$16 Million Investment for Water-based Barrier Coating Plant

Published on February 28, 2017 13:24 by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business

Cascades Sonoco water-based barrier coating allows for the creation of recyclable, repulpable, compostable take-out containers.

Cascades Sonoco, a joint venture of Sonoco Products Co., Hartsville, South Carolina, and Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Québec, has announced the investment of approximately $16 million for the expansion of its Birmingham, Alabama, facility.

This investment in world-class water-based coating technology will provide coated paper and paperboard substrates using the company’s new FlexShield™, FluteSHIELD® and SurfSHIELD™ coating technology.

These coatings, recently introduced to the folding carton and corrugated industries, are revolutionary water-based functional and barrier coatings designed to replace the standard low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating used in take-out container folding carton applications, as well as wax replacement technology for the corrugated industry, according to Cascades Sonoco.

The coatings offer solutions that are recyclable, repulpable and compostable, the company says.

FlexSHIELD provides barrier properties to paperboard containers, Source: Cascades Sonoco

Installation will begin early this year and start-up is expected in the second quarter of 2018.

Once at full capacity, the new water-based coating line will be capable of producing 40,000-50,000 tons of sustainable coated materials every year.

The water-based coatings will replace low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coatings on folding cartons – for uses such as burgers, hot dogs and kebabs – which provide barrier protection against water and water vapour. LDPE is also used as a heat sealant, particularly when two sides of the packaging are extrusion coated.

The polymer has traditionally been popular among packaging manufacturers for its performance, alongside its cost effectiveness.

But Cascades Sonoco said that its water-based offerings provide the added bonus of being recyclable, repulpable, and compostable.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of nearly $4.8 billion, the company has 20,000 employees working in more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving some 85 nations.

Sources: FoodBev Media and Recycling Today

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Food & Beverage
Food Security
Business Development
Material Handling
Paper Machinery