ULMA Packaging tackles waste reduction

Feb 18, 2019
ULMA Packaging has recently opened a new demonstration facility in the UK to facilitate trials, as a sustainable way to reduce waste.

The packaging industry must keep an open mind and invest in sustainable ways to reduce material waste, but it will be an ongoing process –  the specialists from Ulma Packaging advise.

Paul McMahon, business manager – machine sales at ULMA Packaging UK, elaborates: “Growing concerns over plastic pollution and the impact of food packaging waste on the environment is helping to increase demand for sustainable packaging. While the current sustainability drive is welcome news for policy makers in the UK tackling the impact of plastics and ways to boost recycling – it will take time for manufacturers to find suitable alternatives.”

McMahon, who believes that trials with any new packaging will need to happen to ensure that the quality and protection of food is assured, explains: “The good news is that innovative packaging machinery designed to reduce pack size and waste, in addition to being compatible with biodegradable and recyclable materials, is helping to make waste reduction a reality.”  

The experts say that machinery designed to reduce film waste by up to 40% such as ULMA’s TFS 407R, alongside innovative materials like biopolymers and other solutions such as paper-based wrappers and boxes continue to be introduced to the market and he expects this trend to continue.

 

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Reducing food packaging waste is a top priority and the company is currently working closely with several industry partners to run trials using sustainable materials including cardboard, as well as compostable and recyclable films.

McMahon concludes: “We have recently invested in a new demonstration facility in the UK to facilitate packaging trials as it is important for us to help brands achieve their goals. By trialling new packaging machinery with sustainable materials, any concern over whether an innovative new material will do the job it needs to do is alleviated. It truly is an exciting time to be working in the packaging sector and the amount of bespoke packaging solutions on offer to reduce waste is astounding.”