Bioplastics and fibre-based packaging solutions were two of the topics on which exhibitors at The Greener Manufacturing Show and Plastic Waste Free World Conference & Expo in Cologne presented their solutions and ideas. An international audience came together for presentations, networking and knowledge exchange.
Plastic yes, but biodegradable, please. That's probably one of the impressions you can take away from the duo of The Greener Manufacturing Show and Plastic Waste Free World Conference & Expo in Cologne at the beginning of November. From 8 to 9 November various players in the industry to showcase their latest solutions and ideas and to exchange ideas. These include well-known names such as Stora Enso, Coveris, Sappi or the STI Group, but also young start-ups and research projects from universities or the Fraunhofer Institute.
What unites them all? The desire for a Conscious (better) use of resources and the use of renewable and alternative materials in their packaging. The main topics here are Bioplastics and barrier coatings. Wherever possible, plastic from fossil sources should be avoided.
This means that maize and other plants are used to produce polymers. Certification by TÜV Austria, for example, is also important. And so we also saw more durable products that rely on bioplastics becomes. Cutlery, espresso cups and reusable to-go cups are just a few examples of products where manufacturers see an opportunity for bioplastics.
And also Packaging films or adhesive tapes are applications that rely on alternative materials. With its Monta Biopack 860 LG adhesive tape, manufacturer Assembly for example on PLA and natural rubber. The adhesive tape is also certified by TÜV Austria as „Ok compost Industrial“. In addition to bioplastics, the company also uses paper in a number of its paper adhesive tapes, thereby also addressing the second major theme of the trade fairs.
Packaging solutions made of paper are very popular with consumers and this can also be seen in the Cologne exhibition halls. Carrier bags made from particularly strong paper fibres or Flowpacks for paper confectionery were shown. With the latter, the barrier is particularly important. Sappi presented its solutions in Cologne.
Barrier coatings for corrugated cardboard packaging are also an important topic for the STI Group. The company recently realised a transport packaging for smoked salmon made of corrugated board. The fish is fatty and therefore places special demands on the packaging, which in this case was protected with a water-based barrier coating be solved. How can fibre-based packaging solutions be even more sustainable and efficient? In addition to the barrier coatings Material minimisation and efficiency Topic.
