Georgia-Pacific to close Illinois box plant, affecting 134 employees

The lightweight bag has been developed to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging for fumed silica, which is used as a performance additive in various industrial and consumer applications. Evonik started investigating more sustainable packaging in 2022 and worked closely with Mondi to find an innovative solution. The collaboration resulted in a two-ply pre-made paper-based bag, removing a plastic-coated paper layer from the previous packaging. This means that less paper and plastic is used, resulting in an overall weight reduction of the packaging by 30%, compared to the previous solution. The new paper bag also has a lower carbon footprint which was assessed in Mondi’s in-house life cycle-based PIA (Product Impact Assessment) tool. Following intensive tests conducted by Evonik, the suitability and product protection of the new bags were proven, and the bags are now launched to the market. The new bag was created using Mondi’s high porosity kraft paper, which offers superior strength, durability and stretch. Mondi applies a small amount of spot coating to the bag, enabling Evonik to securely seal it after filling. The new bag is recyclable according to the CEPI v.3 test method and 4evergreen’s fibre-based packaging recyclability evaluation protocol1.

Carlisle Container Company, a corrugated packaging converter founded in 1965, will significantly decrease turnaround times and boost efficiency with the acquisition of an EFI™ Nozomi 14000 LED single-pass inkjet corrugated packaging press from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. The business will install the new press in a facility adjacent to its main plant scheduled to open in early 2023. The Nozomi 14000 LED press is an important next step toward growth for a packaging company that has long appreciated the impact digital can have. “We implemented digital printing in the early days, acquiring our first VUTEk® printer in 2004,” said Carlisle Container CEO Diane Wolf. “Back then, we could print eight to ten 4x8-foot sheets per hour, and over time we updated technology to continue increasing throughput and quality. The Nozomi was the next logical move for us, and it will be a game changer.”

What does it take to persuade consumers to choose your product over similar products on store shelves? One key factor is understanding consumers’ non-negotiable packaging priorities, such as hygiene, convenience, and sustainability. When introducing new reusable packaging or recyclable fiber-based solutions, conveying the right message about the package is vital to overcoming these obstacles getting your product chosen. Consumers are open to reuse systems. We recently conducted a survey of European consumers and found that 77% hold a positive view of reusable packaging; however, only 30% have a clear understanding of what reusable packaging means. This highlights the first challenge for brand owners: how to efficiently explain to consumers how the reuse system works while also addressing their priorities. Consumers rightly prioritize their health, questioning the hygiene and safety of reusable containers, particularly in the cases of food. Our survey showed that 78% of consumers raise this issue, making it one of the most common obstacles to adoption.