Identify the product and ensure its integrity.
Labeling in the food industry is a crucial point of the entire production process, in fact it allows you to decorate the product intended for consumption, while indicating the essential information such as content, expiry date, origin, nutritional values ​​and any other data that may require a food product. To meet the typical labeling needs of this sector, ALTECH has developed a line of labeling systems particularly suitable for products such as tubs and trays.

The line in question is called ALbelt, and contains a range of extremely functional and customizable labeling machines that lend themselves to labeling a wide range of products. A particularly requested configuration is the one designed for semi-wrap (C-wrap) labeling of thermo-formed food trays, or clam-shell. In this application, the label is adapted on 3 sides of the product, the front one, and the upper and lower ones , and for this it assumes a dual role: to identify the product, and guarantee, just like a tamper evident seal, its integrity.. To carry out this operation, the ALbelt system consists of a two-section conveyor, an upper labeling head (ALritma model) equipped with a marker (for printing variable data, such as expiration date, promotional labels and barcode) and an adapter specially designed for this type of labeling placed in the space between the two sections of the conveyor.

The system is completed by a double tape spacer and a lateral ribbon stabilizer to hold the products during labeling. All labeling parameters can be managed from the 7-inch color touchscreen panel that guarantees excellent readability and extreme ease of use. The ALbelt system thus equipped is able to reach a labeling rate of 60 pieces per minute.

In addition to applying one or more labels on several parts of the product, the ALbelt system can assume particular configurations for different applications, such as the laying of labels above and below, even in non-stop configuration, i.e. without line stops for label changes.

"Our entire portfolio, but especially our signature spiced pickles, is really different than anything else that's on shelves, and while it served us well for years, our former packaging just wasn't quite right for us anymore given who we are now and where we want to go in the future," said Alok Advani, CEO of SuckerPunch Gourmet. "We're very excited to debut a new look this year that better portrays our brand and product line, but still maintains the familiar elements of our identity that our consumers know and love."

SuckerPunch Gourmet's new packaging was designed to be fresh, modern and fun, while still maintaining ties to its original identity and roots. The brand's iconic boxer emblem has been softened, with a nod to vintage prizefighters, while simultaneously re-illustrating him in a modern Shepard Fairey-style. SuckerPunch Gourmet also created a brand block on the front of each product label using bold, saturated colors that clearly distinguish the flavor varieties and make it easy for shoppers to quickly and easily find their favorite pickle flavor. As a means to drive home unique points of differentiation, the refreshed packaging includes pops of critical elements such as a Non-GMO Project Verified logo, an "11-spice" icon that is shaped like a pickle chip, and back panel romance copy that's modeled after a vintage boxing poster. With a new look from top to bottom, SuckerPunch even gave the lids a revamp calling out the "knockout flavor" as a reminder for every consumer reaching for or opening a jar.

The bio-plastic products have been developed in partnership with Treetop Biopak who specialise in providing innovative compostable packaging solutions

The new range consists of:

•          C-SHRINK

Industrially compostable shrink film that’s ideal for packaging of vegetables, bakery, and other foodstuffs as well as bundling multi-packs and as a secondary wrap for packed goods.

•          C-STRETCH

Home compostable stretch or cling film made from bio-based renewable sources.

•          C-TAPE

Industrially compostable adhesive tape that is made from bio-based sources and natural gum.

•          C-BAG

Home compostable bags suitable for fresh produce, bakery, and meat.

•          C-NET

Industrially compostable net suitable for a wide range of applications, with superior tear and heat resistance.

Innovative compostable packaging

The bio-plastic products have been developed in partnership with Treetop Biopak who specialise in providing innovative compostable packaging solutions.

Treetop owner Amir Gross, who has more than 15 years’ experience in the packaging industry, says: “Innovations in bio-plastics allow us to offer an ever-growing range of compostable packaging materials.

“Compostable packaging is an excellent circular solution – from plant to pack and then back to compost, to be used for growing new plants. Also, their environmental benefits include a reduced dependency on fossil fuels.”

Compostable bio-plastics will biodegrade if disposed of through home composting or industrial composting, depending on the material. The global bio-plastics market size has an estimated current value of around £7.5 billion and is expected to grow by some 20 per cent over the next five years.

The C-Range brings together Treetop’s knowledge within this market and KM’s wider flexible packaging expertise, international reach, and ability to bring products to market with the highest standards of quality and service. 
 

Similar look and feel to plastic

Manufacturers using the compostable packaging products benefit from a similar look and feel as plastic. They also continue to gain reliable properties that provide protection, presentation, and preservation for both primary and secondary packaging applications.

And, according to a survey by YouGov, more than half of people in the UK say they’d pay more for products with eco-friendly packaging.

KM Packaging’s commercial director Graham Holding said: “The new C-Range of compostable products enhances our overall product portfolio. 

“It builds on our core strengths, offering material choice and ensuring the right material is selected for the application. The range helps us to ensure customers always gain the solution that’s tailored to their needs.”

Specifically, innovative, efficient bioplastic production processes were developed to package food using renewable materials that are also recyclable and could replace conventional fossil fuel-based materials. These bioplastics include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polyglycolide (PGA), which were used to develop three different bio-based active packaging systems, specifically designed to package fresh chicken meat, cereals and snacks.

One of project’s innovations was the formulation of bacteriophage-based coatings that considerably reduce the proliferation of Salmonella bacteria in chicken breast samples packaged in a modified atmosphere. The project successfully addressed one of the problems faced by packaging with barrier properties: in order to protect food, packaging must be made up of complex multilayer structures that are either difficult or costly to recycle. However, all the packaging systems developed by the REFUCOAT Project can be recycled and/or converted into compost, making them a promising sustainable alternative.

