The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), producers of NPE: The Plastics Show, announced that NPE2021 will be home to 13 distinct Technology Zones offering attendees the chance to see firsthand how the power of plastics will transform tomorrow through demonstrations of the latest machinery and equipment, meetings with industry experts in some of the most essential sectors of the plastics industry, and educational sessions focused on plastics innovations.
NPE2021’s 13 Technology Zones cover many of the industry’s most critical sectors and feature the insights, solutions, and services that are key to strengthening any supply chain. The zones consolidate their individual sector’s most cutting-edge advancements, tools, materials, and processes in one central location, offering a first-hand preview of the technologies that will help move the industry forward.
“The Technology Zones are a perfect encapsulation of what makes NPE2021 such an exciting showcase of the plastics industry,” said Susan Krys, PLASTICS Vice President, Trade Shows. “These shows-within-a-show connect exhibitors, attendees, and buyers in specific sectors that most align with their individual business priorities, enabling them to maximize their time at the trade show and build relationships with like-minded NPE participants from across the supply chain.”
The 13 Technology Zones to be featured at NPE2021 include: 3D/4D Printing Zone, Bottle Zone, Contract Manufacturing Zone, Decorating & Secondary Processes Zone, Flexible Packaging Zone, Inspection & Measurement Zone, Medtech Zone, Moldmaking Zone, Polymers & Additives Zone, Product Design & Engineering Services Zone, Recycling & Sustainability Zone, Rigid Packaging Zone, and the Robotics & Automation Zone.
Given the expansive scale of NPE2021—the upcoming triennial trade show is scheduled to feature more than 2,000 exhibitors and more than one million net square feet of exhibit space—the show’s 13 Technology Zones help attendees cultivate their NPE2021 experience, facilitating a more personalized approach to the show.
Some of the highly anticipated Technology Zones to be featured at NPE2021 are:
Bottle Zone
Back after its successful debut at NPE2018, the Bottle Zone, with PETplanet and drinktec as the official supporting partners, offers a comprehensive look at one of the most important industry sectors, spotlighting innovations, technologies, and solutions for the beverage bottling and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market. In this zone, attendees will find companies focused on plastic bottle design, machinery, and processes that are driving the marketplace forward. In addition to the return of the Biergarten, PETplanet will again host the Bottle Zone Technical Forum, featuring presentations by bottling exhibitors highlighting the latest in sustainability, caps and closures, PET trends in preforms, bottling and containers, and machinery and equipment.
Robotics and Automation Zone
This new Technology Zone at NPE2021 will highlight the latest advancements in autonomous technologies. In this zone, attendees will learn more about the power of mobile and service robots, predictive maintenance technology, and other transformative solutions that are addressing the most pressing manufacturing and production challenges to increase organizations’ efficiency.
Recycling and Sustainability Zone
The Recycling & Sustainability Zone will offer an up-close look at the most innovative end-market solutions, bioplastics, and lightweighting tactics that are improving sustainability and advancing life-cycle circularity in plastic products. The zone will examine all the industry’s most pressing recycling topics: chemical versus mechanical recycling, improving bottle-to-bottle processes, closed loop recyclability, and applying ocean plastics in manufacturing.
plasticsindustry.org
 

Avery Dennison Corporation, the U.S.-based leading producer of self-adhesive label and graphic materials, announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its Offset Sheets business in the Europe – Middle East – North Africa (EMENA) region to Torraspapel. Torraspapel is part of Lecta, a European manufacturer of coated woodfree and specialty paper products headquartered in London. The transaction is subject to competition approval from the German Federal Cartel Office.
“This sale is part of the strategy for Avery Dennison to focus on categories where we are best positioned to deliver high growth and potential for our customers, with a particular emphasis on our Visual Communication (VISCOM) business. We believe this sale is in the best interests of both Avery Dennison and of our Offset customers given Lecta’s strength in paper-based products,” said Fred Noel, vice president Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions EMENA. “We trust that Lecta will be an excellent partner going forward.”
The transaction will involve Lecta taking over the manufacture and sale of Avery Dennison’s portfolio of FASSON and JAC branded self-adhesive papers and films in EMENA. Lecta will manufacture these under a special limited licensing agreement with Avery Dennison, keeping the FASSON and JAC brands available through the existing network of distributors.
“Creating a smooth, efficient and positive transition process for all groups involved is our top priority. We will keep our customers well-informed as we move towards the transition date,” added Fred Noel.
www.averydennison.com www.lecta.com
 

