All articles by Alexander Love
Alexander Love
Packaging and the circular economy: How to establish a successful reuse model
With ever-greater quantities of consumer waste building up in landfill and ending up in the oceans, reuse is increasingly viewed in the packaging industry as a vital component in the circular economy to reduce the number of single-use items being produced and keep them in circulation for longer.
Resolving the health issues from mineral oil inks in packaging
Amid the greater understanding of the health risks posed by mineral oil inks, alternatives are being sought for packaging. Mineral oil-free inks are not only safer for human health but also better for the environment and recycling. We learn about these new products and the increasing drive behind recycling in Asia.
Sustainable barrier coatings: Reducing waste in food packaging material
With increasing demand for more sustainable packaging, brands and manufacturers are seeking to reduce the amount of material used for food packaging and lessen the environmental impact. Yet, especially in food packaging applications, there is a need to preserve the food by protecting it against elements such as light or oxygen that may degrade it. Traditionally film layers such as EVOH have been utilised to provide this barrier. However, these films may negatively impact the recyclability of the packaging. To solve this issue, coatings specialists Siegwerk and Henkel have partnered to develop a sustainable oxygen barrier coating for food packaging. We learn more about the project.
Closing the loop: How shrink sleeves can boost recycling of plastic bottles
Shrink sleeves are increasingly appearing on more plastic bottles, offering many benefits for branding and improving recyclability. We take a look at the advantages of the shrink sleeve and how using the correct materials is vital for recycling and reusing packaging waste.
How biorenewable inks can help increase circularity in packaging
The packaging industry is facing demand from consumers to use more eco-friendly materials, but this is far from straightforward. Petrochemicals have provided the basis of essential packaging materials for decades. However, a series of small measures can make a big difference, with biorenewable inks providing a sustainable alternative.
The route to 100% recyclability
Achieving 100% recyclability in packaging materials should be the goal of all manufacturers seeking to meet environmental demands from consumers and contribute to net-zero targets. We speak to Siegwerk to find out some of the obstacles and solutions in ensuring that packaging is fully recyclable.
Innovation at high-speed: container filling machines
Newtec’s High-Speed Container Filler (HSCF) has been designed for speed and versatility, in response to client requests for a solution capable of achieving higher capacity across a variety of products and packaging materials.
What is the best flexible packaging solution for food products?
It may seem like a simple question, but the answer to what is the best flexible packaging solution is a bit more complex. Primoreels explains more.
Q&A with Newtec: Innovators in potato sorting machines
Newtec provides a portfolio of highly innovative solutions for potato sorting and visual inspection, deploying technology such as cameras that inspect products during processing to eliminate any spoiled items.
Maharshi: High-performance packaging and printing machines
Indian company Maharshi provides high-performance machines for labelling, printing, visual inspection and leak testing for a number of industries. In North America, its exclusive distributor is Daiichi Jitsugyo (DJA). We talk to DJA vice-president Rusty Nelson about these specialist machines and what sets his company apart from others in the field.