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TOMRA and Borealis open state-of-the-art plant for post-consumer plastic waste sorting and advanced mechanical recycling

TOMRA and Borealis have today announced the operational start of their advanced mechanical recycling demo plant in Lahnstein, Germany, the result of a partnership that marries chemistry with technology for unsurpassed results.  
 
 “This plant is just the beginning of what’s possible when key players in the value chain come together to make a truly significant impact in the market,” says Volker Rehrmann, Executive Vice President and Head of Circular Economy at TOMRA. “Having just launched the new Circular Economy Division, it is clear what a large role waste management and pivotal projects like this have on moving towards a sustainable future. We are proud to have initiated one of the most advanced mechanical recycling plants when it comes to post-consumer polymer waste. This will become an important enabler as we accelerate the transformation to a circular economy in the years to come, and we are excited to be a part of this pioneering project.” 

“This plant embodies the principles of the EverMinds™ platform founded by Borealis, which seeks to innovate plastics circularity through collaboration,” says Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Innovation & Technology and Circular Economy Solutions. “Offering brand owners and converters top quality recycled material, suitable for use in highly demanding applications is Borealis’ latest contribution to a more circular economy of plastics. Life demands progress, and through collaboration we re-invent for more sustainable living.”  

Operation of the plant is a joint enterprise between TOMRA, Borealis and Zimmerman. Borealis is responsible for the plant’s commercial success and contributes its expertise and knowledge in innovation, recycling and compounding. Likewise, TOMRA contributes as a provider of technology-led solutions and brings its proven expertise, established process and market knowledge which, in turn, enable the circular economy through advanced collection and sorting systems. Zimmerman is a waste management company with experience in sorting multiple types of waste, including plastics, and is responsible for successful plant operations and product quality.

The state-of-the-art plant processes both rigid and flexible plastic waste from households. And unlike many current recycling plants, it will produce the advanced solutions necessary for use in high-demanding plastic applications in various industries, including automotive and consumer products. With high purity, low odour, high product consistency and light colour fractions, these Borcycle™ M grade recycled polymers will meet customer quality requirements across the value chain.

The purpose of this demo plant is to generate material for brand owners and converters to qualify, validate and prove fit for use in their highly demanding applications. Technical success will set the groundwork for a commercial-scale advanced recycling plant.

“At P&G we are making packaging with the ‘next life’ in mind to help drive a more robust circular economy. We must increase the supply of high-quality recycled plastic to enable the industry to deliver on this vision,” says Gian De Belder, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Technical Director, R&D Packaging Sustainability. “The innovative new approach that TOMRA and Borealis are taking shows potential to step-change both the quantity and quality of PCR available for our brands and help us to achieve our 2030 goal to reduce our use of virgin plastic in packaging by 50%, or 300 kilotonnes annually. Early tests of the material look very promising!”

“At Henkel, we want to reduce fossil-based virgin plastic to 50 percent by 2025 – for example, by increasing the share of recycled plastics to more than 30 percent globally. One major challenge towards more circular packaging is the availability of high-quality recycled plastics that can be used in the packaging of our brands,” comments Thorsten Leopold, Director International Packaging Technology Home Care at Henkel. “We are, therefore, very excited that this project brings together three proven experts along the value chain with the ambition to lift mechanical recycling to a new level.”

https://www.tomra.com/

Inex Belgium chooses Sidel’s aseptic solutions to package UHT milk in PET bottles

Belgian milk producer Inex has selected Sidel’s aseptic PET packaging line to help meet a growing demand for locally produced milk, prompted by the COVID-19 restrictions in March. Thanks to Sidel’s new and sustainable
packaging line, Inex plans to boost production capacity by supplying ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk products in PET bottles. Passionate about sustainability and the delivery of high quality milk, Inex is a 100% privately owned company in the heart of Belgium. It exports 50% of its production to neighbouring countries and produces a variety of authentic dairy products including fresh and long-life UHT milk, dairy drinks, cream and other milk derivatives. The milk is exclusively collected from local Belgian farmers and Inex has established a long- term relationship with its suppliers. Inex manufactures private labels for leading retailers as well as products under its own name. To increase production capacity and simultaneously reduce its environmental footprint, Inex has cooperated closely with Sidel to design and install the new aseptic packaging line that will package its UHT milk in a safe, sustainable and user-friendly PET bottle.

