Irish Packaging & Print Directory 2016

Sector Overview ı 5

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dapting to meet the needs of customers; being more flexible than your competitors; embracing new technologies; offering previously undreamed of levels of customer service: these are some of the ways Irish print and packaging companies have excelled and it is through this kind of flexibility and willingness to change that they will continue to grow and develop.

Such is the clear message from Enterprise Ireland’s Declan Black, Technologist, and Susan Byrne, Development Advisor, Print & Packaging, who have seen Ireland’s print and packaging sector evolve in recent years.

Growing Print Market “Generally, I would say the print market has stabilised or perhaps even grown a little bit over the last year,” Declan reveals.

“The key is differentiation: how to make your offer stand out from your competitors.

Print is still relatively low cost, and people are getting better at finding niches where print can be utilised, including making marketing easier for people. Print companies are getting better at adapting to the digitalised world and at looking for where niches exist. The big volumes that were the mainstay of the industry a decade or more ago aren’t there any more so it’s maybe about smaller, low volumes, about being more flexible, about using the web to drive traffic.”

The use of the internet to drive traffic is nothing new, but it can be a vital tool for Irish print companies. “A lot of the companies I speak to, while they still have print at their core, are really embracing new technologies, which they are using to do interesting things, not just in terms

of service and delivery but also in really innovative areas like augmented reality,” Susan reveals.

One big area of potential growth is in providing new exam papers for the State Examinations Commission (SEC), who are piloting a scheme this year, using two low volume Junior Certificate subjects, whereby student scripts are scanned and corrected digitally by examiners. For the pilot phase, the students’ scripts will be re-assembled and marked through the current marking process, while the effectiveness of the new system is assessed.

“The student would sit the exam as normal with a booklet that is capable of being broken down and scanned in,” Declan reveals. “The big challenges are in ensuring that all of the exam booklet is scanned and that it is all assigned correctly to the right student number. A lot of work has gone into the design of the booklet, how it is disassembled, scanned securely and in

making sure the digital record matches the actual script. This involves a print company, a software company and a scanning company working together to ensure a workable solution for the SEC. It is a very interesting project but obviously, when it comes to state exams like the Junior Cert and the Leaving Cert, it has to be 100% accurate.”

If it works, however, it would make a big difference in terms of quality control and speed of correcting. “It would allow the SEC the facility to get a view of the results quicker, make remote changes to the marking scheme, which currently requires a manual re-marking of papers, avoid multiple postal movements of exam scripts, which then have to be physically posted back to the examiners. The scripts can be reviewed at the same time as the examiner is marking them. Sometimes, marking schemes have to be changed and this will allow that to be done much faster than at

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Sector Overview ı 7

segments where they can compete with their UK counterparts. For example, when it comes to the food sector, there are a lot of big volume suppliers, with runs of 500,000plus, but perhaps there weren’t many packaging companies offering mid-range volumes of maybe 50,000 to 100,000 units, so Irish packaging companies actively and successfully targeted this area. The food sector remains price sensitive but the more successful companies are actively targeting customers or market niches and then showing potential clients what they can do better than their competitors, whether that is through improved logistics or service standards.”

Innovation & NPD The general upswing in the economy has been felt across the print and packaging sectors, which is great news going forward.

However, one area that has suffered as a result is innovation, with NPD slowing down as companies focus on meeting the needs of a growing client base.

“I think this is a natural business cycle where businesses are regrouping after many years of uncertainty and new product development is taking a back-seat,” Susan admits.

“Irish companies are performing extremely well and after the lean years, they are now suffering the problems of growth,” Declan adds. “Having slimmed down their teams, they are perhaps now fire-fighting to deal with logistics challenges, capacity issues etc, which is a great problem to have after the last few years. But it does mean that maybe areas like NPD aren’t being prioritised as much as they have been. There is growth in luxury packaging, which itself is a sign of economic growth and uplift across the EU, as people look for specialised, sophisticated packaging and are willing to pay for it.”

materials, if you are improving the shelf-life of food in the market and decreasing wastage, that is a hugely attractive proposition.”

The area of light-weighting of packaging is still extremely hot, and will become even more so as waste charges across Europe mushroom.

“There is a light-weighting issue, right across the plastics sector, in terms of ensuring the packaging can protect the product inside, maintaining its structural integrity, while using less packaging to do so,” Declan admits. “Waste charges across Europe will increase in the medium to long term and that will have an impact: we really won’t know the outcome of that for another year or so.”

