The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media

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The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media
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                                                                                                              ANNIVERSARY
VOLUME 15 NUMBER 2

                                                                                              FEBRUARY 2020

                                                                      The industry voice of Africa
                                              SPECIAL FEATURE n Sustainability pacts, projects, products, tools
                                              COVER STORY n Flowe-Pac celebrates 20 years as key flexible packaging player
FEBRUARY 2020

                                              PRINT MATTERS n Polyflex: Africa’s link in Global Premedia Network | Plate
                                              mounting, cleaning advances | 4Packaging Africa’s triple renovation strategy
                                              CONVERTING MATTERS n 2020 labelling and blown film extrusion trends |
                                              The launch of packwise-africa | Greif grows jerry can production
                                              FMCG PACK n Easy-to-switch shrinkwrapper | Unlocking solvent
                                              coding versatility

                     OFC_PPMFeb2020.indd 11                                                                            2020/02/19 1:47 PM
The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media
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                             ANNIVERSARY

                     Flowe-Pac
                     celebrates
                   two decades                                         From very humble beginnings in 2000 as a one
                                                                       man operation in a 50m² space to now employing
                                                                       more than 100 staff in a 5 000² company-owned
                                                                       premises that produces a wide variety of
                                                                       packaging materials, Flowe-Pac has evolved into
                                                                       a multi-driven operation. Owner and founder,
                                                                       Anthony McCeary’s valuable technical and
                                                                       mechanical knowledge in the textile industry,
                                                                       along with unhindering business focus and drive
                          Pietermaritzburg-based Flowe-Pac             to succeed, has contributed to the company’s
                                                                       success and impressive growth rate of over
                              has become a key player in the
                                                                       100% since 2015.
                             South African flexible packaging            During the last three years, almost R40-million has
                                    industry. As the company           been invested in machinery across five departments.
                                                                       ‘Although we’ll continue replacing older technologies
                              celebrates its 20th anniversary,
                                                                       when necessary, consolidation is on the horizon to
                               Nici Solomon tracks its history         perfect the wide range of packaging materials already
                                             and future plans.         produced,’ Anthony says.

                                                One of KZN’s leading distributors of Solvents and chemical raw materials.
                                                We service and supply multiple industries, including Automotive, Paint and
                                                Coatings, ink manufacture Adhesive and Printing industries.

                                                  Congratulations to FLOWE-PAC on their 20th Anniversary
                        FEBRUARY 2020
              2                                                                                        www.packagingmag.co.za
                                                                                                                                                    Fo
                                                  T 031 464 0713 • C 084 677 2385 • E info@swiftchemicals.co.za                                     Em

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The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media
From film extrusion
                    to slitting and
                    rewinding

                    Flowe-Pac uses the finest quality raw materials in
                    its blown film extrusion process, producing superior-
                    quality coextruded, shrink, form-fill-seal and stretch
                    films that can be supplied plain or printed, or converted
                    into bags.
                       To accommodate the needs of its broad customer
                    base, Flowe-Pac extrudes 100 to 3 000mm wide
                    films. According to key accounts manager, Sam                   Complementing this extrusion excellence are four
                    Green, this accommodates the wide array of products          departments that focus on printing, bagmaking,
                    manufactured.                                                lamination, and slitting.
                       The company’s latest extrusion technology                    So far as printing is concerned, continual investment
                    investment, to be installed and commissioned during          in cutting-edge technology, such as a fully-automatic
                    February, is a three-layer coextrusion line with             Bobst eight-colour flexographic gearless printing
                    automatic web and gauge control. Replacing three             press, featuring automatic register, quick and efficient
                    older lines, it’s expected to boost blown film production    job changes, ensures the highest industry quality
                    by 200t/month.                                               standards.

                                                                                                                            An integrated development
                                                                                                                            process allows Flowe-Pac’s
                                                                                                                            management team to work
                                                                                                                            alongside customers to
                                                                                                                            create the most appropriate
                                                                                                                            flexible packaging to suit
                                                                                                                            their needs.

                                                                                 Proud to be associated with Flowe-Pac and
                                                                                 wish them all of the best for next 20 years.
                                                                             We specialise in Assets and Liability Insurance Cover Arrangements and
                                                                             we are passionate about excellent Service, Competitive Premiums and
                                                                                                                              FEBRUARY 2020
                                                                             Personal Advice on your Personal and Commercial     Insurance needs.
                    www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                    3
            For further information contact: Dennis Watkins
o.za        Email: dennis@allaboutins.co.za • Mobile: +27 083 627 6164 • Telephone Number: +27 033 386 0400                   www.allabout.co.za

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                                                                                  ANNIVERSARY
                          Flowe-Pac is equipped with a large variety of
                        downstream bagmaking equipment, capable of
                        converting printed or plain film into side, bottom,
                        spine seal, patch handle or gusseted bags.
                          Its Uteco laminating capabilities include plain and
                        printed speciality films, barrier films and solventless
                        lamination. Sealing properties for individual product
                        applications can also be customised to improve
                        packaging performance and aesthetics.
                          Equipped with high-speed automatic slitting and
                        rewinding equipment, Flowe-Pac converts large reels
                        of laminates, film, paper, as well as printed
                        and coated materials into smaller reels.

                        Dedicated to world-class
                        production and speedy
                        delivery, Flowe-Pac offers
                        retailers, manufacturers and
                        distributors across South Africa
                        the convenience of a one-stop
                        flexible packaging shop.

                                         Recycling plant                          These departments are supplemented by a recycling
                                                                                  plant to recycle scrap plastic into a reusable raw
                                                                                  material.
                                                                                    Established 15 years ago, this is a prime example
                                                                                  of Flowe-Pac’s commitment to sustainability and
                                                                                  ecological responsibility. It’s also fed by secondary
                                                                                  packaging and paper cores collected from customers’
                                                                                  facilities. ‘We pay customers a good price for these
                                                                                  materials because we’re reusing them and benefitting
                                                                                  from stabilising the price of recycled raw materials,
                                                                                  previously governed by outside suppliers, giving us a
                                                                                  more cost-effective end product,’ Anthony explains.
                                                                                  ‘Additionally, we assist customers who need to improve
                                                                                  their sustainability credentials by incorporating recycled
                                                                                  content from their packaging waste and offering them a
                                                                                  market-related price reduction.’
                                                                                    The recycling plant, with a 200t/month capacity,
                                                                                  currently employs 25 people who manually sort waste.
                                                                                  Materials that can’t be recycled on-site, such as BOPP
                                                                                  and PET, are baled and delivered to recyclers in
                                                                                  Durban.

