Comexi Inaugurates Its New Technology Center, a European Research and Development Benchmark for the Flexible Packaging

Located in Girona, Comexi CTec will offer maximum simplicity through training, industrial demonstrations, R&D, and custom designed solutions

Comexi has invested 11 million euros in the new CTec. The company already has a technology center facility in Montenegro (Brazil), and in 2022, a new CTec will be unveiled in Miami (USA)

Girona, November 4, 2021.- Comexi, a global benchmark company of and specialist in the flexible packaging printing and converting industry, has inaugurated its Technology Center in Girona (CTec Girona). As a result of this inauguration, the company strives to provide better services, thus clearly demonstrating its commitment to worldwide proximity, innovation, and sustainability.

The company, with a presence in more than 100 countries, not only has its own production plants in Girona and Brazil, but also has commercial offices in the United States and Russia. Comexi has inaugurated the new CTec Girona within the parameters of sustainability and energy consumption, which have made Comexi distinguishable for a long period of time.

The new Manel Xifra Boada Technology Center, CTec Girona, is integrated into the company’s production center. It has a multipurpose space of 2,500 square meters for not only innovation and development of R&D projects, but also for training, consulting, demonstrations, and an industrial laboratory. CTec Girona will have 9 state-of-the-art machines for the flexible packaging sector. In collaboration with leading sector companies, such as ESKO, DuPont and Asahi, for offset plate engraving, the facility will have a pioneering prepress area. Globally, the
new center will be a benchmark, not only due to its vastness and versatility, but as a result of reflecting corporate sustainability and the industry 4.0 project, which is a primary objective of Comexi.

This inauguration concludes the first phase of development. Within the next two years, CTec Girona will be complemented with new extensions, thus making it a global packaging sector reference point, at a functional level and for research and development.

In June of 2010, Comexi CTec began activities in Girona with an advanced flexo course for customers in the Middle East. The technology center was established with the same objective as that of present day: to impart knowledge to Comexi clients. From inception, Comexi CTec provided a variety of technology advice, as well as personalized training. Furthermore, the center has incorporated customer support for industrial tests, R&D, and innovation.

The new Comexi Technology Center features the most advanced tools regarding the digitization of processes and job workflows for printing and converting. One of these tools is Comexi Cloud, a digital service platform which assists customers with the improvement of their factory performance through the analysis of real-time production data. Consequently, this allows them to build and develop smarter factories. Comexi Cloud, the most comprehensive online platform on the market to visualize, compile, analyze, and store data, has reinvented the manner in which printers and converters manage processes.

The CTec Girona team not only manage the execution of various services offered, but develop these new spaces as well.

“Our CTec in Girona is the natural response to longtime latent needs of the market, as well as an example of the importance of innovation in our sector. As a result of the renovated technology centers, we offer our clients the best customized solutions for their businesses, thus responding to the trust they have in us”, stresses Manel Xifra, the president of Comexi.

Material Solution for application with Flame Retardant Requirements

The FR2 series is your material solution for applications with flame retardant requirements for low wall
thicknesses. The compounds are UL94 V-0 (1.5 mm) certified and halogen-free according to IEC
61249-2-21. They are available in black and natural colors. Natural color variants can be colored in
many different ways.

Typical Applications 

• Seals for switch boxes
• Seals for plugs
• Seals for inwall outlets
• Fastenings
• Grommets
• Cable holders
• Profiles for furniture
• Seals for windows and doors

Material Advantages

• Halogen-free (according to IEC 61249-2-21)
• Fulfills flame retardant requirements railway applications
• Self-extinguishing, no release ofburning droplets
• Adhesion to PP
• In-process recycling possible
• Precoloration in all colors
• No silicones added
• No interaction with copper
• Temperature stability up to 85 °C

Husky strengthens its commitment to protecting the return on its customers’ investment

Husky Injection Molding Systems, a leading technology provider to the plastics processing community, has strengthened its commitment to protecting the return on its customers’ investments. Elevating its existing service contract offering, the company is now including its Advantage+Elite^TM proactive, predictive, transparent monitoring solution as a standard feature on all PET and Closure systems.

“The premise of Advantage+Elite^TM was founded on our commitment to our customers. It combines the industry’s best processing analytics and service expertise to provide unrivalled assurance while delivering unmatched certainty, support and return on our customers’ investments,” said Robert Domodossola, Husky’s President of Rigid Packaging. “With the inclusion of Advantage+Elite^TM as a standard feature on all PET and Closure systems we are going one step further to ensure we are maintaining our commitment, from part concept through to production.”

