Page 8 - Packaging News magazine Jan-Feb 2022

8 NEWS |
NZ force in industrial packaging: UPL and Spicers NZ have merged.
first for fish
www.packagingnews.com.au | January-February 2022
Fibre-based
Universal Packaging joins Spicers NZ
TASMANIAN salmon producer Petuna is switching from poly- styrene packaging to a cardboard alterna- tive manufactured by Opal Group, in a move that it says will divert more than 150,000 polystyrene boxes from landfill annually.
Group GM Strategy
at Opal Packaging,
Scott Thompson,
said the corrugated
box was designed with mois- ture barrier properties to withstand low temperatures for fresh chilled products, and is approved for airline transporta- tion for export and suitable for domestic controlled cold chain transportation.
Opal’s solution, which con- tains more than 55 per cent recycled paper, is recyclable in Australia and New Zealand, and widely accepted through council kerbside recycling collections.
Photo imagery on the packag- ing was created by combining the technique of reverse printing on a high-quality barrier layer, with the functional coatings pro- cess allowing the imagery to be laid down on to the kraft paper. The image was protected from
scuffing and damage through the converting process.
“By using Opal’s patented Photo Surefresh process and functionally coated liners, Opal was able to produce a stunning photographic quality branded packaging solution for Petuna,” said Thompson.
Petuna CEO, Ruben Alvarez said the new cardboard boxes were made from sustainably sourced paper-based materials locally manufactured and sup- ported in Tasmania.
“Once fully implemented, the new packaging will not only significantly decrease our con- tribution to landfill, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with freight due to a 90 per cent reduction in truck movements,” he explained. ■
UNIVERSAL Packaging (UPL) and Spicers NZ have entered into a share sale agreement, effec- tive as of 30 November 2021. According to Morgan John, gen- eral manager, Spicers NZ, the merger will see each company operating independently, with business as usual for customers and suppliers.
“We expect Spicers NZ and UPL can bring operational bene- fits to our customers in the short term as well as broaden each oth- er’s product offering by sharing portfolios... Over the next six months we will forge further plans on how the businesses work closer together.”
John said Industrial Packaging is a key focus and has been a growth area for Spicers NZ in recent years; with UPL join- ing the two collectively have a greater offering of packaging products for customers.
UPL owners Matthew Goudie, Jed Goudie and Matthew Goddin said they are excited to join Spicers NZ, noting that since 1985, Universal Packaging has focused on delivering environ- mentally safe load containment to New Zealand’s leading brands. They believe this move gives UPL customers access to a wider industrial packaging offering and product expertise. ■
PPP wins $4.8m grant for new plant
PLANET Protector Packaging (PPP) has won a $4.8 million federal government grant to establish a $9.6 million manufacturing facility to support the produc- tion of its Woolpack insulated packaging solution.
Woolpack is used in supply chains for the transportation of temperature-controlled food, seafood and pharmaceuticals and is an alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers.
According to PPP, the loca- tion of the facility is yet to be confirmed following a further feasibility study, but it is set to be constructed and operational some time in 2022.
The grant forms part of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources trans- lation stream – Recycling and Clean Energy Priority Round 1, under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).
Joanne Howarth, PPP founder and CEO, welcomed the federal government’s support of the Ewe Beauty – Bringing Wool Manufacturing Back Home to Australia project.
“This grant will allow our sus- tainable and thermally stable Woolpack packaging solution to be manufactured in Australia and create regional jobs in NSW, while reducing our carbon foot- print, and creating Australian
sovereign capacity to create wool and other circular economy- based textile solutions.”
The project will also enable Woolpack Australia to expand into high-value vertical prod- ucts, such as building insulation and cool room panelling where EPS is used.
PPP says Woolpack solutions have been tested and proven to outperform both EPS and alter- native packaging. ■