Bright Future Ahead Looking to the future, the prospects appear reasonably bright for Ireland’s print and packaging sector.

“There has been steady stabilisation of the market,” Declan summarises, “with signs of growth in labels and packaging. Irish companies have realised that there are large

markets sitting on their doorstep and have started to compete in those markets. There are still challenges out there and there are still risks, but I would be cautiously positive for the future.”

Susan concurs: “We can’t ignore the domestic market and how buoyant it is, but at the same time, the key to any kind of sustained growth is exports, which we really learned from 2008 to 2012: companies that were exporting were the ones who were able to sustain their business and bounce back and grow quicker when the overall economy improved. So while it is important for Irish print and packaging companies to be aware of what is happening domestically, I would advise them to have an outward look, to look beyond their shores and beyond even the UK when it comes to growth.”

Declan concludes: “Export-led Irish companies may have been more flexible than their counterparts, and perhaps more able to adapt to different problems. That gave them the ability to deal with challenges a little better and to react a little quicker.”

Sustainability You can’t talk seriously about packaging, however, without discussing sustainability, which remains a key concern, for consumers and by extension, the packaging industry.

Sustainability remains a key challenge for packaging providers going forward, but as Declan explains, it’s not always about the sustainability of the packaging materials themselves.

“One big trend is in the massive growth in plastic flexible packaging, which sustains food longevity,” he says. “Apart completely from the area of sustainable packaging IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

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Packaging as Branding

Seamus Doogue, Marketing & Business Development Manager of Visualise, Shopper Marketing Specialists, highlights how the right packaging is a vital part of marketing strategy.

The Importance of Packaging in the Marketing Mix Dubliner Cheese products are all really good examples of excellent design and functionality, whilst still looking to achieve stand-out on-shelf.

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ith the in-store environment proving to be a fierce battleground these days, cut through from brands to shoppers is now much tougher than ever before. Huge competition between brands, the growth of private label, thousands of extra marketing stimuli in store (not to mention the smart, savvy shopper to contend with) means that brand and shopper marketers have a huge number of items to overcome to succeed at the Point of Purchase.

From a personal interest point of view, I believe the role that product packaging has to play in a marketing strategy is

IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

of huge importance. Packaging should always be designed and created as an integral part of a consumer and shopper marketing mix as it will be the focal point for use in your advertising communications in the future, it needs to stand out in store to give your branded product that on-shelf visibility it deserves to have, whilst packaging also has a major role to

play in developing a brand’s identity. But not only is the visible design of your packaging important but also the functionality of the packaging must serve a purpose, for consumer, shopper and retailer.

Private Label Growth The growth of the private label market in Ireland has been huge over the past decade, with private label accounting for 38% of all retail sales in Ireland to the end of 2014, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel.

Retailers have really upped their game in the area of packaging for their own brand products. Alongside some excellent advertising of their own brand ranges, retailers have very smartly invested in the packaging of their own private label ranges and in some cases, this has been simply done by branding their products in similar colours and pack designs as their branded counterparts. However, they have also managed to build really strong brand identities for some of their

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Aluminium Foil

Innovation to the Fore in Alufoil Cédric Rauhaus, Communications Manager of the European Aluminium Foil Association, reports on the latest trends and innovations in aluminium foil and closures.

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he past 12 months saw production and deliveries of aluminium foil increase by a small margin, thanks to an increasing demand for thicker gauges, indicating a slow but patchy recovery. Deliveries of thinner gauges stayed flat, while strong competition from suppliers outside the European zone influenced a downward trend on exports.

Throughout the year, the industry vigorously promoted the benefits of alufoil products in terms of sustainability, performance and recyclability. Of particular note was a tea light holder recycling campaign in Dublin and the Alufoil Trophy, which continues to attract entries at the ‘cutting edge’ of design and technology.

A unique package for Emmi’s All In One Fondü, a ready-to-eat cheese fondue, delivers the cheese dip in a microwaveable metal bowl with an easy-peel opening made of aluminium foil.

Foil Association, attracted 1,600 very colourful competition entries. The winning school, plus the age category winners recently attended a special ceremony at IKEA in Dublin to collect their prizes.

Tea lights are one of IKEA’s bestselling products. Their popularity means there are millions of small aluminium containers

Dublin Tea Light Recycling Campaign

The Sunrise aluminium closure from Guala Closures takes the art of closing, and opening, a spirit bottle to a new level.

IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

A campaign launched late last year to encourage children in the greater Dublin area to seek out used tea lights for recycling and to let their creativity shine with a recycling-themed colouring competition was a huge success, according to organisers Alupro Ireland. The competition, which ran until the end of January 2016, in conjunction with IKEA, WEEE and co-financed by EAFA, the European Aluminium

The Protein Shake Pouch is a super lightweight, stand-up, re-closable pouch, for Ezy Pro 10, manufactured by Ampac Flexibles.

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Aluminium Foil

• Constantia Flexibles: Ofen-Fleischkäs – ready for baking @ home Marketing & Design • Alupak and Lavít: Lavít Capsule • Guala Closures: Sunrise Product Protection • Constantia Flexibles: Sustainer – environmentally friendly Alufoil container systems for pet food.

Resource Efficiency • Amcor Flexibles: Formpack Ultra • Constantia Flexibles: Constantia Blister Eco Technical Innovation • Amcor Flexibles: LuxPrem+ • Hydro: HyLectral Overall Excellence • Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging: Refilly

Consumer Convenience A unique package for Emmi’s All In One Fondü, a ready-to-eat cheese fondue, delivers the cheese dip in a microwaveable metal bowl with an easy-peel opening made of aluminium foil. The lid comprises Amcor Flexibles’ AluFix Retort Pro membrane, which is part of Ardagh Group’s convenient lid system Easy Peel.

The complete packaging concept offers an easy, quick and clean preparation of a

Taking capsule technology into a new market for cold beverages, using a container entirely made from aluminium foil, has been successfully achieved by Lavít and Alupak, through the joint development of the Lavít Capsule.

cheese fondue. Once heated, the cheese mix can be kept warm using a cradle, which forms part of the pack, and a tea light, with the holder made from alufoil of course.

Constantia Flexibles has designed and manufactured an aluminium foil tray and lid system, Ofen-Fleischkäs’ – ready for baking at home. Containing pre-cooked meat preparations, they enable easy and convenient baking directly in the packaging, which can be quickly and hygienically removed prior to consumption. The

Constantia Flexibles has designed and manufactured an aluminium foil tray and lid system, Ofen-Fleischkäs’ – ready for baking at home.

aluminium tray has a double function: on one side it protects the product throughout its shelf life, on the other it serves as baking tray for food preparation in the oven. It has been developed for German consumers who like to eat freshly baked Fleischkäs’ at home.

The Protein Shake Pouch is a super lightweight, stand-up, re-closable pouch, for Ezy Pro 10, manufactured by Ampac Flexibles. It ticks all the boxes for ‘on-the-go’ consumers and sports men and women who need a nutrition boost, but not the inconvenience of a large or heavy pack. Ezy Pro 10 contains only a protein powder inside, which is activated by pouring in water through a 21mm wide spout. The extra wide spout makes filling and drinking easy, as there is no air intake back into the pouch because of the collapsing nature of the pack.

Marketing & Design Developed for a customer in Mongolia but with worldwide potential, the Sunrise aluminium closure from Guala Closures takes the art of closing, and opening, a spirit bottle to a new level. The closure combines a highly visible tamper evident, tear-off band within the aluminium shell, together with plastic non-refillable fitments for security, plus an easy pour mechanism. But the whole concept looks good too. The overall creative and technical design incorporates the band very effectively, making it an integral part of the visual impact on the supermarket shelf.

Taking capsule technology into a new market for cold beverages, using a container entirely made from aluminium foil, has been successfully achieved

by Lavít and Alupak, through the joint development of the Lavít Capsule. The single serve capsule for the Lavít Cold Beverage System meets current lifestyle trends, as well as bringing many practical advantages. While most single serve beverage capsules are punctured to mix the drink, these capsules are cracked, peeled open and the liquid mixed within the capsule, leaving no residue. And, of course, after use, they can be completely recycled.

Product Protection Sustainer, an alufoil container system, has been specifically developed by Constantia Flexibles as a “BPA NIA” (BPA Not Intentionally Added) pack for pet food.

Not only does it preserve the product but it still retains all the advantages of IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

Aluminium Foil ı 13

a retortable pack, while meeting both sustainable and new regulatory requirements for these types of containers. All this thanks to a new, water based lacquer system for both the container and the die cut lid. It has all the established features of conventionally used high barrier, solvent based lacquers, such as heat resistance and sterilisability.

