10 BULKDISTRIBUTOR May / June 2017 Industrial Packaging
10 BULKDISTRIBUTOR May / June 2017 Industrial Packaging
Interpack 2017 - Packaging , planet and partnership
Interpack on 4-10 May posted a record attendance of 2,865 companies . Moreover , 74 percent of the 170,500 visitors travelled to Düsseldorf from abroad , with three quarters of them being decision-makers , according to organisers .
Sustainability was the main theme for LC
Packaging at the show . The firm , based in Nieuwerkerk a / d Ijssel , The Netherlands , believes a product can only be of high quality when it is sustainable and produced with consideration for people and planet . Hence , LC Packaging unveiled three key ingredients for a sustainable business : innovative packaging solutions , planet friendly production and long term partnerships . Visitors were treated to an exclusive 360 virtual tour through LC ’ s SA8000 certified FIBC production location in Bangladesh . The location - Dutch-Bangla Pack Ltd ( DBPL ) - has been SA 8000 certified since 2012 and is one of only four companies in Bangladesh accredited with this global standard for corporate social responsibility . SA8000 standard is the leading social certification standard for factories and organisations across the globe . It contains provisions relating to child labour , forced labour , health and safety , discrimination , working hours and remuneration , among others . Not only is LC ’ s own manufacturing location so certified , so are almost all the company ’ s FIBC production partners . Last year , LC Packaging also launched its Global Supplier Code of Conduct , based on the SA8000 standards and the UN principles on business and human rights . DBPL also includes in its certification portfolio ISO 14001 , OHSAS 18001 , FSSC 22000 , and is an advanced member of the UN Global Compact . Via an enormous touch screen , visitors got to
look at all areas of the factories and all parts of the FIBC production process , including the state-ofthe-art cleanroom . Visitors could also design their own tailor-made FIBC via an interactive configurator tool , while enjoying fair trade coffee and snacks . LC Packaging took advantage of the triennial trade fair to reintroduce its WorldBag FIBC reconditioning service . WorldBag is LC ’ s sustainable subsidiary , specialised in reconditioning and recycling FIBCs . The packaging firm is convinced that the market is ready for creative sustainable solutions , giving a second life to high quality packaging products , reducing the environmental impact and lower packaging costs . WorldBag collects used big bags from all over Europe , cleaning and repairing them , ready for reuse . The bags are then delivered to customers in pristine condition . With this closed-loop formula , LC says WorldBag offers a unique , efficient , sustainable 100 percent solution . Some big bags can be reconditioned up to six times , while the reconditioning process ensures the right balance between a long life span and low costs . WorldBag is ISO 14001 certified . Visitors at Interpack were also reminded of LC ’ s ‘ Food Safe Assurance Programme ’. As an FIBC producer and distributor with many customers in the food and pharma industry , the firm understands the importance of food safe packaging . With the Food Safe Assurance Programme , LC Packaging offers customers “ the
LC Packaging ’ s FIBC production location in Bangladesh has been SA 8000 certified since 2012
WorldBag is LC ’ s sustainable subsidiary , specialised in reconditioning and recycling FIBCs
cleanest and safest FIBCs ”, produced in a state-ofthe-art cleanroom , that meet the highest industry standards . Marcel Schouten , the company ’ s director FIBC , explained : “ The biggest challenges for the food and food ingredients industry are protecting their valuable products and gaining and maintaining the consumers ’ trust in food safety . Food safety crisis situations and outbreaks can be considered some of the largest threats for companies and even for entire industries . “ With our Food Safe Assurance Programme , we inform our stakeholders about all the elements that make a product ‘ food safe ’ and offer our customers high quality , food safe packaging , protecting their valuable product and their consumers ’ trust ,” he added . The programme includes six elements to meet the standard for all food safe packaging , including high-level quality management , sustainable production , cost and operational efficiency , innovative product design , cleanroom manufacturing technology and consulting on food safe packaging and safety risks .
Schütz goes for maximum efficiency
As in previous years , Schütz used Interpack to showcase a selection of the company ’ s many innovations . The Selters , Germany -based IBC manufacturer ’ s show presentation was characterised by four attributes : ‘ Innovative . Reliable . Sustainable . Global .’
As a guiding principle , these attributes also form the basis for the continual development of the group and its products . More than 100 engineers and specialists from a wide range of disciplines work continuously to develop new , transport packaging and optimise established products . Schütz says this guarantees that customers benefit from the highest quality and absolute dependability , based on the company ’ s own machines and production plants , all of which are designed and built in-house . Schütz ’ s product and service range always closely follows the company philosophy of complete sustainability along the entire value chain . The firm preserves natural resources and ensures that activities that require energy are increasingly efficient . Another key contribution to sustainability is reconditioning : each reconditioned IBC saves around 100kg of CO2 compared with a new container . The continually expanding network , which currently comprises 46 production sites worldwide , also serves to increase sustainability by ensuring that Schütz is always close to its customers , thus reducing transport distances and cutting emissions . At the same time , a broad network of locations ensures delivery reliability and globally uniform product standards for consistent quality . At a futuristic , 500 sqm , open-plan trade show booth , guests could experience a wealth of hightech and multimedia elements , and a large LED screen to showcase the models on display . One of the highlights was the new Ecobulk SX- D . The inner bottle of this IBC with a volume of 1,000 litres features a conventional steel grid as well as a full steel coat . Firmly welded to the steel