- SustainPack is a new four year European research program encouraging the wide use of natural based packaging products by producing easily degradable, renewable, and recyclable packaging based on biopolymers, paper, and board. The organization says that increasing the usage of natural materials to produce water resistant packaging will result in a major reduction of both the amount of energy required to produce packages and the number of packages based on petroleum products. SustainPack hopes to make these renewable materials industry standards by 2015. The program has $49 million in funds to research market needs and sustainability; materials and degradable coatings; and 3D and communicative packaging needs.
- Monadnock Paper Mills introduced a premium, 18 point single-ply uncoated paperboard in two grades—65% and 80% post-consumer waste. This new offering is Forest Stewardship Council certified. Up to 45 percent of the electricity used to manufacture the new paperboard is generated on-site through company-owned, low environmental impact hydroelectric generators. The company says the new paperboard is ideal for packaging applications in fragrance, cosmetics, gourmet food, wine, spirits, and entertainment.
- Georgia-Pacific introduced a Packaging Systems Optimization (PSO™) micro Web site. The site features a web-based tool that estimates potential sustainability improvements from corrugated box redesign—savings in terms of raw material cost, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
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