COVID-19’s final impact on the world remains to be seen. The ripple effects are being felt at every turn, in every community both on a personal and professional level whether businesses have had to temporarily close during lockdowns or convert production operations to help overcome PPE shortages. While some outcomes such as higher unemployment rates, potential supply chain disruptions, and market volatility are foreseeable, the converting and packaging industries as well as the recycling and sustainability movements are seeing a ripple effect.
As the long-standing nemesis of the sustainability and zero waste movement, single-use and flexible packaging represent a unique business case as the world faces this unprecedented crisis. Beyond the benefits of convenience that toss away plastic utensils and water bottles bring come the health benefits of single-use plastics. From coffee shops that have banned multi-use cups to restaurants and food delivery services that bring orders in disposable plastic bags, the shift to more easily recyclable materials is being put on the back burner as businesses and consumers find ways to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging consumers to use disposable containers and packaging to decrease the risk of transmission and avoid the need to clean and sanitize. This includes everything from plastic cutlery and disposable cups to plastic dinnerware and bags.
“Packaging goods are being dramatically impacted during the stay-at-home orders,” according to Dana
“It’s critical that businesses work with a source for their blades that is more than just a supplier. At American Cutting Edge, we have a broad knowledge of industrial cutting with over 50 years of experience manufacturing industrial blades and knives. Our converting and packaging industry experts team up with internal customer resources to come up with the best solutions when quick changes have to happen whether it’s a change to what’s being manufactured or if new requirements come into play based on innovations to materials being cut continues Smith. "The impact doesn’t stop with the conversion of businesses to support virus recovery efforts."
“When you look at global demand for flexible and single-use packaging, there has been a jump in the
According to a recent study by Research & Markets and reported by Converting Quarterly, the Global Flexible Green Packaging Market is forecast to reach $644.21 billion by 2027. With the call for single-use and flexible packaging increasing during the global pandemic and as consumers continue to embrace convenience, the move to flexible green packaging only makes sense.
“The demand for flexible green packaging won’t diminish any time soon,” says Smith. “There will be an even more critical push for more environmentally friendly options across all areas of the converting and packaging industries. We anticipate that national and state governments will implement recycling programs with higher requirements for flexible packaging. As the push for a more sustainable planet grows, pressure for products that are environmentally friendly and “green” will become more important.”
The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) presents evidence that flexible green packaging provides environmental benefits at every phase of the package life cycle compared to other forms of packaging including:
Recent food packaging innovations solve many of the industry’s challenges including extending product
In the past, when food packaging was recycled it could not be used for the same purpose due to contamination concerns. However, with recent developments in packaging and recycling technology, there are now some forms of post-consumer packaging (PCR) that can be recycled and a portion that can be used for its original purpose. PCR is less wasteful new plastic because it doesn’t take as much energy and needs fewer non-renewable resources to manufacture.
Aside from PCR, which is not always an appropriate choice for an application, there are other ways to make packaging greener including but not limited to:
With a global push for higher packaging recovery goals, there will be a renewed focus on innovative flexible packaging recycling technologies and recovery systems. Advancements in technology will help solve some challenges while creating new ones for the single-use and flexible packaging industries. “We believe that as the industry advances the use of layered packaging and changes the materials being cut, there will be a shift in the types of blades needed to fit cutting applications,” says Smith.
“There’s a great deal of engineering and science that goes into finding the most durable and accurate cut. The solution isn’t always limited to something that sits on the shelf and is ready to ship out the same day. We work closely with many of our customers to modify existing blade designs to come with a better solution to reduce resistance during the cutting process, improve precision, reduce change-outs, and machine downtime. Sometimes the solution is a different blade material or coating to reduce drag. Other times, we’re starting from scratch and coming up with a new solution. The key to successfully addressing the customer’s unique challenge is listening, understanding, and working together for an optimal solution.”
Change is the one constant in business whether you’re converting, packaging, or making industrial blades. It’s important to work with a partner who can dodge and weave with you in the ever-changing business landscape. Put the converting and packaging experts from ACE to work for you today!