                        FEBRUARY 2020
             4                                                                                                       www.packagingmag.co.za

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The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media
Quality control and R&D
                                                       Flowe-Pac’s ISO 9001 quality management system
                                                       was first implemented in 2004. In July 2019, the
                                                       company was awarded its ISO 22000:2018 food safety
                                                       compliance certificate. Additionally, Flowe-Pac will be a
                                                       Level 4 B-BBEE company by its next audit.
                                                         The QC team – headed by internal auditor, Winnie
                                                       Dlamini – continuously trains operators to hone their
                                                       skills. Winnie is assisted on monthly customer site
                                                       visits by an accounts manager.
                                                         ‘We enjoy establishing personal relationships and
                                                       being involved with our customaers’ businesses,’
                                                       Anthony maintains. ‘Once we’ve established that
                                                       bond and become an integral cog in their product
                                                       development process, they always consult us for
                                                       packaging advice.’
                                                 th      As Anthony sums up: ‘It’s gratifying being involved
                                         ANNIVERSARY
                                                       in new projects from the ground up because it
                                                       opens doors and creative opportunities. We use
                                                       our experience and knowledge gained from trade
                                                       show visits and research to examine trends and
                                                       technologies that can benefit our customers. We’re
                                                       happy to trial and test new material constructions in
                                                       the factory. However, the key to our success, is not
                                                       forgetting to focus on what we’re currently doing to the
                                                       very best of our ability.’

                                 Training centre       FLOWE-PAC employs 120 people and has a
                                                       dedicated training centre for upskilling employees.
                                                         For the past two years, factory mantaintance
                                                       managers, Giovanni Benigno, an electrical engineer,
                                                       and Michelle Rouillon, a mechanical engineer, have
                                                       been providing in-house tchnical training to the
                                                       operational teams.
                                                         Supervisory, junior management and quality control
                                                       courses are conducted by external trainers.
                                                         Managers have reported a positive mindset change
                                                       on the production floor since the implementation of
                                                       these training programmes.
                                                         Employees are also encouraged to apply for study
                                                       scholarships to pursue their academic interests, and
                                                       for financial assistance with their children’s schooling
                                                       tuition.

                                                                                                    FEBRUARY 2020
             www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                 7

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                                        ANNIVERSARY

                        FEBRUARY 2020
               8                                      www.packagingmag.co.za
                                                      www.packagingmag.co.za

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The industry voice of Africa - FEBRUARY 2020 - Packaging And Print Media
Customer credentials
                                      Flowe-Pac has enjoyed a 12-year partnership with Orange Grove Dairy. ‘In 2008,
                                      Flowe-Pac started supplying our milk sachet material. The price was good and the
                                      owner, Anthony McCleary, who was hungry for a new customer, has supported us
                                      with technical knowledge ever since,’ reports operations director, Guy Deveroux.
                                                                 ‘We’ve grown into UHT formats and Flowe-Pac
                                                                 supplies all our shrink and pallet wrap.’
                                                                   Once a month, a quality controller visits the dairy
                                                                 to conduct a quality check, full audit and to train the
                                                                 operators. Additionally, the team, regularly introduces
                                                                 innovations and support. ‘This is an example of how
                                                                 Flowe-Pac is positively dedicated to servicing our
                                                                 industry with passion,’ Guy adds.
                                                                   Flowe-Pac has also worked with the Willowton
                                                                 Group for the past seven years. ‘The team is very
                                                                 accommodating of our print needs, and has gone
                                                                 beyond the call of duty to assist us with innovative
                                                                 ideas,’ says group head of packaging, Salim Gani.
                                                                 ‘Attention to detail and quality have exceeded all
                                                                 expectations, and we hope to grow our partnership
                                                                 further in years to come.’

                                                                    Proud suppliers to
                                                                  Flowe-Pac from there
                                                                      first kg of ink

                                                               CONGRATULATIONS

                                                                        Here’s to the
                                                                       next 20 years.

                                                                                                               FEBRUARY 2020
             www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                            9

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           ANNIVERSARY

                                                                                   Service superheroes
                                                                                   According to owner, Anthony McCleary, Flowe-Pac’s
                                                                                   foundations are built on teamwork, accountability,
                                                                                   passion and flexibility in both development and
                                                                                   production, which drives everyone to perform better,
                                                                                   achieve more and deliver faster.

                 Proud Partner                                                       ‘This approach complements our training programme
                                                                                   and mission of providing customers with excellent
                                                                                   quality and the best possible service, as well as our
                 We wish Flowe-Pac                                                 vision of being the preferred flexible packaging supplier

                 a very happy                                                      in the local market and surrounding areas,’ he asserts.
                                                                                     On-time deliveries are ensured by Flowe-Pac’s
                 20th Anniversary!                                                 fleet of trucks, which include a four-ton,14-ton and
                                                                                   four 8-ton models, whose drivers work according to a
                                                                                   route plan. This, says Anthony, is a far more reliable
                                                                                   proposition than relying on a third-party service
                 Passionate about packaging...                                     provider’s delivery schedule.
                                                                                     ‘We wouldn’t be celebrating this 20th-anniversary
                                                                                   without the support of our staff and customers. We
                                                                                   view our highly-motivated and dedicated employees as
                                                                                   our greatest asset, and we’re grateful to our customers
                                                                                   for their continued loyal support,’ Anthony enthuses.
                                   Sales and Service                                 ‘We believe placing customers first and
                                   Tel: 011 433 2686 • bmmarketing@beswick.co.za   accountability are key factors in building and
                                   www.beswick.co.za                               maintaining long-term partnerships, standing by our
                                                                                   motto – “By service we grow!”, to ensure business
                                                                                   growth and meet the ever changing market needs.’

                         FEBRUARY 2020
                                                                                      For more information, visit the
             10                                                                       website: www.flowepac.co.za
                                                                                                        www.packagingmag.co.za

