Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

New torque tester for caps and closures boosts accuracy, cuts downtime

27-Aug-2009 - A new torque testing device simplifies testing on closures and caps as well as improving accuracy and minimisation of downtime, said manufacturers Plastic Technologies Inc (PTI).

News in brief

Sonoco to raise Euro recycled paperboard prices

26-Aug-2009 - Sonoco has announced it is to increase prices on all recycled paperboard grades in Europe.

New aseptic cap boosts efficiency and security

26-Aug-2009 - A triple seal function and new pull up controls that help maximise production efficiency and security are benefits claimed by the manufacturer of a new closure cap designed for cold and aseptic fill applications.

New scavenger promises to keep bubbles in and oxygen out

25-Aug-2009 - ColorMatrix is preparing to launch a new barrier product at DrinkTec that promises to not only block oxygen from entering bottles but also prevent carbon dioxide from escaping.

Demand drop signals tough year for Euro flexible packing sector - Report

25-Aug-2009 - Demand for flexible packing in Europe will fall by between 4-5 per cent in value in 2009 as result of declining raw material prices and a drop in volumes as recession hits consumer spending on packaged foods.

Nestle steps up green packaging drive for seasonal confectionery

24-Aug-2009 - Nestle UK is making its Christmas selection boxes entirely recyclable as part of a campaign to improve the green credentials of seasonal confectionery.

Alcan buy lands Bemis with risky debt burden, says union

21-Aug-2009 - A trade union representing Bemis workers has questioned the viability of its proposed acquisition of Alcan Food Packaging Americas claiming the deal would leave the company with an excessive debt burden.

French packaging law could wreck EU food marketing and logistics

21-Aug-2009 - A new French law threatens supply chain efficiencies in the packaged goods sector and could create new trade barriers in the EU internal market, warns the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (Europen).

New packages deliver longer shelf life for seafood

21-Aug-2009 - New packaging for fresh fish and other seafood extends its life by up to 21 days, improves safety while retaining its flavour, shape and product appearance, claims the manufacturer Hefestus, Israel.

New papers hold out grease from oily food

20-Aug-2009 - Idaho-based flexible packaging firm Boise has launched new treated papers to offer added resistance to oily and greasy foods.

Nestle launches its first rPET bottled water product

20-Aug-2009 - Food giant Nestle is to launch its first range of mineral water in the US packaged in bottles containing 25 per cent recycled PET (rPET) and is supporting the launch with a recycling scheme.

Amcor offers over $2bn for Alcan packaging businesses

18-Aug-2009 - Australian packaging giant Amcor has offered to buy the European and Asian arms of Alcan Food Packaging along with its pharmaceutical and tobacco businesses for $2025m (€1434m).

News in brief

Sainsbury’s adopts heat-sealed flexible lidding for soft fruit

18-Aug-2009 - UK retail giant Sainsbury’s has dropped rigid clip-on lids in favour of heat-sealed flexible lidding for its soft fruit packaging

New York court approves expanded green bottle bill

18-Aug-2009 - A federal judge has unblocked the passage of the expanded New York State bottle bill following a legal challenge from beverage companies.

EFSA issues new rules for food contact materials applications

17-Aug-2009 - New guidelines on how to submit applications for the safety assessment of active and intelligent substances in materials which come into contact with food have been released by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Nampak reviews UK blowmoulding capacity, cuts 80 jobs

14-Aug-2009 - Nampak Plastics Europe has announced it is to cut 80 jobs in the UK following the collapse of the huge co-operative Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) – one of the company’s major customers.

Disagreement over why food packing additive application withdrawn

13-Aug-2009 - Moves to include the chemical triclosan on a European list of additives that could be authorised for use in food contact materials have been abandoned by the Swiss-based manufacturer of the substance.

Labour MPs disagree on dairy industry commitment to sustainability

12-Aug-2009 - The UK farming minister has tipped the dairy industry to smash environmental targets just a week after a fellow Labour MP questioned its green credentials.

Wooden packing industry welcomes EC deadline extension

11-Aug-2009 - A leading wooden pallet and packaging industry body has welcomed a decision by the EC to give its members more time to meet new regulations to curb the possible spread of pests through its products.

Food waste depackaging companies highlighted

07-Aug-2009 - Detailed information outlining the technology available to remove packaging from food waste prior to anaerobic processing has been published by the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Four-colour printing system meets high-tech packing demands

06-Aug-2009 - An adaptable system that delivers high-quality four-colour printing onto various substrates for even the shortest label or packaging runs is now available, said manufacturers Linoprint.

News in brief

Coca-Cola Amatil stays silent on bottling acquisition rumours

05-Aug-2009 - Coca-Cola Amatil is remaining tight-lipped over reports that it plans to re-acquire plastic bottling facilities - but declined to rule out the possibility.

Trade body dismisses attack on milk packaging industry

05-Aug-2009 - Dairy UK has hit out against claims from a UK politician that the milk packaging industry is ‘way behind’ in its use of recycled materials.

Oxo-bio industry says product claims valid

04-Aug-2009 - An oxo-biodegradable industry body has refuted charges made by a rival association that its products fail to meet valid or recognised standards, and that the sector has yet to present sound scientific evidence to support its claims.