Reusable Packaging Association Announces New Board Members

January 20, 2022

Skycooler signs 10-year repair and digitalisation agreement with Unilode

Skycooler, a specialist in the leasing of temperature-controlled airline containers for catering operations, has entered into a 10-year repair, maintenance and digitalisation agreement with Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced unit load device (ULD) management, repair and digital services.

Skycooler’s temperature-controlled containers will be repaired at Unilode’s EASA and FAA-certified repair stations, initially in the United Kingdom, and further locations will be added to meet the needs of Skycooler’s growing network. Unilode will also equip Skycooler’s containers with digital tags for increased supply chain visibility.

“Skycooler has specialized in the transportation of fresh, chilled, and frozen food products to the inflight catering market since 2005,” said Jorgen Veslov, Chief Executive Officer, “Skycooler-term planning capabilities, reliability and availability of containers are key success factors in our business as our temperature-controlled container leasing operations are integrated within our customers’ supply chain management. Our repair agreement with Unilode will allow us to guarantee quick turnaround times of three to seven business days to our customers. Additionally, Unilode’s digital container tags, reader network and customer dashboard will provide Skycooler with real-time fleet visibility. Unilode will ensure consistent repair quality, compliance and transparency, and we look forward to our long-term partnership.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with Skycooler that is an important player in a niche market with very promising growth opportunities,” added Marc Groenewegen, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director MRO Solutions, Unilode Aviation Solutions. “Our new 10-year agreement includes both our repair and digital services as Skycooler has recognised the benefits that Unilode’s digital ULD tags with geolocation and various sensor capabilities can provide for its temperature-controlled container fleet. This reflects and confirms the aviation market’s acceptance of Unilode’s digital technology and proves the versatility of our digital solutions that can be used for standard and special ULDs, such as temperature-controlled containers. We look forward to facilitating Skycooler’s growth with Unilode’s repair and digital solutions.”

January 10, 2022

Greystone Logistics Announces Major Contract

Tulsa, OK, Jan. 10, 2022 – Greystone Logistics, Inc. has commenced shipping pallets for a recently received $13.5 million purchase order to provide 100% recycled 48×40 plastic shipping pallets for a nationwide retailer at one of their U.S. warehouse distribution centers.

“Greystone is pleased to have the opportunity to continue to provide this highly respected worldwide corporation our recycled pallets” said Warren Kruger CEO of Greystone.

“The retailer’s focus on recycled pallets demonstrates a commitment to environmental, social and governance standards. Companies are looking at sustainable solutions that provide for efficiencies in storage, safety, cleanliness, and longevity of product,” he continued. “The cost benefit of buying 100% recycled plastic pallets versus buying wood pallets is being recognized by businesses across the world. The value proposition with recycled plastic pallets is tangible and helps the circular economy as even broken recycled pallets can be ground and used again.”

November 10, 2021

Standout Benefits of Honeycomb Boards versus Other Alternatives to Stimulate Global Sales, Identifies Fact.MR

As per industry analysis on the honeycomb board market by a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the global market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 1.2 Bn in 2021, expanding at a rapid CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period of 2021-2031.

Study analyses, that rising fuel costs and constant push from regulatory bodies over fuel economy have provided an opportunity for lightweight material manufacturers to come up with unique-designed panels, including honeycomb boards.

Honeycomb boards are effectively designed panels that are stronger and lighter than conventional dense metal boards. This has attracted prominent automakers such as BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen, among others, for product utilization for skins as well as for automotive cores.

Moreover, from a price point of view, honeycomb boards are cost-effective to produce owing to limited raw material utilization coupled with ease of production. This induces demand for honeycomb boards as a better substitute over other conventional boards sold in the market.

Apart from the automotive industry, the aerospace industry has also adopted honeycomb boards for fuselage and partition application, which shall assist aerospace manufacturers to lower the deadweight of the aircraft. This is set to create a win-win situation for both, aircraft OEM manufacturers as well airline owners by lowering the cost of production and providing extra weight compliance for an added passenger.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The global honeycomb board market is anticipated to add 2X value by 2031.
Paper honeycomb boards currently capture more than half of overall sales.
The packaging industry is anticipated to add an incremental opportunity of US$ 45 Mn each year till 2031.
Non-metal honeycomb board value is anticipated to grow 2X by 2031.
Automotive application is projected to rise at a single-digit high CAGR over the period of 2021-2031.

