NEWS


Environmental study extols the virtues of flexible packaging


An updated study, commissioned by Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), says that flexpack is a more effective way of reducing carbon footprint than either rigid packaging or focusing entirely on recycling. The study uses a scenario in which all non-flexible packaging for Fast Mov- ing Consumer Goods (FMCG) is substituted by flexible packaging where possible – so it excludes all beverages, as carbonated drinks cannot be packed in this way. It showed that, at the EU level, the amount of primary packaging waste could be reduced by 21m tonnes/year. This equates to a 70% reduction of the total amount of non-beverage FMCG


primary packaging, said FPE. Using a life cycle assessment (LCA)


approach, the study shows that this theoretical substitution would de- crease total Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 33%, even if it is assumed that no material recycling of flexible packaging would take place. The opposite scenario – replacing


flexible with rigid packaging formats – would increase total GWP by about 30%. This is despite higher actual recycling rates of rigid packaging. Even if the recycling rate of rigid packaging was raised to 100%, the theoretical substitution would still lead to 14% higher GWP, says FPE. The authors conclude that, for


packaging, the focus should not be on recyclability only but on prevention. This can be achieved by a higher use of flexible packaging, which would lead to less primary packaging waste, lower carbon footprint and less use of resources, they said. Jean-Paul Duquet, director of sustainability at FPE, said: “Prevention is on top of the waste hierarchy – de- fined by the European Commission’s Waste Framework Directive – before other approaches like reuse, recycling and energy recovery. Flexible packag- ing fulfils this prevention requirement and proves to be a major part of the solution to today’s challenges.” � www.flexpack-europe.org


New polymer head in Europe


PlasticsEurope, the pan-European trade association representing polymer manufacturers, has appointed Virginia Janssens (pictured) as its new managing director. Janssens, who takes up her new role in March, was


previously managing director of the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (Europen). “Virginia brings a proven track record in advocacy on sustainability related challenges and value chain collaboration which is invaluable to deliver on our sustainability goals,” said Javier Constante, president of PlasticsEurope. � www.plasticseurope.org


CCL expands with Poland buy


CCL Industries, a Canadian specialist in packaging and labels, is to acquire Polish BOPP film producer Flexpol. Flexpol’s sales in 2019


were around US$70 million, which was entirely focused on flexible packaging customers.


www.filmandsheet.com The deal, worth around


US$22m, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2020 following regulatory approvals. The new business will


trade as ‘Innovia Poland’. “This brings us new capability to deliver label


films in Europe using the same technology we have at Innovia Mexico for the Americas – complementing existing product offerings from Innovia’s UK opera- tions,” said Geoffrey Martin president and CEO of CCL. � www.cclind.com


Berry gets into PCR polyolefins


Major plastics processor Berry Group has entered an agreement with Georgia-Pacific Recycling to create a closed-loop system for post-consumer recyclate in the US. Georgia-Pacific will use


its national network of recycled material suppliers to source the PCR waste to be recycled. Berry will reprocess the material to incorporate into its portfolio of polyethylene film and polypropylene products. The companies plan to begin material collection in Q1 of 2020, and start reprocessing in Q2. � www.berryglobal.com � www.gapacrecycling.com


January/February 2020 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 5


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