US-based manufacturer Hub Labels has acquired a new press from MPS to produce linerless labels.

The automated MPS EF is a multi-substrate flexographic press, designed for both high-quality label production and flexible packaging printing.

The EF will also enable Hub Labels to print a range of substrates, including thin film, paper, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.

MPS North America area sales manager Michael Weyermann added: “This press offers them new capabilities in the high-speed production of various substrates, especially the production of sustainable, environmentally friendly linerless labels.”

Hub Labels operates a 110,000ft² facility in Shawley Drive in Hagerstown, Maryland, which manufactures pressure-sensitive and linerless labels.

Chinese dairy company Yili Weikezi has started using augmented reality (AR) on the packaging of its milk cartons.

A voiceprint of Lu Han, a popular singer in China, is printed on each milk package. Scanning the voiceprint with a specific smartphone app plays an audio greeting, with each flavour—coffee, strawberry, banana and chocolate—having a unique message.

In addition to the audio message, scanning the voiceprint launches an AR app featuring floating planets that consumers can play with and customise: they can tap the planets for sound, record their own voiceprints create their own planets using AR and voiceprint technology, and share the results with their friends.

“Making product packaging ‘come alive’ with AR has tremendous potential for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG),” said Tom Vierhile, innovation insights director for GlobalData.

“We are just beginning to see FMCG companies explore the possibilities.”

US-based company Lamb Weston has launched a new Crispy on Delivery solution to ensure that fries are delivered hot and crispy.

Lamb Weston is a supplier of frozen potato, sweet potato, appetiser and vegetable products to different restaurants and retailers worldwide.

According to the company, the new solution goes from store-to-door and combines the right product, packaging and back-of-house expertise to ensure the delivery of crispy fries.

Lamb Weston growth and strategy senior vice-president Mike Smith said: “There’s nothing better than hot and crispy fries – one of the most loved foods in the world.

“We know we’ve got a solution to help our customers deliver on this. No-one knows fries better than Lamb Weston, and our comprehensive approach to hot and crispy fries truly goes from the store to the door.”

With an aim to retain the quality of the fries, the company has introduced a new patented container with venting technology.

Campaigners claim that the global amount of plastic pollution in the oceans is a violation of international law and are urging for a global treaty to address the issue.

Although agreements prohibiting littering the sea with plastics already exist, the new call to action was part of a report presented at a conference at the Royal Geographical Society on Tuesday.

The event was organised by campaign group Artists Project Earth, whose aim was to propose an Ocean Plastic Legal Initiative.

This proposal aims to urge governments that are committed to safeguarding the ocean to legally pressure those that are not into adopting sustainable measures.

The paper, which was written by environmental journalist Oliver Tickell, follows up a recent study by Irish scientists, who found microplastics in 75% of deep-sea fish analysed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Saica Pack, a European producer of recycled paper for corrugated cardboard, has pocketed two wins at the Nestlé UK and Ireland Supplier Awards.

The event that took place at the Twickenham Rugby Stadium in London last week celebrated and awarded Nestlé’s suppliers and their involvement in progressing packaging technology.

David Wilbraham, sales, commercial and marketing director Saica Pack, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised once again by Nestlé for our work. We pride ourselves on a productive partnership which revolves primarily around intelligent packaging that will contribute to Nestlé vision of sending zero waste to landfill by 2020.”

Two members of Saica’s team, Paul Gartland and Jackie Moore, earned individual recognition in the ‘Above and Beyond’ and ‘Customer Service’ categories for their approach to sustainable packaging production and their contribution to the Nestlé’s relationship with its suppliers.

US-based moulded and fabricated foam product manufacturer Huntington Solutions (Huntington) has acquired industrial packaging solutions provider TrimTec Systems (TrimTec) for an undisclosed price.

With the acquisition of TrimTec, Huntington intends to further enhance its product offering and expand its geographical presence.

TrimTec Systems founder and president Jeff Wagner said: “We are very excited about this opportunity to be a part of the Huntington organisation. Huntington brings an exceptional culture that is committed to quality and customer service. We are eager to leverage the resources and expertise between the two companies.”

Headquartered in Greer, South Carolina, Huntington produces key components for protective packaging and temperature-controlled containers.

Iced drinks manufacturer Polar Krush has announced plans to remove single-use plastic from all its packaging by the end of the year.

The British company has outlined a three-stage plan that aims to make all its products ocean-friendly in the next 12 months by decreasing the amount of plastic waste, much of which ends up in the sea.

The first stage will see Polar Krush offer refillable PAW cups, which are popular with children.

Starting from March 2018, the manufacturer will offer cups, lids and straws sourced from a vegetable material called polylactide acid (PLA), after which will come paper-based spoon straws, which are set to become company standard.

PLA is a source made from corn that resembles plastic but has far less impact on the environment because it is completely compostable.

The company also said it would implement a range of edible cups, sourcing these products from jelly, wafer and rice paper. The products will be available around the world by the end of the year.

US-based speciality papers and pulp producer Verso is planning to restart the manufacture of packaging products by upgrading the closed pulp line and No. 3 paper machine at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine.

Last July, the company had closed the paper machine and associated pulping capacity at the facility, due to the low demand for the graphic paper products, which were produced using the machines.

The machinery upgrade will be carried out with a $17m investment, $4m of which will be provided by Maine Technology Institute through its Maine Technology Asset Fund 2.0.

According to the company, the upgrade will be completed by the third quarter of this year, and is expected to create nearly 120 full-time jobs at the facility and additional positions throughout the Maine forest products supply chain.

Upon completion, Verso intends to diversify its product mix into growing market segments.