repurposed plastic. Compared with virgin fossil-fuel-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the bottles are claimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30%. The move is part of PepsiCo’s efforts to expand its recycled bottles’ footprint in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The 2.25l Diet Pepsi product is due to be rolled out in the new packaging.
28 November | Government initiative
Ireland announces deposit scheme for plastic bottles and cans
The Government of Ireland has announced a recycling initiative for plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans, television channel RTE Ireland has reported. As part of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), customers purchasing drinks from February 2024 will be charged a small deposit for any plastic bottles or cans that feature the Re-turn logo. They can then receive their deposits back by returning the empty containers to any retailer or other collection point for recycling. The deposits can either be spent in shops, taken as cash or donated to charity. For each return, customers will receive EUR0.15 (US$0.16) back for cans or bottles of up to 500ml and EUR0.25 (US$0.26) for containers larger than 500ml. Retailers will need to register for free to join the scheme and will be allowed to keep a small fee.
28 October | Smart packaging
Gerresheimer and Merck develop digital twin packaging solution
German packaging supplier Gerresheimer and pharmaceutical company Merck have jointly created a digital twin solution to ‘transform’ the pharmaceutical supply chain. The joint proof of concept uses a blockchain-based platform and multi-patented authentication technology developed by Merck. It combines physical syringes with a unique ID, a smartphone application and access to Merck’s digital platform to unlock the digital twin features. Gerresheimer and Merck said authorised stakeholders, including brand owners and quality assurance officers, will have access to the mobile app.
8 November | Cloud-based solutions
ePac launches new virtual packaging network ePacONE
Global digital-based company ePac Flexible Packaging has created a new virtual packaging network, ePacONE (One Network Everywhere). ePacONE is a proprietary cloud-based manufacturing platform that serves large and small brands. It helps connect and manage all the company’s locations as a single manufacturing plant. The company’s Just-In-Time manufacturing capabilities worldwide, short lead time and engagement solutions like ePacConnect can now be used by customers of any size at competitive prices.
In brief
Mars to use paper-based wrappers in Australia and New Zealand
Multinational food company Mars has announced plans to switch to sustainable packaging for its chocolate bars in Australia and New Zealand. From April 2023 the company will introduce recyclable paper-based wrappers in Australia for its Mars Bar, Snickers and Milky Way products. From June, the company’s Mars Bars and Snickers in Aotearoa will be packaged in recyclable paper-based wrappers, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Menasha Packaging expands operations in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, US
Retail-focused packaging and merchandising solutions provider Menasha Packaging is expanding its operations in the US with a new investment in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. As part of the project, the company will invest US$79m to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Pelahatchie Industrial Park. Menasha Packaging will also acquire more machinery and equipment.
TotalEnergies and partners develop recyclable stand-up food pouch
French energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies has developed a high-barrier recyclable packaging solution for food-grade applications alongside Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) and Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG). The fully recyclable, high-barrier stand-up pouch contains 98% polyethylene and less than 2% ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). The packaging is made from a machine direction orientation (MDO) film, which is a combination of TotalEnergies’ Supertough, Lumicene high-density PE and Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Soarnol.
Asda switches to plant-based packaging for own-brand tea bags
British supermarket chain Asda has introduced plant-based packaging for its own-brand tea bags. The company said its new tea bags are made from polylactic acid (PLA) derived from corn starch, which is a natural plant-based material. The bags will replace the previously used non-renewable oil-based plastic bags. Over the next six months, Asda will roll out the tea bags across its entire range, from Just Essentials to Extra Special.
Identiv and TrueGreen develop smart tamper seal for cannabis
US-based technology company Identiv and Australian digital tamper seal provider TrueGreen have developed a smart packaging solution for cannabis products. The two companies partnered in December 2021 to expedite the development of digitised consumer experiences for the cannabis market. They have deployed a smart tamper seal using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which works with TrueGreen’s software as a service platform to manage the digital identification of each cannabis package.
Biffa study shows extent of unrecyclable waste in England and Wales
A study by waste management company Biffa has found one-fifth of ‘recyclable’ waste in England and Wales is unrecyclable due to contamination. The contamination rate of 17% was determined based on waste collection data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) from 2016 to 2020. The study showed the average contamination rate of recycling waste rose from 13.4% in 2016 to 17% by the end of 2020, representing a growth of nearly 3%.
Canadian organisations aim to improve circular plastic economy
Three packaging and recycling platforms in Canada have partnered to improve the country’s circular plastic economy. The Canada Plastics Pact (CPP), the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and Circular Materials will work to de-risk and increase investments in critical recycling infrastructure and technology innovations. These investments will aim to expedite Canada’s transition to a circular economy for plastic packaging via solutions that combat plastic waste and pollution.
In brief
Mars to use paper-based wrappers in Australia and New Zealand
Multinational food company Mars has announced plans to switch to sustainable packaging for its chocolate bars in Australia and New Zealand. The company will introduce recyclable paper-based wrappers for its Mars Bar, Snickers and Milky Way products in April in Australia. From June 2023, the company’s Mars Bars and Snickers in Aotearoa will be packaged in recyclable paper-based wrappers, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Menasha Packaging expands operations in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, US
Retail-focused packaging and merchandising solutions provider Menasha Packaging is expanding its operations in the US with a new investment in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. As part of the project, the company will invest US$79m to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Pelahatchie Industrial Park. Menasha Packaging will also acquire more machinery and equipment.
TotalEnergies and partners develop recyclable stand-up food pouch
French energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies has developed a high-barrier recyclable packaging solution for food-grade applications alongside Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) and Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG). The fully recyclable, high-barrier stand-up pouch contains 98% polyethylene and less than 2% ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). The packaging is made from a machine direction orientation (MDO) film, which is a combination of TotalEnergies’ Supertough, Lumicene high-density PE and Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Soarnol.
Asda switches to plant-based packaging for own-brand tea bags
British supermarket chain Asda has introduced plant-based packaging for its own-brand tea bags. The company said its new tea bags are made from polylactic acid (PLA) derived from corn starch, which is a natural plant-based material. The bags will replace the previously used non-renewable oil-based plastic bags. Over the next six months, Asda will roll out the tea bags across its entire range, from Just Essentials to Extra Special.
Identiv and TrueGreen develop smart tamper seal for cannabis
US-based technology company Identiv and Australian digital tamper seal provider TrueGreen have developed a smart packaging solution for cannabis products. The two companies partnered in December last year to expedite the development of digitised consumer experiences for the cannabis market. They have deployed a smart tamper seal using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which works with TrueGreen’s software as a service platform to manage the digital identification of each cannabis package.
Biffa study shows extent of unrecyclable waste in England and Wales
A study by waste management company Biffa has found one-fifth of ‘recyclable’ waste in England and Wales is unrecyclable due to contamination. The contamination rate of 17% was determined based on waste collection data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) from 2016 to 2020. The study showed the average contamination rate of recycling waste rose from 13.4% in 2016 to 17% by the end of 2020, representing a growth of nearly 3%.
Canadian organisations aim to improve circular plastic economy
Three packaging and recycling platforms in Canada have partnered to improve the country’s circular plastic economy. The Canada Plastics Pact (CPP), the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and Circular Materials will work to de-risk and increase investments in critical recycling infrastructure and technology innovations. These investments will aim to expedite Canada’s transition to a circular economy for plastic packaging via solutions that combat plastic waste and pollution.