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Powering a new plan

                                                                                                                                      Editor’s LETTER
              TWO events recently piqued my interest: a                   spikes has resulted, in many cases, in equipment
              presentation by David Nicholls, who retired as              having to be replaced or decommissioned. This has
              Eskom’s chief nuclear officer in 2018, explaining           further hindered the local industry’s ability to meet
              why 2020 decision-making is crucial in resolving            deadlines and supply orders in time – opening the
              the country’s power crisis; and president                   door for more finished product imports – which places
              Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA)              thousands of local jobs at risk.
              setting out government’s key policy objectives
              and deliverables.                                           Buy local master plan
                 David Nicholls explained that coal-fired power           A government initiative that could help to counteract
              stations have a 50-year lifespan on average and             local job losses is designating 1 000 locally-produced
              because maintenance execution cycles and timely             products, which must be procured from SMMEs, to
              funding for replacement parts were so problematic           create a larger market for small businesses. The
              for Eskom, South Africans can expect four of these          president announced that projects with an investment
              to reach this stage and go off the grid by 2028. He         value of R9-billion have already been completed, and
              reiterated that they ‘cannot be saved’ and that the         27 projects worth R250-billion – to build factories for
              only way forward is to flatten them and rebuild from        manufacturing food, power cables, smartphones, cars,
              scratch. The snags are that it leaves the country           and tyres – are in implementation phase.
              with an even bigger power shortfall than we are                Additionally, commitments made by retailers to buy
              currently experiencing and it takes around 10 years         goods locally, the launch of a Special Economic Zone
              from the time a decision is made, funding is secured,       hub in Tshwane for producing automotive components,
              contractors and suppliers are appointed to finish           and a Clothing and Textiles Master Plan, all promise
              building and commissioning a new one. That means            sector level growth for the plastics packaging and
              a potential two-year shortfall where manufacturing          broader industry.
              facilities could face serious power outages that prevent       Further steps such as new tariff codes to clamp
              operations, making the current load shedding problems       down on under-invoiced products and illegal imports
              appear minuscule. So the underlying message is that         are positive measures to gain better control over the
              the government needs to decisively set and commit to        products coming into the country. They also form part
              a course of action this year in hopes of securing future    of PlasticsISA’s industry master plan, being developed
              power supply and preventing investment and economic         in conjunction with the Department of Trade & Industry,
              Armageddon.                                                 to stimulate growth by lowering tariffs and introducing
                 During the SONA, the president announced                 incentives for local manufacturers; and limiting
              plans to negotiate supplementary power purchase             the importation of plastic waste to help protect the
              agreements from existing wind and solar plants, and         environment and grow demand for local waste.
              to allow municipalities in good financial standing, to         The overriding question is: can packaging and
              procure power from independent power producers.             printing industry value chain be cautiously optimistic
              David Nicholls, however, cautioned against viewing          about the plans and strategies unveiled by the
              wind and solar generation as the cure-all because           president? Yes, provided that he displays strong
              of the logistical/infrastructural challenges and cost       political will and leads the rest of the government and
              implications involved (more than nuclear) in feeding        its public and private sector partners to take decisive
              them into the national grid.                                action on these plans. To secure the future of the local
                                                                          manufacturing sector and the economy in general, it’s
              Heavy costs of load shedding                                high time they walk the talk!
              We are left with the reality that load shedding will
              continue for the foreseeable future so that Eskom
              can execute much-needed maintenance and repair
              programmes to prevent further collapses into darkness.
                 The practical implications for manufacturers are
              hard-hitting. A good example is from the plastics
              packaging and recycling sector, where conversion
              methods for plastic fabrication are electricity-intensive
              and account for 15-18 % of manufacturers’ operating
              costs. These manufacturers and recyclers rely on a
              consistent supply of high voltage electricity to operate
              machines at maximum capacity because it usually
              takes a minimum of two to three hours for them to
              start-up and reach optimal temperatures. Losing power
              numerous times during the day and/or mid-operation
              has, therefore, disrupted businesses and resulted in
              large amounts of raw materials and resources being
              wasted because each time machines need to be
              scraped clean for the start-up process to begin anew.
                 Load shedding has also exacerbated voltage
              fluctuations, and the damage caused by electricity

                                                                                                                      FEBRUARY 2020
              www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                    11

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CONTENTS                                                                 FEBRUARY 2020
                       UPFRONT                                             Security Printing: Kennedy & Associates’
                                                                        48	
                       11 	Editor’s Letter: Energy action fixes           specialised paper product range
                            now or face 2028 bust
                       14	 News & Events: Twizza’s cannery             CONVERTING MATTERS
                            ramps up production of Clark & Sons         50	Labelling & Narrow Web: Labelling
                            mixers; Mpact reaches agreement                  trend predictions for 2020; packwise-
                            on historic acquisitions; drupa’s five           africa brings leading printing/converting
                            knowledge-sharing forums                         technologies to Sub-Saharan Africa
                       16	 Interview: Nampak CEO Erik Smuts            57	 Plastics in Packaging: Blown film
                            shares his views on effective management         extrusion trends; Verigreen Plastics and
                                                                             Teqal’s technology partnership extends
                       17	 Women in Print: Sonja Groenewald,
                                                                             rigid plastics portfolio; Greif grows jerry
                            SA’s go-to educational book printer
                                                                             cans’ regional footprint
                       18	 WPO News: Lifetime Achievement
                                                                        63	 Flexible Packaging: Uteco’s Diamond
                            citations for Keith Pearson, Joe Foster
                                                                             HP press meets evolving market needs
                       23	 Sustainability Update: SA Plastics          64	 Surface Treatment Update: Locally-
                            Pact launched; Eastern Cape pilots               produced corona treaters backed by
                            returnable PET bottles; CTP Packaging’s          30 years’ expertise
                            Earth Choice brand; In-store coffee cup
                            recycling; Digital tool measures circular
                            economic performance; SRF drives            FMCG PACK
                            collaboration; Nestlé creates packaging     66	 Packaging Design: Clive highlights the
                            venture fund; Mpact Versapak’s rPET              best in promotional packs
                            grape punnets                               69 	Coding, Marking & Labelling: Squid Ink
                       31	 Into Africa: Propak East Africa 2020             unlocks solvent coding versatility; Mass
                            show preview                                     market prestige labels; Post-industrial
                                                                             and post-consumer waste boost label’s
                                                                             eco credentials
                       PRINT MATTERS
                                                                        71 	End-of-Line Packaging: Easy-to-handle
                       38 	Flexo Forum: Polyflex becomes Africa’s           shrinkwrapping system
                            Global Premedia Network member;
                            Latest plate mounting and cleaning
                            developments                                FINISHING TOUCHES
                       45	 Gravure Matters: 4Packaging Africa’s        72   Yours Irreverently
                            three-pronged renovation project; Bobst     73	Diary of Events
                            balances automation and affordability;      74	Index of advertisers and their web
                            Global news in brief                             addresses

                       FEBRUARY 2020
             12                                                                                      www.packagingmag.co.za

11-13_Eds_ContentsCredit_PPMFeb2020.indd 12                                                                                2020/02/21 12:06 PM
don’t let
                                                                                                                                                                          TOOLING
                                                                                                                                   The industry voice of Africa                be a
                                                                                                                            This month’s cover story
                                                                                                                                                                          PRESSing
                                                                                                                  th
                                                                                                          ANNIVERSARY

                                                                                                                            FROM humble beginnings in 2000 as a              matter.
              VOLUME 15 NUMBER 2

                                                                                                                            one-man operation in a 50m² space to
                                                                                                                            employing more than 100 staff in 5 000²
                                                                                                                            company-owned premises, providing
                                                                                                                            a wide variety of flexible packaging
                                                                                                                            materials, Pietermaritzburg-based Flowe-
                                                                                                                            Pac has evolved into a multi-driven
                                                                                          FEBRUARY 2020                     operation.
                                                                                                                              Owner and founder, Anthony McCeary’s
                                                                                                                            valuable technical and mechanical
                                                                                                                            knowledge gained in the textile industry,
                                                                  The industry voice of Africa                              along with an unhindered focus and drive to
                                          SPECIAL FEATURE n Sustainability pacts, projects, products, tools
                                          COVER STORY n Flowe-Pac celebrates 20 years as key flexible packaging player
                                                                                                                            succeed, has contributed to the company’s
                                                                                                                            success and impressive growth rate of over
              FEBRUARY 2020

                                          PRINT MATTERS n Polyflex: Africa’s link in Global Premedia Network | Plate
                                          mounting, cleaning advances | 4Packaging Africa’s triple renovation strategy

                                                                                                                            100% since 2015.
                                          CONVERTING MATTERS n 2020 labelling and blown film extrusion trends |
                                          The launch of packwise-africa | Greif grows jerry can production
                                          FMCG PACK n Easy-to-switch shrinkwrapper | Unlocking solvent
                                          coding versatility
                                                                                                                              For the full story, turn to page 2.

