Industry news
4 February | Company Results
Berry Global has raised full-year guidance for its fiscal-2022 despite reporting a drop in first-quarter net profits.
For the three months to the end of December, the US-based sustainable packaging group posted a 14% increase in sales compared to the corresponding period a year earlier, to US$3.6bn. Berry Global reported net profits of $121m, a year-on-year decline of 7.4%.
The company’s operating profits for the period fell from $304m to $229m with operating profits before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation also declining, from $539m to $457m.
1 February | Acquisition - Flexibles
SIG readies purchase of flexible packaging company Scholle IPN
Switzerland-based aseptic packaging provider SIG has agreed the acquisition of flexible packaging company Scholle IPN for an enterprise value of EUR1.36bn (US$1.53bn) and an equity value of EUR1.05bn.
Based in the US, Scholle IPN provides a range of sustainable packaging products, including bag-in-box solutions and spouted pouches. The company employs around 2,100 people worldwide and generated full-year sales of EUR474m in 2021.
The combined entity will have a total of 69 sales and manufacturing sites worldwide, with almost 8,000 employees.
8 February | Polystyrene Authorisation
Styrenics Circular Solutions chases EU okay for rPS
A group of styrenics manufacturers in Europe is looking to use mechanically recycled polystyrene (rPS) for food contact applications.
Through the Styrenics Circular Solutions industry initiative, the group has filed a second application with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following tests of ‘super-cleaning’ technology by German plastic recycling machine manufacturer Gneuss. Both applications concern the reuse of polystyrene that was formerly yoghurt pots, hot and cold beverage containers and food trays, among others.
SCS secretary-general Jens Kathmann said the group’s second application “underlines our confidence in the safety of rPS as food contact material”.
7 February | Acquisition - Medical
GenNx360 buys into contract packaging firm Nutra-Med
A US private equity group has spied a packaging opportunity, securing an investment in US-based Nutra-Med Packaging.
GenNx360 Capital Partners, which targets “middle market business-to-business industrial and business services companies”, has bought an unspecified holding in bottling, blistering and secondary packaging specialist Nutra-Med. Principal Rishi Verma credited Nutra-Med with building “a strong packaging services platform achieving outsized growth” while noting the packaging industry is “very attractive to GenNx360.
Based in New Jersey, Nutra-Med operates in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement areas. Founder Mahesh Gupta will transition to an advisory role.
In brief
HP acquires plastic-free packaging company Choose Packaging
Hewlett-Packard has acquired packaging development company Choose Packaging in an effort to strengthen its sustainable packaging capabilities. Choose claims to manufacture the world’s only commercially-available zero-plastic paper bottle
Tesco partners with Berry Global for soft plastic recycling
UK multiple retailer Tesco has partnered with US-based plastic packaging and protective solution provider Berry Global on a soft plastic recycling initiative. Berry will recycle soft plastic such as bread bags and fresh produce packaging from collection points at around 900 Tesco stores.
Coveris introduces stretch films with 30% recycled content
Austria’s Coveris has introduced a range of lightweight stretch films containing 30% recycled content. According to the sustainable packaging provider, the films - available in both hand and pre-stretch formats - are the thinnest recycled stretch films currently available.
Sealed Air acquires Ireland-based packaging company Foxpak
Sealed Air is looking to expand its European presence through the purchase of Irish packaging solutions company Foxpak Flexibles. The US group processed the transaction through SEE Ventures, an in-house project focusing on investing in ‘disruptive’ technologies and business models.
9 February | Refill Packaging
Mondi introduces reusable packaging for Henkel’s Pril brand
The consumer flexibles division of Mondi has partnered with Henkel to create a recyclable refill pouch for the German consumer goods giant’s Pril washing-up liquid brand.
Consumers in the country have been able to buy a refillable pump dispenser for Pril, made from fully-recycled PET, since the start of this year. The new pouches from Mondi comprise recyclable mono polyethylene and reduce the plastic use for the brand by 70%.
The concept has received ‘Blauer Engel’ status from the German Government, which set up the environmental recognition label in 1978.
11 February | Paper Sleeves
UK multiple switches plastic toilet, kitchen roll wrapping for paper
Morrisons is the latest retailer to move to offering consumers toilet and kitchen rolls that are wrapped in paper.
The UK retail giant has secured Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper for the packs that can be recycled through on-street paper & card recycling systems. The group is going further, with the new packaging - along with the rolls themselves - produced using 100% renewable energy at its facilities in the country.
The switch follows Morrisons’ recent pledge to withdraw the plastic ‘bags for life’ concept from all its UK stores.
In brief
HP acquires plastic-free packaging company Choose Packaging
Hewlett-Packard has acquired packaging development company Choose Packaging in an effort to strengthen its sustainable packaging capabilities. Choose claims to manufacture the world’s only commercially-available zero-plastic paper bottle
Tesco partners with Berry Global for soft plastic recycling
UK multiple retailer Tesco has partnered with US-based plastic packaging and protective solution provider Berry Global on a soft plastic recycling initiative. Berry will recycle soft plastic such as bread bags and fresh produce packaging from collection points at around 900 Tesco stores.
Coveris introduces stretch films with 30% recycled content
Austria’s Coveris has introduced a range of lightweight stretch films containing 30% recycled content. According to the sustainable packaging provider, the films - available in both hand and pre-stretch formats - are the thinnest recycled stretch films currently available.
Sealed Air acquires Ireland-based packaging company Foxpak
Sealed Air is looking to expand its European presence through the purchase of Irish packaging solutions company Foxpak Flexibles. The US group processed the transaction through SEE Ventures, an in-house project focusing on investing in ‘disruptive’ technologies and business models.
