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Paper, Plastics, Packaging, Printing News

Ardagh installs technology to improve air-quality around Wadeville facility

By: Sabrina Jardim 10th May 2024 Glass producer Ardagh Glass Packaging–Africa has installed an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) at its Wadeville production facility. An ESP is a device used to filter particulate matter from gases. Ardagh uses ESPs to remove dust and smoke before they are released into the atmosphere, allowing... →

Sappi records higher earnings amid better demand, but market volatility remains

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th May 2024 JSE-listed paper and packaging manufacturer Sappi has posted a 10% year-on-year increase in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to $183-million for the quarter ended March 31. This compares with Ebitda of $167-million generated in the same quarter of last... →

Sappi signs PPA with trading platform to supply solar power to its South African operations

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th May 2024 Paper and packaging group Sappi has signed a milestone 175 GWh/y renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) with private electricity trading company Enpower Trading. Sappi is working towards attaining various science-based target objectives, with the renewable energy solution aimed at... →

Pioneer solution converts paper sludge, food and textile waste into bioethanol

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd May 2024 A pioneering solution has been developed to convert cellulose fibre-rich waste from pulp and paper mill operations into ethanol using a specialised fermentation process. The solution was announced by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa), in collaboration with Stellenbosch... →

Mondi reports improved demand, but lower prices for the first quarter

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd May 2024 JSE-listed paper and packaging manufacturer Mondi has noted improved market conditions in the first quarter of the year, with stronger order books and higher sales volumes across its range of paper grades compared with the last quarter of 2023. Average selling prices were, however, lower in the... →

Mondi employees in Richards Bay among trees

Coca Cola’s Namibia recycling partnership turns bottles into brighter futures

By: Sabrina Jardim 26th April 2024 An investment of more than $1.2-million through a partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and plastic packaging company Plastic Packaging has culminated in the opening of a new polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flaking plant in Okahandja, Namibia. The plant is expected to double the... →

Namibian Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta officially opens the new $1.2-million plastic flaking plant in Okhanja

Photo by Coca Cola Beverages Africa
Namibian Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta officially opens the new $1.2-million plastic flaking plant in Okhanja

Sappi Southern Africa achieves feed safety assurance certification for Pelletin

By: Sabrina Jardim 16th April 2024 Renewable woodfibre-based products company Sappi Southern Africa has achieved a GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance (FSA) 2020 certification for Pelletin, a lignin-based animal feed additive, making Sappi the second organisation in Africa to attain this certification. Lignin, a major component of wood and... →

Tetra Pak reopens Pinetown plant following R500m upgrade

By: Sabrina Jardim 4th April 2024 Food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak has reopened its newly renovated factory in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, following an investment of about R500-million. The investment was directed towards upgrading and expanding the production capabilities of the Pinetown facility, which... →

Tetra Pak Southern Africa MD Klaus Plenge, President Cyril Ramaphosa and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube on a tour of Tetra Pak's revamped Pinetown factory

Microwave consistency meters brought to greenfield pulp, paper mill

29th March 2024 Technology leader in electrification and automation ABB has completed the delivery of KPM KC7 microwave consistency sensors to a new paper mill in Pelasgia, Greece, owned by integrated paper and packaging company Unipak Hellas Central SA. This is the first time that a customer has chosen to use... →

Photo by ABB
PRECISE CONTROL The KPM KC7 employs microwave true-phase technology, which has been proven to provide precise total consistency measurement of mixed pulps, different quality pulps and pulps with filters, regardless of flow rate for superior process control

Small growers achieve certification

29th March 2024 Five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal in December became the first participants to achieve forest certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Sappi Group Scheme for small growers. The growers were part of Sappi’s Khulisa programme. →

The above image depicts the five small timber growers who participated in the Sappi Khulisa programme

Photo by Sappi
PEFC CERTIFIED Five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal are the first to participate in the Sappi Khulisa programme and achieve certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification for small growers

Sustainability trend creates opportunities for paper producers

29th March 2024 The pulp and paper manufacturing industry holds a meaningful position in the landscape of South Africa's industrial sector, says industry association Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA). As the backbone of numerous sectors, “its vitality is paramount to South Africa’s economic... →

An image of a paper ream at a paper mill

THE CIRCLE OF FIBRE On average, the country recovers 1.1-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging each year, with 75% to 80% of the fibre going back into local production. More than half of the country’s locally manufactured paper is made from recycled paper fibre

Investments to help increase recycling in EU

29th March 2024 In February 2024, food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak announced several strategic investments designed to improve the recycling capacity for carton packages in the European Union (EU). The move supports the goals of the proposed EU packaging and packaging waste regulation... →

The above image depicts the polyethylene and aluminium, or polyAl, a residue remaining after paper mills have recovered the paper fibres