                         Publisher: Susi Moore susi@packagingmag.co.za
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                         Managing Editor: Nici Solomon nici@packagingmag.co.za
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                        		          Carla-Lee Lawrence carla@packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                  it in a
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                                                               Contributing Editors:                                     Brenda Neall, Susan Unsworth
                                               European Correspondents:                                                  Nick Coombes, Des King

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New cannery ramps up production
             News & Events

                             of Clark & Sons mixers
                             SOFT drinks company Twizza has commissioned                 Job creation
                             a state-of-the-art canning line in Queenstown,
                                                                                         ‘As well as allowing us to meet increasing market
                             Eastern Cape, to can its popular Clark & Sons
                                                                                         demand for our beverages, the new line has created
                             mixer range.
                                ‘We’re really excited to announce that our very first    24 new full-time jobs,’ Ken continues.
                             canning line is up and running and in full operation,’        The Clark & Sons brand recently launched two
                             says Ken Clark, who established Twizza as a start-up        new flavours, Baobab and Ginger Cola, to its existing
                             operation in 2003. The plant now marks a significant        13-strong range. Both new variants were curated
                             milestone as an indicator of the company’s growing          specifically for local market tastes.
                             presence in the carbonated soft drinks sector.                The Queenstown plant is positioned as a modern
                                A high-spec Ocme line from Italy has been installed.     production line, producing the highest-quality
                             Completely automated – from depalletisation to              beverages. ‘This includes the aesthetic presentation of
                             palletisation and through to finished product – it          the product and its on-shelf appeal,’ says Ken. ‘We’re
                             handles 3 600 cans/hour.                                    exceptionally proud of being an authentic South African
                                Running pre-printed cans, the plant is designed for      company and of the superior products we make.
                             flexibility to accommodate any packaging configuration      Opening this plant, which offers the most sophisticated
                             and all can sizes. In addition, the cannery also offers a   canning equipment, bodes well for our continued
                             contract packing service when capacity is available.        growth into 2020 and beyond.’

                              Mpact reaches agreement
                              on historic acquisitions
                              MPACT has responded to a media statement issued by the Competition Commission regarding a
                              settlement agreement.
                                According to Mpact, the agreement relates to the acquisition of various minority interests by the company’s
                              predecessor-in-title, prior to Mpact’s listing on the JSE in 2011, which were not notified to the Competition
                              Authorities at the time of acquisition.
                                The parties have reached a comprehensive settlement amounting to R7-million to resolve all matters relating
                              to the minority shareholdings held in these entities. The settlement agreement is comprehensive in that it
                              covers the failure to obtain the prior approval of the Competition Authorities, and any potential concerns the
                              Commission may have regarding the relationship between Mpact and the sheet plants concerned.
                                At all relevant times, Mpact and the sheet plants in which it had minority shareholdings were principally in
                              a supplier-customer relationship. As such, Mpact maintains that, contrary to the Commission’s portrayal, the
                              relationship between it and the sheet plants has not been collusive in nature. However, as the company notes,
                              the settlement agreement finally resolves all potential concerns in this regard.

                                                                                         laminates business cited ‘substantial changes in the
                                                                                         market for enhanced packaging which have affected
                                                                                         or business for laminated products’.

                                                                                         AIPIA postpones Asia Smart Packaging
                                                                                         Summit
                                                                                         China: AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging
                                                                                         Industry Association, has postponed its Summit,
                                                                                         scheduled for April in Shanghai, owing to ongoing
                             API initiates bankruptcy proceedings                        uncertainties raised by the spread of the 2019-nCov
                             US & UK: API’s bankruptcy filing affects its laminates      Coronavirus in China and many other regions. Says Eef
                             and foils business in the US and UK. The US laminates       de Ferrante, AIPIA’s MD: ‘Our first priority is the safety
                             business is actively engaged in a sale process, during      of members and delegates attending the Summit. While
                             which period normal operations will continue. The foils     the efforts to control the virus are increasing, the risks
                             business will be liquidated.                                remain, and the lockdown on travel in and out of China
                               In a letter to customers and vendors, API’s US            is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.’

                             FEBRUARY 2020
             14                                                                                                            www.packagingmag.co.za

14-16_News&Events_PPMFeb20.indd 14                                                                                                                2020/02/20 8:23 PM
                                                                                                                                                                       dru2002_
Eleven days of vision
              and inspiration
              DRUPA is much more than just a global trade show            economy with more
              for the print industry; it ranks as a top international     diversified sales
              fair that identifies important trends, offers insights      channels, new
              into future developments and drives inspiration.            collaboration models, and
                 To provide visitors with the best possible experience,   the changing expectations
              drupa invests in top-class knowledge transfer through       of connected customers
              its five special forums, the drupa Cube being one of        in a social media culture
              them.                                                       – all against a backdrop
                 ‘educate|engage|entertain’ has been chosen once          of the industry’s growing
              again as the slogan of the drupa Cube for 2020,             sustainability and circular
              designed to provide a broad spectrum of relevant            economy obligations.
              content that’s motivating, stimulating and interactive.        ‘Our primary aim is to
              World-renowned speakers are set to create a buzz            present as many ideas as
              with a visionary range of topics. Best-selling author       possible that delegates
              Michael Gale and internationally-renowned designer          can implement in their
              James Sommerville are among contributors to the top-        own companies,’ says
              class programme with their keynote presentations.           Sabine Geldermann,
                 Featuring some 40 sessions, the drupa Cube serves        drupa director at Messe Düsseldorf. ‘We want to offer
              as a source of inspiration and expertise on new digital     a programme that meets their actual needs.’
              business models, bringing participants up to speed             Pre-registration is required for these sessions. The
              with global megatrends that have already left their         complete programme of the drupa Cube, which takes
              mark and are on course to shape the future.                 place for the entire duration of the fair from June 16
                 The focus is on innovative web-to-print and              to 26, is available online at the end of February at
              packaging technologies, the potential of a platform         www.drupa.com/cube-en

                                      branding and design               sustainability
                                                                and circular economy
                                               brand integrity and safety

                                       discover trends
                                                               find solutions
                                connected consumer
                                   and e-commerce                 and visions
                                                   customization and
                                                   personalization
                                                                        drupa 2020
                                time-to-market and supply chain
                                                                   June 16–26, 2020
                                                quality and         Düsseldorf/Germany
                                             color control         www.drupa.com/tpp-en

14-16_News&Events_PPMFeb20.indd 15                                                                                                  2020/02/20 8:23 PM
dru2002_TPP_Anz_210x148+5_ZA.indd 1                                                                                                     16.12.19 16:33
INTERVIEW

                                                                                                   PPM’s Nici Solomon and Susi Moore learn more
                                                                                                   about Nampak CEO, Erik Smuts’ approach to
                                                                                                   leadership, training and overcoming industry
                                                                                                   challenges.

