A key trend that emerges from a study commissioned by UPM Specialty Papers is that while recycling, reuse and composting of packaging will all increase significantly, a fifth of all food packaging could still find its way to landfill and incineration even in two decades time. 

Today, food packaging is predominantly plastic and recycling rates are relatively low. While, fibre-based packaging is widely recycled in non-food uses, the industry believes that by 2040 fibre-based packaging will approach circularity as technical development broadens its suitability for food packaging. Recycling rates for plastics are also projected to grow.

“The packaging industry will focus research and development efforts to meet increasing consumer and regulatory demand for more recyclable and compostable packaging”, believes Maria Saloranta, Vice President, Strategy for UPM Specialty Papers. “As a result, we expect the share of fibre-based food packaging to grow, accelerated by breakthroughs in barrier properties and use of smart technologies that help relay information to consumers quickly and easily”.

In the report, more than 200 global packaging professionals from across the value chain contributed to the first-ever collective assessment of key trends that are projected to drive sustainability in the food packaging industry by 2040. The industry anticipates the global share of polymer-based packaging will fall by half over the next two decades in sustainable food packaging applications, while fibre-based materials are projected to contribute to over 40% of all materials in use for food packaging.

“The survey shows the industry is anticipating a USD 20 billion-dollar shift from polymer-based to fibre-based packaging by 2040,” notes Ciaran Little, Global VP of Business Development, Smithers. “The use of polymer packaging will not be eliminated but will focus on robust applications in which high strength barrier requirements and reusability are critical.”

Download the report to learn what trends will dominate sustainable food packaging in 2040.

UPM Specialty Papers

UPM Specialty Papers answers the world’s need for sustainable products with high-performance, fossil-free materials for packaging and labelling, and in APAC the most sustainable office and graphic papers available. Our approximately 1,900 dedicated experts help customers co-create solutions to their business challenges. UPM Specialty Papers’ global team and mills in China, Finland and Germany serve customers consistently and reliably around the world.

Find out how our products are special by nature at upmspecialtypapers.com | #beyondfossils #specialbynature

UPM

We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 17,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 9.8 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

Smithers 

Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With operations and laboratories in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the packaging, transportation, life science, materials, components, consumer, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence. www.smithers.com

The demand for fibre-based packaging is growing rapidly. To answer to this demand Walki has invested in a state-of-the-art printing machine in Pietarsaari, that provides high-quality prints for fibre-based packaging solutions.

Walki has made a significant investment in its Pietarsaari plant by purchasing a 10-colour flexographic printing press. The new 10-colour flexographic printing press enables better and more accurate printing, which is important particularly in the highly competitive food industry.

“The need for sustainable packaging is growing in the food industry. In addition to sustainability criteria, customers are also expecting high-quality, photographic printing and reproducibility,” says Petteri Pihajoki, Production Manager at the Pietarsaari plant.

Consumer brands are increasingly reducing the use of plastic and are hence looking for solutions that do not compromise food safety while still being fit for recycling in fibre streams. Walki's fibre-based packages with high-quality printing are also suitable for the demanding frozen food segment, where the package needs to be puncture resistant and be able to withstand large varieties in temperature.

The printing machine is also suitable for heat-sealable solutions for non-food items and e-commerce packages. The printing width of the Allstein press is 1600 millimetres, which is sufficient for large packages, like corrugated cardboard packaging.

“We want to offer environmentally friendly alternatives that minimize waste in line with our mission to accelerate the world towards a zero-waste future,” Pihajoki says.

The printing technology is efficient in energy as well as in the use of colours and water.

At Walki, we believe in a sustainable and circular tomorrow. Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition into a zero waste future in packaging and promote the use of energy efficient materials across industries. Walki’s product solutions are designed to bring value to customers in many different markets; from sustainable materials for packaging applications to energy saving performance materials. Walki is a growing international group organized in three business areas: Consumer Packaging, Industrial Packaging and Engineered Materials, with operations in twelve different countries, both in Europe and Asia. In 2021, the Group’s annual turnover was approx. 500 million euros employing around 1400 people.

walki.com

Stora Enso has divested its three corrugated packaging plants in Russia. The Company’s Lukhovitsy, Arzamas and Balabanovo packaging plants have been divested to local management.