Environmental considerations drive PET packaging decision

To help Inex better understand the benefits of moving from carton to white PET, Sidel supported Inex in verifying experiences and also by visiting a similar installation. “Sidel was an excellent cooperation partner. All viewpoints they offered made it clear to us how beneficial the new line would be,” comments Steven Dierickx, CEO at Inex.
Some of the most important considerations focused on the fact that PET is not only a perfect match for safe and shelf-stable low acid products, but that it is also a 100% closed-loop recyclable material. In addition, production with Sidel’s Aseptic Combi Predis, a blow-fill-seal solution with dry preform and cap sterilisation, is much more
environmentally friendly. No water is consumed and very few chemicals are used to sterilise the bottle during production. The new PET packaging for Inex’s UHT milk (skimmed, fat, etc.) in 0.5 L and 1 L formats stands out from the crowd when compared to traditional carton packaging. The white PET bottle ensures stable light barrier properties for long-life and product integrity without any aluminium foil. Sidel worked closely with the preform supplier to guarantee the preform injection quality and validate the bottle neck and cap tightness with its unique B180 test, ensuring no leakage from the bottle when horizontally stored in the fridge. “The new PET bottle contains a minimum of 25% recycled PET, is 20% lighter than other plastic (PE) bottles and therefore has a 20% lower CO 2 footprint,” comments Steven Dierickx. Packaging line potential boosts aseptic production
“Initially, the customer favoured a special line design with some room for optimisation in the production set-up owing to the space l constraints at the plant. Therefore, we suggested Inex divide the production between two buildings,” says Sébastien Sergues, Business Development Manager for Food category at Sidel. As a result,
production flow on the new PET line was distributed between a plant dedicated to bottling and labelling and a warehouse designed for palletising, pallet wrapping and shipment management, with packs conveyed between the two locations. The complete PET packaging line is entirely manufactured by Sidel with an optimised
End-of-Line solution. Production starts ahead of schedule to meet extra demand for milk Commercial production on the aseptic line was originally scheduled to start mid- March. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the demand for milk from the local market increased rapidly and the company needed to produce the extra volume.
Thanks to close cooperation between the Inex and Sidel teams, production was able to start three weeks in advance. Steven Dierickx recalls: “Fast line ramp-up ahead of schedule meant we could manage an increase in production. This was only possible because of the great support we received from Sidel’s experts either on-site or remotely. We also jointly found a solution to increase the number of shifts from two to three.” The new aseptic PET packaging line is highly efficient and Inex has received intensive operational training to manage it. The line also opens future opportunities for high production flexibility to handle various formats and an alternative packaging method for other products, such as cream, to be packed in PET bottles. “Last October, Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the Inex plant to learn more about local sustainable food production. She showed a lot of interest in the subject and expressed her appreciation for our employees. We are really proud of her interest and feedback”, concludes Steven Dierickx.

www.sidel.com

Imagining the Future of Single-Dose Packaging!

Sometimes when something new comes to market, it can be hard to imagine how it will fit in your product portfolio or change the way you package certain products. So V-Shapes, based in Bologna, Italy, has put that visualizaiton in the palm of your hand. We at V-Shapes, an innovative supplier of vertically integrated products and services for convenient, hygienic and sustainable single-dose packaging, have developed an innovative way to dispense single doses of liquid or powedered product using only one hand. Not only is this a more hygienic method of distributing products, it is very easy to use, and the sachets can be customized to reflect brand image and messaging.
We have also made available a 3D configurator app that allows you to see how your sachets will look with your own brand applied, and we use virtual reality to show how the product is dispensed. Your video can also be recorded to be shared with staff and customers to get the message across as to how this new packaging method works.

In just four simple steps, you can easily upload the front and back graphics of the sachet you would like to design, and simulate how the sachet will operate with different kinds of products – liquid, fluid, powders, granular material such as sugar, even more full-bodied products such as honey or peanut butter!