                         Simplifying and
                         future-proofing Nampak
                         Fifteen days into his new role as Nampak CEO, PPM caught up Erik
                         Smuts to discover his views on leadership, the impact of artificial
                         intelligence on skills development, and how to make a positive impact
                         in the packaging industry.

                         Ed: What are the greatest challenges you and                  Ed: What challenges and opportunities does the
                         Nampak face in the year ahead?                                fourth industrial revolution present from a skills
                         Because the packaging environment is changing, we need        development perspective?
                         to adapt to it, and overcome three primary challenges.        I don’t believe the artificial intelligence component will
                         These encompass rebuilding stakeholders’ trust,               affect people at the top and bottom of organisations
                         navigating a severely-pressured economic landscape,           – it will affect those in the middle tier performing
                         and simplifying the business for optimisation and growth.     repetitive tasks. The affected employees will need
                         Legislative changes, such as a levy on single-use plastics,   to be upskilled to enable them to add more value
                         are also a distinct possibility. Fortunately, I thrive on     through creativity as new technologies are introduced
                         challenges!                                                   and the market changes. Machine learning will
                                                                                       also assist staff in becoming more efficient by
                         Ed: How would you describe your business                      complementing their duties and providing task
                         philosophy?                                                   support. The country’s education system needs to
                         Simplify to satisfy. To make sense of all aspects of your     adapt to ensure improved mathematical and technical
                         business and the environment that you operate in, you         skills, to produce youngsters who can become data
                         need to uncomplicate things to ensure greater success.        scientists/actuaries, or have the skills to operate
                                                                                       robots or create the algorithms driving efficiency
                         Ed: And your leadership style?                                improvements.
                         Trust is vital in any relationship and is built up over
                         time. I prefer to give my staff room to prove themselves      Ed: How is Nampak future-proofing skills
                         and to take accountability for their roles rather than to     development?
                         micromanage tasks. I also like to keep formal meetings        It is vital to employ the right kind of people and
                         as short as possible. I encourage informal discussions        help them grow through dedicated training and
                         as they tend to produce the best problem-solving              mentoring programmes. Operators are offered training
                         results, and enjoy people who question one another            in technical skills, while a graduate programme
                         in a constructive way, as critical thinking and curiosity     prepares those identified for management roles to
                         generate new perspectives and ideas.                          make the transition and to implement Nampak’s
                                                                                       succession plans.
                         Ed: What are the biggest lessons learnt from                     Additionally, we are encouraging top-level managers
                         working in other African markets that can be                  to complete at least one training course annually,
                         applied locally?                                              at their own pace and convenience. Consistently
                         People in developing markets are beacons of                   acquiring new skills helps them to keep pace with
                         resourcefulness. They have to come up with creative           change.
                         ways of overcoming unique sets of challenges; they
                         achieve great things through a positive attitude and          Ed: What advice would you give to someone
                         a hunger to improve systems and processes so that             starting in the industry?
                         operations run more efficiently. Unions also have a           Any newcomer in a business needs to make their
                         critical role to play in the success of South Africa’s        mark early on. Thinking beyond the job description
                         manufacturing sector. By becoming invested in the             and showing initiative brings their contributions to
                         a company’s success (improvements in volumes and              the notice of management. Moulding jobs around
                         efficiencies), they help secure the long-term viability       incumbents’ particular strengths helps deliver the
                         of members’ jobs.                                             best outcomes.

                         FEBRUARY 2020
             16                                                                                                          www.packagingmag.co.za

14-16_News&Events_PPMFeb20.indd 16                                                                                                                2020/02/20 8:23 PM
Reliably perfect printing

                                                                                                                                            Women in PRINT
              booms in Bapsfontein
              Three years ago, PPM noted that Sonja Groenewald,
              Bapsfontein’s business ball of fire, was building a printing
              empire through unwavering dedication and sheer slog.
              Nothing has changed, except that the empire is expanding as
              trojan Sonja devotes every minute to finetuning her principle
              of ‘reliable perfection’. Susan Unsworth checked in with her.

              IF a Colourtech customer spends R100, Sonja
              Groenewald provides R200 in value. It’s a simple
              maxim with maximum impact that has seen the
              company become South Africa’s go-to supplier
              for educational books.
                 Everything about Colourtech makes perfect
              business sense – its position on the Groenewald
              farm on the road to Delmas, close to major cities and
              airports; its turnkey service (through the support of an
              inhouse textbook publishing operation and three other        Educational printing specialist, Colourtech, is stronger than
              sister companies onsite), which includes textbook            ever after almost 30 years in business, proof that owner Sonja
              delivery not only to colleges but to individual students,    Groenewald has wiped the floor with her homework and aced
              and has led to a long-standing partnership with the          her apprenticeship in this highly competitive industry.
              education department; its expertise in e-learning;
              in-house representatives in courier companies, and          marathon, but you must work extremely hard in any
              warehousing facilities for customers.                       circumstances. You cannot afford to tarnish your good
                 Sonja’s success is no accident – she does                name with slapdash products. Your reputation, good or
              everything with design and determination.                   bad, will precede you.’
                 A major turning point was the 2016 purchase, made           Sonja rarely stops to soak in the rewards of
              with characteristic business bravery, of Africa’s first     her efforts. She is currently on a mission to assist
              Screen TruePress Jet520HD. ‘That unit enabled us            institutions by revitalising textbooks and printing them
              to print exceptional-quality colour books affordably,       in full colour at black and white prices. ‘Learning will
              which is not only good for us, but helps our customers’     be more exciting and students more empowered
              businesses flourish,’ Sonja explains. More recently, two    to achieve goals and reach their full potential,’ she
              Canons offering high-definition image quality at litho      maintains.
              prices have bolstered the company’s printing prowess.          Tough times call for innovative thoughts. Companies
                 Information technology is also top-notch and             are printing less, so Colourtech is producing books with
              customers integrate easily with Colourtech’s processes,     fewer pages, but greater aesthetic appeal and user-
              remaining fully informed of progress from order             friendliness. E-learning is being brought in to create
              placement to delivery. ‘Our upgrades have enabled           blended learning.
              us to almost double our team, as we can serve more             It’s hardly surprising that Sonja lists Colourtech
              customers with top-class products,’ she states.             as one of her two main hobbies, the other being
                 Sonja’s relationship with employees is a cornerstone     photography. ‘I love what I do,’ she stresses. ‘I would
              of the business. ‘Nothing is more important than            gladly go to work in the middle of the night, every
              service, which builds strong, lasting connections           night.’
              with customers, but first come strong, enduring                Living in a rural area and schedule permitting, Sonja
              relationships with employees.                               revs up her quad bike and starts a dust storm with her
                 ‘Communication and teamwork are essential                sons, Etienne, who is in the business, and farmers
              because everyone must pull together to tackle               Gunter and Ben. Husband Deon also farms, but often
              unforeseen problems. Not everything in business is          pops in to see how the business he helped found is
              about making money.’                                        doing. He doesn’t need to bother.
                 The testament to a life explored fully, one may             Sonja is adamant that she is exactly where she
              argue, is a hankering to have done certain things           should be. ‘As a devout Christian, I believe I was
              differently. Not in Sonja’s case. ‘I wouldn’t change a      placed on earth, specifically in Bapsfontein, to make
              thing,’ she insists. ‘Every hardship, trouble and triumph   a difference in the lives of staff and customers. Mark
              has made me what I am.                                      Twain said: “Whoever is happy will make others happy
                 ‘Occasionally life’s a stroll, more often it’s a         too.” I hope people feel these words describe me.’

