Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Bioplastics must be more than green to deliver long-term growth: Report

03-Aug-2009 - Bioplastics are set to see double-digit growth but they must become effective and economical, not just ecologically sound, if they want to be widely adopted, said a new report by Lux Research.

News in brief

Clondalkin acquires Cleveland Plastic Films

31-Jul-2009 - Clondalkin Group has announced the acquisition Cleveland Plastic Films as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

Krones posts H1 loss as year-on-year profits plummet €107m

31-Jul-2009 - Krones posted a €16m loss in the first half of 2009 as the continued global economic downturn triggered a slump in sales – compared to a €91m profit for the same period last year.

Red Bull hit with record fine for breaching packing regulations

30-Jul-2009 - Red Bull UK has been ordered to pay a record £271,800 for flouting regulations on the recovery and recycling of packaging waste over a period of eight years.

Oxo-bio claims challenged again as bioplastics row rumbles on

29-Jul-2009 - The oxo-biodegradable industry “likes to suggest seriousness where there is none", is the latest attack launched by a rival trade body as the battle between bioplastic factions shows no sign of easing.

NAPCOR rejects joint recycling of PET and PLA

28-Jul-2009 - Combining recycling streams of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylactic acid (PLA) containers could place the future of both in jeopardy, a leading trade body has cautioned.

News in brief

Coca-Cola China picks Bericap closure for sparkling PET packs

28-Jul-2009 - Coca-Cola China has chosen Bericap’s SuperShorty closure for its sparkling PET packages.

Rexam considers rights issue, market remains weak

28-Jul-2009 - Coca-Cola can maker Rexam is considering issuing new equity to service its burdensome debt pile, after market conditions failed to improve in the last quarter.

Companies look to sell food packaging operations

28-Jul-2009 - US-based Appleton and Philippine company San Miguel Corp have separately announced proposals to sell off part of their food packaging operations.

Cadbury settles out of court with Amcor over price fixing allegations

27-Jul-2009 - Cadbury has settled out of court with Amcor on the eve of a AUS$236m (€135m) lawsuit in which the packaging supplier stood accused of price fixing.

Packing innovations protect aseptic cartons with screw caps

27-Jul-2009 - As the number of aseptic cartons employing screw caps increases, one company has developed new packing features to protect products during palletization and maintain security throughout the supply chain.

Strong growth in nano-packing forecast, but Europe still cautious

24-Jul-2009 - Nanotechnology in food packaging is set experience strong growth over the next five years as the move towards globalisation of the food supply boosts demand for shelf-life enhancing packing.

Deal promises to bring intelligent barcodes to snacks

24-Jul-2009 - Scanbuy has signed a deal with Du Pont and Printpack that could see people using their mobile phones to scan their snacks in order to learn about new offers and obtain product information.

Bioplastic bodies trade blows as row breaks out

23-Jul-2009 - A war of words has broken out within the bioplastics packaging industry with two trade bodies levelling a series of negative allegations about the different sectors.

New oxygen scavenging technology boosts PET packing performance

23-Jul-2009 - New oxygen scavenging technology for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers that allows for lightweighting and prolongs shelf life has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, said manufacturers Constar.

Plastic companies hit by credit insurance woes - survey

22-Jul-2009 - Almost 80 per cent of UK plastic companies are struggling to get credit insurance as any green shoots of recovery fail to appear, according to a survey by the British Plastics Federation (BPF).

News in brief

Evian signs rPET deal with French recyclers

22-Jul-2009 - Evian Volvic has signed an agreement to source recycled PET material from a newly opened plant owned by France Plastique Recyclage (FPR) in a bid to boost it green credentials.

Business conditions improve in Q2, says Packaging Corp

21-Jul-2009 - Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) said business conditions had “improved significantly” during Q2 as it posted results yesterday showing net income had more than trebled to $109m.

New confectionery factory opened at Nestle site

20-Jul-2009 - Nestle marked the consolidation of its packaging supply chain in the UK last week with the official opening of a new co-packing factory at its distribution centre in York.

UK carrier bag use halves in three years

20-Jul-2009 - The number of single-use carrier bags used by UK supermarkets and their customers has plummeted by almost half in three years, new Government figures have revealed.

New scheme for Northern food firms tap technology

20-Jul-2009 - A new network is aiming to boost the R&D and innovation potential of food firms in the North of England, by providing links to experts in product development, manufacturing and packaging technologies.

RPC develops packaging for Sherbet Fountain revamp

16-Jul-2009 - RPC Containers Market Rasen has created a plastic tube and lid for the re-launch of the Sherbet Fountain brand from Tangerine Confectionery.

US market for meat, poultry and seafood packing to top $9bn by 2013

16-Jul-2009 - An expansion in US meat, poultry and seafood production and a continuing shift to case-ready packaging by retailers will be the main drivers in packing for the sectors topping $9bn by 2013, according to a new study.

Krones declares ultra-light PET bottle ready for supermarkets

16-Jul-2009 - Krones has conducted tests and declared its new ultra-light PET bottle ready for supermarkets.