Resource Efficiency A lidding foil has been devised by Constantia Flexibles, for pharmaceutical products that require a lower barrier.

Constantia Blister Eco consists of tissue paper laminated with a thin aluminium layer, resulting in a material that is 23% lighter than a standard lidding foil. The share of aluminium in the product is 40%, compared to standard foil at approximately 90%. It uses renewable raw material paper, less lacquer coating and has excellent barrier properties compared to thermoformed blister bottom film. Water vapour barrier properties are greatly enhanced when compared with traditional PVC-based unformed and thermoformed lidding.

Amcor Flexibles has introduced a new cold form blister product, Formpack Ultra, which can be elongated more than standard cold form solutions. The result is cavities that can be drawn deeper and with sharper wall angles than ever before, enabling blister cards to be designed up to 50% smaller, or more cavities to be added to the same blister card area. Depending on the exact dimensions of the blister and the size of the forming station in the pack-

HyLectral, a special battery foil developed by Hydro, ensures unmatched constant surface quality, eco-friendlier battery production and optimum efficiency in use.

Amcor Flexibles has introduced a new cold form blister product, Formpack Ultra, which can be elongated more than standard cold form solutions.

ing line, the manufacturer can increase the number of blisters produced per forming cycle.

ciency in use. Thanks to a new chemical degreasing process, after rolling, the company has achieved a foil with as-rolled robustness, plus constant cleanliness of the surface. This allows it to be used as cathode current collectors in Lithium-Ion batteries, which require high metal purity and ultra clean surfaces. This cathode material is a breakthrough in batteries for renewable energy technology, to secure either electro-mobility or stationary power, particularly in remote locations.

Technical Innovation LuxPrem+ is a new alufoil overcap created

by Amcor Flexibles aimed at the premium spirits market. Made from a special aluminium based material developed in-house by Amcor, the intricate design features ensure that LuxPrem+ rivals the traditional tin overcap used by the majority of European premium spirits brand owners, says the company. The new overcap contains two layers of aluminium and incorporates an optimised tear band to facilitate opening. The material can be finished in a variety of ways to create a strong brand identity. It also offers excellent online crimping performance.

HyLectral, a special battery foil developed by Hydro, ensures unmatched constant surface quality, eco-friendlier battery production and optimum effi-

Refilly, a three-dimensional round pouch created for Italian coffee specialists illycafé by Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging was the winner of the 2016 Alufoil Trophy.

Overall Excellence Refilly, a three-dimensional round pouch consisting of four elements, all produced from aluminium-based laminates, created for Italian coffee specialists illycafé by Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging, proved to be the highlight of this year’s Alufoil Trophy competition. Scoring heavily in every category it was entered, it proved to be a most emphatic winner of the Overall Excellence award. The tailor-made flexible refill pack, created in close collaboration with the machine supplier Optima, easily pushes into an existing 250g illy metal can.

It is easy to open, keeps the aroma intact and reduces waste weight of empty packs by 80%, says Huhtamaki. It weighs less than 20g and can be squeezed after using to minimise waste volume.

Constantia Flexibles’ Sustainer pet food pack preserves the product, while retaining all the advantages of a retortable pack, and meeting both sustainable and new regulatory requirements for these types of containers.

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CARTONBOARD

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he packaging industry is in flux.

New distribution channels need new packing concepts. The retail trade is looking for new ideas for various retail channels, ideally made of cartonboard, according to a recent MultiChannel Packaging Study carried out

by ProCarton.

The market for high quality spirits has proved to be of special interest: the reason being, they need to make a convincing appearance as high quality gift packaging in multichannel distribution.

Over two thirds of all spirits are sold as gifts or for guests. This was confirmed by the result of a study conducted by Ipsos Observer on behalf of the STI Group: it is quality that counts, especially the packaging. Consumers are willing to spend 13% more for an attractively packaged product, and even 27% more if glasses are included.

The Case for Cartonboard There is huge scope for growth in premium and personalised packaging, particularly when it comes to high value goods like premium spirits.

Gift Packaging The internet has added to the significance of gift packaging: gifts can easily be sent directly to recipients. This implies that your products have to look their best on mobile devices.