                                                                                                                            FEBRUARY 2020
              www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                          17

17_Women in Print_PPMFeb20.indd 17                                                                                                                   2020/02/19 1:49 PM
Lifetime Achievement citations:
                     Keith Pearson, Joe Foster
                     As one of the international adjudicators, Gill Loubser spotlights some of
                     Keith Pearson’s and Joe Foster’s outstanding achievements that led to
                     their being honoured with WPO Lifetime Achievement Awards.

                     THE WPO (World Packaging Organisation) has
                     named two recipients in the ‘Lifetime Achievement’
                     category of the 2020 WorldStar Awards: they are
                     South Africa’s Keith Pearson and Australia’s Joe
                     Foster (the latter, a native of Ireland, resided for
                     many years in South Africa!).
                        ‘The Lifetime Achievement in Packaging Award
                     acknowledges and rewards excellence in all aspects
                     of packaging science, technology, design and
                     application,’ explains Pierre Pienaar, WPO president
                     (incidentally, another South African now domiciled in
                     Australia!).
                        ‘As the discipline of packaging is truly global,’ Pierre
                     continues, ‘the WPO is in a unique position to identify
                     leading practitioners from around the world who have
                                                                                                                      In 2018, at the
                     consistently pushed the boundaries in advancing                                                  culmination of
                     the art, science and application of packaging. These                                             an 18-year-long
                     prestigious awards celebrate and preserve their                                                  involvement in the
                     achievements in perpetuity.’                                                                     WPO, Keith Pearson
                                                                                                                      retired from his
                                                                                                                      position as general
                     Keith Pearson: a South African icon                                                              secretary of the
                                                                                                                      organisation.
                     Keith Pearson’s activities within the South African
                     packaging industry are legendary, both his dedication
                     to the industry in general and to the Institute of            fields of corrugated, carton and print, cores and tubes
                     Packaging SA (IPSA) in particular.                            and multiwall paper sacks – advancing finally to the
                       To start at the beginning, Keith’s packaging career         position of divisional chief executive of Kohler Carton
                     kicked off in 1970. He was first employed as an               & Print.
                     engineer at Kohler Corrugated and later transferred              But aside from his success in the commercial world,
                     to Namibia to fill the role of production manager at          Keith also shone as a member of IPSA, serving as
                     Walvis Bay Containers. Throughout the following three         a regional chairman and later as national chairman
                     decades, Keith continued to grow within the Kohler            (2000-2004); he also chaired and was a member of
                     group – with his multifaceted experience covering the         IPSA’s education committee.

                     FEBRUARY 2020
            18                                                                                                     www.packagingmag.co.za

18-19_WPO_PPMFeb20.indd 18                                                                                                                   2020/02/19 1:50 PM
During his time as national chairman, Keith

                                                                                                                                              WPO News
             represented IPSA on the WPO board, and this proved
             to be a powerful precursor to his subsequent long-term
             involvement in the organisation: he went on to become
             an integral member of the WPO leadership team for 18
             years, including heading up the education committee
             before serving two terms as president (2006-2011)
             – the first WPO president from Africa – and finally as
             general secretary (2012-2018).
                Ever passionate in his leadership role, networking
             formed a vital component of Keith’s modus operandi;
             he played an important role on the international
             packaging stage, helping to put the organisation more
             emphatically on the world map, thanks to high-profile
             programmes such as the WorldStar Awards, and the
             WorldStar Student Awards.
                He also brought about greater brand recognition
             by establishing a marketing plan and a new website,
             and criss-crossing the globe to represent WPO at
             conferences and trade fairs. He also forged closer links
             between WPO and the International Packaging Press
             Organisation to ensure better understanding of WPO
             activities by ensuring a ‘good press’ in the world’s
             leading packaging journals.
                Keith was closely involved in packaging development          Spotted among 166 000 visitors tramping the aisles at
                                                                             interpack 2011 were two ex South Africans now living ‘down
             throughout Africa, helping to create packaging                  under’ … Pierre Pienaar, a previous national chairman of IPSA,
             institutes in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, and                  now an independent packaging consultant, president of the
             ultimately the establishment of the African Packaging           Australian Institute of Packaging, and president of the WPO,
             Organisation.                                                   and Joe Foster, MD of Foster Packaging. The latter, having
                                                                             established successful businesses in South Africa, Kenya
                More recently, further evidence of his passion for           and Ireland, relocated to Australia in 2010 where his business
             packaging education was unveiled when he travelled              ventures have been outstanding success stories.
             to Iran on three occasions to help establish the Iranian
             Institute of Packaging.
                                                                            ‘My approach has been to take ownership, to take
                In 2007, his achievements were recognised with
                                                                            responsibility for the products I sell,’ says Joe.
             South Africa’s highest accolade, being named
                                                                               The early inclusion of the word ‘International’
             Packaging Achiever by the Packaging Council of
                                                                            in the company’s name was also prophetic. From
             South Africa (now Packaging SA). And at Pack Expo
                                                                            the beginning, Joe’s extended horizons and broad
             (Chicago) in 2018, the Packaging & Processing Hall
                                                                            perspectives saw him seeking out partners in South
             of Fame welcomed South Africa’s Keith Pearson as
                                                                            Africa and around the world who could provide cost-
             a member.
                                                                            effective, high-quality alternative packaging formats.
                                                                            And over the years he made concerted efforts to keep
             Joe Foster – inspired by goals                                 Foster International Packaging at the forefront of the
             In 1998, when Joe Foster embarked on an ambitious              global market, for instance taking part in any number
             venture to establish his own packaging business, he            of trade shows, both in South Africa and abroad.
             told me: ‘It will be very successful and the name Foster          In 2002, Joe relocated to Dublin to better manage
             will be big in South Africa and internationally.’              this global expansion, and then in 2010 he moved
                How gratifying it is to confirm that his bullish            again – this time to Australia, where he established
             prediction was correct!                                        Foster Packaging Australia, among other things
                Some might quip ‘it’s the luck of the Irish’, but Joe       breaking new ground by offering digital printing for
             Foster doesn’t buy that. His view is more prosaic. ‘If         short-run flexible packaging.
             you want more luck, you have to take more chances,                Then, in 2016, came the merger between Foster
             be more active, show up more often,’ he maintains.             Packaging (both the South African and Australian
                Joe’s involvement in packaging started when he              operations), and Australia’s Omniverse, resulting in
             was 16; and he was just 20 when he moved from his              the Omniverse Foster Packaging Group.
             native Ireland to Zimbabwe, where he was involved in              A wise man once said: ‘Goals. There’s no telling
             engineering and production at a packaging plant, which         what you can do when you’re inspired by them; there’s
             led to production and sales positions at Kohler Flexible       no telling what you can do when you believe in them;
             Packaging. Aged 34, he left Kohler and set about               there’s no telling what will happen when you act upon
             fulfilling his dream of ‘flying solo’ by the time he was 35.   them.’ That sentiment seems perfectly apt for Joe
                Indeed, it was his ‘can-do’, self-assured attitude          Foster.
             – putting a deadline to a dream – that saw Foster                 So, on behalf of the entire South African industry,
             Packaging evolve from a humble office in Joe’s                 the PPM team says ‘cheers’ to these two men, whose
             Cape Town home to a well-respected global player,              commitment and vision has caused the South African
             now Omniverse Foster, operating from Australian                and Australian flags to fly high on the international
             headquarters.                                                  packaging stage. They will be recognised at the
                ‘Ownership’, ‘responsibility’ and ‘service’ are the         WorldStar Awards ceremony taking place in Düsseldorf
             rocks on which his business success has been built.            during interpack 2020.