Photo by Tetra Pak
RECYCLING ACHIEVEMENT The initiatives and investments by Tetra Pak are set to boost the European Union’s ability to recycle beverage cartons which includes the non-fibre protective layers of polyethylene and aluminium, residues remaining after paper mills have recovered the paper fibres

Nampak to sell its liquid cartons, Zambia and Malawi businesses

By: Marleny Arnoldi 26th March 2024 JSE-listed packaging company Nampak has entered into an agreement with a consortium represented by private equity company Corvest 15 to dispose of its liquid cartons business in South Africa, as well as its Zambia and Malawi businesses. The selling parties include Nampak Products, Nampak... →

Mpact grows revenue, operating profit, expects benefits from investments in 2024

By: Schalk Burger 8th March 2024 JSE-listed paper and plastics packaging business and recycler Mpact recorded a 3.6% year-on-year increase in revenue to R12.8-billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2023. Its underlying operating profit also increased to R1.21-billion, from R1.16-billion in the 2022 financial year. The... →

Mpact CEO Bruce Strong

Mondi, DS Smith reach agreement in principle on potential £5bn merger

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th March 2024 Johannesburg- and London-listed paper and packaging giant Mondi has reached an agreement in principle on a proposed £5.1-billion merger with London-listed sustainable packaging company DS Smith. Under the terms of the proposed merger, Mondi shareholders would own 54% of the enlarged Mondi group... →

Spar Group advancing sustainability initiatives to reduce plastic waste

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th February 2024 JSE-listed retailer Spar Group is undertaking several initiatives to curb the environmental impact of plastic packaging materials. This commitment aligns with the group’s dedication to phasing out harmful plastics and is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of non-recycled... →

The Spar Group sustainability executive Kevin O’Brien

Heineken invests R2.3bn in returnable glass programme in South Africa

By: Schalk Burger 27th February 2024 Multinational beer producer Heineken has invested R2.3-billion in its returnable bottle programme in South Africa, more than doubling its share of returnable glass beer bottles, as part of its goal to move to 65% returnable glass bottles. The move towards increased returnable glass aligns with... →

Mondi reports lower Ebitda, concludes exit from Russia

By: Sabrina Jardim 22nd February 2024 Paper and packaging group Mondi achieved underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of €1.2-billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with Ebitda of €1.85-billion in 2022. The Group's underlying Ebitda margin was 16.4%, compared with 20.8% in... →

Nampak reports first-quarter improvement in operating profit

By: Schalk Burger 15th February 2024 JSE-listed packaging company Nampak, in a voluntary trading update on its operational performance for the first quarter of its 2024 financial year, said reduced foreign exchange (forex) losses contributed to an improvement in its operating profit. Management was focused on the divestiture... →

DS Smith surges after approach by packaging rival Mondi

By: Bloomberg 9th February 2024 DS Smith shares surged after the company confirmed it had received an initial approach from British rival Mondi Plc about a potential deal to create one of the world’s largest makers of packaging supplies. While no firm takeover proposal has been received, “the board of DS Smith understands that... →

Sappi's earnings, debt decrease in first quarter

By: Schalk Burger 7th February 2024 JSE-listed renewable woodfibre-based products company Sappi's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) decreased to $156-million for the first quarter of its 2024 financial year, compared with Ebitda of $290-million reported for the first quarter of the prior... →

Sappi CEO Steve Binnie

Mondi acquires Hinton Pulp mill in Canada

By: Schalk Burger 5th February 2024 JSE-listed Mondi has completed the acquisition of the Hinton Pulp mill, in Alberta, Canada, from West Fraser Timber company for $5-million. Mondi will invest in the mill to improve productivity and sustainability performance and, subject to pre-engineering and permitting, invest in expanding the... →

Nampak making progress on R2.7bn disposals; records billions in forex, impairment losses

By: Schalk Burger 4th December 2023 JSE-listed packaging company Nampak recorded a 2% year-on-year decrease in revenue to R16.6-billion for the financial year ended September 30, while trading profit increased by 2% to R1.6-billion. However, the company suffered a foreign exchange loss of R1.2-billion, while impairment losses of... →

Sappi gains verification for high social, labour initiatives at Saiccor Mill

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th December 2023 JSE-listed paper and packaging manufacturer Sappi has completed a verification of the Higg Facility Social and Labour Module (FSLM) at its Saiccor Mill in South Africa, achieving a final score of 91.5%. This demonstrates Sappi’s maturity and commitment to a high level of compliance in human... →

Sappi's Saiccor Mill

Despite no consensus on global plastics instrument, South Africa is making progress – Creecy

By: Schalk Burger 30th November 2023 While the third meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, held in November, could not reach a consensus on the zero-draft text for a legally binding instrument to coordinate global efforts to end plastic pollution, South Africa continues to make progress in addressing plastic... →

