ZERO AIR TRAY HEAT SEALER BLOWS AWAY THE COMPETITION

Packaging Automation (PA) has revealed the next evolution of its Eclipse range of high speed tray heat sealing machines as the first in the UK to operate entirely without using any compressed air, providing food manufacturers with the environmental benefits they are clamouring for without raising costs or compromising reliability.

Incorporating PA's E-Seal technology, the new Eclipse SL4 is a unique, fully electrical machine that, unlike the pneumatic/electric hybrids already on the market, requires zero air for full operation while still achieving the same high standards of rugged reliability, versatility and performance the Eclipse range is renowned for.

With all operations driven directly by small servomechanisms, running costs can be as low as eight percent of an equivalent pneumatic system, resulting in significant annual savings and a sizeable reduction in carbon footprint. The SL4 is the first of the Eclipse range to benefit from this breakthrough in tray sealing technology but, with the entire range now being upgraded to this standard, food manufacturers can at last break free of their reliance on expensive, inefficient and wasteful pneumatic systems.

Triple Decker from UPM

UPM Conveyors have established preferred supplier status to Finlay’s Fresh Produce who were the first suppliers of Fairtrade vegetables into the UK. Roger Broughton Group Engineering Manager states UPM were selected due to their ability to offer bespoke solutions to product handling in Kenya where trouble free operation and zero maintenance are priorities.

UPM were able to offer a solution to Finlay’s application based on a triple decker belt conveyor to allow four operators per side to transfer product from the lower conveyor to fill boxes on the middle conveyor with empty boxes being transferred on the top roller conveyor at a rate of 2,000 kilos per hour.

RPC Rigid Plastic Packaging provides more flexible solution for FDL customers

The UK’s leading single-source packaging solutions provider, FDL Packaging Group of Haydock, Merseyside has been appointed as a UK distributor for RPC Containers UK Injection Moulding, part of Europe’s leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging, the RPC Group.

The appointment follows FDL’s highly-successful seven-year relationship as UK distributor for Superfos, which was recently acquired by RPC.

EUROPE’S RIGID PLASTIC PACKAGING SPECIALIST - RPC supplies products made using all three conversion processes - blow moulding, injection moulding and thermoforming - to customers throughout Europe and beyond, from the largest manufacturers of consumer products to the smallest businesses. Its UK injection moulding sites manufacture a variety of containers for markets such as paint and surface coatings, DIY and food, including plastic paint cans, open top pails and buckets, and small pots.

New Borsoft™ PP grade makes squeezable tube innovation a reality for cosmetics packaging

Borealis’ first polypropylene (PP) grade for squeezable cosmetics tubes, Borsoft™ SL600MO, is the material innovation behind an inspirational, sustainability-focused packaging solution for the cosmetics sector called CLUBE®.

Developed by Plasticum Group, a leading European manufacturer and designer of innovative plastic packaging solutions, CLUBE is a one piece squeezable tube with an integrated closure and in-mould label (IML) that cuts material usage by up to 40%. CLUBE is unique in enabling all three elements to be produced in one single bi-injection moulding production step, instead of the traditional three, for more efficient production and a series of knock-on productivity, design and environment-related benefits. Borsoft SL600MO was created specifically by Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, for this project. Tailored to meet the needs of the production process and the tube, the grade was optimised for outstanding flowability, good flexibility, excellent contact transparency and outstanding environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR).

Record sales of new de-blistering and leak testing equipment at packaging machinery manufacturer, Sepha ltd

The packaging machinery manufacturer, Sepha Ltd, has reported record sales of its recently extended range of non-destructive leak testing equipment for the world's pharmaceutical packaging industry. With demand up across all major markets, the company says the increase will fund future R&D and enable it to bring forward future innovations aimed at reducing costs and driving quality for pharmaceutical manufacturers and contract packers.

Sepha exports from its base in Northern Ireland to 60 countries across the globe. The company says its success has been due to a customer-driven strategy in response to changes in market requirements. "When the recession hit the global pharmaceuticals market we responded to the challenges our customers were facing," explains Head of Sales & Marketing, Paul Kelly.

75 years in business for Gordian Strapping….

