Graphic Packaging to Close Santa Clara, California Paperboard Mill by Year End

Mondi has launched a new paper EcoWicketBag for Drylock Technologies’ baby diaper ranges, bringing sustainable paper-based packaging to the hygiene market globally. The global hygiene products manufacturer approached Mondi to create a more sustainable alternative to its existing plastic diaper packaging that would travel well, have strong shelf-appeal, and protect the product - while also using renewable resources and significantly reducing its CO2 footprint. “We approached Mondi because of their expertise in paper packaging and their extensive knowledge of the global hygiene market. Consumers are looking for more sustainable packaging that is kinder to the planet without compromising on the integrity of the product. With the EcoWicketBag, consumers can be confident of product quality and packaging sustainability,” said Werner Van Ingelgem, R&D director at Drylock Technologies.

Tredegar Surface Protection announced that it will implement a resin index based pricing plan that will apply to all products and customers, in response to unprecedented price increases and supply issues for polyethylene and polypropylene resin. This bilateral pricing model, which allows for decreases if resin prices fall in the future, will be effective on all shipments beginning July 1, 2021. Citing growing cost pressures, Dr. Bapi DasGupta, president of Tredegar Surface Protection, said, “While we are seeing cost inflation in many areas, the increase in the cost of our primary raw material is the most challenging, given that resin prices have doubled over the past year. In addition, resin supply continues to be tight as a result of recent force majeure events and issues associated with COVID-19 conditions, including supply chain delays. We continue to focus on cost-control measures across our business and remain fully committed to delivering industry-leading product quality and supply reliability to our customers.”

Packaging leader Smurfit Kappa has joined forces with KHS, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of filling and packaging systems for the beverage and liquid food industries, to roll out its sustainable TopClip multipack product for bundling canned beverages. The partnership brings to the market an end to end solution for beverage companies, including a combined unique and innovative packaging solution and high speed, efficient packaging machines. Launched last year at Smurfit Kappa’s global Better Planet Packaging Day, TopClip is a recyclable solution that replaces the need for shrink wrap, therefore providing an option for substituting plastic with sustainably sourced paper-based packaging. TopClip is free from additional glue, meaning it is 100% plastic free, also allowing for a greater ease to remove or pull apart the cans. The patented product addresses the needs of consumers who are looking to retailers and brands to provide more environmentally friendly packaging. TopClip fully covers the top of can multi-packs, protecting them from contamination and providing excellent consumer handling and branding opportunities. Moreover, the product’s sustainability credentials are further boosted with a 30% lower carbon footprint compared to a shrink wrap consumer pack.