Stora Enso’s assessment is that due to the uncertainties in the Russian market, local ownership and operation will provide a more sustainable long-term solution for these businesses and their respective employees.

The transaction will have no material impact on Stora Enso’s annual sales and Operational EBIT. Due to reduced business prospects for these businesses, an impairment loss of EUR 35 million was recorded in the first quarter result. The additional loss on the transaction under IFRS will be approximately EUR 55 million, consisting mainly of currency translation adjustments to be recorded at the closing date. The expenses are considered as items affecting comparability.

The divested sites are located in Lukhovitsy, Arzamas and Balabanovo employing approximately 620 people and have a total annual capacity of 395 million m² of corrugated packaging. The sites primarily produce corrugated packaging for grocery, home improvement, confectionery and pet food segments in the domestic Russian market.

Stora Enso announced on 2 March 2022 that it would stop all production and sales in Russia until further notice. On 25 April, Stora Enso announced the divestment of its two sawmills and forest operations in Russia to local management.

Part of the global bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, wooden construction and paper, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has approximately 22,000 employees and our sales in 2021 were EUR 10.2 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com

Estal, the leading company in the development of premium packaging presents the Corkcoal stopper, which is distinguished by its innovation in materials, its commitment to sustainability and its careful design, worldwide and within the framework of the ProWein fair. 

Complex industrial processes are used in the manufacture of traditional micro granulated cork stoppers, with the consequent use of water, energy and chemical agents. All this with the aim of eliminating unwanted properties (taste, odour, colour, etc.) of the cork. Corkcoal combines two materials; cork and activated charcoal. The latter naturally neutralises and traps unwanted substances in the cork, as well as accepting and integrating variations in colour and size of the micro granulate.

Corkcoal is unique, therefore, in terms of sustainability because it reduces rejects and raw material waste without sacrificing quality; because the industrial cork washing processes are reduced and chemical bleaches are not used, and, therefore, its carbon footprint is lower. In addition, the active charcoal accelerates the biodegradation process of the stopper. Compared to other stoppers, thanks to its materials, Corkcoal offers a lower transfer of flavours to the product, and being neutral it also has better organoleptic properties.

The Corkcoal collection consists of three models: Sharp, Barrel and Cornice, with two sizes available 21.5 mm and 18.5 mm. Their design makes them perfect for spirits. Charcoal is a key element in the wine and spirit making process and the use of a stopper with this material gives these bottles authenticity.  The material and appearance of Corkcoal prevail, highlighting its natural qualities of charcoal from renewable sources. 

Adding a new innovation to the Wild world

The launch of Corkcoal expands the innovations that make up the Wild world, already consisting of Wild Glass and Wildly Crafted bottles. Wild Glass uses up to 100% recycled glass in the production process and embraces the flaw through a unique design language that translates into a unique new range of coloured glass. It has two distinctive collections, the Rude Collection for spirits and the Prima Collection for wines. Corkcoal stoppers are the perfect complement to Rude bottle designs, especially those with super short necks like Choker. Corkcoal models with a short stem of only 15 mm guarantee a watertight seal and are ideal for bottles with a reduced expansion chamber.

Corkcoal also brings authenticity and naturalness to the bottles in the Wildly Crafted collection, intended for manufacturers seeking a beautiful but imperfect look and an industrial production that respects sustainability.  Wildly Crafted bottles, unique thanks to their labelable textures, come in 5 different shapes (Primal, Natural, Brave, Bobber and Bobber Jr) and two types of mouths, Bocachata and Chocker, which stand out for their clean and clear finish, typical of manual manufacturing processes. The organic, rough and handcrafted design is absolutely complemented by the Corkcoal stopper models. Coherence and consistency in all the innovations developed by Estal.

About Estal

Estal was created in 1994 as a specialist in the world of packaging, offering a wide variety of premium packaging solutions for wine, distillery, beer, water and other beverages, gourmet products, perfumery, cosmetics and home fragrances. Basing its philosophy on a commitment to innovation and industrial excellence, the company is a market leader thanks to its work in customising packaging, developing unique models with the most advanced technical innovations and design. Estal has a new e-commerce platform, https://shop.estal.com/, which represents another step in the digitization of its services and adds benefits to the shopping experience it offers its customers.

