Sustainable solutions key drivers for innovation at Empack 2018

18 Apr 2018 --- Sustainable packaging solutions were the pulse of this year’s Empack, held in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Empack aims to display on-trend marketing innovations, trends and technology in all things packaging. FoodIngredientsFirst visited Empack to gain an insight into some of the innovations that dominated the show.

“Mindful” choices are increasingly practiced by consumers in their eating and purchasing decisions. Mindfulness topped Innova Markets Insights 2018 trend list, based on the eating patterns and purchasing decisions of consumers. Empack 2018 gave evidence to clear links between a more mindful consumer and the drive for innovative solutions in packaging to meet the trend.

Examples of this were abundant from PET suppliers touting their recyclability and environmental stance; the diverse range of fully bio and compostable packaging items on show; and businesses promoting their future strategies around increased environmental sensitivity.

Packaging that goes back to the earth
Novapac displayed their new partnership with Vibers, from ProQare packaging, who have developed a hard packaging that is 100 percent compostable. The packaging is made from elephant grass, which can be grown all over the planet.

“We have fields of elephant grass all over the Netherlands. We cut it off and then create a granulate. This granulate will eventually become a film…it’s all very new!” says Michel Nolten, Flexible Film Specialist from ProQare Packaging.

“The biggest benefit is having a sustainable product and with a great story. It is grown in the Netherlands, it is produced in the Netherlands and it will be delivered in the Netherlands. It can be fully circular and traceable,” adds Nolten.

Vibers assert that their product is a perfect replacement for plastic as it can be put in the compost bin after use, and left to decompose amongst vegetable and fruit waste.

The emphasis on a circular economy stood out at Empack, with many other innovative packaging products offering high-levels of recyclability and traceability.

Making the impossible recyclable
An eye-catching offering came from TTR Euroworks BV as they exhibited 100 percent recyclable thermal transfers ribbons. Thermal Transfer Ribbons (TTR) are a packaging component that has long been chucked in the trash without a second thought, but this innovation seeks to change this.

Currently, 90 percent of TTR ribbons are thrown away, stated Carlo Lucas, 4U TTRecycling Manager at TTR Euroworks BV, and each roll of TTR creates Co2 emissions which are three times its own weight. However, they can be collected and processed into black granulates, therefore, avoiding potential extra carbon dioxide pollution.

“These granulates are mixed with PET granulates and can create other products. These products are all hard plastic, black in color and low value, such as Waste containers [large bins] and flower pots,” says Lucas.

By giving a seemingly small part of packaging a new lease of life, TTR Euroworks are, “delivering a contribution to save our planet for the future.”

In a similar vein, Uxem were displaying their “Ecofoam”, which is a versatile foam that consists of 50 percent natural materials. In this way, they spoke about how they are responding to calls from their customers for foams which can safely package eco products, and fit in with the claim.

Businesses stepping up to sustainability
Speaking to Oerlemans packaging, it became clear that rethinking plastic was a key element of their centralized strategy. They were displaying their four key elements to rethinking Plastic, as part of Re!Think plastic, material sustainability plan.

• Re-duce: “Down-gaging, such as using thinner films which are better for the environment but have the same mechanical properties,” says Vera de Winkel, Sales Manger. “In the polymer industry, a lot of films are going to 100 microme. We came from 140 microme and then 120 and now 100. We have a machine where we can reduce thinner films and we are testing to see how thin we can go.”
• Re-use: “Taking waste and making new raw material from it. We use the waste from our own production in this way.”
• Re-Cycle: “We use the waste from customers to create recycled bags – for example, the CoolCat webshop bag.”
• Re-Design: ‘We are trying to redesign packaging that uses paper packaging, but also a lining, such as laminated film. We are trying to create single-source packaging, which is beneficial as it’s easier to recycle.”
• Re-new: Replacing fossil fuels with more sustainable sources of energy.

“For the consumer market, there are recycled/re-used notices on our packaging, on the labels, so everybody can see what it is made from and that it is biological (organic). On the cool cat bags [shown in picture] it also shows this. This helps consumers know what they are using, and also encourages them to continue using it.” Oerlemans packaging has revamped their approach to sustainability, to appease both customers, consumers and “the planet.”

Waste reduction efforts
Coming all the way from the US was Box Latch Products, who created a waste saving innovation: the Box Latch. The Box Latch is designed to slip between the flaps of a box, eliminating the need for single use tapes, straps or gluing, and it is designed to be used thousands of times. It also elongates the lifetime of carton boxes of which Box Latch claim 90 percent are only used once before being disposed of or recycled.

Furthermore, Supertape’s resealable packaging is laminated to re-seal after use, to preserve food freshness and aid controlling portion sizes. Mike Sherwin, UK Sales Manager, explained how retails were pushing for this design, “Retailers are pushing for resealability for portion control, so consumers don’t eat such huge amounts and also it will then reduce food waste. This is all retailer driven.”

Sherwin expects that once consumers get used to such a design, they will begin to expect to see it across the grocery aisle.

PET plastic is environmentally friendly
PET POWER was keen to tout the sustainable nature of PET, amid an environment where plastic is becoming a “dirty” word and bio alternatives are generating high interest. They had their reusable, glossy PET bottles, cups and containers on display.

“PET is a sustainable material, which is affordable for the whole chain. Its lightweight, unbreakable, has a nice glossy look and it has good barrier properties. You can transfer far more PET than glass, due to its lightweight. This makes it a great material,” says Annabel Noguira, Senior Account Manager Benelux PET Power at Empack 2018.

In fact, Noguira pointed out that PET is recyclable, and therefore is sustainable if only it would be collected efficiently, and if consumers would fully implement the correct waste disposal and recycling techniques.

On a concluding note, the space of packaging is varied and somewhat messy, amid intense media scrutiny and fingers being pointed at different parties. Clearly, the plastic corner is being defended as it had a strong presence at the show, however, manufacturers were quick to speak up about their role in a sustainable world, such as PET Power.

The space for bio and compostable materials is one that is quickly growing, especially as a number of food companies aim to depart from plastic altogether, and although its volume at the show was not high, it was clear that it generated a lot of interest and excitement.

More can be read over bio-based packaging solutions from Taghleef, and the on-going environmental war with plastic.

By Laxmi Haigh

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