Amcor has recently advanced on its sustainable commitments with its investment in Bobst lamination technology to support more sustainable product development, as well as its installation of a new blown-film production line.
A new Bobst Master D 1000 S multi-technology laminator has been installed at Amcor’s Sustainability Centre of Excellence in Ghent, Belgium. It will be used in the development and testing of new innovative multi-layer product constructions for Amcor globally.
In 2018, Amcor announced its commitment to make all its packaging products recyclable or reusable by 2025. Along with over 250 other leading manufacturers and brand owners, it has also signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which aims to eliminate plastic waste and pollution at source.
“Innovative packaging design, improved recycling infrastructure and consumers playing their part is all key to protect the environment. For converters, this means starting from the traditional laminated products, but reaching right across the entire converting process,” says Kris Buysens, technical director, Amcor.
“We were the first packaging producer in the world to set ourselves a specific target for making all our products recyclable or reusable by 2025. This pledge is driving all our R&D, and to succeed, we need to have the most advanced and flexible technology at our disposal.”
The company works with all parts of the value chain – from suppliers and customers to end users – to better understand the carbon footprint of packaging and identify areas for improvement.
According to Buyens, the versatility, flexibility and high performance of the new Bobst multi-technology laminator will be central to this process.
“The technical laminates that we develop require a stable and repeatable process, where the adhesive technologies can be employed,” Buyens says.
“We chose the Bobst Master laminator because it gives us the tools that we need to develop more environmentally-friendly products that meet the challenging demands from our customers and end consumers.”
And then, Amcor Flexibles North America (AFNA) recently installed a seven-layer blown film line, which will produce the company’s recently launched AmPrima PE Plus ultra-clear and heat resistance films.
The AmPrima line uses machine-direction orientation technology to produce films that can run at speeds the company says its competitors are unable to match in a recycle-ready solution.
These films enable customers to shift to recycle-ready solutions without compromise on performance, product appearance or manufacturing throughput.
“This move enhances our ability to grow our AmPrima product line. The integration of this technology is an important example of how we’re leaning into our commitment to satisfy customer demand for more sustainable solutions,” says Fred Stephan, AFNA president.
Production teams at AFNA Oshkosh Converter Films have completed first runs on the new AmPrima line. Amcor expects full production capability by the end of June.
