Sustainability

Luxury Meets Sustainability: The Enduring Appeal of Embellishments in Luxury Packaging

March 18, 2025

By Erin Judge, contributing writer, PostPress

Simplicity is emerging as a key theme in today’s packaging trends, driven by consumers’ preference for modern, minimalist designs in combination with their heightened sensitivity to sustainability. This shift has extended into the luxury goods market, where brand owners and packaging designers must navigate the challenge of blending high-end embellishments with the increasing demand for eco-friendly, recyclable packaging that still conveys a sense of luxury. PostPress spoke with packaging converters and suppliers in the luxury goods market to unearth the latest embellishment trends that are attracting high-end consumers.

Appeal of Luxury

In today’s market of ‘non-essential’ luxury items – such as cosmetics, beauty products, wine, spirits and jewelry – packaging and labels often serve as the first point of contact with the consumer, playing a vital role in shaping their perception of the product. “Luxury packaging is about creating a sensory experience that aligns with the premium nature of the brand,” said Allan Quimby, head of marketing for KURZ, the world’s top producer of transfer foils and security solutions.

Luxury brand consumers, who typically are well-versed in quality and value, expect packaging to reflect a sense of high-end exclusivity. Their confidence in a brand increase when its packaging is elevated with embellishments like foil, embossing or soft-touch coatings. These enhancements not only elevate the product’s appeal but also add authenticity, which increasingly is important as counterfeiting continues to plague the luxury goods market, and anti-counterfeiting measures are crucial for brand owners.

“The enhanced tactile experience of packaging with specialty embellishments adds to overall perceived value of the product,” noted Kandi Johansmeyer, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Orlando-based SunDance, a multi-channel print and marketing solutions company that continues to grow in the luxury packaging space.

Luxury packaging isn’t just about a product looking expensive, though. Sabine Lenz, founder and CEO of PaperSpecs, an online hub for graphic designers and brand owners who print, said, “It’s about evoking desire, signaling quality and ensuring that from the very first touch, consumers feel they’re experiencing something truly special.”

While many consumer-packaged goods companies can be restricted by the cost of these value-add embellishments, Johansmeyer explained that luxury brand owners often have higher margins with their products, which enable them to enhance their packaging with more specialty finishes that align with their brand image.

These tactile finishes and visual foils are important in luxury packaging, not only for enhancing brand authenticity, but also for driving sales. Christine Takacs, holographics development specialist at ITW ShineMark, affirmed, “It’s all about the data. Purchasing habits demonstrate a direct correlation between foil embellishments and high-margin sales volume in certain premium categories.” Takacs’s company is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of high-quality foils, films and laminations.

With higher budgets come high demands: Consistency is key for strong branding and quality perception. “Perfect production results are mission critical, and even minor flaws can delay launch dates and potentially cause significant financial losses,” said Thomas Leikam, director of sales and marketing, Autajon Packaging West Coast.

Autajon, a manufacturer of folding cartons, labels, set-up boxes and POS materials, has a significant global presence, with luxury packaging making up the largest portion of its customer portfolio. Leikam added that luxury packaging cartons placed side by side on the shelf must have consistent color, precise registration and strong structural integrity, all of which contribute to the overall user experience. This level of perfection is why luxury brand owners dedicate more time to the concept stage than other packaging customers, and rigorous testing regularly is conducted throughout the production process.

Luxurious Trends

While they may seem similar at first glance, each foil and embellishment on a luxury goods package tells a distinct story. Leikam explained that “a shimmery foil helps brands stand out with its reflective quality, while soft-touch and other specialty embellishments keep customers engaged and intrigued by the look and feel of the product carton.” Lenz added, “Whether it’s subtle holographic effects suggesting innovation or textured embossing reflecting a brand’s heritage, finishing techniques are more intentional than ever.”

Holographic films and foils are making a major impact in today’s luxury packaging, thanks to their modern aesthetic and minimalist appeal. ITW ShineMark recently released its HoloFrost™ products, which, according to Takacs, “overprint beautifully without muddying ink saturation and color integrity. When left unprinted, they offer an intriguing new look.”

Haley Hutchison-Quick, vice president of Infinity® Foils, Inc., a UEI company, and a global leader in foil stamping products, emphasized that luxury packaging must strike a balance between elegance and opulence. She noted that each foil type – whether holographic, clear or security – offers its own unique appeal. In 2025, many luxury goods are turning to overprintable cold foils, like Infinity Foil’s MCOF Grade, which creates “striking designs and eye-catching effects when combined with printing and processes like refractive stamping,” said Hutchison-Quick.

Converters and suppliers agree that luxury brands are trending toward multi-step processes, such as layering foils with UV spot coatings or embossing/debossing. As Lenz observed, there’s a strong trend toward multi-sensory experiences, “where packaging feels as good as it looks.”

Personalization and customization also are becoming increasingly important in luxury packaging, with consumers seeking unique, tailored experiences. Products like KURZ’s Digital Embellishment Solutions, designed for both narrow web and sheet-fed markets, enhance packaging with high-quality, personalized designs and offer customizable metallic finishes at high volumes. Quimby added that digital embellishments in conjunction with augmented reality (AR) will transform how brands engage with their audiences through packaging, especially as technology improves. These improvements will give rise to hyper-personalization, limited editions and smart packaging, including invisible security features, to further brand stories and boost consumer engagement.

Merging Luxury with Sustainability

While foils and embellishments can convey a product’s value and capture a consumer’s attention, the way the world perceives packaging, even in luxury goods, has begun to shift. According to Leikam, “very elaborate luxury packaging may be seen as a brand’s disregard for sustainability and environmental impact.” Quimby added, “Brands are facing growing pressure to deliver eco-friendly solutions without compromising on premium aesthetics.”

Fortunately for luxury goods retailers, a study done by Trivium Packaging and Boston Consulting Group revealed that 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, with nearly a quarter of them open to an additional 10% or more in cost.

For brand owners, that means creating carefully crafted designs that incorporate sustainable materials while also working to create awareness of sustainable practices at the consumer level. Switching from laminated foil board to cold or hot foil significantly can improve recyclability. However, Leikam noted that brand owners also should consider adjusting their design to clearly communicate this change to consumers. He mentioned that many of his luxury brand clients are choosing more subtle embellishments, like micro or sculptured embossing, varnishes and embracing a “natural look” with uncoated boards.

Suppliers, too, are seeing the demand for sustainability as they work to create more recyclable products. At KURZ, Quimby said, “We’ve expanded our offerings to ensure stunning aesthetics while supporting eco-conscious values. Our goal is to empower brands with premium appeal and environmental responsibility.” He emphasized his company’s investment in research and third-party certifications to ensure the company’s products are sortable, drinkable, compostable and truly sustainable. “This shift underscores an industry-wide trend where sustainability now is essential to both brand value and consumer trust,” he added.

Takacs said that sustainability plays a key role in all product development, manufacturing and policies at ITW ShineMark. Products like its filmless EcoShine total transfer and cold transfer products will continue to grow with a correlating decline in film laminations.

