Joining forces with leading beverage producers, Tetra Pak is launching tethered caps on carton packages. Marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term work on design for recycling, five new tethered cap solutions are currently being introduced across Ireland, the Baltics , Spain and Germany in different product categories – a market first for these geographies. As part of a wider programme, this development paves the way for Europe-based customers to stay ahead of schedule and meet the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive coming into force by 2024. Julia Luscher, Vice President Marketing, Tetra Pak, comments: “We are delighted to be supplying a number of customers with tethered cap solutions, helping them to ‘walk the talk’ towards their sustainability ambitions. Understanding our customers’ needs and having collected consumer insights through multiple pieces of research across various markets, our new tethered caps have been designed to enhance convenience. For instance, they are easy to open and re-close for subsequent consumption, while featuring carefully sized diameters for smooth pouring and drinking.”

The modernisation of the Metsä Board Kyro mill’s finishing area has now been completed and the finishing line with new advanced equipment has started up. During the mill’s annual maintenance shutdown in October, a new state-of-the-art reeler and winder were installed on the production line, and the reel broke handling system was significantly upgraded. The investment, announced in December 2019, was worth EUR 20 million. Metsä Board is part of Metsä Group. "The new high automation finishing line will further improve the quality consistency of the paperboard reels and increase the runnability on our customers' converting lines. In addition, the automation will improve upon the existing occupational safety level in the mill's finishing area and reduce the physical workload," says Petri Huiko, Mill Manager at Metsä Board Kyro mill. The Kyro mill produces coated high-quality folding boxboard and innovative dispersion coated barrier board, which helps reduce plastic in consumer packaging. The mill has a production capacity of 190,000 tonnes per year.

On our journey to create a more circular supply chain, we’ve discovered many amazing brands that share our commitment to sustainable business practices. Wild Idea Buffalo is a company that is working to regenerate the North American prairie through restoring the buffalo population with the goal of improving the natural environment and food systems. When Wild Idea Buffalo had the opportunity to evaluate their shipping materials to ensure they upheld their company ethos all the way through their supply chain, they looked at a variety of factors in terms of performance, sustainability, and appearance. We are thrilled to have introduced the organization to Cruz Cool, a sustainable cold-chain cooler made of 70% upcycled material. Cruz Cool is a premium cold-chain shipping cooler that provides cushioning and over 48 hours of thermal protection to perishable goods as they make their way from business facilities to customer doors. It’s the perfect packaging solution for sustainably minded meal-kit companies or organizations that ship high-quality meats, seafood, produce, or ingredients.