Category: News & Updates

The annual Safripol Sustainability Conference is being held at the Sandown Hilton from 15-16 March 2023. Thought leaders, captains of industry, and EEHs (Everyday Environmental Heroes) will discuss ‘circularity’ and climate impact within the theme ‘Let’s plastic responsibly’.

It seems that Safripol has already put some words into action. Safripol CEO, Nico Van Niekerk says “To support a local plastic circular economy, we have launched our recycled polymer portfolio, and are excited to bring to market our first rPET product Aspirer, with post-consumer resin in FY 2023”.

The new product is a gamechanger for South African recycling, bringing Safripol closer to achieving the sustainability goals they set themselves to reach by 2025. It is a giant leap forward in the creation of a true local plastic circular economy.

The product offers between 15% and 25% rPET polymer resin for the manufacture of plastic packaging, especially plastic bottles, as a one-bag solution for Safripol customers. The South African Waste Act stipulates that 12.5% must be used, so this solution helps Safripol and manufacturers go beyond compliance.

It will help increase the awareness of the value of plastic waste and therefore help with the drive for more and more recycling. The ultimate value though is a significant reduction in the South African plastics industry’s carbon footprint.

Source

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/178/236813.html

When it comes to packaging design, factors such as brand identity and recognition, together with iconic shapes and custom designs, generally tops any reputable brand manager’s list. But what if all these requirements can be met by a generic packaging solution? Let’s explore the benefits of a ‘customised generic pack’.

Reducing cost without reducing quality

In addition to eliminating initial expenditure, such as investments in moulds, a generic pack is often the more cost-effective option due to economies of scale. Being produced in larger quantities, production costs are kept at bay due to fewer mould and material changes in the convertor’s factory.

Moving towards a generic design also affords smaller and well-established brands the benefits of stock security, shorter production and delivery lead times; and improved cash flow due to more frequent, smaller order volumes.

Customisation options

But the humble generic pack does not necessarily eliminate all customisation. Packaging requirements have moved beyond the days of “you can have any colour as long as it is black”. Generic packaging items can still promote brand identity and recognition by being customised, within parameters. Colour, decoration and embossing variations that drive brand differentiation is achievable and can even allow for the same packaging item to be used across diverse product categories.

Keeping EPR compliance front of mind

A generic pack can easily become the environmental star of the show, offering various benefits across the value chain. From a manufacturing perspective, the environmental cost associated with producing multiple moulds are naturally eliminated. A converter can also offer the generic item to a range of brands, allowing them to contribute to larger volumes and lower carbon footprint through more streamlined production processes. This does however mean that the converter will have the responsibility to guide the generic design to remain within the parameters of ‘designing for recyclability’ in order to achieve an optimal recycling rate. This in turn, assists the brands to also move towards full EPR compliance.

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Mpact Plastics is a leading producer of rigid plastic packaging and cling film in southern Africa. We operate out of nine production centres across the country, providing packaging from plants with relevant certifications. We service the food, beverage, personal care, home care, pharmaceutical, agricultural and retail markets. In upholding company values, and as a supporter of the circular economy, we positively contribute to industry associations, enabling various communities to participate in recycling solutions.

For more information and a comprehensive FAQ contact us on Mpact Wadeville FMCG: 011 418 6000 | info@mpactplastics.co.za | www.mpactplastics.co.za

Source

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/178/236899.html

With anticipated global growth, from about $209bn in 2017 to $373bn in 2025, manufacturers of nutraceuticals, including functional foods and drinks, are under pressure. Pressure to extend product offerings, regulatory pressure, and pressure to manage production, packaging, and labelling needs for international distribution.

In South Africa, the nutraceuticals market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.60% between 2022 and 2027, primarily driven by consumer lifestyles and the increase in health awareness associated with the consumption of functional foods.

Every vitamin, supplement, nutraceutical or functional food or beverage product needs a label, and some more than one if the product is shipped internationally. Branding is also a significant consideration in influencing consumers’ buying decisions, and labelling legislation is another major factor for manufacturers.