Creating awareness at the consumer level is crucial, as many of the materials used in luxury packaging are inherently sustainable. Hutchison-Quick clarified that when foil is applied to paper products, it remains recyclable and repulpable, provided the paper itself also is recyclable and repulpable. Cold foil also provides excellent production efficiency and substantial value for brands and makes foiling more accessible for high-volume, long-run applications. A study commissioned by the FSEA in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute further supports the claim that transfer foil-decorated paper and board do not pose issues for recyclability or repulpability in standard repulping processes.

To promote their sustainability efforts, luxury brand owners should consider adding information to their packaging to educate consumers. Takacs highlighted the importance of improving eco-labeling so that consumers understand they still can “embrace the enduring craft and appeal of beautifully enhanced packaging.” Leikam added that effective communication and consumer education will play a crucial role in addressing common misconceptions, such as the sustainability of recycled board, and will help brands make true progress toward their environmental and sustainability goals.

Where Do We Go From Here?

US brand owners should be aware that the political landscape may reshape the luxury goods and packaging markets in 2025 and beyond. As new policies emerge, some brands will look to domestic suppliers to combat rising costs and improve speed-to-market. However, “the essence of luxury packaging will remain the same,” said Lenz, “creating desire, elevating the brand experience and making the unboxing as memorable as the product itself.”

Looking ahead, luxury brands will embrace modern and alluring designs that blend simplicity with eye-catching, eco-friendly embellishments. For brand owners, this means focusing on creating packaging that not only conveys high-end appeal but also raises consumer awareness of eco-friendly practices.

Mixed Forests Are the Forests of the Future

September 16, 2024

As climate change progresses, various forms of forest damage are expected to become more common. The risk of damage can be reduced by diversifying the proportions of tree species.

By Elina Hovinen and Maria Latokartano, Metsä Group

In 2015, an agreement was signed in Paris by 195 states which committed themselves to restricting the temperature rise to clearly below 2° C, and preferably below 1.5° C, compared with pre-industrial times. After nine years, it seems unlikely that the target will be achieved. In Finland, where the temperature is predicted to rise more steeply than the global average, preparations must be made for a climate up to six to eight degrees warmer than today. Seedling stands established this year will be mature in 80 years on average. The climate probably will be very different from today then. Preparations for the changes must, therefore, already be made today.

“Nationally, adapting to climate change is one of the most important tasks in Finland. Our future and the competitiveness of our bioeconomy depend on it,” says Timo Lehesvirta, leading nature expert, Metsä Group.

Climate Resilience Through Forest Management

The rising temperature and the increased carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere accelerate the growth of forests. However, at the same time, the risk of different types of forest damage increases. Forests’ ability to adapt to climate change can be improved through appropriate forest management.

Metsä Group, which also encompasses Metsä Board, adopted its regenerative forestry principles in the spring of 2023. The goal of these principles is to ensure that forests are transferred to the next generation in an increasingly vigorous and climate-resilient condition.

Increasing the diversity of tree species in forests is one of the core principles of regenerative forestry. It makes the species found in forests generally more diverse. It also is an important way to adapt to climate change.

Aiming for Mixed Forests

In recent decades, forest cultivation in Finland has favored spruce. However, forests consisting of spruce alone, are exposed to risks resulting from climate change.

The most significant risk is considered to be insect damage, especially the spruce bark beetle, which threatens both the availability of wood raw material and carbon sinks, as it spreads.

In practice, the diversification of tree species means increasing the share of deciduous trees, especially birch, in forests. Instead of a single tree species, the goal is a mixed forest consisting of several tree species.

“The spruce bark beetle does not live in deciduous trees. A forest consisting of diverse tree species diversifies the overall selection of species found in the forest, which has a generally balancing impact on biotic communities,” Lehesvirta says.

The State of Biodiversity Is Improving

In regenerative forestry, a mixed forest either can be established through cultivation, or deciduous trees can be allowed to grow naturally alongside cultivated seedlings. The main point is that deciduous trees are taken into consideration and left in the forest during all stages of forestry, from young stand management to regeneration felling.

Every tree species has its own group of species living on it, so making the tree species more diverse increases the biodiversity of forest nature.

In addition to the different tree species, trees of different ages and in different stages of decay are needed in forests, as some species are highly-specialized regarding their habitat. There are 5,000 species of organism that live on decaying wood, for example.

Understanding Nature

Globally viewed, regenerative forestry is an exceptional way to practice the bioeconomy, according to Lehesvirta.

“In regenerative forestry, tree species used industrially are grown as part of an ecosystem with conditions to which the trees have adapted during their evolution. This approach is fundamentally different from mainstream land use such as cultivated forests and plantations that are based on changing the land use and removing the original nature. We can organize the production of raw material on an industrial scale in a way that allows the majority of the area’s original species to continue to occur in the ecosystem despite the production.”

The goal of regenerative forestry is to strengthen forests’ vitality, biodiversity and climate resilience. When this goal is achieved, economic growth will no longer entail the decrease of the state of nature. Instead, forests can be used so that they simultaneously provide raw material, food and recreation, act as carbon sinks, clean water and air, and combat erosion.

“Regenerative forestry offers a very interesting answer to the question of how to use land when faced with the current environmental challenges. It also is a good example of Metsä Group’s efforts to operate in a way that shows a better understanding of nature.”

This article was originally printed in the Metsa Board Magazine – Spring 2024 edition. https://boardmagazine.metsagroup.com/view/149858928/32/#zoom=true

Artificial Intelligence Detects the Early Stage
of Forest Damage

Metsä Group and the AI developer Collective Crunch have developed an application that makes it easier to identify and visualize insect damage.

The application is based on artificial intelligence and remote surveying data. It detects changes that indicate that trees are under heavy stress and point to early forest damage. The application shows the area of damage in red on a map and estimates both the probability and severity of the damage.

The application can identify the early stage of forest damage even earlier than the human eye, making it possible to prevent the expansion of the damage.

Metsä Group’s forest owner members can use the application through the Metsäverkko service. Metsäverkko is a free online service that facilitates forest owners’ management of their forest assets.

The damage detection application was chosen as the innovation of the year in the Quality Innovation Award 2023 competition, both in Finland and internationally.

Metallic Transfer Decorating, the Sustainable Choice for Print & Packaging

June 11, 2024

By Steven Schnoll, Schnoll Media Consulting

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the packaging world, including cartons, labels and more. Sustainability is not just a buzzword but a core part of the packaging industry value chain. Today, consumers, brands, packagers and governmental regulators are heavily focused on the environment and the demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

In the highly competitive retail marketplace, brand owners know that consumer attitudes are vital in purchasing decisions. Creatively designed packaging structures create a First Moment of Truth (FMOT) in purchasing decision-making. For brand organizations to thrive, creating dynamic packaging is paramount. Realizing this, Consumer Packaging Goods (CPGs) manufacturers turn to innovative technologies to help their packaging stand out. This includes metallics and other specialty effects for print that can transform and influence a consumer’s purchase decision.

Sustainability Education

Let’s define the words “repulpability” and “recyclability” regarding paper and packaging. Repulpability refers to the ability to convert paper back into pulp, whereas recyclability generally is about the capability of a substrate to be processed into new paper or paperboard. Repulpability is a critical characteristic of paper products that are intended to be recycled. When recycled, paper is mixed with water and turned into a slurry. The slurry then is screened to remove contaminants, and the resulting pulp is used to make new paper products.

