LEGO® shift to paper bags playing out worldwide

Packaging leader Smurfit Kappa has joined forces with KHS, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of filling and packaging systems for the beverage and liquid food industries, to roll out its sustainable TopClip multipack product for bundling canned beverages. The partnership brings to the market an end to end solution for beverage companies, including a combined unique and innovative packaging solution and high speed, efficient packaging machines. Launched last year at Smurfit Kappa’s global Better Planet Packaging Day, TopClip is a recyclable solution that replaces the need for shrink wrap, therefore providing an option for substituting plastic with sustainably sourced paper-based packaging. TopClip is free from additional glue, meaning it is 100% plastic free, also allowing for a greater ease to remove or pull apart the cans. The patented product addresses the needs of consumers who are looking to retailers and brands to provide more environmentally friendly packaging. TopClip fully covers the top of can multi-packs, protecting them from contamination and providing excellent consumer handling and branding opportunities. Moreover, the product’s sustainability credentials are further boosted with a 30% lower carbon footprint compared to a shrink wrap consumer pack.

Mondi is introducing SolmixBag, a water-soluble bag for the construction industry. SolmixBag is a one-ply paper bag created to store and transport dry construction materials such as cement and dry mix mortar products. It’s designed to dissolve when getting in contact with water during the mixing process - the fibre of the packaging simply integrates with the product as it is mixed. This eliminates waste, reduces paper waste management costs and minimises dust on the construction site, as the bag is simply placed into the mixer without the necessity to open it up front. The bag is produced in-house thanks to the company’s uniquely integrated value chain: SolmixBag is created from Mondi’s water-soluble sack kraft paper and uses 20% less paper than the industry standard 2-ply paper bags. The solution is able to run on existing filling machines, and it is available in standard sizes, offering customers a smooth transition from their existing solutions. SolmixBag provides the same strength and shelf-life as its predecessors, with good printing results for a quality, stand-out appearance on shelf.

Q4 2020 Highlights • Sales of $1,284 million (compared with $1,275 million in Q3 2020 (+1%) and $1,227 million in Q4 2019 (+5%)) o Operating income of $109 million (compared with $73 million in Q3 2020 (+49%) and operating loss of $(1) million in Q4 2019) o Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD)1 of $181 million (compared with $154 million in Q3 2020 (+18%) and $76 million in Q4 2019 (+138%)) o Net earnings per share of $0.72 (compared with $0.51 in Q3 2020 and net loss per share of $(0.27) in Q4 2019). 2020 Annual Highlights • Sales of $5,157 million (compared with $4,996 million in 2019 (+3%)) o Operating income of $366 million (compared with $261 million in 20192 (+40%)) o Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD)1 of $665 million (compared with $550 million in 20192 (+21%)) o Net earnings per share of $2.04 (compared with $0.77 in 20192)