NEWS News in brief
n FESPA, the federation of trade associations and an organiser of exhibitions and conferences for the screen and digital printing industries, is expanding its event portfo- lio in Asia, with the launch of FESPA China in 2013. The first FESPA China event will take place from November 18-20, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Conven- tion Center. FESPA is a fed- eration of 37 national associa- tions representing the printing industry.
n A CARDBOARD box manu- facturer has appeared in court after one of
its employees
almost lost his right arm in a machine. The 26-year-old from Leigh was trying to retrieve a piece of card to clear a blockage when his arm was dragged un- der a roller. Leighton Packaging admitted breaching health and safety regulations and was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £2,717 in prosecution costs.
n AUTOMATION expert Key Technology has appointment Tyrone Foster as process sys- tems product manager. Foster is responsible for planning and managing activi- ties that support the develop- ment and sales of Key’s Smart Shaker suite of vibratory con- veyors. He also manages its Turbo-Flo steam blancher/ cooker/pasteurizer,
Farmco
sizers and graders, Hi-Flo air cleaners,
systems, and more.
n THE Can Makers has launched a new nationwide environmental filmmaking competition for students enti- tled ‘Myth Busting – what hap- pens to your drinks can when it’s recycled’.
Jointly sponsored by the Brit- ish Film Institute, it aims to increase recycling rates and raise awareness of the ver- satility of the drinks can by inspiring students to educate themselves about the benefits of recycling.
6 > packagingscotland Veg-Mix blending
Flexible market thrives
RISING inks, adhesives and energy costs being passed on to custom- ers through higher selling prices triggered a 5.1% hike in European flexible packaging production. This is one of the key conclu- sions from an annual report on the European converted flexible packaging market.
“The European Flexible Packag- ing Market to 2016”, produced by PCI Films Consulting, includes statistics covering 2011 and fore- casts for the next three years. Paul Gaster, the report’s author,
said: “Even in these uncertain times, volume growth in Europe- an consumption was almost 2% last year (2011), confirming that flexible packaging continues to suffer less than other industries in a downturn.” This overall growth figure does, however, cover up some sig- nificant regional differences. The larger volume markets of Western Europe grew at around 4 to 6%, whereas demand in Spain and Portugal was broadly static while Greece experienced a decline. Russia and Poland continue to ex- hibit growth at twice the average for Europe as a whole.
Finnishing touches to greener plastics?
FEW people in the packaging in- dustry would argue that a tran- sition to a greener economy is undesirable but new eco-friendly innovations must still deliver quality if they are to be a success. It’s a fine balancing act that many have failed to master how- ever researchers in Finland say they have unearthed a technique that not only reduces our depend-
ence on oil but produces plas- tic packaging that out-performs more traditional materials. Research Professor Ali Harlin, from VTT Technical Research Cen- tre, is convinced the new genera- tion of bio-based material has the potential to hasten the industry’s move towards a bio-based econ- omy that would make a major impact on reducing its carbon footprint. To illustrate the point he high- lights statistics that show the vol- ume of oil used every year in the production of plastics equates to approximately 5% of the world’s total oil consumption.
Approximately 40% of all plas- tics are used in packaging, which puts special pressure on the packaging industry to reduce its dependence on oil. In comparison, bio-based plastic accounts for approximately 1% of global plastic production. VTT says its new technique ena- bles the production of the PGA
monomer glycolic acid from bio- based materials more efficiently than before.
It argues that by adding PGA, which has notable barrier prop- erties, into the structure of tra- ditional plastic packaging sig- nificantly improves its quality. In addition to strength and heat resistance, plastic packaging also needs to be airtight, vapour-proof and grease-resistant.
Bio-based PGA plastic is be- tween 20 and 30% stronger than PLA – the most popular biode- gradable plastic on the market – and able to withstand tempera- tures 20 degrees Celsius higher. It also breaks down more quickly than PLA.
“Bio-based plastics are a tan- gible step closer to a bio-based economy,” says Prof. Harlin. “This new generation of plastic packag- ing not only reduces our depend- ence on oil but also offers superi- or quality compared to traditional plastic packaging.”
Packing a punch
PACKAGING and processing exhibition Pro2Pac is returning with a new look and organisers say it will be the largest edition yet.
The biennial event will draw exhibitors from all over the world to ExCeL London from March 17 to 20, offering delegates insight into the current issues facing the UK’s food and drink manufacturing sector. Brother UK, Group Guillin Holding, Multivac UK, PFM Packaging Machinery, Rapid Action Packaging, and Silgan Plastic Containers are amongst the names that have already confirmed stands at the newly designed show. Read more on page 24.
January-March 2013
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