It is a rapidly evolving area where CPGs and consumers are concerned but remain confused about sustainable packaging. Actual sustainability performance will depend on which element is prioritized. Sustainable packaging demands less use of natural resources, making repulpability very important (vs. managing natural resource depletion). Municipal Recycling Facilities (MRFs) also are critical in the packaging supply chain. How they process printed materials with metallic effects is essential to creating a more sustainable future. Packagers and brand companies want to learn from experts about significant research and the efficient and feasible recycling process for metallic transfer processes.

FSEA Studies Recyclability

In 2021, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) sponsored a sustainability study conducted by Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute to demonstrate that paper and paper boards with foil-stamped metallic transfer foils can be repulped. Georgia Tech researchers tested a 12 pt coated, one-sided card stock with 50% up to 100% metallic transfer coverage. The conclusions:

75% of metallic transfers could be repulped with very low rejects.
The aluminum in the metallic transfer foil could be broken down into small particles and were removed from fibers during screening.
The sample sheet demonstrated similar physical strengths to recycled paper fibers.
It is feasible to repulp the paper that included the metallic transfer foil as it is done in standard recycling settings.

More recently, FSEA has taken a further step and has unveiled its newest study – Recycling of Fiber-Based Materials with Transfer Metallic Decoration. The study was commissioned by FSEA and was conducted by the Van Dyk Technology Center. The testing at Van Dyk, one of North America’s leading providers of comprehensive recycling and sorting systems, included 20 samples of eight different products. The following were the conclusions from the testing:

The eight folding carton and greeting card samples were tested at the Van Dyk Testing Center to mimic various functions found in MRF sorting plants in a laboratory setting.
All eight samples of folding cartons and greeting cards included an estimated 25% up to 75% coverage of transfer metallic decoration.
The summary of the test results for each of the eight fiber-based transfer metallic decorated samples demonstrated that 100% of all samples were sorted to be included in the recycling stream. None of the metallic decorated samples were sorted and destined for landfill.
Brand owners, Print Service Providers (PSPs) and designers have testing conclusions that transfer metallic decoration is most likely being recycled by MRFs.
The test results of the Van Dyk sorting study, with the conclusions from the FSEA Repulping of Foil Decorated Paper study, indicates that fiber-based transfer metallic decorated materials are recyclable and currently are most likely being sorted by MRFs to be included in the recycling stream.

(Both of the above studies/tests are available through FSEA.)

These findings will help packagers meet their sustainability goals without compromising their designs and branding initiatives. Customer expectations constantly are evolving. Consumers want to know that packagers are thinking about the environment as much as trying to make a lasting impression that generates a sale. Forward-thinking brands recognize the significance of ensuring sustainability, and now research clearly illustrates that the repulpability of metallic transfer foils achieves those evolving expectations.

Evolving Brand/Consumer Perspective

In January 2023, the non-profit member-based organization Two Sides commissioned a global survey study of 10,250 people from the independent research company Toluna. Two Sides findings stated that “55% of consumers surveyed prefer paper packaging over plastic.” This is a significant change in attitudes toward printed paper-based packaging. Respondents felt paper packaging is better for the environment than plastic and glass.

In an interview with Ben Markens and Brian Westerlind, who manage the Paperboard Packaging Council, Markens shared “that the ‘bling’ in folding cartons that employ metallic transfer materials creates a great value add for packaging companies selling to brand owners.” Markens pointed out “that while the vast amount of printed folding cartons have no metallic foil decorating, the majority of winners, like high-end beverages and cosmetic packaging (in their recent association competition) utilized foil decorating very effectively.” Markens continued with a significant potential issue for international packagers, “even though US packages are heavily invested in sustainability, the European Union is creating higher standards for sustainability than the United States.”

As brand leaders began to craft sustainability strategies and experiment with different metallic foil applications, they needed answers from suppliers. Diamond Packaging of Rochester, New York, is a leading packaging converter focused on green initiatives. Diamond Packaging realizes its sustainability actions can profoundly impact the industry and the environment. In a recent interview with Eric Longnecker and Dennis Bacchetta, the two made it clear through the Diamond Packaging Greenbox initiative that they are “empowering our brand customers with creative metallic design transfer capabilities that meet or exceed customer expectations for recycling folding cartons.” Diamond Packaging is committed “to focusing on sustainability throughout the entire operation.” They believe the company’s commitment to sustainability in their operation makes them more attractive to CPGs to seek them out as a supplier.

During an interview, Longnecker shared that “examining the scientific impact of foil transfer is an ongoing mission.” Bacchetta stated that 40% of all the folding cartons the company produced for customers utilize metallic foil transfer processes. Diamond Packaging has created a fact sheet called “Decorative Foil by the Numbers,” which takes a closer look at the consumer and environmental issues related to metallic foil in packaging. Its facts include:

The Value of Foils: Perception Research Services did a study in 2004 that showed that decorated foil packaging had an 80% higher appeal and brand awareness. This was supported by an FSEA study that found that foil had a 44% better chance of attracting consumer attention.
Recyclability of Foil: The Georgia Tech and Western Michigan research studies validate this premise.
Literally Splitting Hairs: The aluminum foil layer is less than .05 microns, a fraction of the width of a human hair.
Zone Coverage: Another way to analyze this fact is to take a jumbo roll of foil weighing 440 pounds and covering the length of 2.4 football fields. The amount of foil on that roll weighs 1.043 ounces and measures .66 cubic inches in volume, about the same as the tip of one’s thumb.
Carbon Neutrality of Paperboard: The American Forest and Paper Association and American Wood Council clearly state that paperboard is carbon neutral.

Attracting Consumers

As stated, consumers are focused on brand identification (FMOT). Metallic decorating is an excellent example of creating special effects on printed substrates that attract consumers to a specific brand. The power of using metallic effects, whether hot, cold or digital, is a significant brand identifier and attraction for consumers.

Chris Leary, a US distributor for Gietz and Vinfoil, shared an incredibly detailed presentation designed for packaging and metallic transfer processes. Leary illuminated the value chain for metallic cold foil decorating in this document. The presentation highlighted the value proposition and the “de-inkable and repulpable characteristics.” It also stated, “72% of consumers are influenced by product packaging, and 36% would consider avoiding a brand that isn’t actively trying to recycle packaging.”

Glorious Gaming is a dynamic, growing company producing computer accessories for gamers. Its products are colorful and exotic in their design. Therefore, according to Chris Wilson, the company’s packaging engineer, “We needed packaging that would be ‘eye-catching’ to our potential customers.”

The company did a great deal of research and determined that metallic transfer technologies met its packaging expectations. While its creative designs drive customers to purchase products, Glorious Gaming also wanted to make sure its packaging would be sustainable by being repulpable and recyclable. The FSEA Georgia Tech research built a strong confidence in using metallic foil decorating.

Working Toward the Future

Karen Kromat of Case Paper, a leading distributor of transfer metallic substrates, believes that “metallic substrates present a genuine growth opportunity for the printing industry.” While issues still have to be addressed concerning the plastic adhesive liners that are not recyclable, municipal recycling centers can successfully recycle vast quantities of metalized packaging products. Case Paper is committed to helping make its metalized transfer substrates as sustainable as possible while recognizing that many municipal recycling centers are rejecting plastic adhesives while accepting transfer metallic decorated recycling products.