Due to the machine’s high degree of automation, the British company has invested in a leading slitter to improve quality and productivity 

Comexi, a specialist in solutions for the flexible packaging printing  and converting industry, and Roberts Mart & Co Ltd, the leading independent company in the  British market for high quality packaging printing, have strengthened their relationship with the  acquisition of a Comexi S1 DT slitter by the British company, which is located in Leeds (United  Kingdom). This purchase is Roberts Mart’s sixth Comexi slitter, and the second one of this model.
“Following another record turnover year, Roberts Mart & Co Ltd has further strengthened its  converting department with the purchase of a second Comexi S1 DT. It is a market leading slitter in terms of productivity, with a high level of automation, including automatic knife and core  positioning, and automatic core taping systems,” explains Tim Hilton, a Comexi UK/Ireland agent  who works on location at Pack Support, which believes the British company, with this investment, “remains at the forefront of the flexible packaging marketplace”.
Roberts Mart & Co Ltd, founded in 1852, is a 6^th generation family business that supplies a wide  range of collation shrink wrap, laminated films, and high quality printed flexible packaging to  customers in the food and beverage, confectionery & pet food markets. Is has also developed  SpectRM, a flexographic print comparable to that of gravure. SpectRM has won over 40 awards  worldwide for its colour consistency and ultra-high definition of print.
“Roberts Mart & Co Ltd has been a very important customer for many years. At Comexi we have  always had the most innovative solution for their requirements, which are extremely high, and that  has meant that the synergy between the two companies to be uninterrupted”, comments Ramon  Jonama, Comexi Area Manager for this area.
The Comexi S1 DT is possibly the most automated turret slitter available on the market. This  machine provides excellent results in both quality and productivity, notwithstanding the most demanding projects, due to its regulated control elements and high degree of automation. Cores, knifes, and almost every machine adjustment part is self-calibrating, resulting from an extremely  interactive and amiable user interface. Its unique automation gives the  operator the ability to load the reel into the machine and, if the configuration is appropriate, to  deliver completed reels, which are palletized and singularly wrapped in bags, without operator intervention.
The turret of the Comexi S1 DT is able to perform jobs with a large output reel number. Furthermore, it is capable of working with the thickest structures used in the flexible packaging  market, including aluminium, wax, and other hard materials. This machine has the NIP tension  gap system with which different rewinding and unwinding tensions can be used. Moreover, the  Comexi S1 DT allows for a high degree of customization, as well as many automated options,  such as splicing tables, automatic reel unloading, video inspection camera, and the robotized
labelling of finished reels.
www.comexi.com

• Danimer Scientific has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: LOAK)
• Pioneer in creating fully biodegradable and compostable bioplastics providing a cleaner, healthier, and environmentally responsible alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics
• High-growth industry leader with blue chip customer contracts demonstrating large-scale demand for PHA-based biodegradable plastics
• Institutional investors commit to invest $210 million at closing; including certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, Federated Hermes Kaufmann Small Cap Fund, and over $50 million from Live Oak affiliates

Danimer Scientific (“Danimer” or “the Company”), a next generation bioplastics company focused on the development and production of biodegradable materials, and Live Oak Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: LOAK) (“Live Oak”), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, announced a definitive agreement for a business combination that would result in it becoming a public company. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be renamed Danimer Scientific and is expected to remain listed on the NYSE under a new ticker symbol. It will continue to be led by Stephen E. Croskrey, current Chief Executive Officer.
 