Pyrotec PackMedia’s Multipage Booklet Labels are an ideal solution for this market. Here’s why:

Clear, detailed instructions

Because nutraceutical products may cause a health risk, they need to be correctly applied and safely used. Without compromising the quality of the label, the Multipage Booklet Label provides extensive information in various languages within the space normally used by an adhesive label.

Safety first

Multipage Booklet Labels are permanently secured to the product’s packaging for its entire usable life. The label can’t be lost or accidentally discarded, as can happen with a separate leaflet.

Special features

These labels offer moisture resistance, high durability, and withstand extreme temperatures and storage conditions. Instructions can be printed in Braille, and anti-counterfeiting devices can be added to the label.

Streamlined production

By eliminating the need for separate labels for different languages, and their ability to seamlessly integrate with a manufacturer’s brand identity, they streamline production and simplify inventory management. They also don’t require changes to packaging lines because they’re supplied on-reel for quick, on-pack positioning.

Call Pyrotec PackMedia today to discuss extended product offerings without the labelling headaches.

Source:

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/178/237043.html

Nestlé East and Southern African Region (Nestlé ESAR), in partnership with Chilanga Cement, has launched a plastic neutrality project that aims to reduce plastic pollution in Zambia and the surrounding region. This programme forms part of Nestlé ESAR’s new RE sustainability initiative in the country.

The launch of this project in Zambia is in line with this year’s Global Recycling Day (18 March) theme, which is ‘creative innovation’. Nestlé ESAR and Chilanga Cement are bringing together the private sector and local communities using an innovative solution that addresses plastic waste.

Plastic waste is collected by waste reclaimers from Recyclemania, a waste management enterprise in the local community in Lusaka, who work with Chilanga Cement’s sustainability division, Eco Unit. Recyclemania currently collects 120 tonnes of plastic monthly, which is sorted into recyclable PET plastics that gets sold to enterprises that reuse plastic waste. About 10 – 14 tonnes of the remaining non-recyclable plastic are collected, weighed, and co-processed using innovative technology, a process that takes disposal plastic and transforms it into energy recovery, instead of the norm of taking it to dump sites where they end up in landfills.

This disposal is incineration in a closed loop system without residue, ensuring a more environmentally friendly processing that has a direct impact to reduction of landfill waste. The project’s target is to collect 160 tonnes of plastic waste generated in the value chain to be processed monthly which essentially means plastic neutrality for Nestlé in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Zubayer Davids, country business manager for Nestlé in Zambia and Malawi, said, “This is an exciting project for us here in Zambia, and we are pleased to be partnering with a leading local business and the local community in delivering meaningful change in managing waste. We are taking charge, aiming our efforts at reaching plastic neutrality by rethinking how we reduce plastic waste in landfills. Innovation in the ways we dispose of the plastic is at the heart of this project.

“Equally important to note is how this project will help sustain and improve livelihoods in Zambia. We have created and sustained jobs for 37 direct employees and indirectly impacted over 600 community-based collectors within the plastics waste recovery programme, majority who are youth and women in Zambia. That is how we are making the ultimate goal of a waste free future, and reaching net zero by 2050, matter to local communities in the region,” Davids continued.

“With this partnership, will help reduce our carbon footprint by diverting domestic waste from landfills and transforming it into energy resources. We are proud to be part of this project, as it is an example of how companies can work together to create positive change for our environment. This is an important milestone in our journey to achieve net zero waste going to landfills,” said Jianping Chai, chief executive officer of Chilanga Cement.

Source:

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/703/237067.html

The South African Plastics Pact collaboration involving some of South Africa’s largest retailers and brands is driving strong progress in eliminating plastic waste. According to the initiative’s annual report, 34.7 million ‘problematic or unnecessary’ plastic items were diverted from landfills between 2021 and 2022.

