Reusable Packaging News
2021 News Briefs
March 4, 2021
Brambles to combine Kegstar business with MicroStar to create a global leader in beer keg management
Last month, Brambles Limited announced that it has entered into an agreement to combine its Kegstar keg rental business with leading U.S. beer keg solutions provider MicroStar. Following the merger, the combined entity will be approximately 15% owned by Brambles and 85% owned by MicroStar’s current shareholders. MicroStar’s major shareholder is Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm, which invests with management in growth-oriented, middle-market companies in the consumer and distribution sectors.
Under the agreement, MicroStar will purchase Kegstar at an enterprise value of US$52.2m and issue scrip in MicroStar to Brambles as consideration. The transaction is subject to foreign investment approval in Australia and New Zealand and, subject to obtaining that approval, is expected to complete in the first half of this calendar year. As part of the transaction, Brambles will become a party to the existing MicroStar stockholders agreement, which covers key aspects of the combined businesses including governance and exit provisions.
Kegstar is a participant in the global beer keg rental sector, with operations across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the USA. MicroStar is a market leader in the USA, the world’s largest beer keg market, focusing on the same ‘pay-per-fill’ business model as Kegstar.
The combination of the businesses will create the global leader in the beer keg rental market, able to service both craft customers as well as global brewers. This combination will create significant growth opportunities.
March 2, 2021
UBEECO, a subsidiary of UFP Industries, purchases J.C. Gilmore Pty Ltd, expanding its industrial packaging offerings in Australia
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 01, 2021 – UFP Industries, Inc. has announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The UBEECO Group, has acquired the assets of J.C. Gilmore Pty Ltd (Gilmores). This transaction adds a wide portfolio of protective packaging to the industrial packaging products offered by UBEECO and its sister company, Integra Packaging, and expands the companies’ customer base throughout Australia.
Founded in 1988 and operating from its distribution facility in Port Melbourne, Australia, Gilmores is a leading distributor in the industrial and construction industries of packaging tapes, stretch films, packaging equipment, strapping, construction protection products and other items, with 2020 sales of $15 million AUD. Gilmores’ leadership team, including founder Michael Gilmore and his brother, Mark Gilmore, will remain with the company.
“Australia is an important growth market for UFP Global Holdings, and Gilmores’ strong reputation provides a great entrance to a large consumable packaging market,” said Dick McBride, executive vice president. “By joining forces, we create growth opportunities with both new and existing customers, as Gilmores provides a complementary line of protective packaging products that UBEECO will now make available to its customers. We also plan to expand Gilmores’ footprint into New South Wales and Queensland, giving them greater service capacity.”
“We look forward to Gilmores and UBEECO collaborating to expand our geographic reach throughout Australia, as well as the capability to provide our customers new lines of timber products and export packaging such as pallets, skids and crates,” said Michael Gilmore. “This combination will create great benefits for both our team and our customers.”
March 2, 2021
Smurfit Kappa’s Vitop plant the first to be certified ISCC PLUS
Smurfit Kappa continues to lead in innovative sustainable packaging solutions for its customers, embodied by its ‘Better Planet Packaging’ initiative.
Although Bag-in-Box is already recognized as a very sustainable packaging solution, by enabling considerable plastic and CO2 reduction, Smurfit Kappa is continuing to focus effort on raw material innovations, especially by incorporating recycled or bio-based resins to our taps and bags, where the food safety regulations allow it. One of the main steps of this initiative has been recently achieved with the ISCC PLUS certification.
The Vitop facility in Alessandria, Italy, that produces the best-selling Vitop® original taps for Bag-in-Box is proud to be the first plant in the Bag-in-Box industry to be ISCC Plus certified. The certification recognizes that Vitop’s industrial processes and standards comply with the chain of custody of these bio-based and recycled resins.
ISCC is a globally applicable sustainability certification system and covers all sustainable feedstocks, including bio-based and recycled resins and plastic packaging. With currently over 4,600 valid certificates in more than 100 countries, ISCC is among the world’s largest certification systems. It has been developed through an open multi-stakeholder process and is governed by an association with more than 160 members, including research institutes and NGOs. Receiving the new certificate will give Smurfit Kappa the opportunity to launch pilot projects with its customers and incorporate resins issued from chemical recycling into their taps and bags in the near future.
