The German packaging company Pano Verschluss GmbH commissioned its 5th production line for PVC/plasticiser-free vacuum cam closures at its Itzehoe site in May. This fulfils the self-imposed goal of converting all closure production lines to PVC-free production by the company's 100th anniversary in 2020 and meets the continuously increasing demand from customers and retailers for this closure alternative.
In addition, investments are being made in the further capacity expansion of existing Diameter tool sets in order to positively counteract the annual increase in demand. With a current installed capacity for around one billion closures on two pure high-performance lines and three conversion lines for different diameters, PANO believes it is well positioned for the future. Further expansion measures can be expected if the market develops and customer agreements are in place.
PROVALIN sealant
The PVC/plasticiser-free sealing compound was originally PROVALIN® developed by Actega DS as a solution for products containing oil and fat that are prone to migration, processed in BLUESEAL® closures and launched on the market in a strategic partnership with Dittmann Reichhold Feinkost. Today, these closures represent a General alternative for the conversion of all product areas. The issue of PVC and plasticisers in food packaging has been and continues to be classified and evaluated highly sensitively in studies, in the media and by consumers and therefore required a suitable solution. Not least due to corresponding EU regulations (including EU 10/2011 and PIM).
Initially seen as a „niche launch“ for migration-sensitive products in the competitive environment, the positive experience of the PVC-free initiative from Pano, Actega DS and Feinkost Dittmann soon attracted great interest and demand from other bottlers. Today, it is no longer possible to reverse the path of success since the commercial launch in 2012, with over one billion closures now on the European market. Thanks to the partnership-based relationships with customers, the demands on the part of retailers to switch to PVC-free closures can be steadily expanded.
The PVC/plasticiser-free closure range now comprises 12 different diameters (from TO 38 mm to TO 82 mm), three of which are already available in deep-drawn versions as so-called deep closures (58, 66 and 82 mm). These closures can be customised with BPA-NI internal coating systems.
In the food trade, whether in the organic or conventional segment, in addition to sensitive products containing oil, there are also more and more „daily products“ that have been and will be converted to PVC-free closures by retailers or manufacturers, not least for reasons of sustainability. PANO is certain that vacuum cam closures with PVC/plasticiser-free seals will be the general trend in the future. Future closure standard will become. This assumption is confirmed by the general development in the expansion of production capacities for PVC-free closures by all closure manufacturers.
