Tri-Sure/Grief

Tri-Sure/Grief Achieving Eco-Balance

In the highly specialised field of caps and closures, there are few companies that stand out from the crowd more than Tri-Sure. Now part of Grief, it is celebrating 100 years of progress. The company has consistently been one of the front-runners in its commitment to sustainability. Tri-Sure explained to SPN the significance of its longevity and groundbreaking technological achievements.

“Companies are facing increased pressure from external stakeholders such as their customers, competitors, regulatory bodies and investors to improve their environmental impact,” explains Dale Taylor, Global Product Development Manager for Closures at Greif. “There is a growing requirement for companies to set sustainability targets, report progress and work with sustainable suppliers. Single-use plastic and imposed taxes in some countries are now in place or in the process of being implemented, resulting in an increased focus on eliminating waste and developing circular solutions. Innovations at Tri-Sure are clearly set around sustainable alternatives.”

Meeting the carbon-black challenge

Earlier this year, Tri-Sure announced the launch of the Plasticap-60™, a plastic screw cap free of carbon black for use with Greif jerrycans, in response to the ongoing black plastic recycling challenge. Undetectable by recycling facilities using near-infrared (NIR) technology, conventional black plastics containing carbon black colorants are challenging to recycle and often end up in landfills. This new packaging material uses an alternative black color that does not contain carbon.

Recently the company launched its EcoBalance™ closures produced with 100 percent PCR resin from recycled containers that are no longer suitable for reconditioning. The closures come in two varieties - the SambaCap™ for steel drums and the Push-Lock™ cap for fiber and plastic drums. Internal calculations show the closures may reduce carbon emissions by up to 45 percent when compared to standard plastic caps.

“ carbon black colorants are challenging to recycle and often end up in landfills ”

End-of-life solution

Tri-Sure’s “EcoBalance caps provide an end-of-life solution to plastic that is no longer suitable for reconditioning, but can be recycled, diverting waste from landfill and reducing use of virgin plastics,” continues Taylor. “EcoBalance caps demonstrate our commitment to making sustainable improvements across our product lines that support a closedloop system for recycling material and reducing waste, while maintaining the high levels of quality our customers expect. Innovation, successful collaboration and a strong customercentric approach is essential in helping customers address strategic challenges like sustainability and understand the unique needs of the market.”

Throughout the development and expansion of Tri-Sure, the company has held onto the same values. Providing customer service excellence has always been at the core of the business. Local customer needs are supported by global experience in delivering innovative, sustainable customer solutions.

Affaba & Ferrari Keeping tethered-caps on ice

A leading multinational beverage manufacturer has chosen new IP23 tethered caps from Affaba & Ferrari™ for its global Iced-Tea brand. Caps and bottles are now inseparable thanks to an impending directive set by the EU for tethered caps to remain permanently attached to a bottle after opening and during use. By 2004 tethered caps must be widely available for consumers across Europe.

cycling facilities using near-infrared (NIR) technology, conventional black plastics containing carbon black colorants are challenging to recycle and often end up in landfills. This new packaging material uses an alternative black color that does not contain carbon.

The aim of the new directive is to prevent unintended environmental waste and facilitate the recycling of caps and closures alongside their containers. A multinational beverage manufacturer shares the EU’s commitment and has introduced tethered caps from Affaba & Ferrari™, an innovative TriMas Packaging brand, for its iced tea brand.

Win-win situation

Affaba & Ferrari™ specialises in the production of precision caps and closures used in food, beverage, agrochemical and industrial applications. Its latest product, the tethered cap, supports companies in meeting their sustainability goals. “Bottle caps can in fact be recycled but they are often lost, discarded or simply end up as waste. The design of our tethered caps goes a long way toward ensuring this will no longer occur,” explains Guglielmo Ferrari, Plant Manager at Affaba & Ferrari™.

The new tethered cap closure is attached to a safety ring through a tab which enables an ideal opening position, allowing the consumer to easily drink out of the bottle, while guaranteeing that it cannot separate from the container and be discarded. Additionally, the innovative, lightweight cap with a horizontal hinge is suitable for aseptic filling and is fully customisable to enhance the customer’s brand identity.

EU directive

In July 2024, the EU directive on tethered caps will be coming into full force. It states that caps must be firmly attached to disposable beverage containers, including composite packaging such as beverage cartons with a volume of up to three litres. The goal is to encourage the collection and recycling of caps together with the bottle and prevent environmental pollution, at times caused by discarded caps.

A leading global beverage manufacturer shares the EU’s views and is strongly committed to protecting the environment. The company has set the goal of reducing the impact of its bottles on the environment, while offering its customers an opportunity to enjoy their drinks sustainably. With Affaba & Ferrari’s™ new 1P23 tethered cap, the established beverage manufacturer has found the perfect solution to meet the upcoming directive as well as its own sustainability goals.

“ the company has set the goal of reducing the impact of its bottles on the environment ”

PACKAGING SERVICES