Throughout every aspect of its Group operations, Smurfit Kappa states that it prioritizes the need to minimize the impact on the environment in relation to its materials, technologies and quality control employed during the manufacturing process right through to supply, distribution and recycling. Smurfit Kappa provides a complete packaging system with films, accessories, bags, taps and filling lines.
February 22, 2021
2020 Impact Report Released: Building a Circular Path Forward
Closed Loop Partners has released its 2020 Impact Report, “Building a Circular Path Forward,” highlighting key milestones in its work last year, and the critical investments and innovations that continue to drive the transition to the circular economy.
“Amidst the challenges that all parts of the world shared in 2020, we continue to see four driving forces advance the circular economy. As we move into the next evolution of product design and manufacturing, the circular economy will provide us the opportunity to benefit from the innovations of past revolutions in manufacturing, while also maintaining our personal, family and societal health,” commented Ron Gonen, CEO of Closed Loop Partners.
One of the four key sectors that the group is targeting is Plastics & Packaging, noting that the replacement of 20% of single-use plastic packaging with reusable alternatives globally offers an economic worth at least USD 10 billion, while saving about 6 million tonnes of material.
February 22, 2021
UK Pallet Recycling Service Enjoys Positive Support
The Pallet Network’s (TPN) pallet recycling scheme has saved more than 80 tonnes of broken and end-of-life-pallets from landfills in its first two months.
The scheme allows TPN’s Partner haulers to take expired pallets to the Hub using empty space in their vehicles. They are collected from the Hub and sent to be re-used as chipboard or burned in carbon-neutral power stations. The scheme is entirely free to TPN’s Partners.
The pallet recycling scheme was launched in mid-July and had already saved 80.4 tonnes of pallets by the end of September.
Haulers usually have to pay to dispose of broken pallets and there are few environmentally friendly options open to them, according to TPM. The scheme saves TPN Partners money, prevents unnecessary waste, and lowers the carbon footprint for the whole supply chain, including TPN customers.
TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We always seek solutions which benefit everyone because that guarantees success. We’re very pleased to have pioneered a solution for the industry and would love to inspire other companies to do the same.”
TPN worked hard to make its pallet recycling plan a reality, despite the enormous challenges to everyone in the UK of the COVID pandemic. “This year has tested everyone’s ingenuity and resolve in all manner of ways,” says Duggan. “However it’s very important to keep sight of other ambitions and goals. It is still important to minimize the environmental impact we have, as well as to keep producing innovative solutions for our Partners’ operational challenges.
“We are very glad we launched this scheme, and have been thrilled at how successful and popular it has been.”
February 19, 202
Safe transport of Coronavirus vaccines on EPAL pallets
Throughout Europe, temperature-controlled Covid-19 vaccines are being transported on quality-tested EPAL Euro pallets
Düsseldorf – Transporting and storing Covid-19 vaccines is a real challenge for every logistics company. Depending on the vaccine, they have to be transported at between -20°C and -70°C. Transport boxes that have been developed and produced at great cost, as well as special fridges and freezers, have to be provided to guarantee the vaccine’s stability throughout the whole transport chain.
These boxes are transported on load carriers – on EPAL Euro pallets – which are already available in their millions in the largest open exchange pool and have all had their quality tested. Standardized, produced according to the EPAL Technical Regulations and made from wood, a natural and sustainable material, EPAL Euro pallets are ideally suited to transporting temperature-controlled medicines, especially for the vitally important Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic.
Low temperatures of -70°C or lower, do not impair the stability and the safe working load of EPAL Euro pallets. While some alternative material pallets can become brittle at temperatures that are too low, making them more likely to break, EPAL Euro pallets are suitable for transporting and storing goods even at the lowest minus temperatures.
Furthermore, all EPAL pallets have been treated in accordance with ISPM 15, so goods can also be safely transported outside of the EU. They are repairable, reusable, exchangeable and recyclable and thus provide sustainable and safe transport solutions.