                                                                                                                              FEBRUARY 2020
             www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                            19

18-19_WPO_PPMFeb20.indd 19                                                                                                                         2020/02/19 1:50 PM
Crackingnews
                    Cracking on with
                    UV LED curing
                    Rotocon’s investment in developing                                    Users of UV LED flexo inks report significantly faster
                                                                                       production speeds compared to mercury curing technology.
                    its Ecoline brand of UV LED curing                                 Additionally, thanks to their significantly longer lifespan,
                    systems is meeting demand from South                               instant on/off capability and reduced maintenance, UV LED
                    Africa’s narrow-web market, where                                  systems offer enhanced press uptime.
                                                                                          ‘UV LEDs operate up to 20 times longer (20 000+ hours)
                    converters are upgrading their systems                             than medium-pressure mercury arc UV curing systems,’
                    from traditional mercury arc UV curing                             Pascal explains. ‘Their instant on/off capability means no
                    systems to the latest LED technology.                              waiting is required to restart a press. Faster changeovers
                                                                                       via flexible controls and curing adjustments, such as
                                                                                       wavelengths, working distance, dimming level (UV energy
                    ROTOCON has recently retrofitted the first of its newly-           output), are also possible. All these factors contribute to
                    introduced Ecoline range of UV LED curing systems to a             improved uptime, resulting in higher production rates,’ he
                    six-colour press at Durban-based label converter, GTV              states.
                    Label Master.                                                         As previously reported (PPM July 2017), Durban-based
                       According to Rotocon director, Pascal Aengenvoort,              GTV Label Master’s relationship with Rotocon stretches
                    the first major benefit in switching to UV LED curing is           back to 1992, when brothers, Ravi, Ricky and Vernon Pillay
                    significantly lower operating costs thanks to energy savings,      took over from their father, Thangvaloo, and continued
                    fewer consumable parts, and lower maintenance costs.               running the business based on his founding principles of
                    ‘UV LEDs typically use up to 70% less energy compared              good printing practices and uncompromising quality.
                    to traditional UV curing,’ he states. ‘Not having to keep             ‘Since 1992, we’ve been purchasing rewinding and
                    consumable parts on hand, such as lamps, ballasts,                 finishing machines, flexible dies and tooling from Michael
                    reflectors and fans, provides additional costs savings.            Aengenvoort,’ reports co-owner, Ravi Pillay. ‘When it comes
                    Finally, lower maintenance costs result from less time             to any investment decision, we’ve always considered
                    spent replacing lamps and cleaning/servicing the other             technical back-up and service to be as important as the
                    components,’ he adds.                                              brand we buy. And the Rotocon team has lived up to our

                    Rotocon director, Pascal Aengenvoort, and Durban branch manager, Akmuth Sayed, with the GTV Label Master
                    team, and Chinese technicians who helped developed Rotocon’s Ecoline UV LED curing system.

         20                                                                                                                    www.packagingmag.co.za

20-21_ROTOCON CRACKING NEWS.indd 20                                                                                                                 2020/02/19 1:50 PM
expectations in this regard,’ Ravi adds. ‘In fact, as there was
            only one Ecoline UV LED curing system already installed
            in the country, we took a leap of faith with our latest
            purchase, based on our track record with Rotocon’s Ecoline
            brand of machines and consumables, and faith in Rotocon’s
            technical abilities.’
               The existing UV curing system, which had proved
            troublesome throughout its life, was very old and spare
            parts were no longer available.
               ‘With power outage challenges,’ Ravi goes on to relate,
            ‘we were advised to move away from mercury UV lamps,
            which tend to blow, and to invest in an LED curing system
            because the lamps cool immediately and don’t require a
            warm-up period.’
               Although the brothers were slightly sceptical, because
            some converters had experienced teething troubles with
            newly-installed LED curing systems, they’re happy to report
            the absence of any issues.
               ‘We’ve been so pleasantly surprised by the system’s
            performance that we’ve now specified another eight units
            be fitted to a new press on order,’ remarks an enthusiastic
            Ravi Pillay.

                An injection of cleaning power
                ROTOCON’S distribution partnership with                       ECO cleaner model can accommodate various
                Netherlands-based Jet Europe provides the local               plate sizes for simultaneous cleaning, utilising two
                narrow-web converting market with six fully-                  brushes and a variety of cleaners for any plate/
                automatic Jet ECO cleaner models for cleaning,                ink combination,’ reports Rotocon director, Patrick
                rinsing and drying flexo and letterpress plates –             Aengenvoort.
                ranging from 450 to 1 400mm wide – in a single                   Over the past four years, Gauteng-based self-
                cycle.                                                        adhesive label and price marking specialist, KS
                   This blue-chip supplier, with 30 years’ experience         Scales & Labels, has partnered with Rotocon by
                in photopolymer plate processing, offers a high               investing in three Ecoline slitter/rewinders (PPM
                degree of expertise and craftsmanship. ‘Each Jet              April 2019) and a Jet Europe plate washing machine.
                                                                                 In 2019, owner, Nathan Naidoo, became the first
                                                                              local label converter to invest in a Jet ECO cleaner
                                                                              to further improve print quality by ensuring all
                                                                              UV ink residue is removed from plates at each job
                                                                              changeover, representing a major upgrade from
                                                                              manual plate washing.
                                                                                 ‘To remain competitive, we needed to invest in
                                                                              high-quality equipment to improve our printing
                                                                              results,’ Nathan states. ‘We’re confident we have
                                                                              the most cost-effective system. The Jet ECO cleaner
                                                                              450 has helped to save cleaning time and has
                                                                              improved our print quality as there’s no longer any
                Using the Jet                                                 clogging of fine print. It has also improved storage
                ECO Cleaner 450,                                              processes, making plates easier to find after night
                plates are carried                                            shift work and minimising plate damage.’
                automatically into                                               The washout, rinsing and drying cycle usually
                the processor via                                             takes around three to five minutes, depending on
                transfer rollers,
                                                                              plate thickness.
                with speed and
                temperature being                                                Although KS Scales & Labels cleans 250mm wide
                controlled via a                                              plates in the machine, it can accommodate
                touchscreen.                                                  a maximum plate width of 450mm.

            www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                   21

20-21_ROTOCON CRACKING NEWS.indd 21                                                                                                   2020/02/19 1:50 PM
22-29_SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE.indd 22   2020/02/20 3:17 PM
Sustainability Update
                                                                                                       Busisiwe Khumalo,
                                                                                                       Danone’s corporate
                                                                                                       communications officer
                                                                                                       signing the SA Plastics
                                                                                                       Pact’s founding member
                                                                                                       commitment at last month’s
                                                                                                       official launch in Cape
                                                                                                       Town.

