adapa at the FachPack 2019
Whether it’s FoodTray, EcoString bag, CoffeeGuard(re) or VACUflex(re) EX-T, adapa is introducing innovative, sustainable and, in particular, recyclable packaging solutions at the Nuremberg trade show; in addition, it is positioning itself as the industry leader for digital printing.
Wiener Neudorf, 09.09.2019 – The adapa Group will be presenting its extensive product portfolio at FachPack 2019 in Nuremberg between 24th and 26th September. At the European trade show for packaging, processes and technology, the company group – headquartered in Wiener Neudorf in Austria – will showcase its market-leading packaging options that are recyclable, made from renewable raw materials or are extremely reduced with regard to the use of raw materials. adapa will also be available to advise on the development of tailor-made solutions. The company will showcase four innovations at the show, in Hall 7, Stand 7-332: the recyclable thermoformable film VACUflex(re) EX-T for meat, processed meat, cheese and fish products, the FoodTray – a new tray concept predominantly made from fibre – for the packaging of fresh foods, the mono PE EcoString bag for cosmetic and hygienic/toiletry items, as well as the CoffeeGuard(re) aluminium-free flow wrap for coffee and dry foods.
Innovative Responses to the new packaging law
Of course, these innovations take into account the new packaging law, which entails extensive consequences for the industry. Constantly striving to deliver innovative answers to the question of compatibility of packaging and resource-protection, the adapa Group has already been developing its extensive range of sustainable solutions for years, which naturally fulfil all the most up-to-date requirements and cover the most diverse applications.
In this respect, it is particularly worth emphasising on the protection of food, which, through tailor-made packaging solutions, can be guaranteed in an optimal way. In order to strengthen this commitment to less deterioration and waste of resources even more, adapa is part of the SAVE FOOD initiative.
However, adapa’s commitment goes much further: following the guidelines of “rethink”, the company has produced a ground-breaking sustainability strategy, based on the 5 pillars of Responsibility, Recycling, Replace, Reduction and Renewal. The particular focus involves downgauging and recyclability of packaging solutions. Hence adapa is also a member of CEFLEX.
This is because, in a circular economy, recycling helps make the most out of the raw materials which are invested in the production of packaging film.
VACUflex(re) EX-T – the recyclable, high-performance thermoformable film
adapa has already developed a wide portfolio of recyclable materials. A particularly innovative, high-performance product from this range is VACUflex(re) EX-T. This flexible, high-barrier thermoform film is polyolefin-based and offers e.g. combined with FlexGuard(re) a recyclable packaging solution which can be disposed off into existing recycling streams without any problem.
On top of this, the high-performance VACUflex(re) EX-T, available in thicknesses between 80 and 300 µm, is impressive due to its excellent processability on FFS machines, as well as its highest product protection thanks to an EVOH barrier. The highly transparent film with a PE sealing layer is printable in up to ten colours and has a high gloss finish, guaranteeing attractiveness at the point of sale. Furthermore, VACUflex(re) is suitable for pasteurisation up to 85°C/2h and is ideal for a variety of standard applications, for example for the packaging of fresh meat, sausages, processed meat, poultry, cheese or convenience products.
FoodTray: the system solution for sustainable food packaging
Another consumer-friendly (for both look and feel) system packaging for fresh food is the FoodTray. It emerged through a successful cooperation between system partners ROBA (owners of the patent), GEA and adapa. The innovative tray concept combines corrugated board with film to create a packaging system for fresh food which is pleasing to the eye and touch. In comparison to solid board, it offers greater stability with less material usage and, more importantly, is easily recyclable. The adapa Group is bringing a FoodTray line to its stand as the absolute highlight of FachPack and will demonstrate, live, how the innovative packaging is produced.
The FoodTrays are printable on their entire surface – an advantage, especially for information concerning food and environment, or for attractive preparation suggestions. The corrugated board can be printed in up to six different colours, and the film lid in up to eleven, including lacquer finish. Various printing technologies also allow differentiated product descriptions for small batches. The height of the packaging ranges from 20 to 60 mm, and up to 20 mm for Skin applications; customised sizes are also possible.
