news

the Latest news from the packaging industry

Valmet to provide technology for containerboard machines in China

19 DEc 2017

Finland-based company Valmet is set to deliver board machine key technology and machine control systems for three new containerboard machines in China.


Two of the three machines will be used to manufacture liner and one will be used to produce fluting.


The machines are slated to be operational in 2019.Valmet senior sales manager Timo Saresvuo said: “In containerboard manufacturing, headbox and press section are one of the most important key technologies to secure high production quality.


“Our expertise and our smooth project execution capabilities convinced the customer to choose Valmet to supply these key technologies for its three new containerboard machines.”


Under the terms of the deal, Valmet will be responsible for supplying a total of six new headboxes and three press sections to be integrated on to the three latest containerboard machines.

Koenig & Bauer’s Rapida 106 press to be installed at new Rehmpack facility

18 DEC 2017

Pakistan-based packaging printing company Rehmpack has selected Koenig & Bauer’s latest, high-performance sheetfed offset technology to be deployed at its newly built facility in the Port Qasim Industrial Area, one of the two seaports in Karachi.


Koenig & Bauer is a Germany-based sheetfed offset press manufacturer for packaging applications.


The new 200,000ft² Karachi facility is scheduled to be operational next year.

The Rehmpack facility will be equipped with a latest seven-colour Rapida 106 system in a double-coater configuration for ultraviolet (UV) and conventional printing.


Featuring 11 printing and finishing units, the new sheetfed offset technology will be Rehmpack’s first Rapida press and is slated to be delivered at the end of the year.


Rehmpack director Atif Anis Barry said: “When making our decision, we paid particular attention to efficient, future-oriented technologies and high-print quality.”

Schaumaplast uses BASF’s biomass-balanced Styropor for packaging

15 DEC 2017

BASF customer and particle foam component manufacturer Schaumaplast is offering a new packaging solution made from biomass-balanced Styropor.


The Styropor MB is the first expandable polystyrene (EPS) on the market to be manufactured using BASF’s biomass balance method.


The method can be used to replace the fossil resources required to produce Styropor with renewable resources from the beginning of the manufacturing process.


In the form of biogas or bio-naphtha from certified sustainable production, biomass can be used to manufacture Styropor in place of fossil resources.


Schaumaplast Reilingen managing director Bernhard Hauck said: “We are proud to be the first packaging manufacturer to launch a product made from biomass-balanced Styropor from BASF on the market.


“It is an innovation that scores points for its environmental impact without losing the foam’s tried-and-tested technical properties.”

HP delivers new HP PageWide C500 Press to Carmel-Frenkel

14 dec 2017

HP has delivered the first HP PageWide C500 Press for digital mainstream corrugated direct-to-board printing to Israeli packaging company Carmel-Frenkel.


Located in Caesarea, Carmel-Frenkel provides new packaging solutions for leading brands, as well as the food and beverage industry.


As the press moves towards its commercial availability, it will be tested at the customer site in Israel.


The press will offer a cost-effective digital alternative for offset lamination and flexo production.


The HP PageWide C500 Press provides offset quality direct-to-board with mainstream productivity on both coated and uncoated papers, thereby delivering packaging with vibrant graphics in order to preserve the finest details.


Equipped with a water-based ink formulation, the HP press will allow converters to print food applications that can help comply with global food safety regulations and industry guidelines.

Takigawa to open first new production unit in US

13 dec 2017

Japan-based flexible packaging and high-performance film manufacturer Takigawa is set to invest approximately $46m for the establishment of its first production operation in Kentucky, US.


The new operation will be able to generate 180 full-time jobs and primarily serve the high-impact packaging sector.


The 180,000ft² manufacturing unit will be constructed on a greenfield site in Bardstown with an aim to meet the growing demand in the region.


Kentucky governor Matt Bevin said: “Kentucky’s food and beverage industry has grown consistently in recent years, and that momentum continued with the addition of Takigawa.


“I commend the economic development teams at both the state and local level for helping to bring this amazing company to Kentucky. This will be a fantastic addition to the corporate community in Nelson County.”


In a bid to encourage the investment and create new jobs in the region, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved Takigawa for tax incentives up to $2m through the Kentucky Business Investment programme.

Colgate-Palmolive joins How2Recycle label programme

13 dec 2017

US-based global consumer products company Colgate-Palmolive has joined the How2Recycle Label programme as part of the company’s aim to make packaging more recyclable.


As a Sustainable Packaging Coalition project, How2Recycle is a standardised labelling system that provides clear recycling instructions to the public.


Colgate-Palmolive will carry the How2Recycle label on its products in stores across the country as part of the initiative.


Colgate-Palmolive owns a wide range of household brands, which include Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Murphy Oil Soap and Speed Stick. How2Recycle project associate Caroline Cox said: “We’re thrilled a company with such large international reach is committed to communicating accurate, harmonised recycling instructions on package.


“We’re excited to welcome Colgate-Palmolive to the How2Recycle labelling programme and helping millions of individuals to recycle more, and better.”

Crown opens new beverage can production unit in Indonesia

12 dec 2017

Crown Asia-Pacific has opened a new beverage can manufacturing plant in Jakarta, Indonesia.


Though its first in Indonesia, the new production unit is the company’s 16th beverage can manufacturing facility in the Asia-Pacific region.


Located in the city of Karawang, the single-line facility will manufacture standard 330ml two-piece aluminum beverage cans, in addition to cans in a wide range of specialty sizes. The plant has an initial annual capacity of 650 million cans and is built in close proximity to soft drink, juices and other beverage manufacturers.


Designed to be able to accommodate a second can line with a similar capacity and a beverage end production line, the new facility will enable the company to continue to increase production to address high market demand.


Crown Asia-Pacific president Robert Bourque said: “There is great potential for the beverage can in Indonesia, thanks to strong economic growth and a sizable population, which ranks as the fourth largest in the world.

Siegwerk buys Brazil’s Tupahue Tintas

12 dec 2017

German printing ink solutions provider Siegwerk Druckfarben has acquired Brazil-based Tupahue Tintas to expand its business in the Latin America (LATAM) region.


Located in Diadema, São Paulo, Tupahue Tintas is a family-owned company that provides inks, varnishes and solvents for flexo and gravure printing.


Since its establishment in 1989, the company has offered new ink solutions particularly designed for addressing the needs of packaging converters in the local market.


Siegwerk LATAM regional president and head Andrea Serturini said: “With the purchase of Tupahue Tintas, we add a well-established ink provider with high-quality products for packaging applications to the Siegwerk family.


“You can see a growing demand for customised applications and high-end packaging in Latin America. When it comes to packaging, flexo and gravure solvent-based are still the major printing processes used in the region. Combining now Tupahue’s and our know-how and technology in these fields adds great value to our offering for the local markets.”