Page 47 - Plastics News June 2021

produCt news

Muller unveils a new in-mould Greiner Packaging uses

labelling (IML) automation system renewable resources for PP food

cups
uller Technology has unveiled a new in-mould labelling
M(IML) automation system for the production of 5-gallon
pails and buckets. The IML system is designed to offer reiner Packaging is pursuing various approaches
major improvements over standard pressure-sensitive Gto make its packaging solutions as sustainable
and direct-print systems, which Muller suggested can be as possible. One course of action is to use so-called
time-consuming and require double handling of parts. In circular materials – that is, renewable, non-fossil
contrast, the company said its new machine reduces cost fuel feedstocks. For the first time, the packaging
manufacturer has now produced a food cup made of
premium polyolefins obtained exclusively from waste
and residue streams. The Bornewables line of products
is manufactured by Borealis, a leading supplier of
polyolefins based in Vienna, Austria. Unlike renewable
raw materials produced with agricultural crops grown
for food and livestock feed, the Bornewables products
are made from second-generation feedstocks derived
solely from waste and residue streams: from vegetable
oil production as well as oil waste and residues, from
the timber industry, or from the food industry for
instance, used cooking oil. The Bornewables offer the
same characteristics as virgin polyolefin materials while
boasting a substantially reduced carbon footprint. “The
and improves productivity, while enhancing graphics and Bornewables portfolio represents a key step in our
product appearance. According to Muller, IML technology efforts to offer products decoupled from traditional
has been slower to develop in North America than feedstock, with the aim of providing a solution to the
Europe, where it is used widely in a range of packaging CO2 challenge. Through this product range, we are
applications. However, it added that label suppliers are helping our customers and the value chain achieve
predicting 40 per cent growth in North America this year their own sustainability targets, maintain their existing
for industrial-pail IML, with brand-owners and moulders quality standards, and provide packaging solutions that
driving the demand. Muller’s response to this demand is
a one-piece IML system that is less than 8-feet wide. Its
size means it fits conveniently into non-IML production
lines, requires no adjustment in floor layout, and fits any
injection moulding machine height, the company said. The
system places the wraparound PP label into the mould,
removes the pail after moulding, and transports it to a
visual inspection station. The pail is then directed to
stacking and handle-assembly. Systems can be converted
from one-cavity to two-cavity to enable the production
of 1- to-5-gallon pails. “Our IML technology allows pail
manufacturers to add to their product offering without
any infrastructure changes, while maintaining a small
footprint and limiting costly scrap,” said Taras Konowal, are approved for food contact. We focus on the needs of
Muller’s North America director of sales and marketing. our customers and the value chain as we work to drive
To overcome the often costly scrapping of a finished pail the transition to a circular economy for plastics,” says
due to label misalignment, Muller’s IML system includes Trevor Davis, Head of Marketing, Consumer Products
digital label placement positioning. at Borealis.

47 June 2021 Plastics News