PRESS RELEASE
June 2016
FachPack 2016: Innovations aimed at sustainability
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Innovations in the packaging industry presented by FachPack
Resource-saving through recycling
Greater energy efficiency through smart solutions
Sustainability – also a key theme in the packaging sector. Smart
product developments enable resources savings in the value-added
chain. There are already numerous examples of this in the market,
others are in the development pipeline. Innovations – be it in
products, processes or services – are an elementary component of
FachPack, the European trade fair for the packaging industry. From
27 to 29 September, Nuremberg will once again be the meeting place
for inspiration and concrete solutions covering all aspects of
packaging, technology, processing and logistics. At the last event,
around 44,000 trade visitors entered an exchange here with
1,565 exhibitors on products and services in the packaging sector.
“Even if the term sustainability is today already somewhat overworked, we
must not forget what it basically means – and it is indeed much more than
just a current trend” says Director Exhibitions Heike Slotta. “This extremely
important theme has reached the heart of society. The packaging sector is
also making its contribution here: it is developing and offering solutions and
alternatives. We will find them all at FachPack in autumn.” The measures
apply to the entire value-added chain: packaging is being designed in a
recycling-friendly approach in order to save resources and once again free
up recyclable materials. In the mechanical engineering sector digitization is
providing the basis for saving energy and reducing material consumption.
And in logistics, products are being designed according to the “Cradle-toCradle” recycling management concept, for example pallets and boxes in
recycled plastic or corrugated cardboard. In packaging printing in turn,
LED-UV technology is saving energy in comparison to conventional UV
lamps.
More value with less resources
Saving resources through recycling is a key strategy for achieving more
sustainability in packaging. Particularly in the carton sector it is however
important to reduce petroleum (mineral oil) migration – in other words, the
transfer of petroleum from the packaging to the contents. One possible
solution is a product innovation in which the volatile molecules are caught
in order to prevent the migration of petroleum hydrocarbons on the entire
packaging surface to the food. In this case the carton no longer requires
any additional barrier coating.
A further approach being taken by the paper industry is to mix cellulose
with plant-based residual materials in order to save fresh fibres. When
residual materials from the product manufacturing process are used for
packaging, the concept is particularly consistent. In this context one carton
manufacturer has developed a bio-degradable and recyclable carton for a
champagne box, in which grape residues are mixed with cellulose fibres.
Overall, this method has enabled fresh fibre savings of over five tons.
Plastics are also essential material – not only in the packaging industry.
Anyone who talks about organic plastics, differentiates between biodegradable and (bio)organically-based materials. The first plastics such as
cellulose, linoleum and casein were bio-based but not bio-degradable.
However, degradable does not automatically mean that the materials are
also compostable– that heavily depends on the bio-degrading conditions.
Today the trend is towards long-life, organically-based materials which can
be just as easily recycled as conventional plastics.
Additional benefits through sustainable methods
The developments and trends in the packaging industry show that the
economical use of resources must not be in contrast with light packaging
and convenient handling. In the meantime numerous barrier solutions are
on the market, in which aluminium coatings have been dispensed with.
Paper combined with plastics or organically-based plastics can have the
same properties as aroma, water and oxygen barriers and as earlier multilayer solutions with aluminium. Food safety and a longer life are key criteria
in this area. The use of preservatives is reduced or can, if required, be
avoided all together. A further effect: less food is thrown away when
packaged products remain fresh even over longer storage periods.
FachPack 2016: Innovations aimed at sustainability
Press release – June 2016
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Smart solutions increase energy efficiency
In the area of packaging printing, LED-UV technology is currently a
powerful trend. In contrast to conventional UV spotlights with mercury
vapour lamps, LED diodes only emit light from a tightly restricted spectral
area. In addition to the energy efficiency, the lower heat build-up and the
long life of LED-UV lamps are a further advantage: no ozone is generated
and for that reason no extraction is necessary. In addition, with an LED-UV
system, the UV function is immediately available after switching on
completely removing the need for a warm-up phase.
The manufacturers of packaging machines also know that sustainable
production processes for their customers are becoming the focus of
increasing attention. Packaging materials consumption can be reduced
through a lower foil thickness or the minimisation of margin strips and
punch grids. Improved foil packaging systems facilities are so flexible that
they can process both conventional as well as very thin or organic foil.
Container strapping means that the previously customary shrinking foil is
no longer required. Dispensing with the shrinking tunnel reduces energy
consumption considerably, while the degree of pallet utilisation is also
increased.
Smart management and optimisation technology, economical drive
systems, compressors, ventilators and pumps are just some of the classic
solutions used to save electricity, power and production facilities and also
increase energy efficiency. Efficient motors, optimally adapted to the
movements and acceleration processes of the machine, reduce power
consumption. New sealing techniques protect the product to be packaged
and considerably shorten process times. In order to reduce the energy
consumption of a deep-drawing packaging machine, one manufacturer has
replaced compressed air-driven components with servo-motor drive
systems. As a result, the motion sequences can be precisely regulated in
relation to speed and opening width, which in turn contributes to increasing
the machine’s efficiency and performance. Utilization of the packaging
material is also improved through servo-motoric, mobile sealing and cutting
stations. This reduces the gutters between the packaging along with the foil
edges and foil wastage.
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About FachPack
FachPack is one of the most renowned packaging fairs in Europe. For three
days, at the exhibition centre Nürnberg, it presents its comprehensive
specialist range for industry and consumer goods covering all aspects of
the packaging process chain. The exhibitors present solution concepts and
innovations as well as services from the areas packaging, technology,
processing and logistics. Trade visitors from Germany and the
neighbouring countries come from all sectors involved with product
packaging:
food/beverages,
pharmaceuticals/medicine/cosmetics,
textiles/clothing, non-food, chemicals, paper/printing, electrics/electronics,
automotive,
metal
working/plastics
processing,
mechanical
engineering/appliance construction, logistics, retail as well as
media/advertising. An attractive support program, the Forum PackBox
together with numerous special shows and theme worlds, round off the
range of products and services and offer additional value-added.
www.fachpack.de
Contact for press and media
Sabine Ziener, Ruth Cuya
T +49 9 11. 86 06-83 29
F +49 9 11. 86 06-12 83 29
[email protected]
All press articles along with additional information and photos are available
at: www.fachpack.de/press
FachPack 2016: Innovations aimed at sustainability
Press release – June 2016
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