Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

News in brief

US packaged snacks tipped for tasty 20 per cent growth by 2013

17-Sep-2009 - Retail sales of packaged snacks in the United States will reach nearly $82bn within four years; a 20 per cent increase on last year’s level, according to a new report from the latest Packaged Facts report from Marigny Research Group.

Beverage multiple packaging kit launched at Drinktec

17-Sep-2009 - Among the host of new technology on show at Drinktec, Munich, Germany, is the OneTech2 Combo beverage multiple packaging equipment from US manufacturer MeadWestvaco (MWV).

LyondellBasell announces LDPE plant closure on demand slump

16-Sep-2009 - LyondellBasell is to close a low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in the UK by the end of the year on continued weak demand and as it seeks to phase out uneconomic facilities from its global operations.

US packaging company poised for China growth

16-Sep-2009 - A new state-of-the-art packaging facility in Hainan island, off the coast of southern China, will lead the expansion of US company Shiner International in the country, according to its presentation at a business conference in New York.

Xerox launches “unique” printer for customized packaging

16-Sep-2009 - The new Automated Packaging Solution from Xerox prints a wide range of personalized packages from chewing gum wrappers to folding cartons used by retailers in multiple languages, claims the company.

New durable oxygen test gives quicker results

15-Sep-2009 - The new OpTech-02 Platinum is a standard-setting oxygen analyser which delivers results within 0.5 seconds and can be used for both package development and quality assurance during production, claims its manufacturer Mocon.

“Unique” water-based heatseal for recycled PET

14-Sep-2009 - The new water-based heatseal for recycled PET, with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for indirect food contact, is unique in that it suits all recycled PET (rPET), according to its makers Henkel.

Revealed: The secrets of successful food packaging

14-Sep-2009 - Successful food packaging should be attractive, transparent, safe, functional and environmentally friendly, according to German engineering company Kautex Maschinenbau.

Packaging firms threatened by Kraft cutbacks

11-Sep-2009 - Packaging firms across Europe would be “dramatically affected” by Kraft Foods’ decision to slash supplier numbers, with the move causing potential casualties in the sector, according to Leatherhead Food International.

New research promises breakthrough for recycled glass

11-Sep-2009 - Retailer demand for recycled glass could rocket after new UK research commissioned by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

News in brief

New York musician to serenade packaging waste

10-Sep-2009 - Guitarist Randy Ludacer is promoting a CD of seven packaging-related songs in a solo performance at Fresh Kills Park, New York.

Demand for processed food drives China’s chilled produce sector

10-Sep-2009 - Rising demand for processed and packaged foods in China is fueling growth in the country’s chilled food produce sector, according to the latest report from Reportlinker.

New recycled APET tubs allow stacking and boost presentation

09-Sep-2009 - Claimed to be “a design breakthrough,” the new range of packaging for bakery and confectionery products is said to be easier to stack, improve presentation while being more environmentally friendly than other offerings, according to manufacturers Sharp Interpack.

Speed and flexibility claimed for new top load case packer

09-Sep-2009 - The new, fully automatic top load case packer from end-of-line packaging specialist Brenton significantly improves packing speeds compared with manual operations while boosting flexibility, claims the company.

Plastic and packing sectors not to blame for Pacific Garbage Patch

08-Sep-2009 - The plastics and packaging industries are not responsible for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with one trade body instead blaming illegal dumping, poor waste management and littering.

New food label applicator delivers improved versatility at less cost

08-Sep-2009 - Versatile all round labeling performance at lower cost are the benefits claimed for the AEW Delford MPL80 label applicator from the UK-based Marel Food Systems.

China to lead global rise in containerboard demand

07-Sep-2009 - Global demand for containerboard is forecast to rise over the next 15 years with Chinese consumption, expected to increase by nearly 7 per cent, leading the growth, according to a new report from RISI; the organization dedicated to providing information on the world forest products industry.

Cloud Packaging meets shorter run trend with Toll takeover

07-Sep-2009 - Cloud Packaging Solutions has said the acquisition of Toll Packaging will boost its ability to meet the increased demand for shorter packing runs triggered by the current global economic crisis.

Polymer demand falls for food packaging

07-Sep-2009 - Demand for polymer in food packaging fell in Europe in 2008, according to the latest report from UK-based Applied Market Information (AMI), with trade groups citing pricing as a core issue.

British food packaging company opens new ₤20m site

04-Sep-2009 - UK food packaging company Excelsior Technologies has opened a new £20m, 8.5 acre site which, it claims, represents the nation’s biggest single investment in flexible packaging for decades.

Packaging innovations to cut food waste - WRAP

03-Sep-2009 - Packaging, manufacture and storage innovations are at the heart of new research projects in the UK to cut damage to food and drink products throughout the supply chain and reduce waste.

New light-weighting, recyclable tomato trays from Linpac

02-Sep-2009 - Food packaging specialist Linpac has launched a new range of tomato trays that are light-weight, present produce more effectively and can incorporate up to 100 per cent recycled PET (rPET), claims the company.

O-I closes first of two European glass plants

02-Sep-2009 - Glass container manufacturer Owens-Illinois (O-I) has confirmed it has closed its plant in Finland with the loss of 100 jobs as part of an on-going review of its global operations.

FDA approval for fruit and veg labelling tattoos is “imminent”

01-Sep-2009 - Improved traceability and greater consumer convenience are the benefits claimed for new laser etching technology which allows information to be marked indelibly on the surface of fruit and vegetables.