Colombier
systems. This included a major shutdown from October to December 2023, where key equipment was installed. Some of this key equipment included an automated reel change to aid continuous process, a new twin coater to improve product quality and improvement in productivity, and an online slitting unit, which also increased productivity and reduced waste. Additionally, a number of new components such as s-pull units, path rolls, and air turns have been added, all of which improved prowcess quality and speed of production. Water management and cooling capacity have improved product quality, as has upgrading the packing line. Improvements were also made to ventilation, along with other enhancements to health and safety processes. The run-in and completion of process improvements occurred during January 2024, and the machine is now starting to produce high quality EcoBarrier coated reels better than ever before.
In fact, with all the upgrades made to the machine, capacity has increased up to 10x, meaning Colombier can now produce upwards of 25,000 tonnes of plastic free material each year. With a gsm specification from 35-90gsm, and the ability to run reels up to 2500mm wide, Colombier can run reels through the coating line once, thanks to its new two-sided treatment upgrade, and also slit and trim online during production.
With a plastic free product portfolio including cupstock, fast food trays, barrier bags, retail packaging, fl exible packaging, and corrugated goods to name a few, Colombier are truly leading the way in replacing plastic in our food chain. One example that has been hugely successful is the ability to produce plastic free ice cream tubs currently used in hospitality, education, and
the penal system. In 2023, close to 100,000,000 of these plastic free tubs were produced using Colombier EcoBarrier packaging, having fi rst been converted in the UK at Colombier’s Sittingbourne conversion facility.
“Our coiler and rewinder are extremely versatile, and capable of converting many substrates of packaging and paper including our EcoBarrier plastic free coated packaging from our sister company in Finland” Mr Langworthy commented. “Currently we use our innovative coiler to produce narrow width EcoBarrier reels suitable for making cup/tub bases, and then our rewinder to produce sidewall width rolls all which are then combined and manufactured into fully recyclable, biodegradable tubs and cups.”
With more plastic free product applications being added to the Colombier EcoBarrier and EcoFlex catalogue throughout 2024, Colombier are leading the way in producing sustainable and
environmentally friendly products. The Colombier Group vision is to produce and convert sustainable packaging materials that are recyclable and biodegradable, spare global resources, and make single-use plastic redundant. With the improvements that have been made possible through their EcoBarrier Coating line, coupled with their Conversion capabilities at their UK operation, they are demonstrating their ongoing commitment to this vision of sustainability.
For more information on Colombier UK’s packaging materials, conversion services, or trading opportunities, please contact them directly on 01795 832000,
www.colombierpaper.
co.uk, or
enquiries@colombier.com.
www.convertermag.com
September 2024
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