A sub-committee of FSEA’s Sustainability Committee is working with MRFs to ensure that metallic transfer foil packaging is recycled correctly. The big question in front of the committee and for recycling facilities is ‘where does the decorated packaging material go?’ The goal is to have MRFs carefully test transfer metallic decorated packaging with many organizations to facilitate the best recycling processes. Frank Kelly, ITW ShineMark, sub-committee chair, said, “This is an ongoing process and FSEA is committed to finding workable solutions.” The goal is to increase MRF operations’ efficiency while simultaneously creating more recyclable and repulpable by-products.

Conclusion

FSEA is committed to assisting brand owners, converters, printers and consumers to develop the most dynamic, growth-oriented and exciting metallic transfer decorating methods for the packaging supply chain. Innovation and sustainability in packaging entrepreneurship are core values of everything it does. Helping the the industry design new environmentally friendly business models with dynamic metallic transfer embellishments while fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems around the globe will never be compromised.

Whimsical Goat Box Makes Sustainability Statement

March 18, 2024

Edited by Erin La Row, editor, PostPress

When the owners of Big Picture Farm, a small, hillside goat dairy and farmstead confectionery and creamery located in Townshend, Vermont, wanted to create a fun and whimsical milk caramels gift box to add to its Valentine’s collection, owner Louisa Conrad had a design in mind.

“We wanted to have a box that featured our goat in a field of hearts, so I was imagining the goats browsing on flowers that were magical hearts,” Conrad said.

Conrad and her husband, Lucas Farrell, turned to Diamond Packaging, located in Rochester, New York, to create a sustainable package that Dennis Bacchetta, marketing director at Diamond, said, “… brings to life the exciting and unpredictable evolution of their products.” The box won bronze for Best Use of Sustainable Design in the Foil & Specialty Effects Association’s 2023 Gold Leaf Awards.

Sustainability is important to Conrad and Farrell. According to the Big Picture Farm’s website, www.bigpicturefarm.com, whenever possible, they choose high-quality, low-impact methods when it comes to ingredients sourced, feed provided to the animals and grazing systems implemented. They also are committed to solar-powered energy consumption. Recently, Conrad and Farrell transformed their product line into one that is zero-waste and climate-forward.

Goats are the heart of the Big Picture Farm; they’re part of the family. Founded in 2010, Big Picture Farm is certified Animal-Welfare-Approved, which means it meets rigorous and progressive animal care requirements for its herd of about 40 free-range goats. Each goat on the farm has a name and its own personality, and it is highlighted on the company’s website, complete with photos and bios.

It’s no surprise that the farm’s goats are an essential part of its marketing strategy. They’re featured on the packaging and even on some of the chocolates. Bacchetta said the graphic design of the award-winning box incorporates a clean, minimalist look that exudes quality and sophistication. Side panels feature hand-drawn sketches of several of the farm’s free-ranging companions.

Embellishments include shimmering gold and silver foil renditions of two of the farm’s goats that Bacchetta said lend depth and sophistication to the packaging and provide a striking contrast to the matte white finish surrounding it. The foil used was Kurz Luxor (GIO-NB 220) – gold hot foil and Kurz Luxor (Alufin GIO) – silver hot foil.

“The result is a striking presentation that creates visual interest and contributes to a sweet and rewarding unboxing experience,” Bacchetta said.

Diamond used a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 offset press in the production of the piece as well as several BOBST machines, including the BOBST BMA foil stamper/embosser, BOBST 102 CER diecutter/blanker/stripper and a BOBST 90 Matic folder/gluer.

The folding cartons were converted utilizing FSC-certified and recyclable Clearwater Candesce® .024 SBS paperboard and manufactured using 100% clean, renewable wind energy in a Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) and carbon-neutral (Scope 1 and Scope 2) facility.

Bacchetta said the Clearwater Candesce® SBS paperboard was chosen for its environmental attributes and its smooth surface that is tailored to faithfully reproduce the most sophisticated printed images and meet the high demands of flawless hot foil stamping, cold foiling and embossing.

The standard straight-tuck carton incorporates slit-lock closures and a diecut window on the rear panel to view the products inside. The rear panel quickly communicates the product’s story, benefits and environmental attributes through on-product labeling, including FSC and wind energy logos.

“Our customers love it!” Conrad said. “It is a big hit around Valentine’s Day, but it’s also subtle and beautiful enough that it can work year-round. Of course, sustainability is number one on our minds as well, and we think our customers appreciate that for sure.”

Sustainability Certifications and Reporting Directives

March 18, 2024

by Karen Kromat, sustainable program manager, Case Paper

In January 2016, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) were developed. These goals have changed business culture on a global level. There are 17 goals that relate to peace, prosperity, people and the planet. The aim of this resolution is to end poverty, fight inequalities related to diversity, equity and inclusivity, as well as combat climate change.

To tackle climate change and its negative impacts, world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris reached a breakthrough on December 12, 2015: the historic Paris Agreement. This agreement outlined the goal to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the temperature from increasing by 1.5° C.

Both the UN SDG and Paris Agreement have put in motion the expectation that any business in today’s market must implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards into its core business strategies. These efforts also significantly changed the overall definition of sustainability to incorporate much more beyond the environment.

Businesses now are facing numerous challenges, including pressures to meet sustainability disclosure requirements. These requirements affect all aspects of the company, including operations, supply chain, workforce diversity, community involvement and employee engagement. With this has come an increase in both customer and consumer demand for transparency from business leaders. They expect businesses to not only show transparency in their goals, processes and values, but also their commitments to circularity and their overall impacts on the value chain.

Let’s review what reporting directives and certifications are available for companies.

Forest Management Certification: This shows that forests are measured and maintained in an environmentally friendly manner. This can take form in many ways, but the most commonly tracked activities include avoiding any clear cutting, committing to replanting of trees, taking part in forest regeneration and protecting animal habitats. Certificates are provided by:

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), www.fsc.org/en.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), www.forests.org, is the PEFC national member for the US.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), www.pefc.org, is the choice for small forest owners in Europe.

Sustainable Green Printers Partnership (SGP), www.sgppartnership.org: People. Planet. Purpose. SGP offers valid third-party certifications in an effort to build a more sustainable supply chain without any greenwashing. SGP offers recommendations for operational improvements as well as areas to reduce waste. Brands are asking for businesses to show they are acting sustainably, and this will show that the company is.

Taken from the SGP website:

“Sustainable Green Printing Partnership is a community of printing and packaging manufacturers, global brands, suppliers and supporting organizations working together to drive sustainability and meet the demands of today’s customers. Collectively, we make up the industry’s leading supply chain certification authority. Our job is to set standards, advocate best practices and promote innovation toward a more accountable, sustainable supply chain.”

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), www.cdp.net/en: CDP is a not-for-profit charity that shows the impact of climate on a business with reporting on climate, forests and water. This certification is all about the environment. The CDP assists organizations with building a company roadmap and designating a realistic place to start.

Companies receive analysis reports which give a clear understanding of their environmental performance. This score and assessment report can be shared on companies’ websites to show customers and brand owners their sustainability strategy.

