Page 6 - Packaging New magazine Jan-Feb 2023

NEWS
In Brief
CLOSE THE LOOP BUYS US RECYCLER FOR $4M
Close the Loop (CTL) has bolstered its US operations by acquiring Ohio-based plastics recycler In-Plas for $4m, with the acquisition further strengthening its position in the lucrative recycling market. In-Plas is a well-established, profitable recycler and processor of post-industrial scrap, pellets, regrind and by-products. It has experienced sales growth of 22 per cent over the past year. CTL says In-Plas is a product fit with CTL’s existing recycling offering.
LICELLA’S CAT-HTR PLANT LICENCE APPROVED
Global hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) specialist Licella, via Advanced Recycling Victoria, has had its development licence approved, giving it the green light to construct its advanced commercial recycling plant in Altona, Victoria. The facility will incorporate Licella’s Cat-HTR (catalytic hydrothermal reactor) technology, which is a powerful decarbonation platform for producing high value, low carbon products, such as renewable fuels and biochemicals.
AMCOR, EXXONMOBIL INK CIRCULAR MATERIALS DEAL
Amcor and ExxonMobil have signed a five-year deal to secure thousands of tons of high-performance, certified- circular material from ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling plant. The deal supports Amcor’s goal to achieve 30 per cent recycled material across its portfolio by 2030. Amcor is already delivering a variety of solutions containing recycled content to global customers.
ANZ packaging wins big at WorldStar
IN THE 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards, the Australia and New Zealand region showed its strength
in innovation once again, receiving the second highest number of wins in the world, just behind Japan.
Overall, ANZ Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA) winners have been interna- tionally recognised with 19 awards across nine categories. In a first for the region, Melbourne com- pany Caps & Closures won four awards for three products.
PKN spoke to Caps & Closures managing director Brendon Holmes, who said, “To receive this recogni- tion amongst an incredible array of entries is humbling. Our heartfelt congratulations to all entrants and winners of PIDA 2022 and WorldStar 2023 awards. Australians are clearly leading the way in packaging inno- vation and product design, second only behind Japan.”
Holmes said he was grateful to the judges for recognising the vision of ThermoShield, IDShield and EzyGrip, describing them as “sensory products that will change the way we interact with
packaging in the future”. “Our vision is to be a
global exemplar, and these awards have provided us with the opportunities, as innova- tors, to push trends and inject value to motivate change on
a worldwide scale,” Holmes said. “This recognition further aids us in giving our customers world-leading solutions.”
ThermoShield’s food waste pre- vention application can extend across all industries; IDShield’ offers visual design and anti- counterfeiting opportunities without any material addition; and EzyGrip’s ergonomic refinements significantly improve accessibility.
Other ANZ winners across nine categories were BioPak (two awards); Nestlé Australia; Ingham’s NZ and Sealed Air NZ; Amcor Flexibles; Result Group; JBS; Goodman Fielder; Brownes Dairy; Pact Group; Coles Group; Earthwise Group; O F Packaging and Close the Loop Group; Ego Pharmaceuticals; and Macher.
“This is the second year in a row that the region has dominated the
Above: Caps & Closures has taken out four WorldStar awards for three sensory closures: ThermoShield, IDShield and EzyGrip.
global awards program, which is a true reflection of the innovative packaging designs being developed in the southern hemisphere,” said Nerida Kelton, executive direc- tor of the Australian Institute of Packaging.
The 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards attracted a record-break- ing 488 entries from 41 countries, with 45 judges from across the globe determining 228 winners for this year’s round. The 2023 awards will be presented on 6 May during packaging and pro- cessing trade show Interpack, which takes place from 4-10 May in Dusseldorf, Germany. ■
grow its market-leading presence across existing and new markets. Smith told PKN, “The new part- nership will play a vital role in helping BioPak accelerate its global mission, a world without waste. It will provide opportunities to build into new and existing markets, tapping into onshore production, entering new markets outside of the foodservice industry and will really accelerate the brand internationally. “This growth will lead to more choice and sustainable opportuni- ties for BioPak customers across a range of sectors, shaping wide- spread behavioural change to put
the environment first.”
BioPak’s operations will remain
unchanged in Australia, however, the workforce will continue to expand as the company enters a new stage of growth. ■
Duni sells 25% of BioPak to boost growth
DUNI GROUP HAS sold 25 per cent of the BioPak Group to Australian private equity fund Five V Capital,
for $65.8m, in a move which it says will accelerate the BioPak growth trajectory.
BioPak produces “environ- mentally-conscious” take-away products, including bowls and plates, coffee cups and cold drink cups, paper straws, wooden cut- lery and paper bags.
Sweden-based Duni has been considering how best to optimise the long term value of BioPak, and says its new partnership with Five V presents it with a significant opportunity to add value.
The strategic partnership is cen- tered on delivering the next phase of growth for BioPak Group. Duni Group says the deal will enable itself and the co-founder and CEO of BioPak, Gary Smith, to acceler- ate its growth agenda. Five V will be actively involved with man- agement, Duni Group and Gary Smith, as BioPak Group looks to
6 ❙ JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2023
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