How It Works
In the app, we offer five different sachet layouts from which to choose, two different product types, and customizable content on the top and bottom. Then, once your sachet is configured, we use Augmented Reality to view the sachet opening, and offer an option to record it as a video if you wish! You can see it for yourself right here: https://bit.ly/3oFWjzP. Still Need More Proof?
With a brand-new idea such as V-Shapes single-dose sachets that can be opened with one hand, with no leakage, mess or fuss, sometimes having the actual productin your hand is the real selling point. We’re happy to send you samples so you can see for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how attractive these sachets are, how easy to use, and how safe they are even in purses and pockets – the product stays inside until you “V-Shape” it to dispense the product.
V-Shapes sachets are a safe, hygienic way to distribute single-dose products. There is virtually no waste, they do not require an air pocket so the product lasts longer, and the emptied sachets can be recycled through conventional industrial recycling processes. We invite you to imagine the future of single-dose packaging.

www.v-shapes.com/

SABIC’s new, breakthrough LNP COLORCOMP compound uses nanotechnology to enable differentiated foams

HOUSTON, TEXAS, January 12, 2021 – SABIC today introduced LNP COLORCOMP WQ117945 compound, a breakthrough material based on advanced nanotechnology that facilitates efficient production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams for core materials in sandwich structures. This new compound improves control over nucleation and cell growth, resulting in decreased cell size and uniform, narrower cell size distribution. These attributes can reduce the foam’s weight by minimizing resin uptake in sandwich structures. It can also potentially improve shear strength/strain properties for better fatigue performance. Enhancing PET foams with SABIC’s new LNP COLORCOMP compound can address the evolving needs of multiple industries, including marine, building and construction, packaging and wind energy.

“Our novel LNP COLORCOMP WQ117945 compound may help to expand adoption of PET foam materials in a wide range of applications, from building insulation and cladding, to boat hulls and decks, to the core of wind turbine blades,” said Sunamita Anunciação, LNP Business Development Manager, SABIC. “In addition to improving PET foam’s mechanical properties, our technology helps reduce weight, which opens new opportunities for sustainability. For example, lighter foam core materials can allow designers to create longer, more-efficient wind blades. Lighter materials also reduce environmental impacts from shipping. Working with our customers, SABIC continues to develop solutions that advance multiple aspects of performance and sustainability.”

Core Materials for Wind Energy

Disposal of wind blades is becoming a global concern. Due to their huge size and complexity, most blades are currently sent to landfills. The adoption of PET foams in the core of wind turbine blades offers the industry a strong, light, recyclable option over incumbent materials, such as balsa wood and PVC foam.

Weight reduction is also a key issue in wind blade design. Extending blade length to increase the amount of captured energy adds significant weight to the blade. SABIC’s LNP COLORCOMP WQ117945 compound can significantly reduce foam cell size (as much as three-fold) compared to standard nucleating agents such as talc, while decreasing cell size disparity by a factor of up to five. These factors help to reduce resin uptake by the foam during composite manufacture, resulting in a lighter-weight blade.

In terms of strength and other mechanical properties, high-density PET foams can potentially compete with balsa wood, while avoiding wood’s natural variations. Further, as thermoformable polymers, PET foams offer greater freedom in the design and shaping of wind blades as compared to balsa. They also offer stable supply, cost-effectiveness, consistent material properties and much less resin uptake.

Beyond PET

Besides being used as an effective nucleating agent for foaming processes such as extrusion foaming, injection foaming and bead foaming, SABIC’s new nanotechnology solution can also act as a rheological modifier for improving melt strength and thermoformability. The nanotechnology SABIC is using can be adapted for other resins besides PET, making it a good candidate for use in a wide range of different industries.

sabic.com

SONGWON appoints Makwell Plastisizers as its exclusive distributor for PVC additives in India

Ulsan, South Korea – January 13, 2021 – SONGWON Industrial Co., Ltd. today announced that it signed an exclusive distribution agreement for PVC additives in India with Mumbai-based Makwell Plastisizers Pvt Ltd., effective as of December 2020.

Since starting operations in 1965, Makwell has become a leading player in plasticizers and additives in India with a reputation for high standards and quality.

Commenting on the agreement, Arie Kooij, Leader Market Center Tin Intermediates and PVC Additives, SONGWON said: “With such an experienced partner, we will be very well-positioned to further expand our product availability and increase our level of service to our customers in India. Active in the industry for over 50 years, Makwell has built up a solid reputation and strong local distribution network which will add great value for SONGWON.”