Source: EPAL
February 15, 2021
Michaël Karadjinov Appointed Commercial Director of IPP France
The expert in the rental of pallets and crates for the supply chain IPP (formerly Logipal), a subsidiary of Faber Halbertsma Group , has appointed Michaël Karadjinov as Commercial Director of IPP France. Its mission: to drive IPP’s development strategy in France.
Michaël Karadjinov has more than 20 years of experience in the world of transport and supply chain. With a European Diploma in Higher Studies in Marketing (DEESMA) and a master’s degree in management obtained from ISEG in Paris 11, Michaël Karadjinov began his career in 1997 with the carrier Ciblex where he held the position of Commercial. Ground. In 1999, he joined the European transport service provider GLS Group to occupy the positions of Commercial then Commercial Key Accounts. Then, he successively held the positions of Head of Sales Ile-de-France South until 2008, Director of North Sales from 2009 to 2013, and finally Regional Director of Paris and North sales until 2020. His position at IPP became effective on 1 st February 2021.
“I am proud to join a company whose strategy is focused on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Together, we are going to develop a commercial policy based on the consolidation of historical contracts and on the conquest of new customers, in order to intensify our presence on the pallet pooling market. Our objective is to double our volume and our turnover within 5 years,” commented Michaël Karadjinov.
“We are very happy to welcome Michaël to our team. Its mission will be to fulfill the ambition of the FHG group: that of becoming a major player in pallet pooling in France and in Europe. His expertise will be a real asset in achieving this ” stated Thibaut Esnée, Country Director of IPP France.
February 12, 2021
PPS donate trays to help Hope Central meet increased demand
Returnable Equipment Solutions company PPS has reached out to support Hope Central, a charity that aims to bring hope by relieving food poverty in the community.
Hope Central is a community-based charity that receives regular referrals to provide food support for people who do not have sufficient food, an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The increase in dependency on Hope Central’s foodbanks has created challenges for the charity, placing a strain on their dedicated volunteers to store and distribute the food effectively.
To help alleviate this issue, Hope Central reached out to PPS who were happy to provide a large number of their plastic food trays, which will allow for better and more efficient storage of key goods donated to the charity.
Ian Robertson, a trustee of Hope Central, said: “We’re very grateful to PPS for their generous donation of trays. They have been put to immediate use by our team of volunteers and they will make life easier for us as we try to meet the ever-growing need to relieve food poverty”.
Joanne Lee, Group Managing director of PPS, was delighted to be able to help Hope Central: “Hope have been doing incredible work in a bid to relieve food poverty in the community for a number of years. We are delighted to be able to play a small part in helping them at a time when their services are in need more than ever.
PPS continues to operate during the coronavirus pandemic and is offering flexible contracts for tray washing and rental to help any businesses that are experiencing an increase in demand.
February 3, 2021
PPS Offer Solution to Corrugated Packaging Shortage
With cardboard supplies dwindling many companies are struggling to package and fulfil orders and those that are able to do so are being met by a surge in cardboard prices. The shortage has been documented in recent reports by BBC and others.
PPS, a UK leader for Returnable Equipment Solutions is offering a flexible rental service to any companies suffering from the cardboard shortage affecting the country.
PPS are offering a flexible rental service to companies affected, allowing businesses to take advantage of their pool of returnable trays and crates with no upfront cost.
Group Managing Director for PPS, Joanne Lee said that a number of companies had already reached out to PPS for assistance and that the growing the company had the capacity to assist further. “We are aware that many companies who usually rely on cardboard are becoming increasingly frustrated at a lack of supply and a rise in costs,” she said. “With our rental service we have the capacity to help with no upfront cost and a service that is completely flexible. We’re here to support the supply chain at what are already testing times.”
Call 01283 821 502 to see how PPS can help you, or visit ppsequipment.co.uk for more information.
January 27, 2021
New Loadhog Collapsible Container Offers More Space and Zero Waste
Loadhog, the award-winning returnable packaging innovator, has extended its range of collapsible containers with a 320mm version. It is capable of reducing to a smaller proportion of its height within its own footprint, making it ideal where space saving is a necessity.