Affirma exits pure play beverage can GZI investment after ten years

By: Schalk Burger 30th November 2023 Private equity firm Affirma Capital has exited its investment in the GZI Group (GZI) to global investment business Oppenheimer Partners, following its ten-year investment in Africa’s largest pure-play beverage can packaging solutions provider. This transaction is a significant industry milestone... →

Higher impairments, forex losses, finance costs contribute to losses for Nampak

By: Schalk Burger 28th November 2023 JSE-listed packaging company Nampak expects to report a headline loss a share of between R461 and R476 for the financial year ended September 30, compared with headline earnings a share of R75.89 in the 2022 financial year. Further, it expects to post a loss a share of between R1 169 and R1 178,... →

Global packaging industry is dynamic, says new head of representative body

By: Rebecca Campbell 20th November 2023 Incoming World Packaging Organisation (WPO) President Luciana Pellegrino has highlighted the dynamism of the global packaging industry. Speaking in Cape Town on Monday, she pointed out that it had recorded growth of some 4% in 2018. In 2021, its total income had exceeded $1-trillion for the first... →

Global packaging sector facing five major trends

By: Rebecca Campbell 20th November 2023 As far as the global packaging industry is concerned, there are currently five top trends, outgoing World Packaging Organisation (WPO) president Pierre Pienaar highlighted, at a press briefing in Cape Town on Monday. (The WPO is a global non-profit organisation, with 62 member countries, based in... →

Sappi announces new chair; posts record SA earnings, but lower group-wide profit

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th November 2023 JSE-listed paper and packaging manufacturer Sappi has announced that nonexecutive director Nkululeko Sowazi will succeed Sir Nigel Rudd as independent chairperson, with from February 8 next year. To this end, Sowazi will resign as member of the audit and risk committee. →

Sappi chipping plant

New warehouse to bolster logistics provider’s position in sector

3rd November 2023 Independent logistics service provider Seabourne Logistics announced in September that it would be moving into a new, “expansive” facility in Gauteng, South Africa. The new 22 000 m2 premises reportedly signals a significant step forward for the company's growth and operational capabilities. →

a photo of the outside of Seabourne's new facility

BIGGER IS BETTER Seabourne's new premises is considerably larger than its previous facility, which will drastically increase its operational capacities

Cape Town startup made a mark at international conference in Addis Ababa

By: Rebecca Campbell 2nd November 2023 BAOM eco solutions (BAOM), a Cape Town-based young-woman-led award-winning biotech startup, was, by some way, the youngest startup attending the very recent Global Startup Awards Africa conference and pitching event, in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia. The event ran from October 24 to October 27, and... →

Company to exhibit resource conserving systems

20th October 2023 After a four-year break, beverage industry trade show BrauBeviale returns to Nuremberg, and packaging equipment provider KHS Group will be presenting its extensive portfolio of “cutting-edge filling technology and resource-conserving packaging systems”. KHS’s showpiece at the event, to be held... →

Packaging exhibition helps industry connect, boost growth

By: Nadine James 20th October 2023 Packaging and labelling trade exhibition Propak Cape is the “essential gathering place to discover all industry stakeholders need to know about the latest advancements and solutions that could benefit productivity, streamline business and improve profitability”, says Specialised Exhibitions, a... →

An image of Specialised Exhibitions' portfolio director Mark Anderson

MARK ANDERSON If one looks at what Propak's exhibitors are launching and/or showcasing over the three days of the show, it speaks directly to the event's three theme topics

Sappi mulls potential closure of another paper mill in Europe

By: Creamer Media Reporter 10th October 2023 Renewable resource company Sappi has concluded a consultation process for the closure of its Stockstadt mill, in Germany, and has started consultations on the potential closure of its Lanaken mill, in Belgium. "We continue to be faced with significant overcapacity in graphic paper, forcing us to... →

Photo by Sappi
Sappi's Lanaken mill in Belgium

Waste industry can mitigate unemployment

By: Bridget Lepere 6th October 2023 South Africa needs more companies to implement effective waste management systems and principles in their value chains to effect a more circular economy. The country needs a focus on waste beneficiation, looking beyond to products’ next life and the viable use of recycled resources, states green... →

EPR regulations positive for waste reduction

By: Bridget Lepere 6th October 2023 The amended Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, instituted in November 2020, require product importers and manufacturers in the packaging industry to contribute towards the recycling of product packaging, which has had a significant impact on waste production, says Zero Waste... →

Image of a backhoe loader loading organic waste

DUMP DIVING The Western Cape government implemented a regulation in 2022 to divert organic waste out of landfills by imposing a 50% ban on organic waste dumping to landfills in preparation for a 100% ban in 2027

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