NEWS Snack pouch is easy to open


Walki has launched an easy-open pouch concept for snacks such as nuts and dried fruit. “We set out to innovate a pouch that consumers can open in a


controlled and easy way,” said Andreas Rothschink, head of product development and technical service for consumer packag- ing at Walki.


Laser and specially formulated PE films allow for controlled


tearing. The pouch is constructed with a laminate of an MDO-PE film and a new LDPE-based film. The laser preformation in the centre of the side gusset fold of the bag is the starting point for the opening. By weakening the laminate in a controlled way, the material is thin enough to allow for a controlled opening of the pouch but still thick enough to protect the snacks inside. The pouch was developed in collaboration with packaging machinery manufacturer Rovema. Because it is made only from PE, the pouch is easy to recycle in the relevant plastics stream. n Read more about pouches in our feature on page 39. � www.walki.com


Sales and service in


S. Africa Reifenhäuser has founded a new subsidiary in Durban in South Africa. The new company,


Reifenhauser Southern Africa will directly serve Angola, Namibia, Botswa- na, Zimbabwe, Madagas- car, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. “This will take our sales and service offering, and technical support, to a new level,” said Mohamed Timol, managing director of the new company. Blown and flat film technologies will now be directly provided in the region for the first time. Customers will also have direct access to services and components includ- ing Kdesign cooling ring products. � www.reifenhauser.com


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The easy-open pouch is based on different PE films


Opportunities for PVC recycling


US trade association The Vinyl Institute has awarded more than US$460,000 of funding to six organisations in the first round of its Viability recycling grant initiative. The programme, which launched earlier this year, will make up to US$1m in funds available annually over the next three years. It is funded by Formosa, Oxy,


Shintech, and Westlake. Recipients of the first


round of grants include: the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA); Kelly Green Board; and the Vinyl Siding Recycling Coalition. CFFA intends to use the


grant to expand roof membrane recycling to an industry-wide programme – build it, improving logistics, expanding its recycling


network and developing end markets for recycled PVC material. Kelly Green Board is developing a circular use of PVC roofing membrane – making a roof board that contains 50% post-consumer roofing membrane and 50% post-consumer carton packaging material that can be reused in its new roofing system. � www.vinylinfo.org


Nefab buys US-based PolyFlex


Nefab of Sweden has bought US-based PolyFlex Products – a manufacturer of industrial packaging and other products. PolyFlex operates in four


locations in both the US and Mexico.


It specialises in return- able and plastic solutions including heavy-duty thermoforming. “Through this acquisition,


FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | July/August 2023


we further strengthen our market position in the Americas – and in the lithium-ion battery (LiB) and e-mobility segments,” said Per Öhagen, president and CEO of Nefab. In the last few years, Nefab has acquired a number of leading compa- nies in the areas of thermo- forming and sustainable packaging. Following the


acquisition, it will have more than 4500 employees across 35 countries. Darrell Tiedeman, COO


at PolyFlex, added: “Our Americas market presence, competitive portfolio and engineering know-how complement the Nefab strategy, and we look forward to continuing our growth journey. � www.nefab.com


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: WALKI


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