Coval, the French leader in vacuum gripping, offers vacuum grippers for automated applications, from gripping single parts to complete layers. The range equally suited to equipping either cobots or robots, offering a catalogue of modular, standard products, designed to meet the customers' needs.

Coval, with its complete range of vacuum grippers, can be applied at various points along the whole production line, from the manipulation of individual objects to palletizing a full layer of product at the end of the line. The range includes 3 complementary series, starting with the ultra-compact CVGC models, designed from carbon specifically for cobots. Further in the range is the CVGL series of compact and lightweight end effectors for robots. At the top end is the MVG modular series, which is fully configurable.

The CVGC, the carbon vacuum gripper for cobots

The CVGC carbon vacuum gripper is not just an adaptation of an existing product, but a plug and play product designed 100% for the various cobot models, The lightness of the CVGC due to its carbon material (the smallest model weighs less than 1 kg) facilitates the optimum use of collaborative robots and preserves their lifting capacity. The vacuum generator, control cartridge, vacuum switch, and silencer are grouped together in a compact function block. The CVGCs are versatile, with a foam grip interface suitable for many materials and available in three sizes: 150 x 150 mm, 240 x 120 mm and 320 x 160 mm. In addition, Stéphane Garcia, Marketing and Communication Manager at Coval, points out: "the attachment Interfaces and connectivity are adapted to the particular cobot model in each case, which means that the CVGC fits on all types of cobots. "

CVGL, the lightweight vacuum gripper for robots

The dimensions and weight of the CVGL vacuum grippers make them one of the lightest and most compact ranges on the market. By reducing the weight and size of its vacuum grippers, COVAL enables integrators and manufacturers to integrate them into low-power robot manipulators. This translates into savings in terms of investment and operating costs.

To match the application requirements perfectly, the CVGL range of vacuum grippers is available in 3 standard lengths (424, 624, and 824 mm) or a custom length, and a fixed width of 120 mm, with 3 gripping interface technologies (foam, suction cups, or the gel-like COVAL-flex), 3 suction powers, and an integrated or remote generator. They offer a vacuum handling solution suited to parts of various sizes, weights, and materials.

MVG Modular Vacuum Grippers: customization as standard

The MVG modular vacuum gripper, which is mainly used for heavy payload robots and palletizers, offers the possibility of configuring a gripper that is perfectly adapted to each application, for loads of several hundred kg. To achieve this result, major developments have been carried out and patented.

The first choice the user has to make is the size, because MVGs are custom-made to the desired size from 150x150 to 1200x1000 mm. To ensure that the vacuum gripper is perfectly adapted to the specific requirements the user can also configure the vacuum generator and the gripping interfaces such as foams and suction cups. "The MVG grippers are equipped with gripping interfaces, either by means of suction cups, foam, or Coval-flex. These solutions ensure an optimal grip regardless of the size or material of the object to be gripped (cardboard, metal, plastic, glass, concrete/stone, composites, wood, etc.)," explains Stéphane Garcia. "High performance, flexible and robust, the MVG grippers can be multi-zone, i.e. equipped with several independent gripping zones, which makes it possible to ensure staggered or multiple pick-up and drop-off, guaranteeing optimized vacuum management as well as a reduction in leaks and consumption," he emphasizes.

Precise vacuum management with multizoning is particularly useful for staggered pick and place, managing different formats to be handled, or optimizing palletizing layers.

Stéphane Garcia adds: "Coval has been recognized for over 35 years as one of the world's specialists in systems and components for vacuum gripping. Our products are renowned for their quality and reliability. Our added value also lies in our teams of specialists who support our customers in the technical definition of the solution that precisely meets their needs and constraints. "

Coval supports manufacturers in various sectors: automotive, aeronautics, packaging, agri-food, plastics, and more.

www.coval-inc.com

The consortium of PulPac, Nordic Barrier Coating and OrganoClick has been granted financial support for continued development of 100% biobased, plastic- and PFAS-free barriers and materials for demanding food packaging applications. The development project is funded from the Swedish strategic innovation program BioInnovation financed by the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova. 