“The best way to convey good wishes is by deluxe packaging,” says Virginio Scalabrin, R&D Manager at Lucaprint in Italy. “And what could be better than personalised carton packaging? Besides the contents, the carton itself will be a long-lasting icon of beauty.”

Geert Verlinden, Group Innovation Manager at Van Genechten in Belgium, foresees a virtual boom for gift packaging: “We are constantly pressed for time and thus buy ready packaged products to give as gifts to family and friends. This is much easier than buying products and packaging them nicely ourselves. The branded goods industry has got the message.”

Personalised Packaging and Smaller Editions Special smaller editions and personalisation are very much associated with gift packaging. Increasingly, buyers can have their personal portrait affixed to a product, be it in-store or online. Limited editions with special themes or for regional target groups are extremely en vogue.

“The use of digital printing is already fairly widespread due to the great demand for special solutions,” Scalabrin notes.

“Today, many products are already packaged specifically for events, fairs, competitions or jubilees.”

IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

The internet has added to the significance of gift packaging: gifts can easily be sent directly to recipients, so products have to look their best on mobile devices.

Martin Glatz, Head of Sales, Marketing, Research and Development at German company Karl Knauer, underlines this aspect: “There is no doubt that production runs are getting shorter and more specific to target groups. This does not necessarily imply that this can ‘only’ be achieved with digital printing. It is certainly possible to produce even small editions with numerous motif changes cost-efficiently. But of course, we will be entering completely new dimensions in packaging with digital printing in future, and unique design series or personalisation will be found more often, both on the shelves and online.”

The Internet Point of Sale 68% of those purchasing spirits make their decision at the POS. So, what happens if

the POS moves to the internet? At present, the sales of spirits via the web have a share of 4%, but this is growing fast. This spells new challenges for packaging.

“The new trends are making new demands on packaging,” Verlinden reveals.

“Extended communication platforms will guide consumers to the desired product via packaging. This includes numerous approaches of connectivity, from scanning codes or Augmented Reality, through to real interaction between packaging and Smartphones (Touch Code or NFC).”

But it is not only communications that are changing. “The way we buy is changing,” Verlinden explains. “Consumers are increasingly purchasing online.

Therefore, presentation not only needs to be attractive ‘on the shelf’ but also on the

CARTONBOARD

screen. Buyers must also be informed on easy re-ordering of products via mobile devices. In addition, consumers need to be convinced of the quality of the product.

Products purchased online are delivered to the home, and we therefore need more robust packaging to protect the product across the entire supply chain, to ensure it keeps looking good.”

Claudia Rivinius, Marketing Manager at the STI Group, who have offices across Europe, adds: “Customers buy packaging, not products. This is why we will need so-called ‘Ready to ship’ packaging, which can meet the increased demands for product protection both in the retail trade and internet logistics.”

Martin Glatz agrees: “Packaging can be different for each channel, but not necessarily. Aspects such as suitability for shipping, size, function, value communication may be weighted differently.”

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Packaging is extremely important when it comes to premium spirits, as they need to make a convincing appearance as high quality gifts in multichannel distribution.

High Quality Design Inside In the multichannel age, the experience of unpacking counts – in part this is decisive in whether the product will be chosen again. “The experience during unpacking has become very important, because this is the opportunity to appeal to the customer,” Verlinden explains. “In other words: the interior of the carton becomes more important than the exterior!”

This is why the quality of finishing, both inside and out, cannot be high enough.

Bob Houghton, responsible for marketing at Multi Packaging Solutions in the UK, highlights how many options are available nowadays: “There have been a number of interesting developments in packaging over recent years. The market is increasingly using board-to-board laminates, which combine two carton components to a robust construction. The inner flaps are glued to avoid the ‘rough’ edges of the unprinted carton and a quality finish is added for premium brands of spirits.”

Martin Glatz summarises: “The brand must prove convincing through impressive handling, during opening, dosage, resealing, or an impressive product presentation.

We believe that packaging will increase in importance due to the growing e-commerce environment, as it plays a major role in creating a positive image for the brand after purchase.”

experience: seen as a whole, these all make up the showcasing of a product, and this is where cartonboard can excel.

High value product groups such as the premium spirits market can no longer rely solely on high quality in-store presentation.

The staging of packaging is becoming even more important in the realm of electronic media: and this is where the future potential lies. Combining sustainability and

exciting dramaturgy makes a convincing argument in favour of carton packaging.

