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A new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, conducted by engineering consultancy Ramboll for the European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA) demonstrates the significant environmental benefits of single-use products compared to re-use systems particularly in saving carbon emission and freshwater consumption.

The LCA compares the environmental impact of paper-based single use packaging with the footprint of reusable tableware in Quick Service Restaurants across Europe. The study takes into account a comprehensive use of 24 different food and beverage containers in Quick Service Restaurants namely cold/hot cup, salad bowl with lid, wrap/plate/clamshell/cover, ice cream cup, cutlery set, fry bag/basket fry carton.

According to the baseline scenario, the polypropylene-based multi-use system is responsible for generating over 2.5 times more CO2 emissions and using 3.6 times more freshwater than the paper-based single-use system. The reason for this is that multi-use tableware requires significant amounts of energy and water to be washed, sanitized and dried.

“When looking at different materials and value chains, sustainability requires a comprehensive and open-minded approach,” commented, Ignazio Capuano, Chairman of Cepi and CEO of Burgo Group Spa. “Politicians and industry leaders need to take decisions based on scientific insights rather than beliefs and assumptions. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but the Ramboll study clearly shows that some sustainable single-use products made of paper are indeed better for the environment than reusable plastic ones. We hope that this study will help the European Commission to prepare fact-based policy measures in 2021, namely in the framework of the expected Sustainable Products Initiative.”

“We know that climate change is the greatest challenge of our times, and that we all have a responsibility to minimize our climate impact effectively, starting today,” added Jori Ringman, Director General, Cepi. “Water scarcity is an issue of growing global importance together with deep decarbonization to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The European paper industry has a special role to play in the fight against climate change by offering immediate and affordable solutions. Already today, there are 4.5m tons of single use plastics items that can be replaced by paper-based alternatives with an immediate positive impact for the climate.”

The European Paper Packaging Alliance is a non-forprofit food and foodservice packaging association. Its priorities are to find concrete solutions to increase recycling and to reduce carbon emissions of food and foodservice packaging without compromising food safety and human health protection. EPPA is committed to working with European policymakers to support its initiatives.

The Canadian Paper and Paper-based Packaging industry is among the most sustainable industries in the world, but there are still significant gaps between public perceptions and fact when it comes to related environmental topics such as forestry, greenhouse gas emissions and recycling. A recent survey by Two Sides, an initiative that promotes sustainable and responsible paper production, found that Canadian consumers rank pulp and paper products as a leading cause of deforestation – which they are not. In a recently released fact sheet, Two Sides provides facts from credible sources that set the record straight:

• Deforestation is defined as the conversion of forest to

other land uses whether human-induced or not. The definition specifically excludes areas where trees have been removed as a result of harvesting or logging and where the forest is expected to regenerate naturally or with the aid of sustainable forest management measures. – UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 2020

• At the end of 2019, Canada had over 168 million hect-

ares of independently certified forest land (to either CSA, SFI or FSC). Nearly half of Canada’s forests are certified and 37 percent of all certified forests worldwide are in Canada, the largest area of any country. – Natural Resources Canada, 2020

• Between 2007 and 2017, the forest sector reduced en-

ergy use by 24 percent and total fossil GHG emissions by 40 percent. – Natural Resources Canada, 2020

• Canada recycles almost 70 percent of its paper and

cardboard, making it among the top paper recycling countries in the world. – Forest Products Association of Canada, 2020

AF&PA has released its December 2020 Containerboard Monthly report.

• Total Containerboard production in December in-

creased three percent compared to December 2019. It was up four percent when compared to the same 12 months of 2019.

• December 2020 production of containerboard for

export decreased 22 percent compared to the same month last year; it was up nine percent year-to-date.

• The containerboard operating rate was 93.7 percent,

essentially flat (-0.1 pts.) from December 2019 and up 2.3 points year-to-date.

• Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of De-

cember increased 3,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 3,000 short tons compared to December 2019.

AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, is allowing current and future leaders to understand their strengths and areas of improvement with “The Leadership Mirror.” Over three online sessions, on February 5, 12 and 19, participants will gain a clear view of their current skills and any potential gaps in communication, decision-making, and managing change.

Truly effective leaders never stop learning. Just as there is always something new to learn about technology and the changing business climate, exceptional leaders sharpen their skills in communication, negotiation, conflict management, and dealing with change. The Leadership Mirror provides data, expertise, and coaching to improve every leader’s effectiveness. This course will provide feedback and a development plan for technically skilled contributors whose advancement is limited by a lack of relational skills.

Online workshop sessions include “Understanding Your Work Style and Your Effect on Others,” “How Do You Compare to More Than 5000 Healthy and Productive Leaders?,” “Understanding Your Value to the Team,” as well as “Each Team Member’s Contribution To Higher Productivity,” and much more.

This course will help participants chart the right path for them to become the leader they want to be. AICC member registration is $795 for a single registration and $695 per person for three or more employees.

This hybrid event, includes pre-work, homework during the three weeks, and individualized coaching after the event. Participants will take three leadership assessments (which taken separately would cost $3,000), receive peer feedback, and create an action plan as part of this event.