Following breakthroughs made last 2021, the consortium will continue the project that focuses on integration of commercially scalable environmentally friendly water and/or grease resistant barriers specialized in Dry Molded Fiber.

Viktor Börjesson, Chief Partnership Officer at PulPac comments, “We are very proud about the breakthroughs achieved within BioInnovation with our partners. The combined performance in OrganoClick’s chemistry and scalability coupled with NBC’s dynamic ability to form specialized materials makes this a very important project. Dry Molded Fiber is disrupting fiber forming, making it possible to manufacture paper packaging without wasting valuable water resources or energy and significantly reducing CO2, at unit economics that are very competitive. These solutions are plastic-free, biodegradable and recyclable – very important qualities to our customers.”

Challenging packaging applications for Dry Molded Fiber is the target of the R&D consortium

Dan Blomstrand, VP Biocomposites at OrganoClick AB, comments “We are very eager to continue building on the breakthroughs reached in step one of this BioInnovation program. The potential markets being enabled in packaging and single-use products with our 100% biobased and home compostable coating and binder products for Dry Molded Fiber by PulPac are enormous.”  

Urban Winberg, CEO at Nordic Barrier Coating AB, comments “The delicate art of designing materials and combining functions from OrganoClick’s chemistry adapted for Dry Molded Fiber has yielded very exciting opportunities as shown in last year’s breakthroughs. We can now invest in infrastructure and industrial capacity to commercially pilot the solutions discovered, and to cater to Dry Molded Fiber's global uptake.”

About PulPac
PulPac provides the packaging industry with a groundbreaking manufacturing technology for low-cost, high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products. By pioneering the technology of cellulose molding PulPac enables their customers to replace single-use plastics with a sustainable and cost competitive alternative globally. 

For additional information about PulPac, please visit www.pulpac.com or follow us on social media.

About Nordic Barrier Coating
Nordic Barrier Coating AB manufactures and offers innovative barrier and packaging solutions for maximum functionality. Specialised on extrusion on paper, plastic and non-woven. With many years of experience from the paper, extrusion and conversion industries, we possess cutting-edge expertise in the field. www.nbcab.se

About OrganoClick
OrganoClick AB (publ) is a public Swedish cleantech company listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. The company develops, produces and markets functional materials based on environmentally friendly fiber chemistry. Examples of products that are marketed by OrganoClick are the durable water repellent technology for textiles OrganoTex®, the biocomposite material OrganoComp®, surface treatment and maintenance products for villa and property owners under the brand BIOkleen®, biobased binder under the trade name OC-BioBinder™ and the flame and rotresistant timber OrganoWood® (through the joint-venture OrganoWood AB). OrganoClick was founded in 2006 as a commercial spin-off company based on research performed at Stockholm University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences within environmentally friendly fiber chemistry. www.organoclick.com

About Dry Molded Fiber
Dry Molded Fiber, invented and patented by PulPac, is a manufacturing technology designed for the circular economy. It leverages globally available, affordable, and renewable cellulose fibers to produce high performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products with highly competitive unit economics. Dry Molded Fiber also saves significant amounts of valuable water resources and energy, resulting in up to 80% lower CO2 footprint compared to alternatives. The process is up to ten times as efficient as conventional fiber molding invented over 100 years ago.

Walki is investing over 10 MEUR in a state of the art, next generation production line in Valkeakoski, Finland, to answer to the increased demand for sustainable materials in the fast-growing consumer packaging segment and for flame-retardant materials.

The investment is Walki Valkeakoski plants most sizable investment ever and will amount to 10 MEUR+. Walki has received financing of 3 MEUR from Business Finland's circular economy funding.

Walki has planned the production line inhouse for over two years and it's beinga built on premises.
"We have designed it ourself and have conducted extensive test runs to get it exactly right. It will be a completely unique production line and the most modern one in the world", explains Kari Salminen, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President, Engineered Materials.

The new production line will make use of a novel coating technology that has not previously been used at Walki. This combined dispersion and impregnation technology is important for creating barriers for recyclable fibre-based packaging.
"There is a strong megatrend where brand owners are switching to recyclable packaging. Dispersion technology is a sustainable way to get a barrier for fibre-based packaging that does not compromise recyclability in fibre streams", says Salminen, adding that the new production line also caters to the increased demand for heat sealable packaging solutions.