“Rising demand for high-strength and lightweight materials (is) benefitting market growth,” says a Senior Research Analyst. Thick panels, irrespective of any material, are uneconomical when compared with panels produced through honeycomb technology. The sandwich structure of honeycomb boards is easy to produce through 3D printing or through conventional production lines. This enhances the overall product margin over the amount of material consumed, which further translates into production effectiveness and feasibility.

These insights are based on a report on Honeycomb Board Market by Fact.MR.

November 2, 2021

Konvoy Group Completes $30 Million Capital Raise

Company raises capital to fund domestic and international expansion

Konvoy Group, an innovative keg rental solution provider, has announced the successful closing of its Series D $30m raise through a combination of equity and convertible note. This new capital will be used to accelerate the execution of Konvoy’s growth strategies.

Funding will facilitate the growth of the business domestically, with further investment in kegs locally to underpin the expected growth in the rental business as key markets in New South Wales and Victoria emerge from lockdown.

The funds will also accelerate Konvoy’s international expansion, with the anticipated launch of Katch, Konvoy’s keg tracking and monitoring IoT solution, in the Northern Hemisphere. Katch will be introduced in Minneapolis at the US Craft Brewers Conference in May 2022, followed by a European launch at Drinktec’s Trade Fair in Munich, Germany in September 2022.

Managing Director of Konvoy, Adam Trippe-Smith, said the successful raise provides growth capital at a critical stage for the business as our key domestic markets open up post covid, and we embark on our international plans for both Konvoy and Katch.

“Konvoy is a bellwether for the re-opening of the economy across New South Wales and Victoria. As pubs ramp up activity and brewers increase production, we have just had our second largest rental month since launch. The signs are really promising for a bumper summer as we help hospitality get back on its feet.”

“The whole team is also looking forward to beginning our global expansion journey. Katch’s tracking technology is in the sights of some major players, and we are currently in discussions with global brewers to undertake trials with our generation 2 tracking device, which is set to launch in Q1 2022,” Trippe-Smith said.

November 2, 2021

UBEECO, a subsidiary of UFP Industries, purchases Boxpack

Expands its value-added corrugated packaging offerings in Australia

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The UBEECO Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UFP Industries, Inc., has acquired the assets of The Box Pack Trust, operating as Boxpack Packaging (Boxpack). This transaction adds a full complement of high-value cardboard packaging products to the industrial packaging products offered by UBEECO and expands the customer base of both companies throughout Australia.

Located in Melbourne, Australia, Boxpack specializes in flexographic and lithographic cardboard packaging, using the latest CAD design and finishing techniques. Boxpack serves multiple industries, including food and beverage, confectionery, pharmaceutical, industrial and agricultural. The company had trailing 12-month sales through June 30, 2021, of $8.2 million AUD. Boxpack’s founder and director, Andrew Moloney, will remain with the company and oversee the transition of the business to UBEECO.

“The addition of Boxpack brings us closer to our goal of becoming the leading packaging solutions provider in Australia and provides UBEECO with a broader portfolio of packaging solutions,” said Dick McBride, executive vice president, International Operations. “We can now offer customers everything from pallets, crates and skids to a range of corrugated and consumable packaging solutions.”

“We look forward to collaborating with UBEECO to expand our geographic reach and customer base throughout Australia, and we are excited to provide UBEECO’s products to our customers,” said Andrew Moloney. “The associated synergies will provide great benefits for both our employees and our customers.”

UFP Industries, Inc.

UFP Industries is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries – UFP Industrial, UFP Construction and UFP Retail Solutions – manufacture, distribute and sell a wide variety of value-added products used in residential and commercial construction, packaging and other industrial applications worldwide. Founded in 1955, the company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with affiliates in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more about UFP Industries, go to www.ufpi.com.

October 26, 2021

Unilode to provide ULD management solutions to Hongyuan Group

Hongyuan Group, a corporation providing global trade, supply chain finance, logistics real estate and freight services, has entered into a five-year unit load device (ULD) supply and management partnership with Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced ULD management and repair services.

Hongyuan Group operates a fleet of B747-400F aircraft to destinations in China, UK, Belgium and the USA, and transports more than 200,000 tons of import and export cargo each year. Within the next five years, the Hongyuan Group plans to increase its geographic footprint and expand its fleet to 15 aircraft. The new agreement will see Unilode supply and manage 1,000 digitised pallets to Hongyuan in the first year, and gradually increase the stock to over 3,000 pallets during the initial five-year term of the partnership.

“We are pleased to enter into a ULD management agreement with Unilode as it will provide Hongyuan Group with an efficient end-to-end ULD solution including procurement, repair and operations,” said Helen Chen, General Manager of Capacity Management, Hongyuan Group. “Unilode’s pooled pallet fleet will solve our previous ULD repositioning challenges and reduce our ULD-related costs. Digitalisation was also an important factor in our decision to select Unilode as Hongyuan’s ULD management partner and we look forward to a successful long-term partnership that will support our company’s rapid growth.”