Scott Ellis, Principal, Working Well, LLC, and Leah Ashford, Founder, Ashford Coaching, will lead this event. Ellis has served as a resource for the development of individuals, teams, and organizations as a consultant, teacher, psychotherapist, coach, and general manager. He is a leadership and process improvement specialist who serves on AICC’s faculty to assist in building the Packaging School curriculum.

Leah Ashford is the founder of Ashford Coaching, an organization dedicated to increasing the skill development and productivity of individuals and teams. She has 20 years of HR experience in leadership development, talent management, performance management, and corporate training.

More information about upcoming educational events and all the virtual training AICC offers can be found at www.AICCbox.org/calendar. Questions about training can be directed to Taryn Pyle, Director of Education & Leadership Development at tpyle@aiccbox.org, or Chelsea May, Education and Training Manager, at cmay@aiccbox.org or (703) 836-2422.

Glenview, Illinois based Signode has introduced its latest innovation for the corrugated industry, the SIG-VCS TANDEM Automatic Bundler System. This novel system combines the power of two squaring bundlers connected with dual zone conveyors to meet the extreme demands of modern flexo folder gluers with inline bundle breakers and operating at speeds up to 36 bundles per minute.

Integrated and independent box manufacturers are looking for high speed bundling or in-line redundancy feature–the system is fitted with dual coils and auto strap change and can be automatically taught a new bundle recipe in seconds. It also has bundle diversion technology that sends all bundles to the active bundler during a coil change or while the other temporarily inactive bundler “fixes itself” with the auto refeed feature. Once the inactive bundler changes the coil or the successful refeed corrects the rare misfeed, the inactive bundler will come back online automatically and share the workload with the active bundler.

Signode has strived to manufacture a bundling system that is simple to operate and maintain. The icon-drive HMI allows operators to quickly set up a new recipe with a few taps of the screen. Other enhancements to the software include maintenance troubleshooting tools such as a tracing feature, simple strapping system checks, an event list and many more.

Signode’s new chute technology improves on the previous generation of UHMW chutes by using a segmented chute where the chute gates are covered by a lifetime warranty. Changing a worn chute after several million cycles was one of customers’ biggest headaches. Now they can change a single segmented gate in 20 minutes. This ease of maintenance helps lower replacement parts cost while reducing service labor costs to a minimum.

“We have been listening to our customers who are eager for a bundling system that maximizes high speed bundling capabilities and minimizes production interruptions,” says Mike Stein, Vice President of Marketing & Product Management for Signode’s Automation & Packaging Technologies group. “The SIG-VCS TANDEM achieves these goals and provides box plant operations with great performance, simple maintenance and increased uptime for corrugated bundling.” 14 January 25, 2021

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has opened the 28th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. FSEA invites companies in the finishing, printing, folding carton, greeting card and binding industries to submit their best work.

“The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards are the industry standard for the best of the best in print enhancements,” said FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “From attention-getting foil and coatings to intricate diecuts, unique folds and detailed embossing, members of the print finishing industry are enhancing greeting cards, presentation folders, labels, invitations, folding cartons, packaging boxes and more.”

The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards program has grown as entries are submitted from around the world by finishers and binders that want to compete against the best in the industry. New technologies have fueled growth, too, with expanded award categories in areas such as digital foil and other specialty UV coatings. Entries will be judged on design, execution and level of difficulty in more than 25 categories, with a gold, silver and bronze award presented in each category. A “Best of Show” award will be selected from among all of the Gold Award winners.

All winning companies will be announced during an online presentation ceremony during the FSEA Online Learning Experience, to be held in Spring 2021. In addition, winners will be honored during the FSEA Finishing Summit, October 2021. Competition winners also will be highlighted in promotional campaigns, PostPress magazine and other trade publications, and on the FSEA website.

To submit entries or for complete information on rules, regulations and entry fees, download an entry form from the FSEA website at www.fsea.com. For questions, call the FSEA at (785) 271-5816. Entry deadline is March 8, 2021.

Fort Mill, South Carolina based Domtar Corp. reported that it has named Troy Wilson the new manager of its Kingsport, Tennessee, mill, effective immediately. Wilson succeeded Marty Barfield, who passed away on December 31 after a long illness. In his new role, Wilson will be responsible for leading all aspects of the Kingsport mill. A key focus will be its operational readiness for the mill’s entry into the containerboard market in 2022.

Once in full operation, the converted mill is expected to produce and market approximately 600,000 tons annually of high-quality and medium recycled linerboard. The conversion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023. The city is expecting an “average local spend” of $130 million once the operation re-opens. Domtar estimates the conversion cost to be $300-$350 million.

Economic improvement in the United States will continue in 2021, say the nation’s purchasing and supply management executives in the December 2020 Semi-annual Economic Forecast. This expansion will continue a growth trend that began in June 2020.

