Carton, Board & Paper Cartonboard innovation for a sustainable future


By Tony Hitchin, general manager, Pro Carton, the European Association of carton and cartonboard manufacturers


Danish lager brand Carlsberg recently revealed two new research prototypes for its Green Fibre Bottle – described as the ‘world’s first paper bottle’. Both are made from sustainably


C


artonboard is one of the most adaptable and convenient materials for packaging, plus of course, it’s


one of the most environmentally friendly – not only is it renewable but it is also recyclable and biodegradable. As part of the European Association of


Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers, Pro Carton’s members sit at the cutting- edge of technology, working closely with both brand owners and carton converters to provide appropriate, cost- effective solutions. For instance, just last month (January),


Kotkamills of Finland - a specialist in fully recyclable barrier boards - announced a collaboration with coffee company Lavazza Professional to create the new KLIX Eco Cup made from ISLA food service board for in-cup vending machines. Kotkamills’ food service board is based on a water-based dispersion coating, which eliminates the need for a separate polyethylene coating. This means the cups can be recycled with normal paper waste, such as office paper. Late last year, Metsä Board introduced a


new, plastic-free eco-barrier paperboard product - MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB - that can be recycled in paper or paperboard streams. Stora Enso has also entered into a new strategic collaboration with HS Manufacturing Group, a specialist in plant- based barrier coatings, to develop new technology for food contact packaging applications. PROTĒAN barrier technology is a biodegradable and recyclable additive that gives fibre-based packaging water, grease and oil resistant properties, making it perfect for a range of applications,


convertermag.com


including single-use food service. In time, the industry expects to be able


to completely replace conventional fossil- based polymer layers with sustainable and biodegradable, coated boards. Technological developments are also coming thick and fast in other areas of cartonboard innovation. CrownBoard is the newest cartonboard brand from BillerudKornäs. It says the new board is so strong that it allows for a substantial reduction in packaging weight of anything between 8 per cent and 20 per cent depending on what cartonboard it replaces. And looking


to another major brand that is pushing packaging boundaries,


sourced wood fibres, are fully recyclable and have an inner barrier that allows them to contain beer; one uses a thin, recycled PET polymer film barrier and the other a 100 per cent, bio-based PEF polymer film barrier. Carlsberg’s Green Fibre Bottle research is in collaboration with EcoXpac, BillerudKornäs and The University of Denmark. And their innovation has resulted in the formation of a new paper bottle company Paboco - a joint venture between BillerudKornäs and bottle manufacturing specialist ALPLA. Innovation over the past 18 months alone has moved forward at such a rapid pace, driven by both consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions, and industry desire to significantly reduce environmental footprint; Pro Carton’s members are at the forefront of this innovation and I’m expecting to see more great brand engagements with the converting industry in the coming months. I’d also point you to the annual


European Carton Excellence Awards and Pro Carton’s Young Designers Awards, which every year showcase the fantastic ideas of a forward-thinking industry. For instance, 2019’s Save the Planet


Award went to Van Genechten Packaging (converter) and Stora Enso (board producer) for their Balloon Grip, an ingenious cartonboard based balloon holder that ties the balloon, keeps it inflated and does away with plastic sticks.


There were two winners of the Innovation category last year, Alzamora Carton Packaging and BillerudKornäs won for their multi-pack drinks holder that replaces plastic hi-cones and Cardbox Packaging and Stora Enso won for their compostable bio-coated ice cream pack. It’s exciting that the cartonboard


innovation keeps on coming at such a pace.


procarton.com February 2020 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44