The SA Plastics Pact is part of a combined global network of 14 Pacts, spearheaded by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Wrap, a climate action NGO working around the globe. It is a collaboration of organisations, representing key role players across the plastic packaging value chain, working towards a South African-specific circular economy for plastics in the country.

The initiative is driven to achieve four circular economy goals for plastic packaging by 2025:

• Taking action on problematic and unnecessary packaging.
• Ensuring 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable.
• Establishing a minimum 70% effective recycling rate.
• Ensuring an average of 30% recycled content across all members’ plastic packaging.

The 43 SA Plastics Pact members include retailers such as Woolworths, Spar, Clicks and Pick n Pay as well as brand owners Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, PepsiCo and Tiger Brands, working with businesses, government, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and NGOs to tackle plastics waste and pollution at its source.

Problematic and unnecessary plastic items

In South Africa, around 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, equivalent to 41kg per capita per year – far above the 29kg per capita per year global average. Just 14% is recycled, and on average, every citizen leaks at least 1.4kg of plastic to the environment every year.

A significant contributor to the mountains of plastic waste in South Africa’s landfills and environment is what is called ‘problematic or unnecessary’ plastic packaging items. These are items that cannot be reused, recycled or composted, which contain or require hazardous chemicals in production, or which hinder or disrupt the recyclability of other items.

Because many of these items are small and can’t or won’t be collected for recycling, they are highly likely to end up as waste in the environment. Taking action in removing these items altogether forms target 1 of the SA Plastics Pact.

The SA Plastics Pact has identified and published a list of ‘problematic or unnecessary’ plastic items which members have begun to phase out.

12 problematic/unnecessary plastic items:

1. PET and PVC shrink sleeves on PET beverage bottles
2. Thin (barrier) bags at tills
3. Oxo-degradable plastics
4. PVC bottles, pallet wrap and labels
5. Plastic stickers on fruit and vegetables
6. Thin filmed barrier bags for fruit and vegetables (50% reduction)
7. Plastic straws
8. Plastic stirrers
9. Single-use plastic picnic cutlery and plastic plates and bowls
10. Cotton buds with plastic stems
11. Plastic lollipop sticks
12. Plastic microbeads in cosmetics

Out of the 96.3 million problematic or unnecessary items sold or distributed by SA Plastics Pact members in 2021, the biggest problems were (and remain) PET/PVC shrink sleeves on PET bottles, which contributed 475 tonnes, as well as the thin lightweight barrier bags at tills. PET/PVC shrink sleeves discolour and disrupt the recycling of rigid PET bottles, which otherwise has one of the highest recycling rates in the country whilst barrier bags represent one of the highest number of items reported, despite not being recycled and highly littered.

Encouraging progress

The SA Plastics Pact has made progress in achieving its top priority, as detailed in its most recent annual report. One of the highlights from the 2021/2022 report is that “34.7 million fewer problematic or unnecessary items were sold/distributed by members in 2021″.

This is the result of a variety of strategies implemented by members including, for example, the introduction of paper stems and sticks for earbuds and lollipop sticks; and the removal, altogether, of plastic straws, plastic stirrers and plastic stickers.

In addition, with regard to the top two problematic items, around 3.2 million PET/PVC shrink sleeves on PET beverage bottles were removed by the end of 2021; while 19.3 million barrier bags at tills were removed during 2022.

Waste reduction efforts

Among the waste reduction efforts among members, Pick n Pay entirely removed plastic barrier bags at till points, which accounts for 21% of barrier bags in stores. Similarly, Clicks has reduced PET/PVC labels on PET bottles, selling just 0.13 tonnes in 2021 compared to 1.44 tonnes in 2020.

In addition, some members are currently looking at reuse-refill dispensing solutions to eliminate on-the-go packaging. Some examples include the Sonke Pilot Project with Unilever involving refills for Sunlight Liquid and Unilever developing a partnership with Triple Shine for refills in spaza shops. A pilot project with V&A Waterfront has led to a ‘rent-a-reusable cup’ deposit-return system for beverages at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Cape Town.