Introduced in early 2020, Advantage+Elite^TM monitors systems within customers’ production facilities in real-time, while proactively engaging to ensure and maintain the lowest total cost to produce. Using remotely connected technology and proprietary dashboards within a closed-loop reporting platform, Husky continuously monitors and analyzes a set of leading system variables to anticipate, recognize and rectify potential issues before they impact productivity or part quality. In addition, this functionality reduces the variability risk associated with running higher levels of post-consumer-resin (PCR), accelerating the shift to manufacture more circular, sustainable packaging with increased percentages of recycled material.

To date, Advantage+Elite^TM has been extremely well received and supports Husky customers internationally. To ensure each system receives consistently high levels of support, Husky has built the industry’s most extensive global service network designed to be locally deployed in customers’ local languages. To reinforce this capability, Husky has opened a number of Advantage+Elite^TM monitoring centers around the world. The most recent being the grand opening of its Luxembourg monitoring center in September 2021 operating out of its European headquarters. In total, Husky has established a total of six monitoring centers, including those running out of its headquarter facilities in Canada and China, as well as active centers operating in Mexico, Brazil and Japan.

https://www.husky.co/

Opting exclusively for recyclable plant pots

Recyclable plant pots from the Circular360 category Pöppelmann TEKU® help companies in the horticultural industry to make a commitment to increasing sustainability. This was enough to convince TM Zierpflanzen GmbH from Mühlhausen, whose conversion to recycled plant pots has reaped double the benefits: the new pots enable the plant passport to be attached while also promoting resource conservation thanks to their recyclability.

Recyclable plant pots as a new benchmark

A wide range of resource-saving products by Pöppelmann TEKU® helps companies in the horticultural industry to set a more sustainable example. The TEKU® products, which are organised into different categories of reusability and recyclability, provide transparent information about the origin of the material used and the recyclability of the products. As part of the company-wide PÖPPELMANN blue® initiative, which combines all activities pursued by the Pöppelmann Group in support of a closed material loop, TEKU® also developed the resource-saving round pots in the Circular360 category. Besides the addition of colourants and additives, the items are made from 100% PCR plastic – in other words, post-consumer recycled material originating from domestic recycling bins, recycling garbage bags or other household recycling collections. Once they are no longer needed, the items are 100% recyclable – and thus close the material loop. The recyclable plant pots are now also available in a range of trendy colours.

TM Zierpflanzen GmbH opts exclusively for recyclable plant pots

The Pöppelmann TEKU® concept has already gained the seal of approval from numerous customers. Among them is TM Zierpflanzen GmbH in Mühlhausen. The company produces some two million plants every year, all of which are sold regionally. “The issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important in our industry. The decision to go for the pots in the Circular360 category was a quick and easy step in this direction,” states Mike Fischer, production manager at TM Zierpflanzen. The company planned to label its products with the European plant passport, which was to be printed directly onto the pots. This meant it was no longer possible to use the same black plant pots as before, and TM Zierpflanzen set about finding an alternative. At the International Plant Fair (IPM) in Essen, the company came across Pöppelmann TEKU® – and opted for the recyclable round pots from the Circular360 category. In spring 2020, the company completed its full conversion to the resource-saving alternative – a resounding success, as Mike Fischer explains. “Demand for recycled materials is constantly increasing among our customers. We use our 100% conversion to the recycled Circular360 plant pots in our advertising and have received extremely positive feedback.” The encouragement received by TM Zierpflanzen certainly serves to motivate – Baumschulen Oberdorla, which, like the decorative plant specialist, is part of the TUPAG Group, has also embarked on the sustainable route and now uses Circular360 plant containers for its products, too.

https://www.poeppelmann.com/

Sidel Super Combi Compact water complete line enhances both performance and sustainability for Zulal Water Factory, in Sharjah, UAE

Thanks to enhanced performance, Sidel’s Super Combi Compact complete water line opened the door for more business opportunities for Zulal Water Factory, in Sharjah, UAE (Zulal). Running at up to 45,000 bottles per hour (bph), the line not only delivers increased productivity by 280%, but also helps the company save 56% on energy costs, when compared with their existing PET line. In addition, with the new, lighter PET bottle and optimisation of utilities, there has been a considerable reduction in the overall carbon footprint.

Sidel Super Combi Compact water complete line enhances both performance and sustainability for Zulal Water Factory, in Sharjah, UAE

Zulal was established by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Court Member, and Ruler of Sharjah, which is part of SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water and Gas Authority) in the UAE. The company’s vision is to provide clean, pure drinking water for all people in the region. In 1995, Zulal was the first government organisation to address this requirement. It is the only water enterprise that provides 100% pure groundwater directly from the Hamdah wells in Sharjah. The water is certified by international standards and packed according to the highest international standards for packaging drinking water.

