Page 56 - Packaging News Nov-Dec 2019

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MATERIALS UPDATE
www.packagingnews.com.au
November-December 2019
Innovating solutions
to the plastic challenge
With consumers and governments increasingly waking up to the challenge of plastic waste, advances in materials, as well as technology such as vertical form-fill-seal equipment, can help packagers take on the problem, writes Anurag Mitra of solutions provider tna.
Scientists and environmental campaigners have since the turn of the century warned about the detrimental effect of plastic waste on carbon emissions and marine life; however, only in recent years
has it become a mainstream con- cern. Now, governments around the world are pledging to reduce, and in some cases even eliminate, plas- tic waste.
Multinational organisations and brands are leading the way with their own pledges for plastic reduc- tion; for instance, transnational consumer goods company Unilever has promised to only use 100 per cent recyclable plastic by 2025. This pledge reflects growing consumer concerns regarding plastic usage and sustainability.
Food manufacturers have a vital role to play in terms of making this sustainable future a reality. In line with this, the latest advancements in vertical form-fill- seal (VFFS) pack- aging technology can assist brands in achieving sustainability goals and reducing carbon footprints.
VFFS equipment technology and features have evolved to reduce wastage throughout the packaging process. For example, packaging systems incorporating single serra- tion jaws can help manufacturers successfully reduce film consump- tion by reducing the film length re- quired per bag. The single serration jaw also allows an increase in bag volume while maintaining the same bag length. In addition, the jaws have a smaller profile, meaning they require less jaw heat and pro- duce a faster seal time, thus leading to increased throughput and en- hanced performance.
This innovation has helped numerous snack manufacturers successfully reduce the consump-
tion of biaxially oriented polypro- pylene (BOPP) film, which while recyclable, is non-biodegradable.
Brands have already started in- novating plastic alternatives in some markets. Mushroom packag- ing has been developed as an alter- native to Styrofoam, and seaweed packaging is being praised as an alternative to film. Though these materials are yet to be used on a broad scale, it is certainly some- thing that packaging equipment solution manufacturers need to be aware of, since VFFS systems should have the ability to run these alternative materials to meet brand owners’ requirements.
The industry is constantly evolv- ing to find new energy-saving solu- tions, such as power saving software for food processing and packaging lines. Such developments help brand owners reduce carbon footprint and energy usage by offering features that include ‘standby time’.
For instance, a 12-hour day pro- duction line using ten tna robag units could be on power standby for at least 10 hours a day, which amounts to an approximate yearly electricity saving of 27,000 KWh. The result is a reduction of 21,600
Suppliers like tna manufacture equipment that can help reduce the plastic waste problem.
kilograms in CO2 emissions over the same period.
With rising energy costs, main- taining a sustainable production chain is one of the top priorities for many plant managers. Inefficiencies like equipment running when not required, poor maintenance, fully-lit plants during production shut- downs, and leaking equipment can all impact an organisation’s environ- mental footprint – not to mention its energy bills.
Sensing equipment such as flow meters, motion sensors, and kWh meters can easily be integrated into any existing PLC-controlled sys- tems, while outdated variable speed drives (VSDs) can be replaced with more energy efficient devices.
With growing demand for greener, more sustainable products amongst consumers, packaging equipment suppliers like tna can play a vital role in helping brands realise their sustainability goals. ■