Marc Groenewegen, Chief Commercial Officer, Unilode, added: “We are proud of the addition of such a large Chinese logistics provider to our customer portfolio and welcome the Hongyuan Group as Unilode’s new ULD management customer. We are committed to supporting our new partner’s operations and facilitating its network and fleet expansion plans with ULD solutions that can flexibly be adapted to its needs. Unilode will provide ULD repairs at the Hongyuan Group’s key destinations in PVG, BRU and LHR to reduce the need to fly damaged pallets back to the hub and will enable access to the geo-location data supplied by Unilode’s digital pallets at no extra cost.”

October 13, 2021

PPS named ‘Strongest Link’ at Great Big Small Awards

UK returnable equipment solutions specialist PPS has taken home the award for ‘Strongest Link’ at the 2021 Great Big Small awards.

Having been named as finalists for the event, PPS took home the prize which recognizes businesses that work within the supply chain in key industry sectors in the North Lincolnshire area.

Having been a key part of the supply chain in North Lincolnshire for over 30 years, PPS was recognized for the value they provide to the fishing industry from their Grimsby site. Helping to keep the fishing industry moving, PPS provides specialist fish boxes, trays, and insulated containers to seafood processors on a rental or pooling basis, as well an industry-leading wash service ensuring produce goes from sea to store – via the famous Grimsby seafood scene – in prime condition.

PPS Group Managing Director Joanne Lee was delighted with the award, saying; “We’re proud of our place within the seafood supply chain from our Grimsby site, and to be recognized for this at the Great Big Small Awards is a real honor for us”.

If you’re in need of Returnable Equipment Solutions, PPS offers a range of services including the rental, pooling, washing and repair of returnable transit packaging assets such as crates, trays, pallets, and pallet boxes.

Contact: 01283 821502 | ppsequipment.co.uk

October 11, 2021

Nefab appoints Per Öhagen as new CEO

The Board of Directors at Nefab Group AB has appointed Per Öhagen as CEO. After a long career within logistics services companies, most recently serving as EVP for Posten Norge AS’s e-commerce and logistics division, Öhagen will assume his new position on April 1st, 2022.

“On behalf of the board, I am glad to announce that Per Öhagen will start as the new President and CEO of Nefab Group. Per brings valuable experience from multiple companies within the logistics industry, where he has held many managerial positions. He is well equipped to execute on Nefab’s ambitious growth plan and lead the company to continued success in saving resources in supply chains,” said Magdalena Gerger, Chairman of the Board.Öhagen is 50 years old and holds a master’s degree in Business Logistics from Mid Sweden University and graduated from IESE Business School´s Executive Management Program. For the past years, he has worked at Posten Norge AS as EVP E-commerce and Logistics Division, and prior to that, he was Global Director, Integrated Logistics at JF Hillebrand Group AG and Managing Director at Lagena Distribution AB.“I am delighted to take on the role as the new President and CEO of Nefab Group and look forward to growing the company globally. Nefab’s leading market position, strong brand and innovative portfolio is a great platform for continued profitable growth,” said Öhagen.“Per’s documented leadership experience, ability to generate results and widespread knowledge of the logistics industry will be a great complement to Nefab and an important factor for the company’s continued growth,” Gerger concluded.

South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) Partners with Surgere to Provide Visibility Solutions in the Supply Chain

The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), a private, non-profit group that serves as a proven resource to South Carolina businesses, providing them with a range of innovative strategies and solutions, has teamed up with Surgere, a pioneer in IoT technology to provide its members with supply chain solutions. Surgere is a proven leader to connect and visualize the shared community of OEM, logistics, and tier suppliers.

Surgere will be available to SCMEP’s over 500 members to provide expertise in solving visibility in end-to-end supply chain issues. “We are excited to be introducing Surgere’s solutions to our members,” said Chuck Spangler, SCMEP President. “By utilizing their innovative systems, members will be able to see both variable and fixed cost savings through multiple facets including increased inventory visibility, part life cycle visibility, central data storage points, and manufacturing improvements such as increase OEE, quality initiatives, machinery uptime visibility, and lot tracking capabilities.”

Surgere provides full part traceability through the entire production process using an automated data collection system enabled by Ultra High-Frequency RFID tags. Each tagged part is autonomously read via an RFID antenna at multiple inflection points throughout the production process.