Revenues are expected to increase in 15 of 18 manufacturing industries and 12 of 18 services-sector industries. Capital expenditures are expected to increase by 2.4 percent in the manufacturing sector (after a 2.4 percent decline in 2020) and increase by 12.7 percent in the services sector. The manufacturing employment base is expected to grow by 2.5 percent following a decline of 2.8 percent in 2019. Growth in the second half (H2) of the year is projected to be stronger than in H1. These projections are part of the forecast issued by the Business Survey Committee of Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The forecast was released last week by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, and by Anthony S. Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P, CFPM, Chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee. Expectations for 2021 are positive, as 59 percent of survey respondents expect revenues to be greater in 2021 than in 2020. The panel of purchasing and supply executives expects a 6.9 percent net increase in overall revenues for 2021, compared to a 1.3 percent decrease reported for 2020. Fifteen of the 18 manufacturing industries expect revenue improvement in 2021, listed in order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Furniture Products; and Paper Products.

“Manufacturing’s purchasing and supply executives expect to see strong growth in 2021. They are optimistic about overall business prospects for the first half of 2021, with business continuing to expand through the second half and at higher rates. Manufacturing experienced seven consecutive months of growth from June through December 2020, with December’s PMI at its highest level since August 2018, the peak of the last manufacturing expansion. Respondents expect an increase in raw materials pricing pressures in 2021, as well as improved profit margins. Wages and employment will also return to growth. Manufacturers also predict growth in both exports and imports in 2021,” said Fiore.

In the manufacturing sector, respondents report operating at 85.7 percent of their normal capacity, up 9.8 percentage points from the 75.9 percent reported in May 2020. Purchasing and supply executives predict that capital expenditures will increase by 2.4 percent in 2021 over 2020, compared to the 2.4 percent decrease reported for 2020 over 2019. Manufacturers expect employment in the sector to grow by 2.5 percent in 2021 relative to December 2020levels, while labor and benefit costs are expected to increase an average of 2.7 percent. Respondents also expect the U.S. dollar to weaken against six of the seven currencies of major trading partners in 2021; it is expected to strengthen relative to the Mexican peso.

Brett Jaffe, CEO of C&M Conveyor and Ohio Blow Pipe has announced that Gilbert Buescher has decided to spend more time with his family. He will be narrowing his territory to MI, KS, and MO. “Gil’s 27 years with C&M Conveyor have been filled with accomplishments that support our customers’ goals in improving safety, efficiency, and reliability. We are thrilled to still have him part of the team, while balancing and aligning his desire to spend more time with his grandchildren,” said Jaffe.

To cover the Midwest region (IL, WI, MN, ND, SD, NE, IA), Jaffe announced the addition of Corrugated Solutions as area representation. Buescher will be helping the founders of Corrugated Solutions, Michael Klear and Michael Prassel, transition with customers over the coming months. Klear has been working in the corrugated industry for over 14 years, having been with Signode Industrial Group. Prassel has been successful helping designing the best possible process flow for many modern box plants

Corrugated Solutions currently has four representatives in the Midwest area selling SUN Automation Group/ LMC (Latitude Machinery Company), ARCO Murray, and Signode. With the addition of C&M Conveyor, they offer the ability to optimize all facets of box plant process flow, from raw materials to WIP and finally, shipping.

Romeoville, Illinois based BW Integrated Systems, a Barry-Wehmiller packaging company, has promoted Eric Collier to Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Operations. In his six years with the company, Collier has made a significant impact on BW Integrated Systems’ position in the market with clients around the globe, while strengthening the commercial team. BW Integrated Systems President Pete Carlson said Collier’s promotion aligns with the company’s commitment to supporting harmony between people and performance.

“Eric has been a trusted advisor and thought leader in the packaging industry throughout his career,” Carlson said. “His ability to balance serving our clients with delivering value for the business is a unique strength. He accomplishes this with intensity, while also fully embracing our people-centric culture. This promotion is a recognition of his consistent performance and is a way of expanding his influence.”

Collier joined BW Integrated Systems in 2015, after having spent much of his career in the packaging industry with Intelligrated, where he led sales and applications teams across multiple sites. His years of experience have proven meaningful in driving success across BW Integrated Systems, where he has held several commercial leadership roles, including overseeing global new equipment sales and integrated packaging systems, among others. With each progression, he has demonstrated consistent improvement in the performance of the teams he has led.

“I am blessed to lead the most talented commercial team in the industry,” Collier said. “I look forward to bringing all of our commercial functions together, and delivering industry-leading solutions and marquee products to the marketplace, while creating the finest client experience in the packaging industry. I am honored to be part of this BW Integrated Systems journey and look forward to contributing to the success of our team members and clients around the globe.”

Collier, an integral member of the BW Integrated Systems’ executive leadership team, partners with all functions to craft the company’s vision and delivers on commitments internally and externally. In his new role, he will have global responsibility for BW Integrated Systems’ new equipment commercial sales and go-to-market strategy, including new equipment sales and marketing, product management, innovation, project concepting and estimating, integrated packaging systems and contract administration.

Visit bwintegratedsystems.com for more information.