Industry news
17 May | Food packaging
The UK division of retail multiple Aldi has removed plastic shrink wrap from all multipacks of its Corale baked beans as part of efforts to reduce its use of plastic. Through the initiative, the unit will prevent 78 tonnes of single-use plastic from being sent to landfill per year.
Aldi also plans to launch a pilot to remove the outer plastic wrap from its sweetcorn mini-packs at a number of its stores later this year, expecting to remove an additional 24 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.
16 May | Acquisition – Flexible packaging
Ramco Plexus secures approval to buy Platinum Packaging
Africa-based investment company Ramco Plexus has been granted regulatory approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to acquire Platinum Packaging. The flexible packaging film manufacturer, which was incorporated in 2009, is a 50-50 joint venture between Ramco Group and Carton Manufacturers. As part of the deal, Ramco Plexus will pay Carton around KES500m (US$4.27m) for its stake.
Platinum accounts for 7% of Kenya’s flexible packaging and labelling market.
5 May | Russian exit
Mondi to divest Russian assets as Ukraine invasion continues
Multinational paper and packaging firm Mondi has decided to offload its operations in Russia, becoming the latest company to exit the country following its invasion of Ukraine. The announcement comes after the company confirmed that its board had considered all options for the group’s interests, including legal separation, earlier this year.
Mondi had already suspended its operations and significant capital expenditure projects in Russia on a temporary basis.
29 April | Recycling investment
Visy invests in recycling and re-manufacturing in Queensland
Australian-American paper and packaging group Visy has announced a US$500m investment in the expansion of its recycling and re-manufacturing operations in Queensland, Australia. The company will develop a glass container manufacturing plant and recycling facility in Yatala in the state. The site will have an annual production capacity of around 1bn glass containers, primarily for beverage manufacturers in the state. Visy expects to relocate its existing glass re-manufacturing operations in South Brisbane to Yatala by 2025.
25 April | Plant-based packaging
Grounded Packaging to supply sustainable materials to Plantable
US-based Plantable Health has partnered with Grounded Packaging to procure packaging materials made from plant-based bioplastics. ‘Sugarflex’ is made from sustainable sugarcane and is intended to help the plant-based meal provider achieve a carbon-negative footprint for its new packaging. Plantable expects to replace more than 2,114kg of virgin fossil fuel each year by switching to Grounded’s Biovac bags.
28 April | Sustainability commitment
Credit: © Mattel
Mattel pledges to reduce plastic content in packaging by 25%
US-based toy giant Mattel has committed to cutting the amount of plastic packaging it uses by a quarter by 2030. The latest move will see Mattel reduce its use of polybags, window sheets and blister packs. The commitment is part of the company’s ‘2021 Citizenship Report’, which provides updates on ESG performance. Previous pledges from the group include moving to 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials, also by 2030.
19 April | Single-serve packaging
Credit: NuZee, Inc/PRNewswire
NuZee secures co-packing, manufacturing agreement with Wild Society Coffee
NuZee has signed a co-packing and manufacturing deal with Wild Society Coffee. The North American coffee roaster will subsequently offer a single-serve instant coffee format through its website. The packaging concept, which marks NuZee’s co-packing debut in instant coffee, will be available at WildSocietyCoffee.com at a starting price of $15.95.
In brief
HP acquires plastic-free packaging company Choose Packaging
Hewlett-Packard has acquired packaging development company Choose Packaging in an effort to strengthen its sustainable packaging capabilities. Choose claims to manufacture the world’s only commercially-available zero-plastic paper bottle
Tesco partners with Berry Global for soft plastic recycling
UK multiple retailer Tesco has partnered with US-based plastic packaging and protective solution provider Berry Global on a soft plastic recycling initiative. Berry will recycle soft plastic such as bread bags and fresh produce packaging from collection points at around 900 Tesco stores.
Coveris introduces stretch films with 30% recycled content
Austria’s Coveris has introduced a range of lightweight stretch films containing 30% recycled content. According to the sustainable packaging provider, the films - available in both hand and pre-stretch formats - are the thinnest recycled stretch films currently available.
Sealed Air acquires Ireland-based packaging company Foxpak
Sealed Air is looking to expand its European presence through the purchase of Irish packaging solutions company Foxpak Flexibles. The US group processed the transaction through SEE Ventures, an in-house project focusing on investing in ‘disruptive’ technologies and business models.
25 April | Plant-based packaging
Grounded Packaging to supply sustainable materials to Plantable
US-based Plantable Health has partnered with Grounded Packaging to procure packaging materials made from plant-based bioplastics. ‘Sugarflex’ is made from sustainable sugarcane and is intended to help the plant-based meal provider achieve a carbon-negative footprint for its new packaging. Plantable expects to replace more than 2,114kg of virgin fossil fuel each year by switching to Grounded’s Biovac bags.
In brief
Colorado latest state to ready producer responsibility legislation
The Colorado Senate has passed a producer responsibility bill aimed at reducing plastic packaging and improving the recycling system in the US state. HB22-1355 is designed to incentivise companies to use less non-recyclable packaging for products that are already wrapped.
Nestle’s switches Buxton Natural Mineral Water to rPET
UK-based drinking water brand Buxton Natural Mineral Water, a subsidiary of Nestlé, has transitioned its entire portfolio to recycled PET plastic (rPET). All Buxton bottles transitioned to high-quality food-grade rPET in May, except for the caps and labels, which are made from various virgin plastic polymers.
Mondi launches packaging solutions at Anuga FoodTec in Germany
Mondi launched two sustainable trays for food products at April’s Anuga FoodTec in Germany. The pair have been designed to protect foods throughout the manufacturing and logistics process, as well as extend shelf life.
WestRock sales climb double digits in first quarter of 2022
US-based corrugated packaging company WestRock posted a 21.3% jump in sales from the three months to the end of March. CEO David Sewell described the performance as “outstanding” while noting the “continued challenges from inflation, higher supply chain costs and labour shortages”.
5 May | Russian exit
Mondi to divest Russian assets as Ukraine invasion continues
Multinational paper and packaging firm Mondi has decided to offload its operations in Russia, becoming the latest company to exit the country following its invasion of Ukraine. The announcement comes after the company confirmed that its board had considered all options for the group’s interests, including legal separation, earlier this year.
Mondi had already suspended its operations and significant capital expenditure projects in Russia on a temporary basis.
16 May | Acquisition – Flexible packaging
Ramco Plexus secures approval to buy Platinum Packaging
Africa-based investment company Ramco Plexus has been granted regulatory approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to acquire Platinum Packaging. The flexible packaging film manufacturer, which was incorporated in 2009, is a 50-50 joint venture between Ramco Group and Carton Manufacturers. As part of the deal, Ramco Plexus will pay Carton around KES500m (US$4.27m) for its stake.
Platinum accounts for 7% of Kenya’s flexible packaging and labelling market.