“SONGWON’s wide range of products completes our product portfolio of PVC additives and we are delighted to be SONGWON’s exclusive distribution partner in India,” says Amresh Thakker, Marketing Director at Makwell. “SONGWON’s strong R&D will also be immensely beneficial to our customers and support them to find the right solutions for their needs. Furthermore, it will contribute to the development of new products required by the ever-changing PVC industry.”

Milliken PP additive for thermoforming uses cleaner chemistry to deliver brighter look

New Hyperform HPN 909ei offers one less SML for food-contact applications

Ghent, Belgium – Designed for use by thermoformers, Milliken & Company’s Chemical Division’s latest high-performance additive for polypropylene (PP) homopolymers delivers an excellent balance of physical properties and superb aesthetics—all enabled through cleaner chemistry.

Hyperform HPN 909ei checks all those boxes, and more, as this formulation also addresses an important aspect for safety reassurance in the European Union. Tailored specifically to minimize migration, especially in food-contact applications, this new grade of Hyperform has one Specific Migration Limit (SML) less than the previous generation product. A lower number of SMLs means there is one less substance that must be monitored and tested for, reducing customers’ compliance burden. With this simplification, the reassurance of safety is even stronger. This is vital, given that this type of PP homopolymer is typically used to thermoform drink cups and lids, food packaging, and trays.

Traditional nucleating agents require customers to sacrifice impact to gain greater stiffness. Hyperform HPN 909ei, however, delivers improved stiffness (flexural modulus) while maintaining the impact performance. It also provides isotropic shrinkage (similar shrinkage in both directions, thereby reducing warpage) and a higher heat-deflection temperature, which offers improved heat resistance vital for hot-fill and microwaveable applications. It also helps to override the nucleation effects of pigments, thereby reducing design complexity.

Hyperform HPN 909ei achieves all this without sacrificing aesthetics. “In fact,” notes Bhavesh Gandhi, global product line manager for Milliken’s Chemical Division, “it yields products with excellent optical properties, including lower haze, reduced yellowing and an overall cleaner look. This can further enhance sustainability,” he says, “by allowing end users to replace other resins in various applications with highly recyclable polypropylene, with its low overall carbon footprint.”

With its growing range of Hyperform HPN high-performance additives, Milliken continues to help converters improve their processing and enhance the performance of their final PP parts.

chemical.milliken.com/hyperform-hpn-909ei.

Global Liquid Filling Machines Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2027

Global Liquid Filling Machines Market By Product (Aseptic, Rotary, Net Weight, Volumetric, Others), Mode of Operation (Automatic, Semi-Automatic, Manual), Application (Beverages, Food, Chemicals, Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2027 
 
Market Analysis and Insights: Global Liquid Filling Machines Market
Liquid filling machines market will reach an estimated valuation of USD 6.66 Billion by 2027, while registering this growth at a rate of 4.89% for the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Liquid filling machines market report analyses the growth, which is currently being growing due to the rising preferences towards smaller pack sizes.

Filling machines are used to fill the receptacle with a set number of items such as milk, cosmetics, medication, among others, such as glass pots, pans, bottles, containers. The filling devices are used with considerable accuracy and stringent hygienic standards for packing liquids and powders. It is primarily used in the food and beverage industries and the packaging.

Changing lifestyle of the majority of population due to stressful working culture, increasing disposable income of the people, adoption of automation and robotics in filling equipment, development of advanced technology which will likely to enhance the growth of the liquid filling machines market in the forecast period of 2020-2027. On the other hand, prevalence of funds from government sector for small and medium enterprises along with rising number of service providers which will further create new opportunities for the growth of the liquid filling machines market in the above mentioned forecast period.

High cost of energy and power along with stringent regulations are acting as market restraints for the growth of the liquid filling machines in the above mentioned forecast period. Maintenance of temperature in the whole process will become the biggest challenge for the growth of the market.

This liquid filling machines market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localised market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographical expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on liquid filling machines market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Global Liquid Filling Machines Market Scope and Market Size

Liquid filling machines market is segmented on the basis of product, mode of operation, and application. The growth amongst the different segments helps you in attaining the knowledge related to the different growth factors expected to be prevalent throughout the market and formulate different strategies to help identify core application areas and the difference in your target markets.