EcoVadis, www.ecovadis.com: EcoVadis is the world’s most trusted provider of a business sustainability rating system. Companies are rated on environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Each of these categories has 21 criteria for which a company is measured. Participating companies will receive a universal scorecard along with improvement tools. They will provide a customized questionnaire tailored to the company’s industry, where the company’s operations are located and the size of the company.

B-Corp, www.bcorporation.net/en-us: B-Corp is a nonprofit that is part of a growing movement to build greater social and environmental responsibility for businesses around the world. Participating businesses have to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Companies will receive an assessment of their performance based on the environment, community, customers, suppliers and employees.

CSRD 2023 EU, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, https://finance.ec.europa.eu/regulation-and-supervision/financial-services-legislation/implementing-and-delegated-acts/corporate-sustainability-reporting-directive_en: On January 5, 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force. This new directive modernizes and strengthens the rules concerning the social and environmental information that companies must report.

For the first in-scope year, 2024, only large US companies that are listed on an EU-regulated market and have more than 500 employees will be subject to the CSRD.

These are certifications now in the realm of sustainability but are ever-changing as new updates, laws, rules, etc. come into play. The one thing to be certain of is that this is the way of the future. As a business owner, know that the sustainability strategy will determine what path the company will follow.

Karen Kromat’s story started over 30 years ago as a graphic designer. Her diverse experience has touched many platforms within the industry. Kromat was a co-owner in a marketing firm, and she spent 12 years working for European and Asian paper mills, selling paper and paperboard in the Midwest. She’s been involved in product development and business development projects. She now has landed in the sustainability arena at Case Paper, an 80+-year-old paper and paperboard merchant, converter and laminator. Learn more at www.casepaper.com.

Metsä Board’s Ultralight Pizza Box Concept Wins 2024 WorldStar Award

January 18, 2024

Press release submitted on behalf of Metsä Board

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been selected as one of the winners in the 2024 WorldStar awards for their ultralight pizza box concept developed together with Adara Pakkaus and other industry experts. A total of 435 entries from 41 countries were included in this year’s competition.

The awarded ultralight pizza box solution, made of MetsäBoard Natural WKL Bright, uses considerably less material than traditional solutions without compromising rigidity, function or print quality. The pizza box was about 38% lighter and, according to the life cycle analysis, the pizza box’s carbon footprint was up to 50% lower than those of traditional solutions made of recycled fiber. The environmental impact comparison was carried out on material and its production.*

The ultralight packaging concept was created in co-operation with a leading expert of the packaging industry. Packaging manufacturer Adara Pakkaus produced the corrugated material and printing of the pizza box with Marvaco supplying the flexo printing plates. The graphics were designed by Futupack. Researcher and expert on ECG Expanded Gamut printing, Dr Kai Lankinen, provided input on the graphic design, prepress, and flexographic printing requirements.

The World Packaging Organization (WPO) has been organizing the WorldStar awards since 1970 to recognize the best in packaging innovations from across the globe. The objective is to bring forth advancements in packaging design and technology especially in response to new challenges and global trends such as sustainability.

Only packaging solutions that have been previously awarded in a recognized national or regional competition are eligible to participate. Previously, Metsä Board’s pizza box concept was awarded a 2023 ScanStar, a competition organized by the Nordic packaging industry associations.

* Metsä Board follows process category rules for processed paper and paperboard which are based on ISO 14040/14044 life cycle assessment standards when assessing environmental impacts of its paperboards. For comparative assertions external datasets from Sphera have been utilised. These datasets represent typical products on the EU markets. Comparison excludes paperboard converting processes. Climate Change methodology used in the assessment was EF3.0 Climate Change – Total.

The Importance of Paper in Learning and Literacy

December 11, 2023

By Kathi Rowzie, president, Two Sides North America

Over the last two decades, technology has become part of almost every facet of our lives. The expansion of broadband, smartphones and portable technology has changed how we communicate, access information, work and learn.

While many of these changes are positive, there is growing evidence that this isn’t always the case. In recent years, there has been a gradual shift away from paper-based learning materials in schools toward digital and online tools. This shift accelerated rapidly during the pandemic when almost all schools moved lessons online. Research has shown that this increasing reliance on digital methods and resources may be negatively affecting the ability of students to learn and remember information. There is also growing concern about the impact of digital technology on mental and physical health.

Digital vs. paper-based materials: Learning

A 2018 meta analysis examined 54 studies involving more than 171,000 readers that compared reading from digital text with reading from printed text. The analysis found that comprehension was better overall when people read printed as opposed to digital texts.

Similarly, a study involving millions of high school students in the 36 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that those who use computers heavily at school “do a lot worse in most learning outcomes, even after accounting for social background and student demographics.” Another analysis revealed that fourth-grade students (approximately 9 to 10 years old) “who used tablets in all or almost all their classes had, on average, reading scores 14 points lower than those who never used them – a differential equivalent to an entire grade level.”

Patricia Alexander, a psychologist at the University of Maryland who studies how we learn, discovered that although students think they learn more reading online, tests show that they actually learn less than when reading print. Part of the problem can be attributed to the speed with which we typically read text on a screen, much of which is easy-to-understand text messages or social-media posts. When it comes to reading more complex information on screen, which requires more attention and thought, people still tend to scan it rather than read it properly.

As well as encouraging us to read quickly, reading online usually involves scrolling, which can make it hard for the brain to create mental maps that help us to remember. When reading a printed book, for example, it’s easy to know roughly which page you’re on, but that’s far more difficult when scrolling through text on a screen.

A 2019 study revealed that it’s not just when scrolling that the brain struggles to make mental maps. When a group of 50 participants was asked to read a 28-page story, half of them read a printed version and the other half read the story on an e-reader. Those reading the printed version understood the chronology of the plot better than those reading the digital version. The researchers suggest that “the haptic and tactile feedback of an e-reader does not provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print book does.”

The benefits of paper-based learning materials aren’t restricted to reading; writing on paper rather than typing on a keyboard can also produce better results. A 2014 study compared the outcome of students taking lecture notes by hand with those who took notes on a laptop. When it came to testing the students on their knowledge of the information, they were allowed to review their notes for 10 minutes before the test. Those who took longhand notes performed better on both factual and conceptual questions.

The authors of the study concluded that “laptop use can negatively affect performance on educational assessments, even – or perhaps especially – when the computer is used for its intended function of easier note taking. For that reason, laptop use in classrooms should be viewed with a healthy dose of caution; despite their growing popularity, laptops may be doing more harm in classrooms than good.”

Perhaps one of the most noticeable differences between reading printed matter compared to reading on a screen is distraction. When reading from a screen, we’re more often than not connected to other services, which bring with them pop-ups and pings from social media, emails and text messages, all of which divert our attention and break concentration. Even in schools, depending on the school’s policy, this can be an issue, particularly when tech-savvy students know how to bypass firewalls and other restrictions.

Digital vs. paper-based materials: Mental and physical health

There is growing concern about the impact of digital devices on mental health, including increased rates of anxiety and depression. With devices now being used by students in school as well as outside the classroom, there is little respite from the constant stimulation they deliver. Paper-based learning materials, in addition to providing cognitive benefits, also provide a much-needed break from the digital world.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington found that students who used paper-based planners were less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who used digital planners. Published in 2017, the study involved 264 undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to use either a paper-based planner or a digital planner. The researchers found that the students who used the paper-based planner reported lower levels of anxiety and depression than those who used the digital planner.

