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The Packaging Professional July/August 2008

The July/August issue focuses on sustainable packaging. Related features look at a natural, fully compostable packaging material made from palm fibre, and we examine the environmental credentials of steel.

News takes a look at recycling mixed plastics recycling in the UK, and the launch of a R&D Centre of Excellence for Drinks from Unilever.

News

New designs for Unilever drinks

Unilever Foods has launched a R&D Centre of Excellence for Drinks in the UK, which includes a Packaging Technology Centre at the Colworth Laboratory near Sharnbrook, UK.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Laying waste to bad design

Designing out waste was on the agenda at the Starpack Summit – The Packaging Dilemma, The Consumer Challenge, held on 22 May in London, UK.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

In contact for food safety

The adoption of the Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 2008 in May increases the challenges for the packaging industry. The regulation requires a Declaration of Compliance to accompany all food contact plastics. This article examines the changes and how to comply with the new legislation.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Mixed plastics recycling in the UK

The UK Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) announced on 5 June 2008 that mixed plastics can be successfully recycled in the UK both economically and using available technologies at an event in London, UK. However, the main question asked by delegates was whether the UK’s local authorities would allow such recycling to take place?
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Long necks add value to drinks bottles

Rexam has launched the pilot production line for its Fusion aluminium bottle at its R&D Centre in Milton Keynes. The facility, which incorporates a new necking machine, allows customers in the drinks industry to view the production process and commission branded sample bottles.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Renewable natural fibres – sustainable packaging?

Sustainpack is a European research conglomerate that hopes to encourage widespread use of ‘renewable’ natural fibres in paper and board in packaging by adding value and functionality. The initiative, a vast undertaking into the materials science of these fibres, comprised 35 European partners from 13 countries.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Features

The steel success story

In the commercial world, sustainable performance is rapidly becoming a prerequisite for doing business. While it is widely accepted that today’s packaging must make a positive contribution to sustainability, it does not always follow that a new solution is needed for new priorities. Steel cans may be over 100 years old, but there are few materials that can challenge its sustainability credentials.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Lasting the course – talking sustainability

Terry Robins, Packaging Technologist from Robins Packaging Consultants, offers his opinion on sustainability.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008

Palm tree packs – compostable packaging from palm fibre

Earthcycle Packaging, based in Vancouver, Canada, was created to steer the packaging industry towards natural, renewable materials. The company has just brought a natural, fully compostable pack, which is made from remnants of palm fibre, to the market.
Packaging Professional, 14 Jul 2008