Page 18 - Plastics News January 2021

CompAny news

Conair buys Phoenix Systems Yum China rolls out initiatives

Corporation to cut down Plastic use

he parent company of um China, the operator of several fast-casual brands,
Tauxiliary machinery maker Yincluding KFC and Pizza Hut in China, has stepped
Conair the global leading up its effort for the reduction of plastic use across its
supplier of auxiliary plastic brands in the country. The company has launched a
process equipment and systems, series of environmentally friendly packaging initiatives
has acquired Phoenix Systems in line with the latest regulations in the country. These
Corporation, a California-based include replacing current plastic packaging with paper
builder of pellet and powder straws, paper bags, and biodegradable plastic bags.
conveying systems geared for With the new initiatives, Yum China expects to cut
processors in packaging and down approximately 8,000t of non-degradable plastics
other markets where material annually, beginning this year. Yum China CEO Joey Wat
consumption is high. However the financial terms of the said: “The new plastic reduction initiatives reinforce
dea, were not disclosed. The deal would mean Phoenix, our sustainability strategy to drive meaningful change
which specializes in supplying powder conveying and through packaging innovation and reduction.“In
railcar unloading equipment and technology, will now line with our long-term commitment to supporting
become part of Conair Group. IPEG Industrial Group, based economic, social, and environmental development,
in Pennsylvania, USA, believes that the acquisition will we are committed to working with customers,
bolster Conair’s bulk material-handling capabilities and partners, and all other stakeholders to promote a more
enhance its ability to serve customers in industries including sustainable future.” Following the initiative, all KFC
packaging. “With that, we also acquire the applications restaurants in mainland China will stop using plastic
knowledge and intellectual property, which will allow straws, starting this month. Pizza Hut restaurants in
us to more easily develop new products and extend the the region eliminated the use of plastic straws by the
end of 2020. In addition, over 90% of KFC restaurants
line further,” said IPEG’s president Kirk Winstead. Leroy will switch to wooden cutlery for dine-in and takeaway.
Johnson, former owner of Phoenix Systems, added that as
he considered retirement, it was a natural progression to
transition his products into the Conair brand, after a long
and successful working relationship with the company.
Conair has been collaborating on specialised powder
conveying and railcar unloading equipment and technology
with Phoenix for more than two decades. The company
and its products will now become part of Conair, which
already has an extensive family of material-handling
equipment. Phoenix’s product line includes railcar
unloading systems for powder and pellets, pressure-
blowing systems, vacuum-blowing systems, blending silo
systems, cyclones, dust collectors, and other devices. In Yum China aims to phase out non-degradable plastic
addition to packaging, Phoenix’s technology is utilized in bags and cutlery across all KFC restaurants in mainland
high-volume building and construction markets such as China by the end of 2025 and eliminate the use of non-
pipe and profiles, compounding and recycling. Phoenix degradable plastic bags in Pizza Hut restaurants by the
Plastics was established in 1996, but the number of years end of 2022. In January 2020, China announced plans
of plastic additives experience they bring to the table to restrict the use of single-use plastic straws and bags
extends much longer than two decades. to reduce plastic pollution.

Plastics News Januar y 2021 18