The negative effect of digital devices isn’t limited to their use during the day. The blue light these devices emit also affects how well we sleep. A study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found that those who read from a tablet took longer to fall asleep, had less REM sleep, and felt less rested in the morning than those who read from a paper book.

Poor sleep quality can bring with it a range of negative health consequences. In addition to the effect poor sleep has on mental well-being, it also increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion

Compared to centuries of paper use, digital and online educational tools are very much in their infancy, with much research still to be done on their impacts. A growing body of research suggests that a switch to electronic learning materials from paper-based materials may be detrimental to students’ ability to learn and remember information, as well as to their overall health and well-being. With healthy, well-educated students as the ultimate goal, perhaps we should slow or even pause the shift to digital materials in schools until we more fully understand their effects on learning and literacy.

Two Sides is a global, member-funded non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the uniquely sustainable attributes of print, paper and paper-based packaging. Two Sides’ 600+ members span the entire print, paper and paper-based packaging value chain, including forestry, pulp, paper, packaging, inks and chemicals, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and mail operators. For more information about Two Sides North America, visit www.twosidesna.org.

FSEA and Members Focusing Heavily on Sustainability Strategies

September 1, 2023

By Jeff Peterson, editor-in-chief, PostPress, and FSEA executive director

It’s apparent over the last several years that the focus on sustainability, especially as it relates to packaging, is not going away. Brand owners and consumers are asking questions on what is recyclable or repulpable and what
is not.

Folding cartons and labels containing metallic decoration have been at the forefront of questions, mostly due to their glitz and brilliance, bringing attention to their recyclable contents. With ever-growing attention to this issue, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) established a Sustainability Committee nearly two years ago to focus on specific projects and with goals to help communicate accurate information.

The mission of the FSEA sustainability initiatives is to generate pertinent and accurate information as it pertains to metallic transfer decorating technologies and sustainability and use this information, along with other tools, to educate government entities, environmental agencies, print service providers, converters/OEMs, and brand owners regarding the functional and sustainability benefits of metallic decorating technologies.

Through the work of the Sustainability Committee, FSEA and its partners, several tools and studies have been gathered and created for these purposes. Here is a quick rundown of what now is available through the FSEA website.

FSEA repulping of foil-decorated paper study

This study discusses the repulpability of paper decorated with transfer metallics, including hot, cold and digital transfer products.

This study, published in 2021, was commissioned by FSEA and conducted by Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute. The study, available both in print and digitally, discusses the repulpability of paper decorated with transfer metallics, including hot, cold and digital transfer products. It includes the scope of the study, how the experiment was performed, the results from the testing, and final conclusions. The conclusion states that paper stock that includes metallic transfer foil could be repulped to yield 75% fibers with very low rejects. The aluminum content was broken down and removed from fibers during screening, and the hand sheets prepared from the foil-decorated paper stock demonstrated similar physical strength to the recycled paper towel stock without decoration. The final bullet point states that it was feasible to repulp the metallic foil decorated papers as it is done in common recycling settings.

Negligible amount of aluminum contained in metallic transfer foils

FSEA and its Sustainability Committee worked closely with FSEA-member foil manufacturers to collect data and determine the amount of aluminum (metal) used in the manufacturing of transfer metallic foils, including hot, cold and digital transfer foil products. The data confirmed that the layer of aluminum that provides the metallic sheen in a metallic transfer foil is negligible. A press release was created on the subject and included detailed information on the negligible amount of aluminum, siting that the layer of aluminum is less than the thickness of a human hair and is over 300 times thinner than a standard household aluminum foil.

Western Michigan transfer cold foil process testing

Through the sponsorship of FSEA member Eagle Systems, Inc., testing was conducted on the repulpability and recyclability of cold foil decorated paper/board by Western Michigan University. The test results showed that cold foil decorated paper/board is 100% repulpable and recyclable. The cold foil samples used in the testing process were donated by McLean Packaging Corporation, Moorestown, New Jersey. The samples were produced on a thin, 80 lb. litho stock with 100% coverage of cold foil on a 28 x 40″ sheet. The testing also confirmed the extremely small amount of aluminum that exists in cold foil or any decorative transfer foil, which helps negate concerns with metal content in foil-decorated paper/board. To receive a copy of the Western Michigan University test results on cold foil recyclability/repulpability, contact Eagle Systems, Inc. at [email protected].

Testing by Western Michigan University showed that cold foil decorated paper/board is 100% repulpable and recyclable.

In addition to the studies and testing that FSEA has helped coordinate, the Sustainability Committee has had an impact on published material from other entities involved in sustainability printing and packaging. This included working with the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) to include information on foil-decorated paper in its published Design Guidance for Recyclability of Paper-based Packaging. The report was introduced for members of the paper-based packaging manufacturing supply chain to use in designing and manufacturing packaging to meet customers’ needs in terms of recycling. The new report includes information from FSEA on the repulpability of foil-decorated paper and/or board and provides details on how to access specifically the FSEA study on the repulpability of paper/board decorated with transfer foils.

Recently, through the efforts of its FSEA members and Sustainability Committee, FSEA has been able to provide the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), a US-based international nonprofit focused on improving recycling for plastics, detailed information on transfer foil processes, which has led to a decision by APR to declare metallized transfer products in relation to specific coverage guidelines on various filmic label and tube substrates to now be categorized as “APR Design® Guide Preferred.”

All of the above studies and press releases can be found on in the Sustainability/Green Initiative section of the FSEA website at www.fsea.com.

Through the collection of the above studies and tests, FSEA has recently created a presentation to provide a tool for its members and others in the industry and convey the association’s sustainability findings with a consistent message to the print and packaging community. The presentation will be used at specific conferences and events to communicate the sustainability message of transfer metallics and have available for FSEA members to educate customers and internal employees.

Although FSEA is proud of the work of the Sustainability Committee and other FSEA members who have helped in this process, there is still a long way to go. FSEA is working on new studies and tests to help defend the use of metallic decorating processes and is working with specific members on testing decorated paper/board in the recycling process, working with the municipal recycling facilities (MRFs) around the country. FSEA will continue to update members, brand owners and others in the industry as more information becomes available.

A special thank you to the current FSEA Sustainability Committee: Dennis Bacchetta, Diamond Packaging; Mike King, Eagle Systems, Inc.; Karen Kromat, Case Paper; Eric Longnecker, Diamond Packaging; Scott Tacosik, Kurz Transfer Products; Rob Watts, McLean Packaging; and Kennon Woodard, American Greetings.

RadTech Offers Sustainability Information on UV and Electron Beam (EB) Inks and Coatings

RadTech North America International, the association for Ultraviolet (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) technology, has created a detailed section on its website, www.radtech.org, on sustainability and UV/EB curing for inks and coatings. The page includes recent information on the 2022 4evergreen guidance that states that energy-curable fiberboard is recyclable, as well as a recent press release from the American Forest & Paper Association that states that UV/EB inks do not adversely impact the recyclability of paper substrates.

