Dow Adhesives and Nordmeccanica Host Sustainable Packaging Demonstration Runs

Various bio-based film stocks used for these trials were provided by leading film producers EarthFirst, global producer of bio-polymer PLA (polylactic acid) films, and Innovia, global provider of bio-based NatureFlex printing films.

14/05/09 To recognize the contributions sustainable packaging can make in reducing the packaging industry’s carbon footprint, Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers business team and Nordmeccanica NA hosted a day-long series of trial demonstrations for package converters. The demonstrations took place on equipment at Nordmeccanica’s Long Island, New York, facilities and attracted over 40 industry attendees for a series of trial runs combining various film laminates, water-based inks and Dow Mor-Free solventless adhesives. The Mor-Free laminating adhesives that were demonstrated provide very favorable, high bio-content (55%) general performance without premium cost.

Various bio-based film stocks used for these trials were provided by leading film producers EarthFirst, global producer of bio-polymer PLA (polylactic acid) films, and Innovia, global provider of bio-based NatureFlex printing films. Rounding out the sustainable packaging materials under demonstration were waterborne printing inks from Siegwerk and Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation. Sun Chemical provided a solvent-borne ink for demonstration.

Unlocking better sustainability solutions

Nancy Smith, Dow North American commercial development manager for packaging adhesives, believes these technical sessions are the key that will unlock better sustainability solutions for many food packagers. “This is a truly unique gathering in a production-scale setting. Converters and global key suppliers are together in one room meeting face-to-face to discuss all the ingredients needed to produce a completely sustainable package. Questions regarding each material and its impact and interactions on production and performance are able to be answered on the spot, and the considerable savings in trial and error work, time to conversion, and trials expense to evaluate switching to a more sustainable package profile are genuinely achieved by this gathering.”

In North America, this was the second annual ‘Focus on Sustainability’ gathering sponsored by Dow and Nordmeccanica. Just weeks ago during March in Italy, the companies also sponsored a similar technical session that coincided with Exhibition ConverFlex and provided the same opportunity for packagers in Europe.

Bringing innovation to market quickly

“Nordmeccanica is working closely with Dow and global suppliers in bio-based films and inks to bring sustainable packaging innovation to market as quickly as possible,” says Giancarlo Caimmi, Nordmeccanica commercial director. “Our solventless equipment is the optimum choice for laminating hardware. When combined with Dow’s innovative solventless laminating adhesives and the bio-based inks and films now on the market, flexible packaging applications with no greenhouse gas emissions can be fully realized.”