mardi 14 janvier 2025
Live from LUXE PACK Monaco 2024: James Cropper reveals novel paper solutions
James Cropper is driving its in-house innovation with the development of recycled and upcycled solutions for the packaging industry. The British papermaker showcased two of its latest innovations at LUXE PACK Monaco 2024.
Fiber Tops and Bases
James Cropper is launching a range of tops and bases for inner bottle packaging made of molded fiber. Targeting the drinks industry, the items are entirely made from Colourform–the supplier’s thermoformed, molded fiber packaging solution.
The tops and bases are molded to hug the bottle's shape and are designed to be placed inside rigid boxes, aiming to replace a traditional plastic or foam insert. The papermaker claims that the components are five times lighter than their alternatives, which, of course, reduces carbon emissions during production and transportation. The elements are currently offered in white, black or bespoke shades on request, with embossing or debossing to provide an "elevated consumer experience".
Transforming Waste Polycotton into Paper
In terms of new materials, the papermaker is revealing a patented technology that enables waste cotton to be upcycled into paper by recovering cotton fibers sourced from the UK’s polycotton waste stream (commercial laundries), which would otherwise be incinerated.
A proprietary technology is applied to separate the cotton from the polyester. Initial lab trials conducted in collaboration with Kadant Fiber Processing–supplier of components and engineered systems used in virgin and recycled paper stock preparation–are said to have shown positive results, with up to 98% of cotton fibers successfully recovered and transformed.