“We are happy to be working with SCMEP, this is a partnership in the truest sense of the word,” says Robert Fink, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Surgere. “This relationship will provide cost-effective benefits to SCMEP’s members by helping them overcome both simple and complex supply chain challenges.”

For more information visit https://scmep.org/ or www.surgere.com.

June 17, 2021

Global Reusable Packaging Market to Reach $112.3 Billion by 2027

Global Reusable Packaging Market to Reach $112. 3 Billion by 2027. – Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Reusable Packaging estimated at US$78.4 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$112 Billion

New York, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report “Global Reusable Packaging Industry” – https://www.reportlinker.com/p06032779/?utm_source=GNW

3 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% over the analysis period 2020-2027. Food & Beverage, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 5.5% CAGR and reach US$60 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Personal Care segment is readjusted to a revised 5.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

– The U.S. Market is Estimated at $21.1 Billion, While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.6% CAGR

– The Reusable Packaging market in the U.S. is estimated at US$21.1 Billion in the year 2020. China, the world`s second-largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$24.2 Billion by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 8.6% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 2.9% and 4.2% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.7% CAGR.

– Healthcare Segment to Record 5.5% CAGR

– In the global Healthcare segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 5.2% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$7.7 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$10.9 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest-growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$15.3 Billion by the year 2027, while Latin America will expand at a 5.9% CAGR through the analysis period.

May 4, 2021

Re>Pal sells 3,000 HD1210 pallets to Mondelez Philippines

Re>Pal Indonesia is entering into a 5-year lease-to-own purchase agreement with Mondelez Philippines with the first purchase orders already received. Re>Pal manufactures plastic pallets from post-consumer plastic waste.As reported at the company website: “Another great brand name joins the Re>Pal client roster and shows the way that companies can transition from less sustainable pallets to Re>Pal’s 100% recycled plastic pallets. I’m delighted to welcome this contract with Mondelez Philippines, which is also the first EasyPay rental-style agreement that offers clients an easier entry point to Re>Pal and gives Re>Pal a smoother profile of client cashflows and higher margins over a longer period.”Re>Pal also announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trial of waste with a view to signing if the testing is successful, a long-term purchase agreement with PT Aalborg Industrie Indonesia a Jakarta based company.

Pak Tenno Sujarwanto commented, “Aalborg is looking forward to working with Re-Pal in developing our plastic waste recycling abilities, some plastic waste we process will become syngas and gasoline using Aalborg technology and some plastic waste we send to Re-Pal to process into plastic pallets. Industrial-scale recycling is only just starting in Indonesia. More than 60 tonnes of plastic potential per day will be sent to Re>Pal under a long-term purchase agreement; one of the first agreements for this type of material in the country.

“We see a lot of opportunity in developing our waste management program with West Java, Central Java, and Jakarta Governments. Aalborg is looking forward to working with our partners to help the government realize its plans to remove a substantial amount of plastic waste from our land, rivers, and oceans.”

May 1, 2021

PepsiCo Recycling Launches BottleLoop: A Technology-powered Program to Streamline Recycling for Customers

PURCHASE, N.Y. – PepsiCo Recycling has announced the introduction of PepsiCo BottleLoop – a new program offering easy and accessible recycling to PepsiCo customers to address logistical challenges and reduce plastic packaging waste.

PepsiCo BottleLoop is powered by technology from Replenysh, to deliver the on-demand collection of recyclable materials from participating locations. Replenysh builds scalable infrastructure and easy tools to empower everyone to make a positive impact. This includes providing access to an online dashboard to manage pick-ups and track collections, delivering an easy and seamless way for customers to recycle plastic beverage containers.

PepsiCo BottleLoop is a differentiated offering for customers – including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and convenience stores and restaurants – as they continue to lead the effort to keep plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage containers out of landfills. Collected plastic bottles become part of a “closed loop” system so they can be made into new product packaging, which will help advance PepsiCo’s goal to use 25% recycled plastic content all its plastic packaging by 2025.

“Through PepsiCo BottleLoop, we will simplify recycling for our customers, help them achieve their sustainability ambitions, and work toward our own recycled content goals,” said Tim Carey, Vice President of Sustainability, PepsiCo Beverages North America. “We believe that a circular economy is essential to conserving resources and to reducing our business impacts, and that this program will allow us to turn today’s bottles into tomorrow’s products bringing us one step closer.”

“We’re excited that partnering with PepsiCo will deepen our network across North America,” said Mark Amen, Founder of Replenysh. “The PepsiCo BottleLoop program will not only modernize how businesses approach material recovery and recycling, but also make it easier for them and their consumers to keep valuable materials out of landfills.”

