Amcor to showcase packaging sustainability at SustPack 2016 conference
Amcor Limited will present its range of packaging solutions under the theme “Fresher, Lighter, Safer, Smarter” at SustPack 2016 conference, which takes place from April 11-13 in Chicago, the US.
The company will also sponsor a tour of Method's advanced manufacturing facility in Chicago, where Amcor produces containers made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).
"We're pleased to demonstrate examples of Amcor packaging innovations that reduce food waste, deliver a lower footprint and improve consumer safety," said David Clark, Amcor's Vice President of safety, environment and sustainability.
Fresher
A "Fresher" approach is Empresas Polar's commercial launch of the first ambient stored yogurt in Venezuela. The non-refrigerated pourable yogurt, called MiGurt, is packaged in an aseptically filled, 750g barrier PET bottle.
Current distribution for yogurt relies on refrigeration to slow the bacterial culture growth and maintain the quality of its probiotic benefit. Advanced barrier technology uses a PET monolayer barrier to enable aseptic filling of up to 140°F and provide light-blocking capabilities that preserve and protect the nutrients in the yogurt product.
Lighter
Amcor Rigid Plastics was recently awarded the World Packaging Organization's WorldStar award for developing the industry's lightest heat set 500mL PET container for PepsiCo Latin America's Lipton brand. The container is 30% lighter, which leads to a 27% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 28% reduction in energy use and a 28% reduction in water use.
Meanwhile, also on the "Lighter" side, Amcor Flexibles has achieved downgauging success with AmLite, a line of transparent packaging materials that offers superior product protection, a strong seal and improved shelf appeal.
The result is a lightweight material with barrier levels rivaling that of aluminum. In a lifecycle assessment, AmLite provided a 40% carbon footprint reduction and 21% weight reduction compared to standard aluminum-based materials.
Safer
As for "Safer", Amcor Flexibles also worked with ColaLife, a non-profit group which uses unconventional distribution channels to get medicines to African children in need.
Amcor developed a packaging solution to safely deliver life-saving, anti-diarrhea medicines to remote locations. The kit uses an adaptation of Amcor's Push Pop concept typically used to package food. Dubbed KitYamoyo, the kit contains oral rehydration salts, zinc tablets, a small bar of soap and an easy-to-use instruction leaflet written in multiple African languages. The pack is light and durable, while keeping the product safe and hygienic and nimble enough to reach the remotest of families in Africa.
Smarter
A "Smarter" sustainability-driven approach includes Amcor Rigid Plastics' operation of an on-site bottle production facility within Method's new advanced manufacturing facility in Chicago. The facility is Method's first US manufacturing plant and the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified facility in the consumer packaged goods industry.