  • On the basis of product, liquid filling machines market is segmented into aseptic, rotary, net weight, volumetric, and others.
  • Based on mode of operation, liquid filling machines market is segmented into automatic, semi-automatic, and manual.
  • Liquid filling machines market is segmented in terms of market value, volume, market opportunities, and niches into multiple applications. The application segment for liquid filling machines market includes beverages, food, chemicals, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Liquid Filling Machines Market Country Level Analysis

Liquid filling machines market is analysed and market size, volume information is provided by country, product, mode of operation, and application as referenced above.

The countries covered in the liquid filling machines market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

Asia-Pacific dominates the liquid filling machines market due to the Increasing purchasing power of the middle class income group along with rising health awareness among the people and rising preferences towards convenience foods. North America region is expected to hold the largest growth rate due to the prevalence of majority of market players along with rising number of research activities.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as consumption volumes, production sites and volumes, import export analysis, price trend analysis, cost of raw materials, down-stream and upstream value chain analysis are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Liquid Filling Machines Market Share Analysis

Liquid filling machines market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies’ focus related to liquid filling machines market.

The major players covered in the liquid filling machines market report are Accutek Packaging Equipment Companies, Inc., Syntegon Technology GmbH, Coesia S.p.A., GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, JBT., KHS Group, Krones AG, Ronchi Mario S.p.A., Scholle IPN, Tetra Pak International S.A., Barry-Wehmiller, Oden Machinery, Inline Filling Systems Inc., I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A., MG2 s.r.l., IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH, Filamatic, SIMPLEX FILLER COMPANY., Pflauder, among other domestic and global players. Market share data is available for global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America separately. DBMR analysts understand competitive strengths and provide competitive analysis for each competitor separately.

Appointment of Nicolas Beyl as Chief Executive Officer of the Single Group

We are pleased to announce that Nicolas Beyl will take over as Chief Executive
Officer of the Single group and of Single Holding GmbH as of December 1, 2020. He
succeeds Frank Spork, who has managed the company on an interim basis since
March 2020. Frank Spork will concentrate on his role as Director Product
Management and will continue to lead Single’s efforts in that area. We thank Frank
Spork for his tireless efforts and capable leadership during the transition phase in the
Single group leadership.
Nicolas Beyl (51) who holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, brings
extensive knowledge of the plastics and rubber machinery industries as well as a
wealth of management and leadership experience. Over the past 14 years, he has
held various leadership positions at the KraussMaffei Group, a leading manufacturer
of plastics and rubber machinery. From 2012 until 2020, he was Managing Director of
KraussMaffei Technologies, responsible for the Reaction Process Machinery division,
and was also a member of the Group’s Executive Committee. Before that, he was
head of technology in KraussMaffei’s Injection Molding division. Before joining the
KraussMaffei Group, he was a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group, advising
companies in the machinery and automotive industries on strategic and operational
issues.
Tim Talaat, Chairman of SIHAG, the parent of the SINGLE Group, stated: “Nicolas
Beyl, brings a wealth of experience and strong leadership to the SINGLE Group. I am
convinced that under Nicolas Beyl’s guidance the SINGLE Group will be able to
successfully master the next phase of our development”.
About Single: Single is the market leading supplier of powerful and energy-efficient temperature
control technology. A globally operating supplier of powerful and energy-efficient temperature control
and cooling technology on the world market, with a correspondingly expanded international
manufacturing, sales and service network. The range of products and services at a high level of quality
and innovation, as well as the international presence, guarantee high availability, reliable service and
fast, flexible processing worldwide.
http://www.single-temp.com

High-speed extruder from battenfeld-cincinnati melts and degasses granulate from used plastic

