Weekly Roundup: Sealed Air acquires flexible packaging presence in Asia, RKW launches “super sustainable” shrink film

22 Feb 2019 --- In packaging news this week, Sealed Air has expanded its Asia Pacific presence with the acquisition of MGM, a printing and laminating flexible packaging specialist headquartered in the Philippines. In another big business move, pharmaceutical packaging supplier ACG Group has opened a US$93 million capsules manufacturing plant in Brazil. Innovative new launches this week included RKW’s “super sustainable” stretchable shrink film, which is unique in that it can be cut smaller than the pallet size and pulled over the palletized goods.

In brief: Business news
Sealed Air has acquired MGM’s flexible packaging business. MGM is a privately held company headquartered in Manila, the Philippines. The transaction is expected to close in April. Founded in 1982, MGM specializes in printing and laminating and provides flexible food packaging materials for consumer packaged goods markets in Southeast Asia. The company also exports to and supports companies in Australia, Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand. Sealed Air plans to leverage MGM’s expertise to expand its printing and lamination capabilities and better serve customers throughout the Asia Pacific region.

RKW's stretchable shrink film can amount to an eight percent source reduction in material.Also in Asia, Cortec Corporation, a supplier specializing in high-quality packaging materials to protect metal goods and prevent rust and corrosion, has formed Cortec Southeast Asia Corrosion Technologies (Cortec SEA). Cortec SEA will support the growth and development of Cortec’s markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia from its newly formed regional office based in Singapore. It aims to increase the penetration of Cortec corrosion solutions in the Southeast Asia market, providing a solid base for users and distributors in the region.

ACG Group, a global supplier of end-to-end solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has expanded its footprint in Brazil with the opening of a new capsules manufacturing plant in Pouso Alegre-Minas Gerais. With approximately US$93 million invested, the factory spans an area of 14,000 square meters and will generate approximately 500 new jobs locally. “ACG Capsules already has a significant presence in LATAM, and following this investment, ACG will be further able to meet the growing requirements of the region,” comments Selwyn Noronha, CEO, ACG Capsules.

In brief: New launches
RKW, a European market leader in packaging films, has developed a more sustainable stretchable shrink film because it is smaller than the pallet’s dimensions but can be stretched and pulled over the palletized goods. Conventional shrink films are cut to larger dimensions than the product to be packaged. Depending on the pallet and packaging system, RKW’s solution can amount to as much as an eight percent decrease. The new film also shrinks up to 75 percent quicker than conventional films. This reduces energy consumption and costs. More efficient shrinking processes also shorten cycle times and maximize output. The film is ideal for odd-shaped products that are difficult to package using shrink film. Hybrid packaging systems in particular benefit from the new film.Lagabière is on track to double production speeds after implementing Wavegrip's G1 multi-packaging applicator.

Koch Membrane Systems has launched the Sani-Pro spiral element product line tailored to the stringent requirements of membrane separations within the food, beverage and life science markets. Sani-Pro elements are constructed for higher pressure operation and to withstand harsh chemical cleaning without any detrimental impact on performance, extending their operating life compared to traditional products. Additionally, the line is designed to improve energy efficiency, increase productivity, reduce operating costs and decrease contamination risk. These elements offer up to 25 percent improvement in energy efficiency and up to 15 percent improvement in element productivity, reducing total operating costs, the company says.

Peanut-based snacking brand POP has launched in the UK this month with new branding from agency B&B studio. Available exclusively in Whole Foods before rolling out more widely across the UK, the peanut-focused snack bars are available in three flavors – Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate, Raisin and Dark Chocolate and Coconut. “B&B captured the product attributes brilliantly in our new brand identity, with an eye-catching design that feels authentic. From the peanut incorporated into the “O” of our brand name to a natural tone of voice, B&B kept our values at the heart of the brand and delivered a striking identity that expresses who we are and what we stand for,” comments Katja Thrane, POP Co-Founder.

Edinburgh Beer Factory has achieved more enhanced and reliable coding since adopting the Link CSL30 laser coder.In brief: Beverage processing
The Linx CSL30 laser coder from Linx Printing Technologies is providing craft beer startup Edinburgh Beer Factory with an enhanced coding and marking solution to support its growth. The startup is benefiting from improved codes, reliability and ease of use from the Linx CSL30, which also has the potential to handle more production and new bottle sizes as the business continues to expand and enter export markets. “We can turn it on, type in the details, press start and forget about it all day,” says Martin Borland, Head Brewer at Edinburgh Beer Factory. “When you process 2,000 bottles per hour, you need to be confident that your BBEs and batches are being printed and the Linx coder gives us this.”

WaveGrip’s G1 multi-packing applicator is helping Canadian artisanal brewery Lagabière in its aim to double its canning output over the next few years. The G1 applicator has a top speed of 100 cans-per-minute (cpm), full automation and an easy-to-use design. The G1 has helped improve Lagabière’s manufacturing process, running at the current level of 35-45 cpm, thereby providing savings in both the cost of materials and in labor. “Moving from our previous clip solutions for cans has made a tremendous difference to the multi-packing of our 4-packs,” says Sébastien Laganière, Co-Founder of Lagabière. “With over 90 percent of our production in cans, improving on our efficiencies and having the ability to run at even faster speeds in the future, means our aim to double our output is definitely on track.”

By Joshua Poole