Danimer Scientific is a pioneer in creating environmentally responsible and natural alternative solutions to traditional petroleum-based resins. The Company’s signature polymer, NodaxÔ PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), is a 100% biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable plastic produced using canola oil as a primary feedstock. NodaxÔ PHA is the first PHA polymer to be certified as marine degradable, the highest standard of biodegradability, which verifies the material will fully degrade in ocean water without leaving behind harmful microplastics. As a result, NodaxTM offers a better beginning-of-life and end-of-life cycle than any of today’s traditional plastics, eliminates the need for recycling and can replace the 80% of plastics that are never recycled or incinerated. It is currently producing and shipping NodaxTM at an industrial scale level from its existing facility in Winchester, Kentucky. The company has partnered with key plastics manufacturers and consumer products companies such as PepsiCo, Nestlé, Genpak, WinCup, Columbia Packaging Group and Plastic Suppliers Inc. as they transition a wide variety of plastic applications, including straws, food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, agricultural and medical applications, among others. Based on signed and pending contracts, the company is fully sold out of all production in its Kentucky facility and will use their increased capital base to significantly increase production, to meet the current and longterm demand of its customer base.
 
Danimer Investment Highlights:

• Leader in the rapidly expanding bioplastic industry, which currently represents less than an estimated 1% of the global plastics market
• Fully financed at closing of the merger to expand production capacity from 20 million pounds annually today to approximately 200 million pounds in 2025
• Intense demand from existing blue chip multinational customers supports management revenue forecast of over $500 million annually in 2025, with significantly increased profit margins by scaling existing production facilities
• Ownership of a portfolio of core patents purchased from Procter & Gamble in 2007, expanded to include numerous application-based patents, and now aggregating to more than 150 patents applicable in 20 countries
• $890 million of equity, $385 million of cash and only $20 million of pro forma debt provide ample flexibility to support abundant long-term growth opportunities, including further capacity additions domestically and internationally, as well as strategic partnerships and acquisitions of complementary technologies
• Highly experienced leadership team with long term tenure at the company and a board of directors with a proven record of creating shareholder value

 
“We are excited to partner with Live Oak and transition Danimer to be a public company,” said Stephen E. Croskrey, Chief Executive Officer of Danimer. “We are at an inflection point in our growth trajectory and this transaction will fuel the next phase of our rapid commercial expansion. Our research-based approach to creating environmentally responsible solutions has attracted a blue chip, multinational customer base and our partnership with Live Oak will allow us to further scale production to meet strong customer demand for our technology. We believe PHA has the ability to eliminate the pollution caused by single use plastics worldwide, a potentially remarkable achievement. We are well positioned to further expand our 100% biodegradable products to a wide range of plastic and specialty applications, with a long runway for profitable global growth.”
Rick Hendrix, Chief Executive Officer of Live Oak, commented: “Danimer represents a unique and compelling investment opportunity with take-or-pay contracted revenue from a blue-chip client base for fully bio-degradable plastic resin that addresses one of the world’s most significant environmental challenges. PHA adoption is benefiting from powerful tailwinds as the result of wide-spread corporate commitments and evolving consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging solutions that address the worldwide problem of plastic waste. We believe Danimer is poised for rapid and sustained growth with a fully financed capacity expansion plan and proprietary customer applications.”
www.DanimerScientific.com / www.liveoakacq.com
 

With many complex injection-moulded parts, undercuts or recesses cannot simply be demoulded in the main demoulding direction. Movable built-in components in the tool enable the injection moulded article to be removed from the mould without damage. A wide variety of different types of slide elements are used.

The new HASCO slide units Z18185/… open innovative ways of designing tools. The type of actuation enables a shape to be built up without complex and space-consuming bores for inclined columns for slide actuation and allows high force absorption.
The associated core inserts Z18186/… in the materials 1.2343 and 1.2360 with different hardness’s are available for individual contouring.
The slide units, which can be easily installed from the parting line, offer the largest possible contour area with the smallest possible installation space. The slides can be individually designed for demanding applications. The DLC coating on the slides guarantees the best sliding properties and a long, low-maintenance service life.
In principle, the compatibility of all components within the HASCO slide unit range is guaranteed.

