CPRJ Packaging Conference Drives Sustainability and Innovation Forward

The emerging consumption trends are changing the development of the plastic packaging industry, and also the enterprises in the industry. At the same time, circular economy and carbon neutrality continue to be the megatrends.

The 11th Edition CPRJ Plastics in Packaging Conference and Showcase kicked off today (3 August) in Shanghai, China to further promote the innovation and sustainable development of the plastic packaging industry,

The conference is hosted by Adsale Group and Berry CPI China, organized by Adsale Plastics Network, China Plastic & Rubber Journal (CPRJ) and CPRJ International.

A total of 700+ industry professional participated in the conference in which more than 50 thematic presentations, one“In-Depth Dialogue”summit, and solution showcases of about 60 exhibitors were organized.

 

 

 

 

 

Latest developments of the circular economy

Sustainable design and materials must be promoted. Consumption of sustainable products and efficient waste management should be encouraged. - Nana Zhao, Assistant Director, Basel Convention Regional Center (BCRC) for Asia and the Pacific

 

 

Nana Zhao shared the recent progress on international plastic pollution control at the conference. She pinpointed that the United Nations Environment Assembly emphasizes the importance of legally binding regulations which are based on a comprehensive approach covering the entire life cycle of plastics.  

In this context, sustainable design and materials must be promoted to minimize waste generation. Moreover, environmentally sound waste management and consumption of sustainable products plastics should be encouraged.

 

Soft plastic accounts for more than 60% of the plastic waste stream. - Mingyu Qian, Head of Department of Environment and Circular Economy, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

 

 

Mingyu Qian talked about the exploration of chemical recycling. According to him, soft plastic accounts for more than 60% of the plastic waste stream. Meanwhile, 50% of all plastic waste can be chemically recycled, and 60%-80% of soft plastic waste can be chemically recycled.

In terms of sources, shopping bags are the main source of soft plastic waste, accounting for 43%, followed by food packaging (20%) and courier packaging (17%).

 

High recycling cost, difficulty in high-value regeneration and application, and deficient green design are the factors that affect the recycling rate. - Yonggang Wang, General Secretary, China National Resources Recycling Association - Recycled Plastics Branch

 

 

Yonggang Wang discussed with the audience the current status and progress for development of recycled plastics standards in the flexible packaging sector. He mentioned that low awareness of recyclability, high recycling cost, difficulty in high-value regeneration and application, gap between upstream and downstream demands, and deficient flexible packaging ecological design are the factors that affect the recycling rate of flexible packaging.

 

Food-grade recycling empowers the concept of recycling. - Marco Zhong, Director, National Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Material of Guangdong

 

 

Marco Zhong remarked that the key path for the sustainable development of plastic packaging is high-value utilization of food-grade materials, and food-grade recycling empowers the concept of recycling. He also talked about the progress in sustainable food packaging regulations and emerging safety factors. 

 

LanzaTech contributes to global decarbonization by recycling waste carbon and converting it into usable energy and chemical. - Li Xu, Managing Director, APAC, LanzaTech China Limited

 

 

In his presentation “Innovating for a Carbon Smart Future”, Li Xu introduced LanzaTech’s proprietary biogas fermentation technology, CarbonSmart products and synthetic biology. By recycling waste carbon and converting it into usable energy and chemical, the company contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Carbon footprint reduction and consumer experience upgrade

Collaboration across the value chain is crucial for reducing carbon footprint. - Nelson Fu, Joint CEO, Berry CPI China

 

 

In his presentation“Sustainable development trend for packaging in China”, Nelson Fu introduced Berry's series of sustainable packaging solutions and mold technology, including refill/reuse packaging and recyclable PCR materials. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration across the value chain for reducing carbon footprint.

 

Each kilogram of PET produced with advanced carbon capture technology can reduce more than 1.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. - Guoxing Jin, Technical Director, Danone

 

 

All Danone's Pulse product production plants will be carbon neutral by 2023. Guoxing Jin introduced the“Smart Carbon Bottle”released by Pulse. Compared with conventional PET manufacturing model, each kilogram of PET produced with advanced carbon capture technology can reduce more than 1.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.

