PFFC - May 2008 - (Page 39)

EURO CONVERTING ver the past 15 years, the world of flexible packaging in Western Europe has morphed from a booming, innovative industry to a stable, low-growth sector. Three factors that describe the industry in 2007–2008 are consolidation, Eastern/ Central European production, and oversupply/high prices. Further impinging these characteristics are sustainability, an accelerating drift of production into India and China, and the effects of the loss of national identity and creativity in packaging caused by the slow homogenization imposed by European Union (EU) regulations. Consolidation East O The body of Huhtamaki’s Cyclero flexible stand-up pouch consists of a three- or four-layer laminate, which can be transparent or opaque, and depending on the barrier requirements, may include aluminum. The laminate is gravure printed for high shelf appeal. Coffee pads were the first market application for Cyclero system. Environmental Beneﬁts Huhtamaki Ronsberg, Ronsberg, Germany, describes Cyclero as an optimized version of a conventional stand-up pouch that is classified as an environmentally beneficial pack in accordance with the German packaging decree. It is said to have considerably less environmental impact than returnable glass bottles and aluminum or tin cans. The Cyclero system consists of the main base, body, and lid components. In production, the laminate material supplied in rolls is formed into a cylinder with a diameter of 30–100 mm. Then the base element is sealed to this cylinder. Filling can be carried out through the open end of the cylinder before the lid section is applied, or the lid section can be put on first and the product filled through an open twist closure. In the first year after its launch, Cyclero won the Alufoil Trophy, the German Packaging Award, and the prestigious WorldStar award. For more information visit www.cyclero.com. The consolidation of flex-pack converters in Western Europe has been ongoing for at least ten years. Nations such as Spain, Denmark, and the UK have a heavily fragmented flexible packaging indusry characterized by many small to mediumsized converters, which have been targeted for consolidation by the larger multinationals. Giants such as Amcor Flexibles (UK), Alcan Packaging (France), and Constantia (Austria) have acquired many smaller-sized converters over the years. An even more recent trend has been the confederation of several medium-sized converters into one autonomous organization. United Flexibles, for example, was formed by the confederation of three German/Austrian companies: Reuther Verpackung (Neuwied, Germany), LEIPA Verpackung (Schrobenhausen, Germany), and Pawag Verpackungen (Wolfurt, Austria). The organization is able to supply a wide range of multifunctional customers in five countries and generates sales of about 350 million (US$540 million). There have been many additional mergers and acquisitions by European flex-pack converters. Constantia recently purchased Hueck Folien, a prime supplier of both food and pharmaceutical aluminum foils. In Romania, Constantia recently acquired a 60% interest in Novis, a paper label producer, and in Poland, a 70% interest in Color Cap, a supplier of caps and closures. The Suominen Group, a Finnish flexpack converter, opened a greenfield plant near Warsaw, Poland, in 1999–2000. Huhtamaki’s The group further expanded in 2002 and achieved enhanced printing ability in 2005, Cyclero Drinkbax, and has current sales of more than 20 mil- winner of the 2007 German lion. The company is focusing its attention Packaging Award, on the rest of Central Europe—Russia and is a flexible standthe Baltic countries—as are many other up pouch with European converters. high stiffness due Already in Hungary, Mondi Packaging to its cylindrical Consumer Flexibles is making significant shape. Created new investments there. The firm enlarged production capabilities for printing and over- for soft drinks and all machine capacity. Located in Békéscsaba, other beverages, the facility offers an extensive product range it’s a practical solution for events of laminates and stand-up pouches. at which cans Amcor Flexibles Europe, the largest flexpack converter in Europe with 38 plants in 15 or glass and countries including seven plants in Southern PET bottles are banned. Europe (Spain, Italy, and Portugal) and MAY 2008 | 39 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.cyclero.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - May 2008

PFFC - May 2008 Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What's New Products Labels/Sleeves Cover - European Converting Drupa New Product Digest What's New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - May 2008

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