Like other Loadhog containers, it can be made from recycled material, thereby eliminating one-trip packaging, preventing waste, and significantly reducing double-handling. Replacing cardboard, or even old plastic containers, with recycled plastic material, promotes a circular economy within a supply chain.
Capable of collapsing to a ¼ of its height, this container offers all the features of its bigger brother, with fully integrated lids, vertical bump fit walls, and reinforced corners and base. This stable, robust and lightweight design becomes even more versatile and efficient when partnered with the Loadhog Lid and Dolly. With the container boasting a 4:1 stacking ratio, companies can increase vehicle fill when returning empties enabling efficient transport of goods.
This packaging system is popular with retailers as it can be used from one end of the supply chain to the other removing double handling across the different touchpoints. This includes picking in the distribution centers all the way to replenishing on the shop floor.
A choice of colors and accessories including external identification labeling locations, interior dividers, and collapsible container security seals are available.
January 22, 2021
IFCO SYSTEMS Names Candice Herndon President of IFCO North America
Tampa, FL (USA) – January 22, 2021: IFCO SYSTEMS, the world’s leading provider of Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for fresh food packaging, today announced Candice Herndon has been named President of IFCO North America.
“I am pleased to welcome Candice to the IFCO team,” said Michael Pooley, CEO of IFCO SYSTEMS. “Her strong leadership skills and proven track record in strategic planning, customer collaboration and innovation, and operational excellence make her the ideal person to lead our North American business. I would also like to thank Dan Martin for his great leadership and service over the last three years at IFCO. Dan has done an excellent job in improving the performance of the IFCO North America business and helping the business secure significant contracts.
Candice most recently served as Vice President, First Mile Solutions (FMS) and Key European Accounts, at CHEP. In that role she was responsible for the growth of Brambles’ plastic pallet and containers division in Europe. She helped develop new products and supply chain solutions that eliminate waste, risk and cost in supply chains.
“I am thrilled to join IFCO,” said Mrs. Herndon. “The company’s vision of an efficient, sustainable fresh food supply chain is imperative now, more than ever. I look forward to working with IFCO leadership, the North American team, our customers and the entire fresh food supply chain to advance that mission.”
Mrs. Herndon joined CHEP in 2006, serving in several key leadership roles, where she was responsible for strategic planning, brand strategy, customer value creation, supply chain solutions through collaborative engagement with retailers, and sustainability & regulatory affairs. Prior to joining CHEP, she worked for Accenture, where she performed strategy & management consulting services across multiple industry sectors and Fortune 500 companies.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus in Operations Management from the University of Georgia and an MBA in Corporate Finance from Emory University. She also participated in Executive Education Leadership Development Programs at the Centre Europeen d’Education Permanente (CEDEP) in France.
Mrs. Herndon reports to IFCO CEO, Michael Pooley, and assumes her duties immediately. She assumes the role previously held by Dan Martin, who will remain with the company in an advisory capacity until May 15, 2021.
January 20, 2021
Bakery supply chain equipment recoveries up 54% in the second half of 2020
London, UK – January 2021 – Bakers Basco, the industry-wide bakery equipment solution set up by five of the UK’s largest plant bakers for transporting bread and morning goods, has reported a 54% increase in the number of Omega bread baskets recovered in the second half of 2020 compared to the first half of the year, according to latest figures.
In March 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Bakers Basco put an additional £1m worth of equipment into the system to be able to address the demand for bread and baked goods during the first national lockdown, as panic buying put extra pressure on the supply chain for delivering essential food supplies across the UK.
Initially, many household waste and recycling center locations temporarily halted the collection of some or all recyclable materials, leading to blockages and a build-up of equipment in the supply chain – leaving Bakers Basco’s equipment exposed for longer periods of time, increasing the chances of theft or misappropriation of the equipment.
As lockdown restrictions started to ease, Bakers Basco’s recovery team was able to recover 54% more Omega baskets in the second half of 2020 compared with the first six months of the year and 41% more Omega dollies for the same period.
At the same time, it saw a 53% increase in the total number of visits made by its dedicated recovery team, resulting in improved attrition rates towards the end of 2020, which it hopes will continue into 2021.
