Page 28 - Packaging News Nov-Dec 2019

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INNOVATION
PACK EXPO www.packagingnews.com.au
Eight of the best
Pack Expo Las Vegas has wrapped up for another year, and PKN has eight highlights from the show floor – ranging from sustainability to traceability and everything in between.
HE shift away from plastics and towards paper was a big trend on the show floor, with paper packaging seen as a greener, more recyclable option. Smart packaging, automation, and Industry 4.0 were also prom- inent, as were anti-counterfeiting solutions such as serialisation.
Below are just a few of the stand-out innovations PKN’s roving reporter Cat McBride spotted in Las Vegas.
November-December 2019
1A PEARL OF AN IDEA
Bosch exhibited a new paper-based package concept called Pearl, in cooperation with BillerudKorsnäs.
“These uniquely formed primary packages are ideal for dry, solid products such as chocolates, cookies and snacks. They can be coated with a barrier to package viscous products like spreads and creams,” said Matthias Klauser, senior expert at Bosch.
“Bosch currently has a prototype form-fill-seal (FFS) machine that is making these paper pods for customer tests. We work with each customer to develop the shape they want, within the limits imposed by the paper material.”
2PRINT AND APPLY AT HIGH SPEED ID Technology introduced its new CrossMerge label applicator for print and apply labelling.
“CrossMerge is a unique new concept for labelling secondary packages with GS1-compliant barcodes at high speeds,” said Mark Bowden, regional sales manager at ID Technology.
“Like other label applicator modules in our PowerMerge family, CrossMerge decouples print speed from line speed to simultaneously increase output and improve print quality compared to traditional tamp or feed-on-demand print and apply labellers.
“Now, with CrossMerge, we’ve rotated the print head to change the orientation of printing. It has all of the advantages of PowerMerge and takes it further, with even higher throughput and print quality for select applications.”
3PUTTING PAPER CLIPS ON CANS
Graphic Packaging presented its brand new Keel Clip as a paper- based alternative to traditional plastic multipack handles for cans.
According to the company, less than 10 per cent of plastic waste in the US is recycled, while 68 per cent of paper is recycled, making paper the more sustainable solution.
“We make both the clips and the machine that applies the clips to cans. Our Keel Clip 1600 achieves the high speeds needed by beverage manufacturers,” said Roxanne McSpadden, senior manager of Marketing Innovation at Graphic Packaging.
“As the industry works to replace plastic packaging with paper, the Keel Clip offers an important opportunity. And, compared to fully enclosed paperboard wraps, Keel Clip reduces material use.”