 

Smart packaging brings better user experience to consumers. - He Li, HCB Hair & LHC Package Development Manager, Henkel (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

 

 

He Li shared the latest market and innovation trends in hair care package with the audience. For hair coloring and styling products, user-friendliness of product packaging is the main concern for consumers, resulting in more convenient packaging in the market.

Li also remarked that smart packaging can bring consumers better user experience, not least in the application of professional lines as better salon experience can be provided to consumers.

 

PCR, bio-based materials and mono-material structure

SABIC's TRUCIRCLE embraces a sustainable future with solutions for next generation of packaging. - Jianfeng Huang, Lead Engineer, Greater China Market Development, Petrochemicals, SABIC 

 

 

SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE solution focuses on facilitating circular economy and carbon neutrality. The portfolio offers solutions for the next generation of sustainable packaging.

With TRUCIRCLE, the industries reduce dependence on limited resources, achieve material recycling, optimize reusability, and reduce carbon emissions, thereby achieving sustainability throughout the entire product life cycle, explained Huang.

 

Michelman’s recyclable mono-material metallic film packaging does not sacrifice the barrier property during processing. - James Xue, Country Manager, Michelman New Material (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

 

Regarding trends & solutions for sustainable packaging. James Xue introduced Michelman’s recyclable high barrier mono-material metallic film packaging, which adopts mono-material MDO-PE and does not sacrifice the barrier property during processing. The packaging also satisfies the requirements of CEFLEX D4ACE guidelines and is certified by Cyclos-HTP to meet AAA recyclability standards

 

When designers choose PP as the packaging material, they have already made a contribution to environmental protection. - Joey Xu, Packaging Manager, Milliken Enterprise Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

 

According to Joey Xu, about 80% of a product's environmental impact is determined during the design phase. In her experience, when packaging designers choose PP as the packaging material, they have already made a contribution to environmental protection.

 

Hysum adopts mono-material structure with more than 90% PP/PE and less than 5% coating/ink/glue for fitting mechanical recycling. - Jun Li, General Manager of the Membrane Division, Hysum

 

 

Jun Li explained that Hysum is implementing sustainable flexible packaging in three directions: mono-material structure with more than 90% PP/PE and less than 5% coating/ink/glue for fitting mechanical recycling, biodegradable and bio-based materials, and materials such as cellulose.

 

Reducing packaging materials and adopting PCR as well as bio-based materials are the key directions for accelerating circular economy. - Stephane Wahl, I&D and Mold Shop Director, China Cluster, Albea Group

 

 

In his presentation “Moving to Green: Direction, Challenges & Innovations”, Stephane Wahl remarked that reducing the use of packaging materials and adopting PCR as well as bio-based packaging materials are the key directions for accelerating circular economy. Albea focuses on recyclable and biodegradable packaging, committing to use 10% PCR by 2025.

 

Automation and intelligent processing

JCTIMES integrated the 2.5D analysis algorithm into the calculation of multi-layer in-mold co-extrusion die heads. - Wenkang Zhang, Marketing Engineer, JCTIMES Group

 

 

Wenkang Zhang introduced the world's first 2.5D multi-layer co-extrusion analysis system of JCTIMES. The company integrated the 2.5D analysis algorithm into the calculation of multi-layer in-mold co-extrusion die heads, from 2-3 layers, 5-7 layers to even 7-9 layers. Die heads with width of 5-10 meters, or even over 10 meters, can be accurately calculated.

 

Quality of mold plays a crucial role in the speed, stability and energy efficiency of preform and closure production. - Jiancheng Wang, General Manager, Ningbo Ao Sheng Precision Mould & Plastic Co., Ltd.

 

 

Jiancheng Wang pinpointed that the quality of mold plays a crucial role in the speed, stability and energy efficiency of preform and closure production. Ao Sheng is committed to improving the energy saving and efficiency of preforms and caps production as well as providing consumers a better opening experience.

 

Enhanced algorithm can improve the adaptability of AI to the changes in imaging environment. - Lin Tang, Deputy General Manager, Anhui Keye Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

 

In his presentation, Lin Tang shared how AI image visual inspection based on deep learning algorithm can help packaging material manufacturers inspect color, shape, and material differences. He also introduced equipment for image acquisition, image processing, feature extraction, judgment and elimination of products by using light, machinery, electricity, calculation and software.