This article originally appeared on the ProCarton website. Pro Carton is the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers. Its main purpose is to promote the use of cartons and cartonboard to brand owners, the trade as well as designers, the media and politicians as an economically and ecologically balanced packaging medium.

For more information, see www.procarton.com.

Showcasing with Cartonboard Gift packaging, customised short runs, communication elements, the unpacking

Consumers are willing to spend 13% more for an attractively packaged product, and even 27% more if glasses are included.

IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

Plastic Recycling

2014 they used the biggest share, 34%, of the collected residuals in their branch of industry. Almost 30% of the flakes were used in blow moulding applications, 26% in the fibre industry and the rest for packing straps and other products.

“Production of the regranulate required in injection moulding applications for the production of new bottles for food or non-food contact is currently low because of the sharp drop in the price of virgin material,” explains Elfriede Hell, Head of Recycling Technology at Austrian plant manufacturer, Starlinger. Unlike used bottles, post-consumer trays and films usually end up being incinerated for energy or even on landfills. “But things have recently been changing. We have a number of customers interested specifically in projects for recycling trays and films,” Hell stresses.

PVC Recycling The recycling of PVC, a material whose outstanding mechanical properties have made it indispensable – particularly in the building sector, where it has a 70% share, but also in the packaging, furniture and medical technology segments – has developed very encouragingly in the last few years. The recycled PVC is put to use particularly in building applications, e.g. in new profiles and pipes, as well as in horticulture and agriculture.

Composites While post-consumer products made of pure polymers lend themselves well to reprocessing, the situation for composite products consisting of two or more raw materials is entirely different. Dr Michael

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K 2016 Anyone wishing to find out about new technical solutions for the recycling of plastics can do so at K 2016, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, from October 19-26 in Düsseldorf.

See www.k-online.com for more information. density is possible.

At the same time, efforts are being made in the industry to develop reutilisation strategies for mixed waste. Trenntechnik Ulm GmbH is pursuing a very exciting approach in developing a chemical separation process for PE/PA composite films and building a unique production plant with a capacity of 10 tonnes per day.

Improving Technical Solutions Plastics consumption in the European industry as a whole came to 47.8m tonnes, with about half, amounting to 25.8m tonnes, being collected after use.

Scriba, mtm-plastics Managing Director and member of Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) and of Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung [Federation for Secondary Resources and Disposal] (bvse), has called for the recycling-friendly design of the packages that contribute a large proportion of post-consumer waste. Here it is particularly important to dispense with fillers like chalk in PE and PP packages as far as possible, avoid plastics-paper composites, use pigmentation in moderation and make sure that the density of all products is well clear of 1 g/cm³ so that separation on the basis of

Although recycling is a much-discussed topic today and is also very much alive in many projects in the plastics industry, experts are repeatedly confirming that too little waste material is used instead of virgin material, yet both the collection systems and technical feasibility have developed enormously.

It can, therefore, be assumed that recycling rates will continue to rise in the years to come, as there is strong demand for recyclate for both environmental and economic reasons. Marine litter, i.e. the pollution of the seas with waste, has internationally highlighted the irresponsible treatment of wastes, particularly in newly industrialised countries, and leant added strength to the demands of other consumers for the sustainable treatment of resources.

May European manufacturers are examining recycling projects for films.

IRISH PACKAGING&&PRINT PRINT IRISH PACKAGING

Legislation

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ast December saw the European Commission adopting an ambitious new Circular Economy Package to stimulate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy, the aim of which is to boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth and generate new jobs.

In a circular economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource use are minimised, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, to be used again and again to create further value.

To ensure sustainable growth for the EU, we have to use our resources in a smarter, more sustainable way, according to the European Commission, whose proposed Circular Economy Package will contribute to “closing the loop” of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, and bring benefits for both the environment and the economy.

“Our planet and our economy cannot survive if we continue with the ‘take, make, use and throw away’ approach,” stressed First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for sustainable development, and co-chair of the Package. “We need to retain precious resources and fully exploit all the economic value within them. The circular economy is about reducing waste and protecting the environment, but it is also about a profound transformation of the way our entire economy works. By rethinking the way we produce, work and buy, we can generate new opportunities and create new jobs.”

According to Timmermans, the Package sets a credible and ambitious path for better waste management in Europe with supportive actions that cover the full product cycle: from production and consumption to waste management and the market for secondary raw materials.