The production line will also answer to the increased demand for flame-retardant materials. Regulation is increasingly being tightened in the construction industry, creating the need for materials that can replace aluminium but still offer flame-retardance in order to comply with fireclasses. The new production line will produce facings coated with a flame-retardant substance for Polyurethane insulation.

The production line will also be used for testing completely new innovations. It will be taken into use during the second quarter of 2023 and will also deliver capacity to Walki's plants outside Finland.

At Walki, we believe in a sustainable and circular tomorrow. Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition into a zero waste future in packaging and promote the use of energy efficient materials across industries. Walki’s product solutions are designed to bring value to customers in many different markets; from sustainable materials for packaging applications to energy saving performance materials. Walki is a growing international group organized in three business areas: Consumer Packaging, Industrial Packaging and Engineered Materials, with operations in twelve different countries, both in Europe and Asia. In 2021, the Group’s annual turnover will approx. reach 500 million euros employing around 1400 people.

walki.com

Modular, flexible, intuitive: Körber Business Area Tissue offers its customers a wide range of packaging solutions to meet every need, we well as an innovative product specifically for the North American market

Understanding the demands of the market, anticipating the requirements of its customers, and promptly responding to the changing needs of the tissue sector: this is what makes Körber Business Area Tissue a strategic partner that offers companies targeted solutions aimed at increasing and developing new business segments.

Research and innovation have always been central tenets of the company, which, thanks to its wide range of packaging solutions, offers modular, flexible and easy-to-install machines.  Körber Business Area Tissue supports customers in choosing the best technology to produce quality tissue products in a market that is in constant evolution.

The efficient, safe, and sustainable packaging solutions created by Körber Business Area Tissue demonstrates the power of what can happen when the history of performance and the future of innovation come together. See the most recent packaging innovation by the company:

Casmatic Zephyrus A completely new and patented innovation in the tissue sector that uses delta robot technology to pick the tissue products in carton boxes, offering high flexibility in production thanks to the possibility of increasing capacity by adding specific modules. It can be integrated into an existing packaging line between the log saw and the packaging machine with the possibility of producing in three different modes: Full production, Mixed production, and Bypass. In the first it packs all the product made by the converting line, in the second it lets through all the product that is packaged by a traditional wrapper, and the third is a mix of both. The customer can thus produce additional and sustainable pack formats made out of cardboard and microwaved carton, with the possibility to expand its business, with minimum impact on the existing layout. The delta robots ensure maximum flexibility and precision in product handling, providing the ability to package different products at the same time. With this new solution the boxes can be made with recyclable cardboard and furthermore, once opened, the box can be closed again, keeping the product uncontaminated and easy to store. The use of this technology allows you to develop and increase the business related to e-commerce in a simple, fast, and personalized way.

Casmatic CMB 270 A high-speed bundling machine that has proven to be among the most reliable and performing on the market. Designed to produce up to 27 bundles per minute in a wide range of formats, it is equipped with intelligent systems to easily, quickly, and automatically change format. Furthermore, thanks to the TOSS longitudinal welding system, the solution allows a 60% reduction in air and energy consumption compared to existing models on the market. Casmatic CMB 270 is also available in the NA version. The Casmatic CMB 270 NA version has been modified to accept all US and Canadian bundle formats on one machine using an innovative triple infeed system: stacker, bypass and revolver upender. The stacker allows for production of bundles with cores horizontal, while the revolver upender allows the handling of products requiring bundles with cores vertical. This patented infeed replaces the stacker for the revolver upender in a matter of minutes thanks to a simple, fully automated changeover that operators activate from the HMI panel.

Casmatic A6T XL A solution designed for certain geographic market areas, such as North America, which require taller packages up to 410 mm in height. The core of this innovation lies in the insertion of a series of four pneumatic cylinders that allow the entire towing unit to be lifted when there is a need to create formats higher than 305 mm.