PepsiCo BottleLoop builds upon PepsiCo Recycling’s decade-long efforts to encourage recycling among consumers through bin access, strategic partnerships, and consumer outreach. To learn more about PepsiCo BottleLoop, visit www.PepsiCoBottleLoop.com. For more information on PepsiCo Recycling’s work to advance PepsiCo’s vision of a world where plastic need never become waste, please visit www.PepsiCoRecycling.com.

April 26, 2021

Fibertech, Ind. Adds New Rotational Molding Machine, Creates 10 New Jobs

Elberfeld, Ind. – Fibertech, Inc. – an industry-leading manufacturer of high-quality, custom-engineered, rotational-molded plastic products including bulk containers, plastic pallets, plastic lockers, and more – is pleased to announce the recent addition of a Rotoline 260 press to its state-of-the-art facility, located at 11744 Blue Bell Road in Elberfeld, Indiana. The addition of this new machine will necessitate additional staff, so Fibertech will be adding 10 additional full-time employees to the team.

“We are committed to investing in the latest technological advancements in order to meet and exceed the needs of our customers,” said Brent Rasche, Fibertech’s Chief Operating Officer. “With the addition of this new, state-of-the-art machine and a recent expansion of our facility, we are now fully equipped to create and innovate with the latest in roto molding technology for years to come.”

The carousel Rotoline 260 machine will allow Fibertech to expand its already thriving custom contracts division to produce even more custom small to medium size parts. This machine is incremental to Fibertechs current capacity.

Since its inception in 1999, Fibertech Inc. has been known as one of the industry’s preeminent relationship-based, plastics solution companies. They are dedicated to producing the most cost-effective and capable, 100% virgin polyethylene plastic material handling equipment. Their products are used in the automotive, food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. They also provide plastic container repair and industrial plastic recycling services. Above all, Fibertech prides itself on meeting the needs of its customers and providing an environment where its dedicated employees feel safe, empowered, and rewarded for their performance. For more information about Fibertech Inc., its products, and current job openings, please visit www.fibertechinc.net.

April 7, 2021

Sonoco Divests U.S. Display Business to Hood Container Corporation

Sonoco, one of the most diversified global packaging companies, today announced it has closed on the sale of its Display and Packaging business in the United States to Hood Container Corporation for $80 million in cash.

Sonoco’s U.S. Display and Packaging business produced net sales of approximately $135 million in 2020 and provides point-of-purchase display design, manufacturing, and fulfillment as well as contract packaging services for consumer product customers with more than 250 brands. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Display and Packaging business operates eight manufacturing and fulfillment facilities along with four sales and design centers and has approximately 450 employees.

Based in Atlanta, GA, Hood Container is a family-owned, leading integrated paperboard and specialty paper manufacturer with operations in containerboard, kraft paper, corrugated boxes, high-graphic displays and contract packaging, corrugated, folded box and displays.

“Our U.S. Display and Packaging business has been an industry pioneer with a legacy of providing innovative solutions for complex supply chain challenges,” said Howard Coker, Sonoco President, and CEO. “However, Sonoco is focused on growing our core Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses around the world, and by divesting this business we expect to apply proceeds to further invest in ourselves while returning value to our shareholders.”

Rothschild & Co was financial advisor for Sonoco on the transaction. Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd served as legal advisor.

April 1, 2021

Elevate Packaging Announces the First BPI Certified Compostable Adhesive Label

Chicago, IL. – In a world-first, Elevate Packaging announces that their PURE Labels™ MC White compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive labels are now BPI certified – including full-color printing and coatings.

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certifies compostable products that meet ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards for composability. Through rigorous lab testing, BPI Certification proves that the material will safely compost in a composting facility – leaving behind no toxic residue or microplastics.

Rich Cohen, Elevate Packaging Founder, says: “Elevate’s business is entirely focused on leading compostable flexible packaging and compostable adhesive labels. We continually invest and innovate to offer brands world-class compostable solutions. This additional compostability certification with BPI is an important milestone that supports our mission to offer brands with world-class sustainable packaging solutions.”

Compostable stickers and labels aid in the diversion of food waste away from landfills. BPI Guidelines for the Labeling of Compostable Products and Packaging assert the importance that compostable products are readily and easily identifiable as compostable. Compostable labels provide a simple way for brand owners and end-users to identify compostable packaging and reduce compost contamination.

“Compostable packaging is critical for businesses and communities looking to divert food scraps, and BPI certification provides a trusted benchmark for the compostability claim,” says Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of BPI.