The transition will be supported financially by ESIF funding, €650m from Horizon 2020 (the EU funding programme for research and innovation), €5.5 billion from structural funds for waste management, and investments in the circular economy at national level.

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Just What Is the Circular Economy?

The European Commission has adopted an ambitious Circular Economy Package, which includes revised legislative proposals on waste, and specific proposals for plastics. recycled, with recycling rates as high as 80% in some areas, and lower than 5% in others. Turning waste into a resource is an essential part of increasing resource efficiency and moving towards a more circular economy.

Clear Targets for Waste Reduction The revised legislative proposal on waste sets clear targets for reduction of waste

and establishes an ambitious and credible long-term path for waste management and recycling. To ensure effective implementation, the waste reduction targets in the new proposal are accompanied by concrete measures to address obstacles on the ground and the different situations across Member States. Key elements of the revised waste proposal include: • A common EU target for recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2030;

Revised Legislative Proposals on Waste Europe currently loses around 600 million tonnes of materials contained in waste each year, which could potentially be recycled or re-used. Only around 40% of the waste produced by EU households is IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

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Legislation

The Role of Bioplastics A draft report on revised EU waste legislation by MEP Simona Bonafè, Rapporteur of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, was published in May, laying out the legal measures needed for a paradigm shift from a linear to a circular economy where waste is considered a valuable resource, and the transformation to a low-carbon bioeconomy, which uses resources more efficiently.

The draft report was welcomed

by European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, with its Chairman, François de Bie, highlighting “the strong and ambitious positions of Rapporteur Bonafè on encouraging better market conditions for renewable raw materials and promoting the use of bio-based materials in packaging, because it sends the right signals to our industry and investors in the bioeconomy.”

The report on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive further asks the Commission to assess the feasibility of gradually replacing food packaging with biobased and/or biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.

“We hope that this will encourage Member States to recognise the benefits of, and create a level-playing field for, bio-based and/or biodegradable products,” says de Bie. “We welcome the connection that the report makes between the bioeconomy and the responsible use of non-fossil feedstock in packaging, and the strong focus on resource efficiency along the entire industrial production cycle, from bio-based materials and products, to collecting and recycling biowaste,” adds Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics. “On the basis of these reports, we will continue to discuss with the European Parliament and all other relevant stakeholders on how to ensure Europe can decouple the economy from fossil resources and move towards a circular economy.”

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• A common EU target for recycling 75% of packaging waste by 2030; • A binding landfill target to reduce landfill to maximum of 10% of municipal waste by 2030; • A ban on landfilling of separately collected waste; • Promotion of economic instruments to discourage landfilling ; • Simplified and improved definitions and harmonised calculation methods for recycling rates throughout the EU; • Concrete measures to promote re-use and stimulate industrial symbiosis: turning one industry’s by-product into another industry’s raw material; • Economic incentives for producers to put greener products on the market and support recovery and recycling schemes (e.g. for packaging, batteries, electric and electronic equipment, vehicles).

It is estimated that waste prevention, ecodesign, re-use and similar measures could bring net savings of €600 billion, or 8% of annual turnover, for businesses in the EU, while reducing total annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2-4%. In the sec-

tors of re-use, re-manufacturing and repair, for example, the cost of remanufacturing mobile phones could be halved if it were easier to take them apart. If 95% of mobile phones were collected, this could generate savings on manufacturing material costs of more than €1 billion.

A shift from recycling to refurbishing light commercial vehicles, where collection rates are already high, could save material inputs by €6.4 billion per year (about 15% of material budget) and €140m in energy costs and reduce GHG emissions by 6.3m tonnes.

The revised waste proposal also includes increased recycling targets for packaging materials, which will reinforce the municipal waste targets. For industrial waste, a legislative approach appears unsuitable in view of the diversity of this stream. In addition, industrial and commercial packaging waste are covered by Directive 94/62/EC and Directive 2008/98/EC.

Plastics Increasing plastic recycling is essential for the transition to a circular economy. The use of plastics in the EU has grown steadily, but less than 25% of collected plastic

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Adhesives

About H.B. Fuller Company: For nearly 130 years, H.B. Fuller has been a leading global adhesives provider, focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives. With fiscal 2015 net revenue of $2.1 billion, H.B. Fuller’s commitment to innovation brings together people, products and processes that answer and solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Their reliable, responsive service creates lasting, rewarding connections with customers in engineering, electronic and assembly materials, hygiene, construction, automotive, packaging and other consumer businesses.

