Weekly Roundup: Graphic Packaging launches hygienic paperboard fresh produce range, PepsiCo rebrands Aunt Jemima

12 Feb 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Graphic Packaging International (GPI) launched a paperboard packaging range that protects and preserves fresh produce at a time of heightened hygiene concern, and joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy network. Also, Liquibox introduced Liquipure ultra, a recycle-ready bag-in-box bag designed for medium to high barrier applications. Meanwhile, Pact Group acquired Flight Plastics, reportedly New Zealand’s only packaging manufacturer with integrated PET recycling capability, and PepsiCo announced the debut of Pearl Milling Company, the new name of the pancake mix and syrup varieties previously found under the Aunt Jemima brand.

In brief: Eco-designs
GPI launched ProducePack, a paperboard packaging range for fresh produce. The carton offers brands and retailers an eco-friendly solution for various applications, with an artisan look that protects, preserves and presents fresh produce from field to store. ProducePack, available in multiple different configurations and structures, can offer comfortable carrying handles, beautiful branding and product differentiation. Additionally, ProducePack offers another level of hygiene protection as the produce is prepacked and can reduce excessive handling in-store. GPI also signed up to become a member of the leading circular economy network, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Liquibox introduced Liquipure ultra, a recycle-ready bag-in-box bag specially designed for medium to high barrier applications. The campaign tagline, “Sustainably Simple” emphasizes the environmental benefits associated with mono-material flexible packaging. The launch comes after the recent introduction of Liquipure, a new portfolio of sustainable flexible packaging. For decades, products such as post-mix syrups, boxed water and boxed oils required multi-material laminates with nylon or metalized polyester for barrier strength, but the complicated structure makes the packaging difficult to recycle. Liquibox’s new recycle-ready packaging uses advanced resin technology that is ultra-strong, marrying reliable product protection with recyclability.Berry Superfos’ Hobbock pails for Wisium France pet food (Image credit: Berry Superfos).

Mondi developed a new recyclable functional barrier paper range. Designed with protection in mind, this range of certified recyclable barrier paper solutions is fully integrated across Mondi’s value chain – from paper production to the barrier application – and can run on existing filling lines for form-fill-and-seal (FFS) applications. Mondi’s AegisPaper range reduces the amount of plastic used by replacing it with a renewable resource that has specific mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance, flexibility, printability and barrier protection. The coatings technologies applied to these papers create custom barriers against grease and water vapor and ensure sealability. AegisPapers are suitable for numerous packaging applications within dry food, frozen food, pet food, confectionery and secondary packaging.

Mondi also expanded its release liner range with the launch of two paper-based EverLiner products. The liners are created using recycled and light-weight materials and provide a more sustainable solution for a range of applications, the company says. The new products are lighter in weight and created with FSC or PEFC certified paper to ensure responsible sourcing. EverLiner labelite is a lighter option to standard glassine for label applications, with the same thickness of 58 gsm glassine but engineered to a reduced weight of 47 gsm. Meanwhile, EverLiner M R is “the first” release liner on the market using recycled base paper.

Berry Superfos equipped Wisium France, a producer of pet food pellets for cats and dogs, including the premium brand Everland, with its reusable Hobbock pail. The Hobbock acts as a loyalty reward and a promotional item for returning customers while offering a practical solution for storing and protecting the pet food pellets. The pail’s mono-material polypropylene construction also makes it suitable for recycling. The Hobbock pails for Everland are produced using Berry Superfos’ advanced in-mold label technique, creating high impact decoration and image quality.Chadwicks of Bury’s mirror print technology (Image credit: Chadwicks of Bury’s).

In brief: Business developments
Pact Group acquired Flight Plastics, reportedly New Zealand’s only packaging manufacturer with integrated PET recycling capability. The acquisition of Flight is another important step in Pact’s strategy to lead the circular economy through reuse, recycling, and packaging solutions, it says. The acquisition will complement and enhance Pact’s leading capability in recycling in Australia and New Zealand and enables the company to provide customers packaging containing food-grade recycled content. Flight has the capability to process more than 5,000 tons of recycled PET.

Avantium, a leading technology company in renewable chemistry, announces its subsidiary, Avantium Renewable Polymers, has signed a patent license agreement with Eastman Chemical Company for the right to operate under Eastman’s FDCA-related patent portfolio. The company believes this patent license agreement further paves the way for the commercial production of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) and PEF (polyethylene furanoate) from Avantium’s FDCA flagship plant, which, dependent on a positive final investment decision, is planned to start up in 2023.

