Stora Enso has received regulatory approval from the EU Commission to proceed with the acquisition of De Jong Packaging Group, announced in September 2022. Closure of the transaction is still ongoing and expected to be finalised at the beginning of 2023. The Nordic company acquires De Jong Packaging Group, based in the Netherlands, for an enterprise value of approximately EUR 1,020 million. This acquisition will advance Stora Enso’s strategic direction, accelerate revenue growth and build market share in renewable packaging in Europe. De Jong Packaging Group is one of the largest corrugated packaging producers in the Benelux countries. Its product portfolio and geographic presence will complement and enhance Stora Enso’s offering, especially in fresh produce, e-commerce and industrial packaging.
packaging
The market for bioplastics used in packaging is anticipated to reach USD 16.6 billion by 2027
The market for bioplastics used in packaging is anticipated to reach USD 16.6 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 9.5 percent from 2013 to 2021, and is now valued at USD 10.5 billion in 2022. According to the FMI analysis, the market for bioplastics used in packaging would grow by 1.7 times its value from the base year during the course of the forecast year, creating lucrative investment prospects for the industry.
Carlsberg and Avantium take the next step in the commercialisation of 100% plant-based and recycle PEF
Carlsberg Group and Dutch biochemical company Avantium agreed to take the next step in the commercialisation of PEF. The Danish Group signed a conditional offtake agreement with Avantium to secure a fixed volume of the 100% plant-based, recyclable and high-performance polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate) from Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant, which Avantium aims to start-up in 2024. Carlsberg will use the PEF resin for various packaging applications, including its Fibre Bottle – the bio-based and fully recyclable beer bottle.
ALPLA Group acquired Slovak company Panara to step up its activities in bioplastics
Austria-headquartered ALPLA Group acquired the Slovak company Panara, a global packaging specialist, to step up its activities in the research field of alternative, sustainable raw materials for packaging. Panara is focusing on the development of fully bio-based and biodegradable plastics.
Stora Enso and Pulpex signed an agreement to produce wood-based bottles and containers
Stora Enso and packaging technology company Pulpex joined forces to industrialize the production of eco-friendly paper bottles and containers made from wood fiber pulp. These renewable products will offer an alternative to PET plastics and glass. The exclusive partnership leverages Stora Enso’s formed fiber technologies and ability to convert end-products at an industrial scale.
Novamont and Iren joined forces in the field of integrated waste collection systems
Novamont, a world leader in the world bioplastics market headquartered in Novara (Italy), and Italian utility Iren signed a three-year collaboration agreement in the field of integrated waste collection systems, the aim of which is to reduce non-recyclable waste at source and fully implement the objectives of the circular bioeconomy.
The two companies have agreed to develop specific projects for the optimised management of compostable products and packaging, to be recycled and recovered together with the organic fraction of solid municipal waste in Iren’s treatment plants.
Novamont acquired Norway-based BioBag Group
Novamont, a world leader in the development and production of biochemicals and compostable bioplastics, acquired BioBag Group, a Norway-based leading supplier of low-impact solutions for waste collection and packaging. The acquisition will allow Novamont to benefit from BioBag’s highly specialised independent distribution in areas where the buyer is less present. The two companies will be able to offer a more complete solution set to the market and to create long-lasting alliances with key stakeholders such as large retailers and communities.
LanzaTech, Total and L’Oréal premiered the first cosmetic packaging made from industrial carbon emissions
Through their innovative partnership, LanzaTech, Total and L’Oréal premiered the world’s first sustainable packaging made from captured and recycled carbon emissions. The successful conversion process takes place in three steps: LanzaTech captures industrial carbon emissions and converts them into ethanol using a unique biological process; Total, thanks to an innovative dehydration process jointly developed with IFP Axens, converts the ethanol into ethylene before polymerizing it into polyethylene that has the same technical characteristics as its fossil counterpart; L’Oréal uses this polyethylene to produce packaging with the same quality and properties as conventional polyethylene.
Stora Enso will build a pilot facility for producing Cellufoam, a sustainable packaging material
Stora Enso will build a pilot facility for producing Cellufoam™ by Stora Enso, a lightweight, fiber-based foam material for protective packaging and cushioning. Bio-based foams are renewable and recyclable and can be used in packaging, for example, to replace oil-based polymer foams which are widely used today. The pilot plant will be located at Stora Enso’s Fors Mill in Sweden.
Neste and Jokey joined forces to develop rigid packaging from renewable materials
Neste and Jokey, a leading international manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging, started collaborating with a target to develop the market for rigid packaging from sustainable renewable and recycled materials for food and non-food applications.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 