technology

To meet industry needs for sustainable printing methods and environmentally friendly packaging production, Xeikon America has debuted TITON technology, a new toner formulation offering all the benefits of UV inks without the disadvantages.

The team, led by professor Eran Sharon and Ido Levin of the Racah Institute of Physics, faculty of science, is pursuing commercialization of this manufacturing technique, which could reduce packaging and in turn carbon dioxide emissions for producers.

“Our shape-shifting pasta technology has the potential to transform the manufacturing, transportation and storage process,” Mr. Sharon said. “The potential of this technology is immense, and I look forward to seeing it outside of the lab ‘wowing’ consumers and providing a positive impact to consumer and business alike.”

3D Neopac, a global provider of tube packaging for cosmetics and health care, and part of the Hoffmann Neopac Group, has upgraded its on-site manufacturing technology with two additional flexo decoration stations, and will also introduce a new tube line for capacity extension.

Liplid's uniqe lid, adapted to PulPac's innovative Dry Molded Fiber technology, enables MAX Burgers to replace plastic coffee lids in restaurants this year. 

Every year, more than 300 billion plastic lids – 1.5 million tons of plastic – are produced. Many of them end up as litter in the world’s oceans. A Swedish collaboration between three innovative companies at the forefront of sustainability - PulPac, Liplid and MAX Burgers - is now leading the way towards replacing the traditional plastic lid with a sustainable fiber-based alternative.

Braskem, the market leader and pioneer in biopolymer production on an industrial scale, and Sojitz, Japan-oriented global trading company, have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture which will produce and market bioMEG (monoethylene glycol) and bioMPG (monopropylene glycol). Subject to the conclusion of technology development in 2022, the business plan includes the construction of three industrial units, with the startup of the first plant in 2025, taking advantage of market opportunities and feedstock availability.

Key points:

• Antibacterial texturing kills bacteria, extending food’s shelf life.
• Comes amid huge demand to improve the lifespan of food products, particularly for export.
• Texture can be scaled up for mass production.

The lab-made nanotexture from an Australian-Japanese team of scientists kills up to 70% of bacteria and retains its effectiveness when transferred to plastic.

More than 30% of food produced for human consumption becomes waste, with entire shipments rejected if bacterial growth is detected.

The UK Plastics Packaging Tax comes into effect from 1 April 2022 and is intended to increase the amount of recycled material used in packaging products. A survey conducted by the BPF found that less than a third of companies feel that they fully understand the upcoming tax. Areas of uncertainty include the evidence companies are required to submit and when companies are eligible for tax credits. Uncertainty also exists around calculating the amount of tax liable (if any), how VAT is to be applied and the information that is required on invoices for tax-eligible products.