NEWS IN BRIEF...
US-based Plaskolite has appointed Michael Gilbert as its new president and CEO. Gilbert was previ- ously CEO of Aristech Surfaces, where he helped lead the company through its sale to Trinseo, and before that a vice presi- dent in Sabic’s engineering thermoplastics business.
www.plaskolite.com
Klöckner Pentaplast says it has launched the first food packaging trays made from recycled PET (rPET) derived from trays. Typically, they use various sources of rPET, but the new tray – part of the company’s Tray2Tray initiative – is the first to be made in this way.
www.kpfilms.com
Rani to install cast line to make stretch film
Rani Plast of Finland will install a new cast line at its Bjölas factory later this year – to make industrial stretch film.
“Right now, there is great demand for thinner, more durable films,” said Magnus Lundén, sales manager at Rani Plast. “With our new line we will be able to meet our customers’ needs and attract new customers too.” The new line, from German manufacturer Windmöller & Hölscher, has more features than an existing cast film line at Rani Plast – such as the ability to produce thinner films with up to nine layers. It is also
equipped with larger, more advanced filters – to make films from recycled materials – as well as a high degree of automation and additional test equipment, allowing better monitoring and maintenance. In addition, it can manufacture both machine stretch film and hand stretch film.
“Hand stretch film accounts for a large share of the market,” said Lundén. “With this investment, we can compete with others in this segment and enter new markets, such as the logistics industry.” Traditional industrial
customers using machine stretch film will also have a broader range to choose from, he added. The line is scheduled for delivery this autumn – with production of both machine stretch films and hand stretch films scheduled to begin by the end of the year. Patrik Högkvist, business development manager, added: “We aim for continu- ous improvement, and for a growing portion of our products to be made from recycled materials. With the new line, we can better meet customers’ demands.” �
www.raniplast.com
Compostable coffee pods made from PLA
NatureWorks has developed a thermo- formed – and compostable – coffee pod, following a multi-year partnership with IMA Coffee. It combines NatureWorks’ expertise
in processing its Ingeo PLA biopolymer with IMA’s packaging experience. For the rigid capsule body, Nature-
Works combined non-compounded, crystalline and heat-resistant PLA grades with a single-stage thermo- forming process to achieve production rates comparable to existing polypro- pylene (PP) capsules. The rigid thermoformed capsule was then combined with a nonwoven filter and multi -layer top lidding solution – which was also made of PLA. The use of a primary material for all
three components is more cost-effec- tive and offers higher consistency when heat-sealing the components together. IMA conducted compatibility testing on the rigid capsules, filter and lidding
6 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2024
NatureWorks has devised a thermoformed, compostable coffee pod using its PLA
film. Microleakage detection testing helped identify and achieve optimal material sealing parameters. “This solution removes the burden
from brands and roasters who are looking for a compostable pod with a long shelf life that preserves the taste and aroma of the coffee,” said Flavio
Di Marcotullio, strategic marketing manager for single serve beverages. “These pods provide a reliable brewing experience for consumers, can be produced at commercial speeds, and do not sacrifice expected performance for sustainability.” �
www.natureworksllc.com
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: NATUREWORKS
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