Consumers are urged to contribute towards this progress by familiarising themselves with the ‘problematic and unnecessary’ plastic items, avoiding their use, and ensuring they don’t end up as litter or in a landfill.

How to spot problematic/unnecessary plastic items:

• Cannot be reused, recycled or composted.
• Contain or require hazardous chemicals in production.
• Hinder or disrupt the recyclability of other items.

Source:

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/348/237048.html

UK – British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has introduced sustainable packaging for its own-brand liquid laundry detergent.

Rolling out in all stores and online this week, the new design looks to help customers reduce plastic at home and will see all of its own-brand 750ml laundry detergents switching from sleeved plastic bottles to cardboard cartons.

The products will be available across the Big 4 grocer’s tropical super concentrated, bio super concentrated, non-bio super concentrated, color super concentrated and lavender super concentrated lines.

The new design will be available in the new packaging at all Sainsbury’s stores and online from this week.

Sainsbury’s new packaging, which is 35% lighter and can be recycled at kerbside or at recycling banks, will take 13 lorries off the road each year and reduce carbon emissions of this range by 50%.

In addition, the laundry liquid has also been reformulated and is now super concentrated, with a smaller amount of detergent required per wash, allowing five additional washes per carton.

According to the company, the packaging is expected to reduce the use of plastic by 80%, saving around 22 tonnes of plastic a year. It is made from cardboard certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

This comes as part of a string of plastic reductions across Sainsbury’s household range, as part of its commitment to halve its use of own brand plastic packaging by 2025.

The latest move comes nine months since Sainsbury’s launched its own-brand refillable handwash pouches in an effort to help customers reduce their consumption of plastic waste.

The pouches use 85% less plastic than the equivalent number of 250ml The Collection bottles, as well as costing 35% less than other equivalent bottles.

Sainsbury’s at the time said: “The 1L pouches use 85% less plastic and will help customers to reduce the amount of plastic waste in their homes by simply reusing their handwash bottle and pump and refilling from a Sainsbury’s handwash pouch.”

In a move to reduce plastic in its packaging, the supermarket chain also introduced a vacuum-packed alternative across its beef mince range, saving 450 tonnes of plastic annually.

The new packaging contains the same amount of beef mince, but is smaller in size, helping customers to use their freezer and fridge space more efficiently by taking up less space.

Source:

https://www.sustainablepackagingafrica.com/2023/03/22/sainsburys-rolls-out-cardboard-packaging-for-own-brand-detergent/

ISRAEL – Hp has unveiled its new HP Indigo 200K Digital Press, designed to give digital flexible converters the competitive edge with better productivity, on-demand delivery, no minimum orders, unique designs, reduced energy consumption, and minimal waste.

The new press is based on the only field-proven digital technology for digital flexible packaging and on a successful install base of over 300 HP Indigo 25K digital presses, series 4, worldwide.

The new series 5 HP Indigo 200K digital press is designed to increase the productivity of high-margin, sustainable short runs, delivered in days with no minimum order size required.

According to the company, it can print up to 56 m/min (183 ft/min) and sets out to increase the productivity of high-margin, sustainable short runs of digital flexible packaging, to be delivered in ”days, not weeks.”

Noam Zilbershtain, VP and general manager of HP Indigo & Scitex said: “The HP Indigo 200K is a mid-web digital press especially designed for converters addressing the needs of brands in flexible packaging, but it also serves the growing requirements of the label and shrink sleeve industries for higher productivity and wider format.

“Flexible Packaging is a growing market, and as HP Indigo customers are growing much faster than the market, I have no doubt that the HP Indigo 200K digital press will open the door for more flexo converters who want to join the success, and reign in industry 4.0.”

The HP Indigo 200K digital press showcases a 30% increase in speed and 45% boost in productivity compared to the HP Indigo 25K.