AMI Consulting has published its authoritative report mapping the global Single Serve Capsules industry. The report aims to support the development of robust participation strategies by equipping industry players and investors with a comprehensive understanding of scale of potential for future development, growth dynamics per system, market drivers and competitive pressures.
All compatible capsules (both plastic and Aluminium variants) accounted for over a third the single serve capsules market worldwide in 2020, a staggering increase of over 9 billion units in comparison with 2018. There is a clear trend towards rationalisation of systems, with a clear focus on Nespresso and Dolce Gusto in Europe and K-cup in the US. Those 3 systems account for 81% of the global market.
Smaller systems may still offer reasonable returns but have limited growth potential beyond home markets. To this end, virtually all proprietary systems fillers have now diversified their brand presence to accommodate Nespresso and Dolce Gusto compatible variants, either in-house or via contract-packing agreements.
Nespresso system is the biggest global capsules platform. In 2020, the production of original Nespresso (including VertuoLine and Starbucks Nespresso) was almost matched with the magnitude of Nespresso compatibles. This compatible system was the main contributor to growth, most via Aluminium packaged variants. Its original platform is struggling to sustain its previous dynamics. The deal with Starbucks, whereby Nestlé now fills and markets Starbucks branded Nespresso capsules, opened the door for global mainstream retail rollout platform to mitigate the risks.
The compatibles’ need for differentiation resulted in capsule material and barrier specification adjustments, impacting positioning. The (Nespresso) market is now in the process of dramatic transition from plastic to Aluminium. As a result, the industry has been gearing up to accommodate the change, both on the filling side – with investment in Aluminium filling lines and retrofits; and on the empty capsule supply side, whereby compatibles suppliers are having to diversify their portfolio to include Aluminium. There are very high barriers to entry with Aluminium, so the competitive context has been intense, and the ‘Aluminium game’ will determine new winners and losers.

Nespresso has put all the efforts in establishing the collection and recycling infrastructure for its used capsules. Following its open invitation in March 2019 to join in forces in its recycling scheme. Further milestone announced by them is an increase in material circularity with using 80% recycled Aluminium content.
Meanwhile, innovation in plastic capsules focuses on recycling-ready PP solutions, including polyolefin based lidding film. Provided that other materials in the multilayer structure do not exceed 5%, used capsules can in theory be recyclable in the PP stream.
 
In parallel, bio-resins have developed a meaningful presence in the value chain. Albeit their penetration is still small considering global volumes, the current market context is attractive and facilitating further developments.
 
www.ami.international

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), the leading authority in sustainable printing certifications, announced the virtual 2020 SGP Community Day will take place on November 17. The community event provides insight into sustainability and shares best practices of SGP Certified Facilities, Patrons, Brand Leaders and Resource Partners who support the sustainable print supply chain.
SGP Community Day is the non-profit`s sustainability conference for thought leaders in the printing industry. The event brings together printers, suppliers and Fortune 500 brands to advance the industry’s sustainability performance. Through focused presentations and networking opportunities, the event creates a community of practice that allows participants to connect, learn and build a new future together. The SGP Community Day theme aligns with the community mission: Leading Sustainability for the Printing Industry.

“Although this is our first ever virtual SGP Community Day, I see a stronger engagement among our SGP Certified Facilities and community through the challenges this year, with an increase in sharing best practices and supporting each other in our sustainability journey,” said Theresa Vanna, SGP board member and Primex Plastics Corporation representative. “With a focus on sustainability in practice, our event will help keep the conversation and expert network strong with practical advice and inspiration on being sustainability leaders for the printing industry and our city and states.”
SGP Community Day 2020 is open to SGP community members.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sgp-community-day-2020-tickets-124937191503  / www.sgppartnership.org
 

• ELIX integrates the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) in its business strategy
• In 2019, the company reduced its emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by nearly 10%
• This report on fiscal year 2019 is based on the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards Guide

ELIX Polymers is a leading producer specialised in thermoplastic materials, and since 2016, the year when it issued its first sustainability report, it has been continuously strengthening its commitment to transparenc
 
