Page 43 - Plastics News July 2020

Kimberly-Clark launches sustainability StackTeck Systems introduces FastTrack IML
strategy featuring recyclable packs robots

U K's personal care giant Kimberly-Clark has anadian firm StackTeck Systems has introduced its
announced its 2030 sustainability strategy which
includes all packaging being reusable, recyclable, or Cown brand of in-mould labelling (IML) robots for all
compostable by 2025. The maker of Andrex, Kleenex moulds built within its FastTrack programme.
and Huggies said its plans to put sustainability at the Described as universal, flexible, and modular,
core of its agenda in the UK, Europe and Africa, StackTeck said the robots could be configured,
especially in the current Covid-19 context as one of the designed, built, and delivered at “industry-best” lead-
largest manufacturers of toilet rolls, facial tissues and times. It added that the IML robots could be ready in 12
other personal care products in the world. Kimberly- weeks from order confirmation to shipping,
Clark estimates that a quarter of the world's population potentially matching the lead-time of single-face
uses a K-C product every day. The personal care giant FastTrack moulds (at 8-12 weeks) for most round IML
said this strategy will see a 50% reduction in its carbon container and lid applications. The system shortens
footprint, forest footprint, water footprint, and use of the quoting, engineering, process planning and
virgin fossil-fuel based plastics within the next 10 manufacturing stages by using automated design and
years. This builds on the company's previous leadership product standardization to reduce typical three- to
in manufacturing waste diversion to tackle single-use four-week lead times to a few days. Also the Design
plastics. As members of the UK's Plastic Pact, Kimberly- automation leads to the use of best practices in mold
Clark has been working with industry partners, NGOs design, which enables the use of many standardized
and the government to further support innovation in components that are normally considered custom in a
waste collection and circular systems. In 2019 custom designed mold. Target applications for
Kimberly-Clark completed 98% landfill diversion at its FastTrack automation include any single-face, single-
manufacturing facilities – over 5,500 tonnes of product
label IML robot that can be paired with a machine of
and packaging diverted from landfill. Tristram between 300 and 600 tonnes, or a FastTrack robot to
Wilkinson, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa,
go along with FastTrack container and lid mould.
Kimberly-Clark, said: “We are focused on delivering
FastTrack IML automation is also available on a
material change across key areas such as climate,
customised basis for multiple-label applications,
plastics, fiber and social impact. Already, we have
vision system integration, and inline stacking for post-
achieved significant milestones in EMEA, including inspection systems. “With our FastTrack automation
reducing carbon emissions by 17% since 2015. Last year,
as part of the WRAP UK Plastics Pact, we launched our approach, we are able to provide full IML systems in
Huggies Tiniest Footprint initiative to phase out plastic industry record times to our customers,” said John
Pocock, StackTeck's general manager of automation.
from our baby wipes. All our brands are accelerating
their efforts, for example Andrex and Kleenex who “We are also able to guarantee a high-quality system,
as we work with high-end suppliers of controls,
have recently announced significant progress on
packaging. pneumatics, linear bearings and servo motors.”

July 2020 43 Plastics News