Solidus Solutions acquired Heathpak, a fiber-based packaging supplier based in Newport, Wales. The acquisition signifies a strategic investment to further expand Solidus Solutions’ operations and broaden its product portfolio, the company says. Solidus Solutions acquired Heathpak from its two owners, Mr. Alan Heath and Mr. Lyndon Whitlock. Mr. Whitlock will continue leading Heathpak, with John Curran, UK managing director, assuming overall responsibility of Solidus’ UK operations.

In brief: Design enhancements
Chadwicks of Bury, a Clondalkin company, produced a versatile lidding solution using mirror print technology for the launch of Symingtons’ plant-based brand, Bloomin Good Food Co. Four different designs, printed using eight colors on polyester material, were produced for the vegan-friendly snack pot range. With mirror print technology, the lids are printed on one side only, allowing both sides of the material to be viewed for additional pack information for added branding or promotional information, marketing, competitions, and loyalty programs.Henkel has reached 50% rPE in its Biff brand packaging (Image credit: Henkel).

Baralan introduced Applicator 15 for bottles with neck 15, its latest in an innovative range of delivery systems for glass packaging. Defined by its novel application device combined with a screw cap, Applicator 15 was developed to offer precision product usage of perfumes, essential oils and certain skincare products. More precise than a spray nozzle and more elegant than a roll-on applicator, Applicator 15 allows for easy, accurate dispensing. Applicator 15 is designed to guarantee precision, releasing the preferred amount of product with greater control during application. This prevents loss of formula and aims to reduce waste, an important factor for luxury perfumes frequently sold in small quantities. Applicator 15 is available in different bottle sizes and shapes and with caps of various colors for high levels of customization.

In brief: Sustainability strides
Henkel reported significant increases in its use of recycled polyethylene, reaching 50 percent for toilet cleaners in the standard range, for example, the Biff brand, and 75 percent in cleaners from the Pro Nature range. The new packaging reduces the bottle weight by 11 percent, saving 480,000 kgs of virgin plastic annually. This corresponds to a saving of 800 tons of CO2 per year. The compact bottle design allows around 10 percent more bottles to fit on a transport pallet. With the new packaging concept, Henkel has introduced a standardized bottle body design for toilet cleaners worldwide. All bottles are now available in a uniform format and have polyethylene as a material. The products have been available in stores since January 2021.

The Krones Group joined the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, an initiative set up by the European Commission to establish a pan-European circular economy. As a member of the platform, Krones has entered into a self-imposed commitment to eight targets: rPET compatibility, plastic-free secondary packaging, support for recyclable packaging design, changing over from linear production to circular economy, permanently attached closures, sustainable labeling, investing in recycling and beyond PET packaging, which pursues development projects connected with disruptive technologies in beverage packaging.PepsiCo debuted the Pearl Milling Company, rebranding Aunt Jemima (Image credit: PepsiCo).

BASF and Siemens Energy announced plans to accelerate commercial implementation of new technologies designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions as part of a strategic partnership. By combining BASF’s technological expertise with Siemens Energy’s innovative product and services portfolio, BASF aims to extend its leading role in lowering CO2 emissions in chemical production. Several pilot projects at its Ludwigshafen, Germany site are under discussion, including the construction of a PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyzer for hydrogen production with an output of 50 megawatts, a modernization of the power grid at the Ludwigshafen, Germany site using digital and CO2-optimized products from Siemens Energy, and a study to assess the potential for common system and catalytic converter development to boost the efficiency of electrolysis plants (PEM electrolysis) and collaboration in generating electricity from wind energy.

In brief: Brand redesigns
PepsiCo announced the debut of Pearl Milling Company, the new name of the pancake mix and syrup varieties previously found under the Aunt Jemima brand. Pearl Milling Company-branded pancake mixes, syrups, cornmeal, flour, and grits products will arrive on market in June 2021. The Quaker Oats Company signed the contract to purchase the Aunt Jemima brand in 1925. It updated its image over the years in a manner intended to remove racial stereotypes that dated back to the brand origins, PepsiCo says. In June 2020, the company announced it was transitioning from the Aunt Jemima name and likeness.

By Joshua Poole