Continuing with this commitment, for the fourth consecutive year ELIX is presenting its 2019 sustainability report, which reflects all the advances achieved and the challenges that have been met over the last year, in line with the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations.
For ELIX, 2019 represented the beginning of a new stage of consolidation and growth as a member of the Sinochem Group, during which it increased its presence in the NAFTA and APAC markets as a benchmark provider of ABS solutions.
David Castañeda, CEO, had this to say: “On the occasion of presenting this report, I’d like to take the opportunity to mention the lines and principles based on which ELIX Polymers is developing its sustainability strategy for the 2030 horizon, which include enhancing the transition towards the circular economy, reducing our ecological footprint, adopting ethical values and committing to the development of human capital”.
“Only through cooperation between the various players in the value chain can the transition to a circular economy model be accelerated, according to which waste is converted into raw materials and an urgent response is given to reducing the impact on the environment due to the use of plastics in our society. We will therefore include our stakeholders as participants in our goals, and we will establish partnerships as a part of our sustainability programmes, focused on the following: developing a portfolio of more sustainable solutions; driving responsible innovation; and caring for the climate (reduction of GHGs), the supply chain, responsible operations, ethics and people development”, Castañeda added.
ELIX has continued to advance on reducing its environmental impact by investing in projects that have allowed it to reach nearly a 10% reduction in its GHG emissions. Moreover, its desire to improve year after year has led ELIX to being recognised with several awards, including the Best Polymer Producers Awards for Europe 2020, which was earned for the third consecutive year and distinguishes the best ABS manufacturer of the year. It also earned renewal of the EcoVadis certificate at the GOLD level, thereby placing ELIX among the top 2% of evaluated companies with the best score and reaffirming its commitment to sustainable growth.
Judith Banús, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, commented: “During 2019 we’ve worked based on the four cornerstones of the Corporate Social Responsibility policy defined in 2018, thereby incorporating sustainability at the company and throughout the value chain, which allows us to improve the environment, our human team and our community and consequently contribute to the commitments defined by ELIX in the Management by Missions project”.
Furthermore, Banús wanted to make special mention of the Sustainable Development Goals: “The SDGs will guide ELIX’s new strategy of sustainability, to which we will give the green light in 2020. At the end of 2019, in a participatory meeting with key persons of the organisation, we internally identified those SDGs regarding which ELIX, because of its impact, has the special ability or responsibility to contribute to their improvement”.
www.elix-polymers.com

Through their innovative partnership, LanzaTech, Total and L’Oréal have premiered the world’s
first sustainable packaging made from captured and recycled carbon emissions. The successful conversion process takes place in three steps:

• LanzaTech captures industrial carbon emissions and converts them into ethanol using a unique biological process.
  • Total, thanks to an innovative dehydration process jointly developed with IFP Axens, converts the ethanol into ethylene before polymerizing it into polyethylene that has the same technical characteristics as its fossil counterpart.
  • L’Oréal uses this polyethylene to produce packaging with the same quality and properties as conventional polyethylene.

It is a technological and industrial success proving that industrial carbon emissions can be used to produce plastic packaging. This world first demonstrates the commitment of the three partners to the development of a sustainable circular economy for plastics and paves the way for new opportunities for the capture and re-use of industrial carbon emissions.
The partners now intend to continue working together on scaling the production of these sustainable plastics and look forward to working with all those who want to join them in committing to the use of these new sustainable plastics.
LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren said: “This partnership is based on a shared goal of creating a cleaner planet for everyone. We are grateful to both L’Oréal and Total for their commitment to reducing the carbon intensity of their activities. Together, we can reduce the carbon footprint of packaging by converting carbon emissions into useful products, making single-use carbon a thing of the past.”
Senior Vice President Polymers, Total, Valérie Goff announced: “This partnership is an excellent example of collaboration between industrial firms in developing the plastics of the future produced from recycled carbon and meets a strong demand from our customers. The development of this new pathway of valuing industrial carbon emissions also contributes to the Group’s commitment to get to net zero in Europe by 2050.”
www.lanzatech.com