The connection between Zulal and Sidel can be dated back to the late 1990s, when Zulal first installed a Sidel blower. In 2019, the company reached out to Sidel again for a new high-speed line to meet market demand. As a complete line solution provider, Sidel consulted the customer on packaging design and line capacity, as well as line design and layout to enhance the overall performance.

Greater productivity opens the door for more business opportunities

After 18 months of discussion, Sidel provided Zulal the Super Combi Compact water line, running at up to 45,000 bph. The layout was a key element of the line design for this project, because the line had to be installed in the existing location. Sidel experts managed to accommodate the configuration of the Super Combi Compact and conveyors, as well as two packers, into that space, thereby achieving approximately a 25% overall space saving due to the redesigned “Accumulation, Combiner and Labeller”.

The new line provided Zulal with greater line efficiency and productivity enabling further business opportunities. “After installing Sidel’s complete water line, we now have the capacity to supply our products to major airlines, hotels, schools and offices. We are really pleased with the enhanced performance,” said Mr. Ali Ahmed Ali Al Kindi, Manager of Zulal Department at SEWA. As Sidel’s motto goes “Performance through understanding”, continuous communication with clear information played a key role in this cooperation to better understand consumer’s needs and achieve goals.

New bottle design and production line aligning with sustainability goals In line with SEWA’s sustainability policy, Zulal wanted to optimise its carbon footprint. By redesigning the PET bottles, and reducing the weight, the new bottle for 330ml and 500ml formats now weigh just 9.75g and 12.5g, which saved up to 0.65gm and 1gm respectively per bottle. It also contributes to reducing Zulal’s carbon footprint with considerable PET savings, namely an estimation of saving 215kg for 330ml and 331kg for 500ml per shift production run. Additionaly, thanks to Sidel’s complete line solution, Zulal pays 56% less for energy, while increasing the productivity by 280% compared to their existing line.

Airnov to exhibit sustainable solutions at upcoming CPhI Worldwide expo in Milan

• Event on November 9-11 offers chance for industry stakeholders to view Airnov’s range of sustainable healthcare packaging solutions.
• Airnov awarded EcoVadis certification after making series of sustainable operational and product improvements.
• Certification underlines Airnov’s commitment to make life better for healthcare patients while minimizing its impact on the environment.

November 02, 2021 – Airnov, a global leader in innovating packaging solutions for the healthcare market, will be showcasing its range of solutions at the CPhI Worldwide expo in Milan.

Held on November 9-11, the event is one of the leading expos bringing together suppliers and buyers across the entire pharma value chain.

Visitors will be able to explore a variety of Airnov products at the event, including DRICARDTM, laser- marked canisters, laser-marked stoppers, light desiccant stoppers, and more, all of which are evidence of the company’s commitment to produce sustainable solutions for the healthcare packaging sector.

Indeed, Airnov will be demonstrating its sustainability credentials at CPhI. For example, the company was recently accredited with EcoVadis certification as it continues to incorporate sustainable innovation into its products and operations.

Airnov France has enrolled onto EcoVadis program, which helps organizations to enhance their sustainable credentials by identifying areas for improvement through a comprehensive ratings process.

This year, Airnov’s French plant has been granted certification for continuous improvement across a range of processes, including waste management, energy consumption and use of raw materials.

“We are pleased to announce our new partnership with EcoVadis in 2021 to evaluate and recognize the engagements and improvements of Airnov France across key areas such as the environment, sustainable procurement, labor and human rights, and ethics,” said Stephane Rault, Global Product Manager.

“These are continuous actions we will push for over the comings years across all of the regions we operate in.”

In France, these actions have included enhancements based on customer feedback to Airnov’s core packaging solutions used in the pharmaceutics, nutraceutics, diagnostic and probiotics markets – many of which will be on display at CPhI Worldwide.

Specifically, plastic weight has been reduced across several product lines, including Airnov’s light desiccant stopper and new DRICARDTM, which has doubled performance with a 50% reduction of raw materials (plastic and ink) used.

The company has also adopted laser marking techniques to reduce the need for labels, inks and adhesives.

Meanwhile, a greater use of secondary bulk packaging (large bags instead of carton) is helping to make the transport of products around the world more environmentally friendly. Airnov is also working to optimize the transportation process through a commitment to fill containers, thereby reducing the amount of wasted container space.

Mélissa Plantier, Product Manager at Airnov, added: “Airnov is concerned about the protection of the environment and strives to minimize its global impact by improving its production and operational processes, as well as product design. “Raw material optimization and reduced energy consumption reduction are just the first of many steps that Airnov has committed to along its path for a more sustainable impact.”

Airnov invites visitors to CPhI Worldwide to visit its booth (2B60C) during CPhI Worldwide, which runs from November 9-11 at Fiera Milano.

For further information on Airnov’s sustainability commitments, visit the Airnov website: www.airnov-healthcare.com/sustainability