The machine allows you to process different types of products according to individual needs: single rolls with a diameter of up to 240 mm, rolls with a diameter of up to 205 mm for two-ply formats, and finally, rolls with a diameter of up to 135 mm for three-ply formats. The customer can thus adapt the existing formats with large diameter rolls, enabling him to keep up with emerging market trends.

To improve the quality of the sealing, A6T XL has a system of split sealing belts, which decouples the output speed of the packs from the tow and that of the belts, lowering the temperature and reducing energy consumption during side sealing.

Carbon T wrapper machine designed to achieve maximum performance in terms of production yield. This machine reaches a speed of over 200 packs per minute, ensuring a very high level of quality of the finished product. Extremely versatile and easy to use thanks to the automatic format change, which also includes the automatic management of the trolleys through the patented Trolley One Touch system. Even less experienced operators can easily and safely manage the machine.

The quality of the primary packaging is automatically monitored by Casmatic Sam pack, a solution that is able to manage any defective packages through a series of HD cameras and light bars that scan each side of the package. Through a neural network instructed by a deep learning algorithm, the solution is able to detect most visible defects for any format, so any non-compliant packages can be managed as needed. Casmatic Sam Pack then manages all the production data in a database, so that all the desired quality control analyzes can be performed.

“The global pandemic has revolutionized the world, and has highlighted the need to address the ever-growing requirements that the tissue market has manifested and is still highlighting. Two trends have emerged from these evolutions between supply and demand in recent years: e-commerce and sustainability. Thanks to a wide range of packaging solutions, Körber Business Area Tissue is able to support customers in developing their business by offering the desired degree of customization in line with emerging market needs." Commented Nicolò Squarzoni, Körber Business Area Tissue’s Product Manager.

Körber Business Area Tissue

At Körber, our ultimate goal is to empower our customers’ ongoing success. We are the only truly integrated and global provider of advanced solutions for the tissue business. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of tissue technology to support customers across the entire value chain — from roll to fold, from converting to packaging. Our advanced, automated, and easy-to-use integrated solutions are a fundamental asset to shape the success in tissue, take our customers operations to the next level, and strengthen their overall financial performance while optimizing their total cost of ownership.

About Körber

We are Körber – an international technology group with about 10,000 employees, more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We turn entrepreneurial thinking into customer success and shape the technological change. In the Business Areas Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco, we offer products, solutions and services that inspire. We act fast to customer needs, we execute ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations we create added value for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Körber AG is the holding company of the Körber Group.

Services increase efficiency, cut costs and complexity, and amplify business performance

SupplyOne, Inc., the largest independent supplier of custom corrugated and other value-added packaging products, equipment, and services in the U.S., highlights its Managed Services Program designed to help businesses enhance their competitiveness by taking cost of packaging ownership.

SupplyOne's Managed Services span every aspect of packaging ownership. They include specialty sourcing, back-office procurement-related activities, pre-shipping, packaging automation and service, inventory management, 3PL and logistics services, and more. 

"Companies want to partner with suppliers that are focused on continuous improvement. They want access to complimentary or discounted services required to run their businesses even more effectively, "said David Whitney, SVP, Packaging at SupplyOne. "We've designed our services around the needs of our customers."

SupplyOne's Managed Services reduce costs and complexity associated with packaging ownership giving manufacturers and food processors more control over their packaging-related expenses.

There are 20 services available. Packaging Specialists work with customers to identify the custom suite of services to optimize their packaging and operations to yield new efficiencies and savings. Three such services are inventory management, just-in-time delivery, and price protection. 

• The Inventory managementservice frees up space for growth while keeping inventory levels low and turns high. SupplyOne Packaging Specialists monitor inventory requirements and manage supplier quality and service to ensure customers have the right products for their applications when they need them. 

• Just-in-time deliveryliberates working capital that would otherwise be consumed handling and storing materials until they are needed for packaging and shipping. SupplyOne Packaging Specialists work with customers to ensure packaging materials are delivered on time and in sync with anticipated demand and production schedules.

• Price protection gives customers more predictability and control over their working capital through pre-determined price reviews, guaranteed minimum notification periods, and indexed pricing. 

Managed Services are ideal for companies seeking to mitigate labor challenges, increase speed to market, increase up-time and productivity and increase cash flow.