About NAA NAA Ltd are the main distributor for H.B. Fuller products in Ireland, and are one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of hardware and component solutions for the furniture manufacturing industry, electrical appliances for the retail and trade sectors, industry adhesives for the pharmaceutical, packing, IT and beverage industries, lacquer and stains for the wood-finishing industry and a number of other related products.

NAA Ltd are committed to innovation, demonstrated by the fact that 55% of their turnover is achieved with product less than seven years old. “We are committed to providing high quality innovative products and a valuable customer service to our customers through structured systems,” said a company spokesperson.

Their state-of-the-art showroom is located at: NAA Ltd, Crosslands Business Park, Lower Ballymount Rd., Dublin 12. www.naa.ie

Drive Sustainability with Low Temperature Hot Melt Adhesives

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H.B. Fuller’s low application temperature hot melt adhesives can handle almost all case and carton sealing applications.

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istributed in Ireland by NAA Ltd, H.B. Fuller offers a range of low application temperature hot melt adhesives, delivering the versatility to address practically all case and carton sealing applications.

“Our range of low temperature adhesives is versatile and covers a wide variety of substrates, enabling customers to take advantage of the latest packaging material,” explained Elizabeth Staab, Marketing Manager, H.B. Fuller. “The range incorporates seven products, all offering energy savings, increased operator safety and efficient performance.”

Reduced Energy Consumption H.B. Fuller’s low temperature hot melt adhesives are applied at temperatures as low as 100°C to 135°C. Manufacturers can significantly cut energy consumption, both at line start-up and during normal melter operation. Based on their energy source, this also means lower CO2 emissions.

Low application temperature adhesives can improve the working environment by focusing on operators’ safety and may incorporate vacuum feed systems.

Manufacturers can expect the high efficiency and great performance they are used to from H.B. Fuller’s

IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT

hot melt adhesives. Reduced wear and tear on machinery limits unscheduled downtime and maintenance. Consistent viscosity and clean running of these high quality adhesives ensure accurate bead placement and impressive package appearance.

Meeting Sustainability Targets Advantra LT 9110, for example, can be applied at 100°C and connects the benefits of a low temperature adhesive with reduced adhesive consumption. Its clean machining properties help maintain the good appearance of the pack, contributing to brand integrity.

“H.B. Fuller offers the widest range of energy-saving, low application temperature hot melt adhesives in the market today,” Elizabeth Staab concluded. “Our technical experts support manufacturers in making the right choice of adhesive for their needs. Customers can rely on our expertise to help them meet sustainability targets.”

For more information, visit www.hbfuller.com/ lowtemp.

NAA Ltd are distributors and stockists with technical back-up in Ireland. www.naa.ie - 01 4600064. For further assistance, please contact Kieran Cullinane, kieran@naa.ie or 087 267 3408.

PLASTIC BAGS

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EU Rules on Plastic Bags Take Effect

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he EU laws on packaging (mainly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) have just been updated. This time the focus was on light-weight carrier bags.

With around 100 billion plastic carrier bags used across the EU every year, the European Commission is rolling out the lessons learned from countries like Ireland, where steps have already been taken to cut down on their use.

Annual per capita consumption of thin plastic bags varies greatly between Member States, ranging from an estimated four plastic bags consumed per citizen in Denmark (where there’s a tax on them), to an estimated 466 in Poland, Portugal and Slovakia.

The EU has created a level playing field across Europe for plastic bags, with Member States free to tax or ban bags thinner than 50 microns.

Level Playing Field While Ireland long ago introduced a small penalty to shoppers who want new plastic bags, other countries have been busy catching up. However, this one-off

approach has resulted in a patchwork of different rules. Now the EU has stepped in to simplify the situation and to create a level

playing field for companies across the EU. Common ground-rules also stop countries blocking foreign companies by using rules on plastic bag use as a trade restriction in disguise.

Basically, countries are now free to tax plastic bags thinner than 50 microns, or even to ban them outright. Up to now, single market rules made this difficult. Now, as long as the measures are not a disguised restriction on trade, Member States are free to choose the measures that suit them best.

Member States should by now have written the revised rules into national law, and have one more year to bring it into force.

Find out more on http://ec.europa.eu/ environment/waste/packaging/index_ en.htm

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IRISH PACKAGING & PRINT