             Plastics Pact: value chain’s
             ambitious 2025 targets
             The SA Plastics Pact – an 11-month collaborative            making 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable
             project between the World Wide Fund for Nature              or compostable; ensuring 70% of plastic packaging is
             (WWF-SA), the South African Plastic Recycling               effectively recycled; and including 30% average recycled
             Organisation (SAPRO) and Waste and Resources                content across all plastic packaging formats.
             Action Programme (WRAP) UK – to keep plastics                  Founding Pact members are Addis, the Clicks
             in a circular economy model and out of the                  Group, Coca-Cola Africa, Danone, Distell,
             environment was recently launched in Cape Town.             HomeChoice, Massmart, Myplas, Nampak Rigids, Pick
               As reported in PPM’s March and July 2019 issues,          n Pay, Polyoak, Polyplank, Shoprite Group, Spar, Spur
             the Pact has been developed specifically for the South      Corporation, TFG, Tiger Brands, Tuffy, Unilever, Waste
             African context but also shaped by experiences of           Plan and Woolworths.
             others in The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics            Non-profit organisation members include the City
             Pact global network, in particular, the UK Plastics Pact,   of Cape Town, Department of Environment, Forestry
             led by WRAP.                                                & Fisheries, Fruit South Africa, Institute of Waste
               Aligned with the New Plastics Economy vision,             Management of Southern Africa, PET Recycling
             South Africa joins France, the UK, The Netherlands          Company, Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation,
             and Chile in exchanging knowledge and collaborating         Polystyrene Association of SA, SAPRO, and Southern
             to accelerate the transition to a global circular           African Vinyls Association.
             economy.                                                       Following the launch, GreenCape, with the support
               The SA Plastics Pact will be managed and delivered        of WWF-SA and WRAP, will develop the Pact’s 2025
             by GreenCape, a not-for-profit organisation that            roadmap towards collective action in the local market,
             assists businesses; investors; and government (local,       including annual public progress reports. WRAP has
             provincial and national) in establishing and growing        secured funding to support this work for the first six
             a resilient green economy through supporting policy         months. Additional funding will, however, be sought
             and regulatory advocacy; sharing market intelligence;       for specific projects and activities.
             and facilitating market access, skills development,            Members are confident that by delivering on the
             networking and events.                                      2025 targets, they’ll help boost job creation in the
               The Pact’s founding members have committed to             plastics collection and recycling sector, and create new
             four ambitious 2025 targets that prevent plastics from      opportunities in product design and reuse business
             becoming a waste/pollution problem.                         models.
               These goals encompass taking action on problematic           For more information about the South African
             or unnecessary plastic packaging through redesign,          Plastics Pact, visit www.saplasticspact.org.za
             innovation or alternative (re-use) delivery models;         or email: info@saplasticspact.org.za

               Progressive planning
               The UK Plastics Pact – driven by The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a key advisor
               in South Africa’s Pact development plan – has been running for over 20 months, and made positive
               strides towards its 2025 targets.
               • Pact members are across the half-way mark of making all their packaging recyclable.
               •	The UK is more than half-way towards recycling 70% of plastics packaging, following huge investment in
                  recycling infrastructure, which has enabled an extra 240 000 ton capacity.
               • Members are a third of the way towards an average of 30% recycled content in their plastic packaging.
               • A billion problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic items will be eliminated by the end of 2020.

                                                                                                                     FEBRUARY 2020
             www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                     23

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Coca-Cola launches

                                                                                                                                       Sustainability Update
              returnable two-litre PET bottle
              AFTER successfully completing internal trials in             in our packaging and ensuring more packaging is
              October 2019, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa               collected and recycled,’ Velaphi adds. ‘This launch
              (CCBSA) introduced a two-litre returnable PET                is another way we can use innovation to unlock the
              bottle in the Eastern Cape market, which offers              value in waste and support a circular economy in
              consumers value for money, while being kind to               South Africa.’
              the environment.                                                During 2018, more than 98 000 tons of post-
                 These returnable PET bottles are higher in density        consumer PET was collected through the PET
              than the standard ones because they can be reused            Recycling Company, which Coca-Cola supports
              up to 14 times, before being recycled and made               through voluntary levies, and diverted from landfills
              into new bottles. The rollout – which is being piloted       in South Africa, saving 612 000m2 of landfill space.
              in the Mandela Bay and Border-Kei districts – has
              been proceeding so successfully that the project
              will be expanding to other parts of the country in the
              upcoming months.
                 These PET bottles are decorated with a new paper
              label, with the word ‘Returnable’ clearly printed in
              green.
                 ‘Through innovation and our infrastructure
              investment in this packaging line, we’re providing
              consumers with greater value for money, while
              introducing a reusable PET bottle,’ comments Velaphi
              Ratshefola, MD of CCBSA.
                 ‘Their launch is one way in which CCBSA is
              investing in innovative and more sustainable
              packaging,’ says Velaphi. ‘They also support our
              company’s global commitment to address the world’s
              waste problem.’
                 Once a bottle is returned, it enters a looped journey
              to be cleaned to Coca-Cola’s stringent requirements
              before refilling and starting its next lifecycle. When the
              bottle reaches the end of its 14 reusable lifecycles, it
              can be recycled and turned into another PET bottle.
                 ‘We’re committed to increasing recycled material

               Nestlé adopts franc approach
               to formidable challenge
               FOOD-GRADE recycled plastics are hard to                      The company will seek operational efficiencies
               come by, but that has not deterred Nestlé from              to keep this initiative earnings neutral.
               committing CHF2-billion to source up to 2-million             En route to a waste-free future, Nestlé is also
               tons and setting aside CHF1.5-billion for the               tackling packaging innovation, including new
               premium-price tag they carry.                               materials, refill systems and recycling solutions.
                 The investment is part of the company’s 2018              In addition to its significant in-house research
               undertaking to make 100% of its packaging                   through the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences,
               recyclable or reusable by 2020, developing innovative       the company plans a CHF250-million sustainable
               sustainable packaging solutions and reducing its use        packaging venture fund to invest in start-up
               of virgin plastics by 33% while doing so.                   companies that focus on these areas.
                 Its efforts, in collaboration with like-minded groups,      These initiatives complement Nestle’s ongoing
               will advance the circular economy and help to remove        efforts to achieve its goal of zero net greenhouse
               plastic waste from oceans, lakes and rivers.                gas emissions by 2050.

                                                                                                                       FEBRUARY 2020
             www.packagingmag.co.za                                                                                                       25

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