The packaging supply chain is a complex system. SupplyOne Managed Services simplify it for businesses across industry verticals, including manufacturing food and beverage, medical & pharmaceutical CPG electronics, automotive industries. This program tailormade for those looking to form a partnership focused on enhancing value across their packaging supply chain.

About SupplyOne

SupplyOne is the largest independent supplier of custom corrugated and other value-added packaging products, equipment, and packaging-related services in the U.S. The company provides mid-sized manufacturers, food processors, and medical and e-commerce companies industry leading packaging programs and complete packaging solutions to reduce its customers’ total cost of packaging ownership from a single point of contact. The result? Better packaging, and enhanced efficiencies, speed to market, and cash flow. Since its founding in 1998, SupplyOne has become the acquirer of choice for privately held specialty corrugated packaging manufacturers and value-added packaging distributors. For more information about SupplyOne’s packaging solutions, contact SupplyOne at 484-582-5005, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit https://www.supplyone.com/.

Zume, the sustainability solutions company creating economically viable substitutes for single-use plastics, have just announced it is furthering its partnership with Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals. Together, the companies are launching a comprehensive line of PFAS-free packaging to replace plastic and styrofoam with a sustainable alternative for food service applications.

• The companies are introducing a comprehensive line of 100% PFAS-free molded fiber packaging, including hot cup lids, bowls, egg cartons, protein trays and more  
• 40% of manufactured plastics is for packaging; most of it is discarded within minutes of opening and about 8M tons of plastic waste ends up in oceans from coastal nations
• Zume and Solenis aim to help global food brands replace plastic and styrofoam packaging with a sustainable and cost-effective solution

Popular for their grease- and water-resistant properties, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used chemicals commonly found in food packaging. While molded fiber packaging can be composted, PFAS do not degrade naturally and can leach from containers and move through soils, contaminating drinking water sources and significantly damaging the sustainability and circularity profile of molded fibers.

The joint partnership furthers efforts from Zume and Solenis to expand PFAS-free molded fiber solutions to replace entire categories of single-use plastic without harmful chemicals. Zume will provide its advanced molded fiber manufacturing capabilities and professional services, and Solenis will supply its unparalleled expertise in functional additives and surface coatings which increase the strength and functionality of Zume’s fiber recipes. 

“Development of an economically viable solution for brands to transition from plastic and foam packaging is the goal of the collaboration,” said Zume CEO and Chairman Alex Garden. “Our patented molded fiber manufacturing equipment system and technology enable us to offer sustainable packaging at the same price or less than plastic. This partnership with Solenis advances efforts to eliminate single-use plastic and enables brands to keep commitments to stop using PFAS.”

“Our partnership with Zume showcases the deep expertise of both of our companies in packaging production and design,” said Solenis CEO John Panichella. “Bringing together our technical talents, we can create truly sustainable food packaging without sacrificing the quality and performance of packaging containing PFAS.”

The companies have outlined a technology roadmap of solutions they will collaborate on, including hot cup lids, bowls, plates, premium egg cartons, coffee cup lids, protein trays, and yogurt cups. Zume and Solenis aim to help global food brands replace their plastic and foam packaging with a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.

Today’s announcement builds on other breakthrough work from Zume and Solenis, which brought the packaging community together to accelerate the removal of PFAS with the world’s first open-source guide to PFAS-free packaging for global food manufacturers and CPG brands. 

To learn more about how Zume and Solenis are helping brands replace plastic and styrofoam packaging with a sustainable PFAS-free solution, visit: zume.com/zume-x-solenis.   

About Zume
Founded in 2015 and HQ in Camarillo, California, Zume is actively reducing the world’s plastic waste with economically viable substitutes for plastic packaging. As creators of the world’s most advanced molded-fiber manufacturing system, Zume is a global provider of sustainability solutions and offers a growing range of sustainable manufactured solutions and services across the food, beverage, healthcare, and CPG categories. For more information visit www.zume.com.

About Solenis
Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, packaging paper and board, tissue and towel, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power, municipal, and pool and spa markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids and functional additives, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact and maintain healthy water. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 47 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 6,000 professionals in 120 countries across five continents. Solenis is a 2021 US Best Managed Company.