A variety of bio-based film stocks utilized for these trials were offered by film producers EarthFirst, global producer of bio-polymer PLA (polylactic acid) films, and Innovia, global provider of bio-based NatureFlex printing films. Rounding out the sustainable packaging materials under demonstration were waterborne printing inks from Siegwerk and Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation. Sun Chemical offered a solvent-borne ink for demonstration.
Unlocking better sustainability solutions:
Nancy Smith, Dow North American commercial development manager for packaging adhesives, believes these technical sessions are the key that will unlock better sustainability solutions for many food packagers. “This is a truly unique gathering in a production-scale setting. Converters and global key suppliers are together in one room meeting face-to-face to discuss all the ingredients needed to produce a completely sustainable package. Questions regarding each material and its impact and interactions on production and performance are able to be answered on the spot, and the considerable savings in trial and error work, time to conversion, and trials expense to evaluate switching to a more sustainable package profile are genuinely achieved by this gathering.”
In North America, this was the second annual Focus on Sustainability gathering sponsored by Dow and Nordmeccanica. During March 2009 in Italy, the companies also sponsored a similar technical session that coincided with Exhibition ConverFlex and offered the same opportunity for packagers in Europe.
Bringing innovation to market quickly:
“Nordmeccanica is working closely with Dow and global suppliers in bio-based films and inks to bring sustainable packaging innovation to market as quickly as possible,” states Giancarlo Caimmi, Nordmeccanica commercial director. “Our solventless equipment is the optimum choice for laminating hardware. When combined with Dow’s innovative solventless laminating adhesives and the bio- based inks and films now on the market, flexible packaging applications with no greenhouse gas emissions can be fully realized.”
Dow is a US-based diversified chemical company.