In addition, the food FoodTray solution perfectly unites the requirements for product description, consumer friendly look and feel, food safety and efficient manufacturing processes with the requirements for sustainability and recyclability. Thanks to state-of-the-art production technology and to the selection of a special raw material, adapa was able to considerably reduce the amount of plastics used. The inner film is thermoformed directly into the tray and is only lightly sealed to the corrugated board at specific points. The material components can therefore easily be separated by the consumer after use, thereby ensuring that the corrugated board – made either from renewable raw materials or recycled materials – can be returned to the paper/cardboard circuit, and the film classified as recyclable to the synthetic materials.
EcoString bag: the innovative mono PE solution for hygiene and toiletries
The EcoString bag is another outstanding solution that offers simple recycling. With this product, adapa is presenting the next generation of drawstring bags at FachPack: a 100 % recyclable or biodegradable drawstring bag for hygiene or cosmetic articles such as cotton buds, pads and balls without viscose string. The bag, as well as the string (integrated in the packaging), are made of mono PE film. The separation of the previous mixed materials is therefore no longer necessary and the whole packaging can be recycled as one, EU-wide. Complaints about cellulose strings getting tangled up in recycling sites will also become a thing of the past.
There is an additional show-stopper: the PE string is made from production residues. adapa has achieved one of its sustainability goals with standard bags: zero-waste production. A further advantage is provided by the optimized logistics. The in-house solution requires no delivery of additional materials, which reduces the carbon footprint. Furthermore, in the future, the bags will be produced from 100% renewable raw materials.
Naturally, the functionality of the packaging will remain untouched: excellent appearance and simple ease of handling. EcoString bags can be produced in various forms and can be adapted to the specific shapes of the products. They offer a thickness from 70 up to 100 µm and a high mechanical resistance. Additionally, the pre-made PE bags run smoothly on existing packaging machines and allow for easy consignment. Further benefits of the packaging can be printed and finished in ten different colours with matt or glossy lacquer, with efficiency and high quality and the synthetic string can also be printed.
CoffeeGuard(re): the recyclable, aluminium-free flow wrap innovation for coffee
Besides toiletries and hygiene, adapa is also revolutionising the coffee market: with CoffeeGuard(re). The company is presenting a recyclable wrap packaging without aluminium. This innovative solution, which was developed as a PP and PO variant, has an ultra-high barrier and therefore can safely pack ground coffee, coffee beans and other dry products. In addition, the weight of the packaging will be considerably reduced, and, thanks to its recyclability, the packaging will allow the return of the raw materials into the plastic circular economy.
Coffeeguard(re) is a sustainable packaging alternative – without inconveniences for producers, retailers or consumers. The thickness goes from 64 to 94 µm, with various options such as a PE sealing layer or peelable sealing. Coffeeguard(re) allows for simple handling and runs optimally on existing flow wrap lines. For the perfect display at the point of sale, a range of different finishes and tactile lacquers are offered, from matt and glossy to PaperTouch, SoftTouch or SandTouch. Printing is possible in up to ten different colours.
adapa – the industry leader in digital printing
At FachPack, adapa is not only positioning itself as a pioneer for innovative, sustainable and above all recyclable packaging solutions, but also as the leading industry supplier of digital printing technology. With the experts in digital printing UNI Packaging and Scandiflex – which recently became part of adapa – and through collaboration with HP Indigo – the market leader in digital printing – the group completed its performance range in the field of printing expertise. It has at its disposal all state-of-the-art printing technology, produces in various locations Europe-wide, and offers digital printing in up to seven colours and various finishing options for gravure printing on film up to 736 mm in width.
This guarantees printing results of outstanding quality, and with modern digital printing this it provides further advantages: flexible technology without clichés and cylinders allows for a sustainable on-demand production at the time required and to the point. This printing technology is ideal for promotions, market tests or seasonal products and, thanks to the short delivery times, it is also the perfect solution for emergency orders.