Page 8 - Packaging News magazine March-April 2022

8 NEWS | www.packagingnews.com.au | March-April 2022
Zipform expands with $8m Melbourne facility
PERTH-BASED manufacturer of fibre-based linear-formed com- posite packs, Zipform Packaging, is investing in a new compos- ite pack manufacturing line in Melbourne. The location of the new site is soon to be finalised with production set to com- mence early in the first quarter of 2023.
Zipform Packaging CEO John Bigley told PKN this $8 million investment will treble the pro- duction capacity, with demand driven by retailers and brand owners looking to address the 2025 National Packaging Targets through the adoption of more sustainable packaging solutions.
He said the line will mimic, to some extent, the Perth pro- duction line but with a few more “bells and whistles” with some new developments such as printed bottoms, laser etch- ing and in-line print quality inspection.
The key process equipment is being sourced from France and
the line will be able to cater for multiple changeovers, with siz- ing ranging from 52mm diameter through to a large non-round pack with a brimful capacity of >2.4 litres.
The company has also recently invested in enhancements for its manufacturing line in Perth, such as a new in-line vision system.
Bigley said, “This second line is a very important investment to support our growth trajec- tory, as not only does it give us additional capacity but also con- tingency, which is important for the market. If the COVID pan- demic has taught us nothing else in manufacturing, it has taught us to build resilience and strengthen local supply chains.
“We are entering a very exciting growth period for our business as more and more brand owners seek out packaging that addresses the 2025 National Packaging Targets. Our ambition is to develop our manufacturing footprint still further and we are confident that our invest- ments in fibre-based packaging are good for us and good for the Australian packaging supply chain.”
Not limited to the linear- formed technology, Zipform also offers fibre-based packaging solutions across a whole range of products and is soon to release a range of one-piece fibre overcap options that will be available for multiple market applications.
Bigley says the company has further innovation in the pipe- line and expects to announce more technical developments later this year. ■
Zipform will be exhibiting at AUSPACK 2022 on Stand E240.
Milestone: UN plastics treaty pledge
A pledge by nations, including Australia, to establish a global treaty to end plastic pollution marks a major milestone, accord- ing to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF).
The treaty will create global rules and obligations for the full life cycle of plastic, setting
standards for reducing plas- tic production, consumption and pollution, which will hold nations, businesses and society accountable in elimi- nating plastic pollution from the environment.
Kate Noble, WWF-Australia’s No Plastics in Nature policy manager, said the decision was a historic moment in the battle against plastic
pollution.
“The decision
by all UN mem- ber states to start work on a plastic pollution treaty is a huge milestone and testament
to the hard work of so many Australians, scientists and campaigners over many years,” Noble said.
“This treaty will help to shift the world to a circular economy where plastic is kept in use and out of nature.”
Pressure has been mounting on governments for a legally binding treaty to address the plastic pollution crisis. More than 2.2 million people around the world have signed a WWF petition calling for this, while over 130 global companies, and more than 1000 civil society organisations have also backed calls for a treaty.
In Australia, nearly nine in 10 support a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, while almost
80 per cent think single-use plas- tics should be banned as soon as possible.
Noble commended the Australian government’s sup- port for a legally binding treaty, but warned more hard work and leadership was required.
“If we’re going to regenerate Australia and build a more sus- tainable future, we need to tackle the products and processes that are contributing to the 130,000 tonnes of plastic that flows into Australia’s oceans every year.
The adopted resolution, End Plastic Pollution: Towards a legally binding instrument, establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that will develop the specific content of the new treaty by end of 2024. ■