Featuring gravure-matching color quality based on the HP Indigo Liquid Electro Photography (LEP) and One-Shot Color technologies, the new press offers the widest available range of ElectroInks.

It is designed to print high-coverage packages with white on the majority of industrial substrates, both surface and reverse. Additional business opportunities include unique brand protection elements.

Following the announcement of UK-based Sirane Group as one of the press’ first beta customers, Peter Ralten, commercial and business development director, says: “At Sirane, we have been looking into digital print for a while now, realizing it is where the future lies.

“The HP Indigo 200K digital press, with its incredible increase in productivity, opens new business opportunities for us. With the unmatched HP Indigo quality and versatility, we can’t wait to see the results of adding it to our portfolio.”

Source:

HP Indigo unveils new press for the digital flexible packaging industry

SOUTH AFRICA – Dairy product manufacturer Fair Cape Dairies has added CFA 812 filling machine from aseptic carton supplier SIG to expand its flexibility with regard to packaging formats and volumes.

The CFA 812 filling machine allows Fair Cape Dairies to offer its products in South Africa using SIG‘s combistyle carton packs.

Available in 1 liter and 500ml sizes, combistyle features a new shaped corner designed to improve grip safety and provide more functionality and convenience.

Fair Cape Dairies Group CFO JJ Olivier said: “We are very excited to have partnered with SIG on adding a new SIG filling machine that will allow us to offer the first unique combistyle carton pack in South Africa.

“Our experience working with SIG provided us with a fantastic performance, world-class efficiency and reduction in waste that supports our sustainability journey.

“We continue to expand our portfolio to offer a bigger range of products for our customers. The pack with the shaped corner panel stands out on the shelf and offers extra convenience.”

The CFA 812 machine is intended to offer users more flexibility in packaging different formats and sizes.

The packaging innovation helps beverage manufacturers stand out from the crowd and makes it easier for consumers to find exactly what they need.

The stylish ‘corner panel’ also allows Fair Cape Dairies to highlight its corporate promise and brand message: ‘Do the Right Thing’.

Fair Cape Dairies previously installed two SIG CFA 312 filling machines, which use SIG’s combiblocSlimline carton packs.

The company is now offering combiblocSlimline, combiblocMidi, combifitMidi and combistyle among other packaging formats.

Following the installation of SIG CFA 312, the company has seen strong demand and growth for its popular Fair Cape brand of UHT milk.

SIG Middle East and Africa president and general manager Abdelghany Eladib added: “combistyle is one of our latest innovations and Fair Cape Dairies is the perfect partner to officially introduce it in the South African market.

“The packaging offers Fair Cape differentiation on the store shelf, convenience and flexibility. combistyle exemplifies SIG’s commitment to delivering innovative, differentiated product and packaging solutions that help businesses satisfy ever-changing needs.”

Source:

Fair Cape Diaries installs SIG’s CFA 812 filling machine to optimize its operations

COTE D’IVOIRE – Moroccan waste management company Arma Environment has announced plans to set up a recycling plant in Abidjan, says Chief Executive Youssef Ahizoune.

Ahizoune as cited by Reuters explained that the new plant is “expected to be operational within a few months” as the deals are being finalized with plastic waste suppliers.

The move comes at a time when Abidjan produces 288 metric tons of plastic waste, including a large number of plastic bottles, as cited by Veolia.

The country only recycles about three percent of the plastic used. In addition, it still does not have a systematic approach to tackling the problem.

With the new plant, the rate of waste collection and recycling is expected to increase in the city of Abidjan and expand to other cities.

Expanding Recycling across Africa

Arma also has waste management operations in 16 Moroccan cities including the capital Rabat but is looking to expand across the continent while also seeking to reduce emissions.

It introduced its first electric truck for waste collection in Rabat last week, though replacing its entire fleet will take time.

“Reducing the firm’s carbon footprint is a priority,” Ahizoune said but noted the price of heavyweight electric vehicles and a lack of charging points on highways are obstacles.

