Maxime Ouellet, ing.
…The recovered paper industry still is dealing with pandemic market fallout, and experts say the pricing low point may not have been reached. Experts speaking at the Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference in Chicago suggest the market hasn’t yet reached its low point, but said end is in sight. Speakers across all paper sessions at the 2022 Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference ( PPRC ) in Chicago in October echoed similar sentiments about the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic on the recovered paper market, with one international expert suggesting that, while he expects prices to bounce back, the market is not yet at the low end of the price cycle. The impact is seen most notably in old corrugated containers (OCC) pricing, which has seen a three-month crash of $88 per ton since July. In October 2021, the national average OCC price was $164 per ton compared with $38 […]
…Six questions to ask when labeling pre-filled syringes, vials, injection pens, cartridges and ampoules. In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, there are strict regulations as well as demanding conditions that set high technical requirements for labels, particularly for those found on Injectables packaging types such as pre-filled syringes, pens, cartridges, vials, and ampoules. These small diameter containers pose multiple challenging requirements for labeling and require specialized label materials to ensure tight mandrel hold as well as extreme durability. One trend that is impacting the field of injectable packaging is fast-growing biologic medication, which typically requires cold chain storage. Biologic medication is increasingly being utilized for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer´s and cancer. Vaccines also frequently require cold chain storage as low as -80°C. The label material should perform with the specific injectable packaging type and in the conditions it is exposed to during its lifecycle. It […]
…Refillable or reusable packaging 1 is likely the oldest packaging solution still in play. Since the emergence of single-use packaging, it has been widely displaced as the focus has switched to other areas, such as brand differentiation needs, convenience, and cost efficiency. Today, reusable packaging is mostly used in selective segments within a few countries: for example, refillable beverage bottles. However, global sustainability pressure from regulatory authorities and consumers is leading to renewed interest in reusable solutions within the packaging value chain. Several new start-ups and pilot solutions have been launched, but we have yet to see any significant scale beyond a specific segment or country. Without a change in trajectory, we forecast the global market to reach only 5 percent penetration or less by 2030, although this will vary by region and end use. One simple explanation for this is that there are several limiting factors within the […]
…Graphical abstract. Credit: Applied Materials Today (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2022.101589 Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable Paper Senses Attributes about Food: A research group led by Prof. Seung Hwan Ko from the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in Seoul National University has developed new technology for sensing food temperature and freshness using laser-induced graphene on eco-friendly and biodegradable commercial paper. The environment and food safety are worldwide issues in the food industry. According to Greenpeace in 2021, 78% of domestic plastic waste was originated from food-containing packages. Thus, the severe environmental problem has been increased due to excessive use of plastics. Multinational corporates such as Starbucks, Coca Cola and McDonald’s launched the biodegradable cups, bottles and straws based on paper, leading the growth of eco-friendly innovative technology. To resolve these complex problems in the food industry, eco-friendly food package and real time monitoring technology are required. Recent advances in food storage and monitoring technology […]
…It is essential to follow all safety procedures when using machinery to prevent such accidents and regularly inspect it for defects. Construction workers are at a higher risk of suffering an injury on the job than workers in other industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that in the construction industry, one in five worker deaths results from construction accidents in the United States each year. Construction accidents can occur in various ways, but some common patterns exist. Whatever the cause, construction accidents can be devastating for the workers involved and their families. Falls Falls can happen when workers do not have adequate protection from falling off scaffolding, ladders, or roofs. A variety of factors can cause them, including: Slippery surfaces Loose debris Poor lighting Misuse of portable ladders Improper scaffold Falls can lead to severe injuries, including broken bones and head injuries. According to the Bureau […]
…Taking precautions and following best practices can keep people safe in metal fabricating facilities Forklifts are valuable tools in helping to keep manufacturing facilities going. They also can be very dangerous devices if the operators are not paying attention or take unnecessary risks. Vm/E+/Getty Images Forklifts are necessary devices in most manufacturing facilities. They are effective at transporting raw materials, work in process, and finished goods to the places where they need to be to ensure that workflow remains steady and goods are delivered per schedules. Forklifts also can be dangerous—and even deadly—devices. Each year since 2011, more than 50 people have died in the U.S. in forklift-related accidents across all industry sectors. In the same time period, more than 6,000 people suffered nonfatal injuries as a result of forklifts. When a 10,000-lb. vehicle hits a 180-lb. human, the human isn’t going to fare too well. That’s the bad […]