Tang pointed out that enhanced algorithm can improve the adaptability of AI to the changes in imaging environment. Using specific GPU chips and its software ecosystem can significantly improve the computing speed of AI visual inspection, allowing AI to be applied in a wide range of industrial applications.

 

AI-based intelligent vision inspection equipment will replace manual inspection. - Aderms Lu, Sales Director, Suzhou Yuzhen Automation Technology Co., Ltd.

 

 

Aderms Lu said that manual quality inspection is no longer suitable for modern enterprises to improve the quality and efficiency of production, AI-based intelligent vision inspection equipment will replace manual inspection.

Yuzhen uses special optical prisms to realize 360° inspection of specific products, and intelligently classifies the inspection results. Relevant data statistics are then sent to the Industry 4.0 system in the intelligent factory for production decision-making.

 

Cost reduction, energy saving and high efficiency are inevitable for the development of packaging automation. - Zhiqiang Fan, Sales Director, Guangdong Taisen Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.

 

 

Taisen focuses on the research and development of automatic plastic bottle packing machines, leakage detectors, visual inspection machines, stackers, conveyor belts, plastic bottle production lines, etc.

Zhiqiang Fan emphasized that cost reduction, energy saving and high efficiency are inevitable for the development of packaging automation, including bottle mold blowing. In 2022, Taisen upgraded the first-generation and second-generation of empty bottle balers to increase production capacity by 20%.

 

AIRMOULD and CELLMOULD technologies offer the benefits of lightweighting. - Jun Tang, Technical Support Engineer, Wittmann Battenfeld (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

 

Jun Tang introduced two injection molding technologies from Wittmann Battenfeld, the AIRMOULD internal gas pressure technology and the CELLMOULD driving foam technology. Both technologies offer the benefits of lightweighting.

 

Plastic packaging is developing towards more elegant, more efficient and greener. - Kaymond Chow, Marketing Center Technical Consultant, LKIMM

 

 

Kaymond Chow believes that plastic packaging is developing towards more elegant, more efficient and greener. LKIMM contributes to the sustainable development of plastic packaging through thin-wall injection molding, in-mold labeling, automation solutions, use of new materials, and other production technologies.

Many countries have legislation to implement the use of PCR plastics now, he said. LKIMM thereby showcased a solution for PCR plastic products, which is suitable for all-plastic foam pump head of daily chemical packaging and saves up to 30% of raw materials.

 

 

The “In-Depth Dialogue: How can plastic packaging adapt new consumption behavior?” summit was held in the morning session of the conference. In addition, three sharing meetings and three brand conversations were also arranged at the parallel sub-forums in the afternoon.  

 

Special packaging showcase highlights brand value

The special innovative packaging showcase “New consumption and new experience. Packaging highlights brand value.” was concurrently held, with Yili, Herbalife, OATLY and LYFEN exhibiting their latest innovative packaging.

 

 

 

The ink-free bottle launched by Yili features advanced laser technology without using ink on the bottle body, the use of materials and energy is thus reduced. Most importantly, the bottle is more friendly for recycling.

 

 

 

Herbalife's protein nutrition powder products adopt innovative packaging features. The film on the closure provides consumers a more convenient user experience.

 

 

 

LYFEN displayed green packaging, including mono-material pouch and recyclable bottles. The stand-up pouch of OATLY adopts mono-material structure and is 100% recyclable.

 

 

 

OATLY showcased 100% recyclable packaging made from renewable or recycled materials. The closure is made from sugarcane. The renewable content is 18% more than standard packaging. The carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 23%.

 

ConnectME - Business matching

In order to facilitate materials and equipment suppliers to find their target buyers, the organizers had collected 50+ procurement requirements before the start of this forum, and conducted “ConnectME” online and offline business matching meetings on the spot. The participants expressed their satisfaction and appreciation after the event.

 

 

 

Concurrent solutions and products showcase

The conference was also supported by about 60 leading materials and equipment suppliers who showcased their latest products and solutions concurrently, including the following.

 

Berry CPI China

 

SABIC

 

JCTIMES Group

 

Guangdong Taisen Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.

 

Suzhou Yuzhen Automation Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Anhui Keye Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

LKIMM

 

Wittmann Battenfeld (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

Ningbo Ao Sheng Precision Mould & Plastic Co., Ltd.

 

Milliken Enterprise Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 

Jwell Machinery Co., Ltd.