He said that electric truck prices would need to drop to the level of fossil fuel trucks for the company to achieve full electrification.

One of Arma Environment’s major projects has been underway since 2019 in Casablanca. It targets four main areas in the city, covering 72 square kilometers.

The company has deployed cleaning services using innovative technology collecting 440,000 tonnes of waste a year, says Arma Environment’s official website.

The other large-scale project in Marrakech has generated jobs for 1,022 employees and covered over 126 square kilometers.

The project began in 2014 and is set to finish in 2026, having received a total investment of over MAD 1 million (US$96,114.52).

Another project took place in Rabat and targeted three main areas, including Hassan, Yaacoub Al Mansour, and Touarga.

Through its work across these areas, the company has served 300,000 residents during the seven-year contract.

Maintaining green spaces is another key goal for Arma, as they also help with landscaping projects, equip children’s playgrounds, supply shrubs and trees, and install lighting in public areas.

The environmentally savvy company aligns with Morocco’s shift towards green energy. One of Morocco’s targets is to have 80% of the energy supplied by renewable sources by 2050.

Source:

Morocco’s Arma Environment to set up recycling plant in Abidjan

SOUTH AFRICA – JSE-listed packaging group Nampak has, through its Nampak Products subsidiary, entered into a sale of equipment agreement with Mpact’s indirect subsidiary Mpact Plastic Containers Castleview (Mpact PCC).

Nampak has been winding down and closing its crates manufacturing business and intends to sell equipment that is no longer used.

The company, which is now valued at R690 million (US$38.06m) on the JSE, has been actively optimizing its portfolio and reducing interest-bearing debt, which it intends to do with the disposal proceeds.

“The disposal is in line with Nampak’s active portfolio optimization strategy and will assist Nampak in its focus on the balance of its portfolio and to reduce its interest-bearing debt,”  said the company in a statement.

The equipment in question will be sold for R40 million (US$2.21m) and is located at Nampak sites in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng; Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal; and Epping, in the Western Cape.

The company said the book value of the equipment, which consisted of injection molding and recycling equipment, ancillary equipment and spares, was R4.5 million (US$0.25m), and the profit on the disposal amounted to R35.5 million (US$1.96m).

Mpact PCC will pay the consideration in three tranches, the first of which will comprise 50% of the consideration upon delivery of the equipment. The second and third tranches will comprise 25% of the consideration, respectively.

The move is the latest in Nampak’s bid to simplify and optimize operations by addressing non-performing operations and rationalizing product offerings.

The group is laboring under an R5.2 billion (US$286.84m) debt pile after its ill-fated expansion into the rest of Africa.

The 2020 disposals of Nampak Glass and Nigerian Cartons have helped the group to settle the dollar-denominated debt.

The Johannesburg-based group has also been working to complete the sale of Nampak Tubes in 2023.

Owing to a challenging macroeconomic environment, the disposal of assets at fair value proved difficult in 2022 and the group did not meet its target to reduce net interest-bearing debt by R1 billion (US$55.16m) by June 30, nor was it able to do so by September 30.

Nampak said it successfully renegotiated the terms of its funding arrangements and covenant threshold levels, extending the debt maturity dates from 1 April 2023 and 25 September 2023 to 31 December 2023, which improved the structure of its statement of financial position and provided relief to short-term liquidity, giving it time to consider all alternatives to strengthen the capital structure and reduce net interest-bearing debt.

This is subject to a successful rights offer to raise a minimum in net proceeds of R1.3 billion (US$71.71m) to be used to repay the net interest-bearing debt by 31 March 2023.

As a part of a turnaround plan that was approved in September 2022, the group in December proposed an “up to” R2 billion (US$110.32m) rights offer to settle at least R1.35 billion (US$74.47m) in debt owed to banks and to fund an upgrade of one of its beverage lines, which sent its share price nosediving.

Source:

Nampak offloads crate manufacturing equipment to Mpact subsidiary in optimisation strategy