Oil from plastic waste
Non-recyclable plastic is one of the problems of the present. Various technologies ensure the re-use of plastic products and their separation in waste processing. But the loss rate incurred in this area is still high. In the first place, plastics cannot be recycled and re-used indefinitely. Secondly, separation of pure homogeneous materials often presents a problem which leads to large quantities of non-reusable mixed fractions. These are normally burnt or disposed of on landfill sites.
However, latest research findings have opened up a possibility to extract oils and fuels from this no longer usable plastic once more. In this way, the material cycle can be closed again by returning the oils gained by this method to the chemical and petrochemical industries.
The Dutch company Petrogas – Blue Alp, domiciled in Eindhoven, has developed a production plant for this process over several years and commissioned it for Renasci, located in Oostende, Belgium.
In this process, the starting material (used plastic) is first collected and shredded, then its ingredients are analyzed. Next, undesirable foreign substances are filtered out, and the material is dried. By renewed agglomeration, a starting material is created in the form of a granulate.
This granulate is melted by battenfeld-cincinnati high-speed extruders and degassed via vacuum zones. In this way, volatile foreign substances are extracted and pumped off separately. The high-speed extruder is particularly well suited for this purpose, since its compact design in combination with a powerful transmission drive ensures a high output. These two advantages were decisive factors in the design of the entire system. An additional benefit is this extruder model’s user and maintenance friendliness. battenfeld-cincinnati specially developed a new processing unit and screw geometry for this application.
Downstream reactor units then split up the melt delivered by the extruder into its individual components.
About Blue Alp
BlueAlp is part of the Mourik group of companies. Mourikis, a Dutch family-owned business with a yearly turnover of ~ 430 million euros and almost 2000 employees, operating in 45 countries.
For engineering and construction, BlueAlp works very closely with Petrogas Gas-Systems, also part of the Mourik group. Petrogas has over 70 years of experience in the oil & gas and (petro) chemical industry. The process modules for the BlueAlp™ process are fabricated and assembled in Petrogas’ workshop in Eindhoven.
www.bluealp.nl  www.petrogas.nl  www.renasci.be
 
 

Nestlé Waters North America Invests in Startup Timeplast to Explore Alternative Packaging Technologies

Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) has invested in Timeplast, a Florida-based startup that is researching solutions for one of the critical aspects of the global plastic waste challenge – plastic that isn’t properly recycled and ends up in landfills, oceans and waterways. Timeplast is exploring a new technology that may help to minimize the impact of plastic that leaks into the environment.
“I knew a strategic partnership would be critical to further develop a solution that both addresses plastic pollution while maintaining compatibility with the existing recycling system,” said Manuel Rendon, CEO at Timeplast. “With Nestlé Waters’ packaging and recycling expertise, we are excited to continue testing the capabilities of a technology that we will work together to bring to market. This is a steppingstone of our company’s big plan to a world where all plastics are transformed based on their expected use.”
As part of the investment in Timeplast, NWNA will provide financing and additional support to evaluate the technology, combining NWNA’s stringent safety, quality and performance standards for food-grade packaging with Timeplast’s technology. The investment has created a limited liability company, TPN Alliance Polymers, LLC, which is based in Coral Gables, Florida.
“For more than five years, we’ve brought to market an increasing number of bottles made with other bottles and launched campaigns to inspire consumers to recycle their bottles helping to drive toward a circular economy,” said David Tulauskas, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Nestlé Waters North America. “As we make progress toward a zero-waste future, we’re enthusiastic to build on our work by exploring alternative technologies such as those presented by Timeplast.”
The investment is part of NWNA’s efforts to identify multiple and simultaneous sustainable packaging solutions that address plastic pollution across the globe. In September 2020, Poland Spring announced a collaboration with the University of Maine and its Forest Bioproducts Research Institute to evaluate and develop bio-based solutions that could serve as alternative packaging for Poland Spring products. As part of the collaboration, the University of Maine will explore new possible uses of materials derived from sustainably harvested Maine wood, an effort that has the potential to advance the circular economy by contributing to the total utilization of this renewable resource.
In addition to alternative packaging, as of June 2020, NWNA has doubled the amount of recycled PET plastic (rPET) used since 2019 across its U.S. domestic portfolio to 16.5%. In July, the company announced that three of its regional spring water brands have started to offer bottles made of 100% recycled plastic, joining Poland Spring 100% Natural Spring Water in offering bottles made with 100% rPET. Now, five of NWNA’s six regional spring water brands offer bottles made with recycled plastic, and four of these offer bottles made with 100% rPET. NWNA also offers three of the only major, nationally distributed bottled water offerings on the market made using 100% rPET – Nestlé® Pure Life 700mL, Poland SpringORIGIN, Nestlé Pure Life “DC Collection.” These steps are all helping NWNA reach its commitments to achieve 25% rPET across its U.S. domestic portfolio by 2021 and reach 50% by 2025.
https://www.nestle-watersna.com/