Lorena Rodríguez Garrido, Packaging Researcher at AIMPLAS and scientific co-ordinator of REFUCOAT, said: “Packaging must be recyclable and must also maintain the barrier properties that help protect packaged food. Current packaging has a complex multilayer structure and is made from non-renewable sources. It provides all the protective functions but is difficult and expensive to recycle. REFUCOAT aims to replace current packaging with more sustainable, better-performing alternatives.”

High-performance packaging design

The REFUCOAT Project focused on three main areas: developing active coatings for food packaging films that use bacteriophage organisms; using low-quality flour as a base to produce PHA,; and developing an efficient production process for PGA, a completely biodegradable material with excellent water barrier properties. Until recently, this solution had been too expensive to use to replace fossil fuel-based materials.

The REFUCOAT Project ended in October 2020 after successfully validating all the new packaging structures and comparing their performance with metallised packaging. Tests were also carried out to compare the products’ shelf life and biodegradability with those of current conventional packaging on the market

Consumers can access the cocoa, coffee and chicory drink, and cereal products in reusable stainless-steel containers through Carrefour's e-commerce delivery platform. By the end of the year, the products will be available online and in 10 Carrefour stores in and around Paris.

Once consumed, the empty containers are collected from the consumer's home or dropped off by the consumer in the stores. The containers are then cleaned, refilled and put back in Loop platform's circular system.

Experts from Nestlé's Institute of Packaging Sciences tested the new containers to ensure that they keep the product fresh and safe throughout the shelf-life.

With the addition of the three new brands to the Loop platform, Nestlé is continuing its efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of its packaging, while contributing to a circular economy. Currently Nestlé's partnership with Carrefour and Loop in France includes a home delivery and deposit system for Vittel and S.Pellegrino natural mineral water in reusable glass bottles. Nestlé also recently launched the first cat litter in a durable and refillable container via Loop's eCommerce platform in the U.S.

SIG's SIGNATURE PACK is aimed primarily at the food and beverage industries, but is said to also be applicable to pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals

Consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and sustainable packaging is behind the company’s development of the SIGNATURE PACK.

The SIGNATURE PACK drives the replacement of conventional plastics from fossil fuels with certified and sustainable plant-based polymer materials. The polymers used for laminating the paperboard and for making the spout originate from renewable European wood sources and are certified according to ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) or CMS 71 (TÜV SÜD certification standard), respectively, via a mass balance system. This means that for the polymers used in the SIGNATURE PACK, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers.

The development an aseptic carton pack fully linked to renewable plant materials is challenging in that storing products in aseptic packages without refrigeration over a long period requires higher barrier requirements than chilled packages.

The new container is also deeper than the prior version, allowing it to hold saucier meal options. It also can better withstand the reheat process with the gravy-heavy options now on the menu.

"Developing eco-friendly packaging solutions that can improve quality of food has to take into consideration various challenges unique to the preparation of aviation meals. We are pleased to lend our culinary expertise and knowledge of food and packaging technology to collaborate with SIA to transform the travel experience". – Mr Kerry Mok, CEO Food Solutions, SATS

The paper-based offering dramatically reduces single-use plastics on board. And the new containers are notably lighter, helping to reduce fuel burn related to the catering.

Waste from the catering process will be returned to Singapore and processed at SATS, converting it pellets that can be used as refuse-derived fuel. Because it is processed on-site by SATS it reduces additional emissions tied to transport and incineration of the trash. This also represents a milestone in handling of international air traffic waste. Typically it is required by law to be incinerated rather than reused or recycled.

The new bottle for Bunge’s Oleo de soja Soya brand represents Amcor’s entry into the edible oil market in Brazil. Amcor responded to Bunge’s industry-wide challenge to suppliers, developing a 14g container which weighs four grams less than standard bottles.

“This new bottle is a huge technological achievement because we were able to replicate the current bottle’s shape and specifications but at a lighter weight,” said Ivan Assenco, Amcor’s R&D process coordinator. “During a highly focused three-year development project, we leveraged our expertise in R&D, design, and engineering to create a one-of-a-kind bottle for edible oil.”

Lightweighting is an important differentiator in the edible oil market. Amcor developed a new lightweight preform which maintained the same shape while optimizing topload strength, wall thickness, material distribution, and stacking strength. The container required a high stretch ratio so the team conducted a finite element analysis (FEA) study to optimize the design and meet wall thickness requirements. For the consumer, the redesign also maintains the same look, feel, and handling experience.

“At Bunge, we are always looking for possibilities to improve our performance at all operational levels of the Company and at the same time reduce our impact on the environment,” said Paulo Silvério, director of procurement for Bunge in Brazil. “In this project, we had many challenges, from designing a bottle with less plastic to introducing new filling technologies in our plants, but the result was excellent.” Silvério added: “Amcor responded to the challenge with a unique bottle that gives us a distinct advantage in the market.”

The lightweight container delivers sustainability benefits by reducing raw material usage by about 4.4 tons of material per year. As a result, Bunge improved its manufacturing efficiencies and reduced transportation costs.

PET, which has rapidly become the world’s preferred packaging material, is lightweight, shatterproof, recloseable, resealable, reusable and infinitely recyclable*. In addition, PET bottles often have the lowest carbon footprint and their production results in up to 70% less greenhouse gas emissions than other packaging materials, according to Amcor’s Asset Lifecycle Analysis. In the midst of today’s hygiene concerns, capped and sealed PET bottles keep beverages protected from pathogens like viruses and bacteria. They are also sealed to combat contamination and re-sealable for ongoing protection.

As demand grows for edible oil products, Amcor expects the lightweight container to be translatable to other similar applications in Latin America. As more consumers cooked at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, Amcor helped Bunge meet the surge in demand for its edible oil products.