Packaging industry gets going again

From Nurnberg Messe the innovative packaging solutions (FachPack), the creative approaches to packaging processing (PrintPack) and the cost-saving ideas for packaging logistics (LogIntern).

The Interview by Apeal: Julian Carroll

Highlights of the second edition of “Steel for Packaging Update” the newsletter by Apeal, include an interview with Julian Carroll, the Managing Director of the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN), who shares his perspectives on what’s on the agenda for packaging for the years to come.

Innovations in Coating Laminating and Vacuum Web Coating

The Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) will host its annual Fall Technical Conference and 24th International Conference on Vacuum Web Coating, October 17-20, 2010, at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The dual-track schedule devoted to Coating/Laminating and Vacuum Web Coating opens and closes with joint sessions on developments in nanotechnology, conductive films, photovoltaic technology, sustainability, markets, and business practices.

Empac launches first interactive environmental scorecard

European Metal Packaging (Empac), the association bringing together European producers of rigid metal packaging, today announced the launch of an interactive scorecard which calculates the carbon footprint of its members’ metal packaging products.

The scorecard underlines Empac’s commitment to build upon metal packaging’s record recycling rate of 71% in 2008 (source: APEAL) and aims to give consistent answers to questions raised by customers, retailers and regulators regarding the environmental impact of metal packaging.
Designed to provide estimates of CO2 eq. levels for different cans with different recycling rates, weights and transport distances, the scorecard is a tailor made tool developed especially for Empac. Using a life cycle analysis approach, the interactive scorecard tracks carbon emissions throughout the entire production process of the metal can, from the mining of raw materials through to the manufacture of cans and their delivery to customers.
The interactive element of the tool allows for measurements of carbon data from transport, recycling and lightweighting processes to determine levels of CO2 eq. emissions. The scorecard will be updated at regular intervals in order to provide the industry with an accurate picture of metal packaging’s carbon footprint and the progress it is making to further minimise emissions.

Australia announces BPA baby bottle phase out

In Autralia and New Zeland Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler announced the phase out by major retailers of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A (BPA).

The voluntary phase out by the Wesfarmers group (Coles, K Mart and Target), and retailers Woolworths, Big W and Aldi is the result of months of constructive discussions between the Australian Government and retailers. The phase out will begin on July 1.

“Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has evaluated the safety of BPA and plasticisers in baby bottles and concluded that levels of intake of BPA or plasticisers are very low and do not pose a risk to babies health,” Mr Butler said.

”However, the US Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this year that it is carrying out further research into the risks for babies and infants associated with BPA.”

A number of countries have responded to consumer concern and the FDA’s announcement about BPA by introducing voluntary withdrawals of BPA baby bottles from the market. Such a decision has been taken in the United States, Canada and a number of European countries.

“The Australian Government appreciates there has been a level of public concern relating to BPA in baby bottles and, as such, has worked extensively with retailers to introduce the phase out.

Mr Butler congratulated the major retailers on their decision to come on board and called on other retailers to do the same as soon as possible.

He said it would ease the concerns of Australian parents.

“The Government has listened to families on the issue of BPA and we have taken appropriate action,” he said.

Plenty of bottle

Substantial opportunities for the further penetration of plastic bottles in packaging markets have been identified by Applied Market Information Ltd, in its latest research project. In its report on "Growth opportunities for blow moulded bottles in Europe", AMI researchers found plenty of reason for blow moulders to be optimistic – especially those in PET. The latent potential for PET barrier bottles in beer, wine and milk is believed to be equivalent to the current size of the carbonated soft drinks (CSD) market for PET bottles which was just under 1 million tonnes for 2009.

Drinks cans: digital printing adds fizz to the market

Ball Packaging Europe has brought digital printing for beverage cans to market maturity. At its Hassloch plant in Germany, Ball can now produce beverage cans printed either the conventional way or with photorealistic custom designs. A first vanguard of customers is already using the new technology to market small special-edition production runs.