The page also includes a link to an article on a study commissioned by RadTech several years ago where both conventional ink systems and UV- and EB-cured inks and coatings were tested in a series of pilot deinking trails. The results indicated that all combinations easily were repulpable within normal operating parameters. This entire article can be found on the RadTech site and also is available on the FSEA Sustainability & Green Initiatives section of the FSEA site, www.fsea.com.

American Forest & Paper Association Design Guidance for Recyclability: “A Resource for Paper-Based Packaging Designers”

March 15, 2023

By Terry Webber, vice president, industry affairs, AF&PA

The Design Guidance for Recyclability was developed as technical guidance to aid packaging designers and brands in the design and manufacture of packaging to help meet recyclability goals.

The Design Guidance is the culmination of work by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), its members and partners in the paper-based packaging manufacturing industry:

Fibre Box Association, which represents North American corrugated packaging manufacturers
Paperboard Packaging Council, which serves paperboard box makers and suppliers
Recycled Paperboard Technical Association, which provides technical assistance to improve the recycled paperboard industry

AF&PA also appreciates the input received from the Foil and Specialty Effects Association on recent research on the recyclability of paper-based packaging with foil treatments, and from packaging designers from six consumer brands companies who reviewed the draft report with AF&PA and provided feedback on its content and readability.

The findings in the report are the result of an AF&PA member survey of company mills in a range of sectors in the United States and Canada. The survey had a 75% response rate. In total, data for 86 mills was reported. The 86 mills represent 74% of the total amount of recovered fiber grades that AF&PA members consume that are likely to include the types of recycled paper-based packaging found in the scope of the Design Guidance project.

What purpose does it serve?

The objective of the Design Guidance is to present research-based findings on how various non-fiber elements affect the recyclability of paper-based packaging. It is intended to inform individuals and groups that specify and design packaging and make determinations about the recyclability of paper-based packaging.

The Design Guidance is not meant to be mandatory or a standard for the packaging industry.

Packaging designers want to make their packaging more sustainable. AF&PA’s Design Guidance is a tool for designers to use when they are making decisions about packaging performance, appearance and recyclability.

Who is AF&PA’s Design Guidance for?

The Design Guidance presents technical guidance for members of the paper-based packaging manufacturing supply chain to use, if desired, in designing and manufacturing packaging to meet customers’ needs in terms of recyclability.

Scope of AF&PA’s Design Guidance for Recyclability

The Design Guidance focuses on seven common types of recyclable paper-based packaging – corrugated, bleached and recycled paperboard; carrier stock cartons (soda and beer multipacks); kraft paper bags; multiwall shipping sacks and molded fiber containers.

It also identifies the kinds of non-fiber elements often attached to those types of packaging – adhesives, inks and dyes, coatings and barriers, decorative foils, tapes and more.

Segments of AF&PA’s Design Guidance for Recyclability

The Design Guidance final report was produced in an interactive PDF format, which allows easy navigation between sections. The links in line items in the Table of Contents will take readers to that section in the report. The segments in the report are:

Description of how paper recycling works in paper mills
Ease of Recyclability – a high-level matrix that identifies which non-fiber elements are more easily recycled or may present a recycling “challenge” on each type of paper-based packaging covered in the report
Individual pages that provide a deeper dive into how different non-fiber elements affect recyclability for each type of paper-based packaging in the report
Appendices that provide more detailed information on a number of topics

Recycling “challenges” slow a mill’s pulping process

AF&PA’s Design Guidance identifies non-fiber elements that may become recycling “challenges.” The Design Guidance notes that something becomes a challenge when it slows down a mill’s pulping process, plugs screening systems or leaves residue on finished paper or paperboard.

The ease of recyclability of any type of paper-based packaging with non-fiber elements depends on an individual mill’s capability. Being a “challenge” does not make something not recyclable. It is important to note that each non-fiber element applied to each kind of packaging described in the Design Guidance was rated by some mills as not a “challenge” or more easily recycled.

One question that often is asked is, “How much is too much?” At what point does a non-fiber element become a “challenge” to recyclability? This guidance does not capture that. The answer to the question is highly dependent on each mill’s repulping capability and the product being made on the paper machine there.

Ease of recyclability

The legends in the ease of recyclability matrix (above) describe how each of the non-fiber elements affect the recyclability of each packaging type.

Green dots indicate that a packaging type with that non-fiber element is more “easily recycled” in mills. Gray dots indicate that a non-fiber element may create a “challenge” to recyclability for that type of packaging in mills. Hollow dots indicate that the non-fiber element typically is not present on that type of product.

To be categorized as a “challenge,” 33% or more of the mill survey respondents had to rate the non-fiber element as such on a particular type of packaging. This does not mean that the non-fiber element is not recyclable, but rather that it creates problems in some mills by slowing down the pulping process, clogging machines or leaving residue on finished paper or paperboard.

AF&PA explored several scenarios with the project working group and ultimately decided that the 33% threshold for being a “challenge” best reflects the mills’ recycling experience.

Recommendation by product type

The Design Guidance final report has a detailed product page for each type of packaging with four segments:

Description of the type of packaging
List of the non-fiber elements that are more easily recycled when they are on it
List of non-fiber elements that create recycling “challenges” on that type of packaging in paper mills
“Bottom Line” box that cites a key takeaway for each type of packaging

Notes at the bottom of the product pages remind readers that definitions of each of the non-fiber elements are in the appendix.

Additional information in the appendices

The Design Guidance has an appendix with six parts, which readers are urged to explore.

There they will find more detailed resource information:

Definition of recyclable
Definition of non-fiber elements
Insights on foils and wet strength resins
Recyclability standards and testing facilities
Endnotes with reference sources

Key insights from mills into recycling packaging with foil treatments

Improvements in recycling technology and the ability to use thinner foils have made foil treatments easier to recycle than they have been historically. A majority of mills reported that there is no meaningful difference between how the different kinds of foil treatments are managed.

An analysis of responses to the mill questionnaire that rated one or more of the foil treatments as easier to recycle showed the following:

The majority of mills in this group use predominantly recovered fiber for furnish (76 to 100%). Among them:
- 55% rate “stamped foils” as easier to recycle
- 60% rate “metalized foils” as easier to recycle
- 56% rate “laminated foils” as easier to recycle
A sizeable minority of mills (26 to 50%) use less recovered fiber for furnish. Among them:
- 32% rate “stamped foils” as easier to recycle
- 25% rate “metalized foils” as easier to recycle
- 26% rate “laminated foils” as easier to recycle
Products manufactured:
- Nearly three-fourths of the mills manufacture containerboard
- A minority (14%) manufacture uncoated recycled boxboard.
Pulping process:
- The great majority (approximately 80%) of these mills utilize continuous-low consistency pulping.
- Mills in this group utilized other pulping processes: 9% of mills reported utilizing batch, continuous-high consistency and/or drum pulping.
- NOTE: Mills were able to select more than one response option for this question.
Observations about the different kinds of foil treatments:
- Metal on poly is easier to deal with. It’s easier to get the poly off the board than metal and very thin metal will stick to the poly.
- Stamped foil is not as severe [because] stamping tends to involve less foil.
- Metalized coatings are more problematic than stamping.
- Metalized films are very thin, and the plastic backing is difficult to separate.