January 18, 2021
SIIM Taps IFCO RPCs for Shipment of Pineapples from Ecuador to Europe
After the success of the banana in 2018 and a six month test phase launched by SIIM and IFCO, SIIM will now offer its European customers its Extra Sweet Terrasol pineapples shipped directly from Ecuador in IFCO RPCs.
Through this development in the packaging of its pineapples, SIIM is pursuing two objectives: better preservation of the quality of its pineapples until they are delivery in Europe as well as an optimization of the logistics chain, in particularly in the Group’s new packaging platform in Rungis, France where a cold room has been specifically designed, equipped with air heaters and systems of air guidance, so that the pineapples retain all their freshness and quality taste for the consumer.
“The packaging of our pineapples in reusable and recyclable IFCO crates, both recognized for their strength and optimal ventilation, is a crucial element improving the supply chain to ensure the best preservation of the quality of our pineapples,” said Vincent Omer-Decugis, Managing Director of SIIM. “The use of sustainable transport packaging from IFCO responds also perfectly in line with our CSR and environmental commitments.” Aside from reuse and recyclability benefits, IFCO RPCs also help to preserve bananas and pineapples against crushing during transport.
“We are very happy to put our reusable and recyclable bins serving a better supply chain reliable and durable for these two sensitive products that are bananas and pineapples ” said Pierre-Olivier Blanchard, Managing Director of IFCO France.
January 15, 2021
ISRI Now Accepting Nominations for 2021 Design for Recycling® Award
Award recognizes those who design with recycling in mind
(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the Voice of the Recycling Industry™, is now accepting entries for the 2021 Design for Recycling® (DFR) Award. The DFR Award is ISRI’s highest award given annually to the most outstanding contribution to products designed with recycling in mind. It recognizes proactive steps made by manufacturers who have actively incorporated DFR principles into products and processes.
“Effective recycling really begins at the point a product is first conceived,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “The Design for Recycling® Award recognizes companies, designers, and manufacturers with clearly established mindsets that stand above others when producing products that can be recycled both safely and efficiently. When their product reaches the end of life stage it can be recycled in a manner that benefits the environment and the economy.”
ISRI inaugurated the award more than 10 years ago. Previous winners include Hewlett Packard, The Herman Miller Company, Coca-Cola Recycling Company, Cascades Fine Papers Group, Dell Inc., LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, EcoStrate SFS, Nestlé Waters North America, and 2020 award winner Lexmark.
To be eligible for ISRI’s Design for Recycling® Award, a product must be designed/redesigned and manufactured to:
- Contain the maximum amount of materials that are recyclable.
- Be easily recycled through current or newly designed recycling processes and procedures.
- Be cost effective to recycle, whereby the cost to recycle does not exceed the value of its recycled materials.
- Be free of hazardous materials that are not recyclable or impede the recycling process.
- Minimize the time and cost involved to recycle the product.
- Reduce the use of raw materials by including recycled materials and/or components.
- Have a net gain in the overall recyclability of the product while reducing the overall negative impact on the environment.
Interested parties can apply online on or before the February 19, 2021 deadline. Applicants will be notified by March 22, 2021.
Corplex extends business from extrusion to recycling
Company confirms its vision toward the creation of a circular economy of plastics
GeboPlast a French recycling company has officially been acquired by Corplex as of January 1, 2021. With the addition of the recycling operation, Corplex works to enhance the virtuous cycle of plastics towards a circular economy.
GeboPlast was established in 1977, currently with two sites located in the North East of France. This well-known French plastic recycling company specialized in different activities such as shredding, pelletizing, densification, and compounding. The company will now operate under the name of Corplex Recycling.
Corplex Recycling will provide Corplex with full business expertise in plastics extrusion and recycling.
Corplex Recycling offers established expertise in plastics recycling
Ideally located close to Corplex France Kaysersberg, Corplex Recycling will be able to process more than 15,000 tons per year thanks to its two sites in Alsace.
The company has solid skills in several technologies including pre-processing and transformation of thermoplastics, as well as the production of custom compounds. Both sites are qualified for the recycling of plastics materials including PE (Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene), and PC (Polycarbonate).
“Through this acquisition, we confirm our vision to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics,” commented Lucas van der Schalk, CEO of Corplex.