In 2012, it will be 75 years since Basingstoke based Gordian Strapping was founded as STRAPPINGS LIMITED in Central London, supplying wire strapping. Gordian is one of the UK’s leading end-of-line specialists in package and pallet securement, and is the UK’s largest independent supplier of Polypropylene and Polyester strap.

Gordian Strapping shares its year of foundation – 1937, with some other landmark events; Sir Frank Whittle ground-tested the first jet engine; nylon was patented; the BBC used their outside broadcast unit for the first time, to televise the coronation of King George VI and a major engineering feat, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was opened.

Inks and Colorants Subject to Testing for Toxics in Packaging
The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) launched a new study that will test inks and colorants in single-use shopping and mail order bags for the presence of lead and cadmium. The use of these toxic metals is restricted by toxics in packaging laws in nineteen U.S. states.

This study is a follow up to two previous projects by the TPCH that identified inks and colorants as a potential source of lead and cadmium in packaging. TPCH is collecting retail packaging samples through the end of the year. In January, the packaging samples will be screened using an x-ray fluorescent (XRF) instrument that allows for the inexpensive and rapid detection of elemental composition. Samples that screen positive for the restricted metals will be sent to laboratories for confirmatory testing.

Introducing Sealpac's new Sales Manager North

Vanessa Simonsen: joins the packaging solutions company Sealpac UK Ltd as Sales Manager North.

Vanessa joins Sealpac bringing with her a wealth of experience gained from working in the packaging industry for over sixteen years, the last eight years working closely with food manufacturers from all the major groups, and key retailers, having built an extensive knowledge across all markets from materials knowledge, injection moulding, specialist litho printing, and developing packaging and promotional projects with key brand owners and agencies.

TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC., INTRODUCES NEW TORAYFAN®

KMS1 HEAT-SEALABLE MATTE BOPP FILM FOR UPSCALE FOOD PACKAGING

Exceptionally low seal-initiation temperature marks a significant improvement in the manufacture and design of low-gloss premium bags

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications, introduces to CPG’s and converters new Torayfan® KMS1 70-gauge biaxially-oriented heat-sealable matte polypropylene film designed to be used as an outer web in food packaging applications requiring a premium appearance.

Technologically advanced KMS1 film offers an industry-leading low seal-initiation temperature (SIT) for lap seals—20 degrees lower than what typical sealable matte films offer—and a broad heat-seal range, which enables faster processing on high-speed form-fill-seal equipment.

New surprises in DuPont™ Surlyn® at PCD 2012

DuPont will be presenting new surprises in DuPont™ Surlyn® as part of its exhibit at PCD (Perfumes, Cosmetics and Design) in Paris, France, 8-9 February 2012.

Visitors to the DuPont booth E20 will see a vast array of forms, textures and optical effects for the packaging of perfumes and cosmetics that are only possible by the innovative use of DuPont™ Surlyn®. One such concept, as will be presented at the show by the Italian glassmaker Bormioli Luigi SpA, is the overmoulding of glass bottles with Surlyn® 3D technology. The new products, marketed by Bormioli Luigi under its Linkx®1 trademark (http://linkx.bormioliluigi.com), will also be the subject of a conference to be held during the PCD exhibition entitled "New opportunities in bottles design by Linkx®1".

DPET™ From OCTAL Meets Sustainability and Cost Reductions Needs For Personal Hygiene Packaging

DPET™ sheet from OCTAL meets the critical product requirements or personal hygiene packaging because:

PET (polyethylene terephlate) is becoming the material of choice of global packaging companies due its ease of recyclability.

DPET™ sheet helps companies reduce their overall cost of manufacturing packaging.

Positive sustainability testing results specific to DPET™ gives customers confidence that they are involved with a progressive and environmentally conscious materials supplier.

Shrink tightening film wraps Ferrero chocolates

Innovia Films’ shrink tightening BOPP substrate, Propafilm™ OS, has been selected by global confectionery manufacturer, Ferrero, to overwrap boxes of its Rondnoir chocolates.

Propafilm™ OS is a high-speed, transparent, overwrapping film manufactured using Innovia Films’ unique bubble process. It has balanced shrink tightening properties and offers a sparkling pack appearance.

In addition Propafilm™ OS can significantly increase product shelf life owing to the superb water vapour, flavour and aroma barrier properties it can offer.

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