The Design Guidance for Recyclability is available for free download: www.afandpa.org/statistics-resources/afpa-design-guidance-recyclability

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance US paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycled resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow it on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

Sustainability ABCs and Energy-Curable Technology

December 12, 2022

By Cara Bommarito, sustainability manager, RadTech – UV+EB Technology Nonprofit Association

The ABCs are the building blocks of literacy. They are the most elementary principles to understanding language. Once readers have learned this concept, they gradually move on to reading, writing and grammar. This is an ever-evolving process, which continues to deepen over time. With practices and dedication, humans can take the ABCs and read 1,000-page novels or, better yet, write one of their own. The idea of ABCs also can be an analogy into sustainability.

Most people know the ABCs of sustainability as the 3Ps – or the triple bottom line. There are many variations on this, but the message is people, planet, profit. The concept is more complex and has varying approaches. It is user specific, unlike the ABCs, where A only can mean A sounds. The ABCs of sustainability can be interpreted in vastly different ways. This means sustainability can look different depending on the industry or even the person.

What are the ABCs of sustainability in the energy-curable industry? The best place to find this answer is through RadTech – a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the advancement of the energy-curable industry, which dedicates time and resources to authentically understand which sustainability principles to prioritize. For those who are unfamiliar, UV/EB and LED curing is a means for coatings, inks, adhesives, composites and other materials to be cured (dried). A wide range of industries use energy-curable technologies, including printing and packaging, aerospace and defense, automotive, collision repair and refinish, composites, electronics, metal finishing, medical devices, plastics, wood finishing, building products and 3D printing/additive manufacturing. With such a variety of industries, it is important that RadTech’s sustainability ABCs align with the industry and end users. The ABCs of sustainability for the energy-curable industry are: A – energy conservation, B – reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and C – encouraging a circular economy. UV/EB and LED have additional sustainability benefits, but this article only will focus on the above three as the foundation. While these sustainability items are the focus in the energy-curable industry, the technology also is a solution energy-curable technology creates for its users. It is an interesting paradigm. It is not only the goals, but also the solutions in at least two of the categories.

A – Energy conservation

The A of the ABCs is energy conservation. At the moment, there is a global energy crisis, particularly in Europe. Energy costs are soaring, and energy no longer is affordable and reliable. Now, more than ever, it is important to find innovative solutions to help conserve energy. How does UV/EB and LED help conserve energy? Almost all conventional methods where an oven is required for curing use about 50% more energy than energy-curable processes. Energy-curable technology eliminates the oven and replaces it with a curing lamp, which draws less energy. A real-world example can be found in the textile industry. When using UV, up to 75% of energy can be saved in comparison to classic thermal drying. UV curing is applied at room temperature, so thermal-sensitive materials can be used.¹ Energy reduction can be found across all industries, which have chosen to implement energy-curable processes into production facilities. It is an important solution that has potential for even more energy savings. This is why it is the first letter in the sustainability priorities.

B – Reducing greenhouse gases

Next is B, reducing greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions. GHGs are attributed to climate change, making this is a global problem. Energy-curable technology can help reduce the GHG emissions in some industries. One example of the savings that already have been achieved using the technology is a major industry study of a UV can-coating process line, which found an over 65% reduction in GHG emissions. The study compared UV curing to a water-borne coating line equipped with incineration. There also was a documented 80% reduction in the total amount of energy used by the facility’s UV can coating process, compared to a conventional thermal system.² Another important factor to consider is the vast reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOC) using energy-curable technology. Instead of using large-molecule polymers, UV/EB and LED use short-chain oligomers. This contributes to the overall curing effects that generate almost 100% solids and low or no VOCs. In many cases, energy-curable technology meets or exceeds the most stringent air quality standards. Air quality and reduction in GHGs are vital to sustainability. The UN sustainable development goals (SDG) list air quality as the following: SDG target 11.6.2, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of cities by improving air quality. The reduction of GHGs is of global importance and therefore is one of the foundations of the sustainable ABCs.

C – Circulatory

The final letter is C for circulatory, which coincidently starts with C. Circulatory is an important building block of sustainability. As defined in article written by Anne Velenturf, fellow in circular economy at the University of Leeds, “A sustainable circular economy involves designing and promoting products that last and that can be reused, repaired and remanufactured. This retains the functional value of products, rather than just recovering the energy or materials they contain and continuously making products anew.”³ The RadTech sustainability committee recently drafted three studies in circularity: two in recyclability and one in compostability. The goal of these studies is to understand whether UV-, EB- and LED-technology inks and adhesives have any effect on the recyclability or compostability of products that use energy-curable technology. It is important to the committee to be authentic in its findings and be forward thinking to ensure energy-curable technology does not negatively impact circularity. The results are not yet published on these studies and should be available in the early part of 2023. This is an important step to understanding energy-curable technology and its impact on circularity and sustainability.

Sustainability is about continuous improvement. The sustainability ABCs of energy-curable technology are impactful and, most importantly, quantifiable. They can be proved and measured so the industry confidently can back up the claims around sustainability. With the ABCs of sustainability, the industry hopefully can take these building blocks and expand further into other important sustainability issues and take the best practices to understanding the fundamentals in sustainability as they pertain to the energy-curable industry.

Cara Bommarito is the sustainability manager at RadTech. RadTech, located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, is a nonprofit serving the UV and EB industry and market. Learn more at www.radtech.org.

Sustainability

As climate change progresses, various forms of forest damage are expected to become more common. The risk of damage can be reduced by diversifying the proportions of tree species.

By Elina Hovinen and Maria Latokartano, Metsä Group

Climate Resilience Through Forest Management

Aiming for Mixed Forests

The State of Biodiversity Is Improving

Understanding Nature

Artificial Intelligence Detects the Early Stageof Forest Damage

By Steven Schnoll, Schnoll Media Consulting

Sustainability Education

FSEA Studies Recyclability

Evolving Brand/Consumer Perspective

Attracting Consumers

Working Toward the Future

Conclusion

Edited by Erin La Row, editor, PostPress

Press release submitted on behalf of Metsä Board

By Kathi Rowzie, president, Two Sides North America

Digital vs. paper-based materials: Learning

Digital vs. paper-based materials: Mental and physical health

Conclusion

By Jeff Peterson, editor-in-chief, PostPress, and FSEA executive director

FSEA repulping of foil-decorated paper study

Negligible amount of aluminum contained in metallic transfer foils

Western Michigan transfer cold foil process testing

RadTech Offers Sustainability Information on UV and Electron Beam (EB) Inks and Coatings

By Terry Webber, vice president, industry affairs, AF&PA

What purpose does it serve?

Who is AF&PA’s Design Guidance for?

Scope of AF&PA’s Design Guidance for Recyclability

Segments of AF&PA’s Design Guidance for Recyclability

Recycling “challenges” slow a mill’s pulping process

Ease of recyclability

Recommendation by product type

Additional information in the appendices

Key insights from mills into recycling packaging with foil treatments

By Cara Bommarito, sustainability manager, RadTech – UV+EB Technology Nonprofit Association

A – Energy conservation

B – Reducing greenhouse gases

C – Circulatory

References

Artificial Intelligence Detects the Early Stage
of Forest Damage