Food safety in focus

Food safety in focus 19/04/2011
ACTEGA DS GmbH Interpack 2011 – consumer protection, environmental safeguards, packaging in the tug-of-war between nutrition and sustainability, packaging as part of the solution for greater sustainability in production and consumption – these are the dominant topics at this year's Interpack. Topics which are being both focused on by Actega DS at Booth A 12 in Hall 11 and discussed at the PROVALIN® technical conference “No migration – intelligent solutions for optimum food safety” on 13 May in Room 7a of the CCD South (beginning at 10:00 am) with academic and practical experts as well as food industry decision makers (program and registration under the rubric “Fairs & Events” at www.provalin.com or directly at http://www.wirkomm.de/cgi-data/mailmanager/anmelde_interp.html.
Actega DS, a technology and innovation leader in the production of high-quality sealants for plastic and metal closures, developed PVC-free technologies early on. In 1979 – in the course of initial, tentative trends toward replacement of PVC – Pepsi-Cola gave its approval for these technologies to be used in crown caps. Since the mid eighties, PVC-free granulates for crown caps and aluminum closures have been established on the market very successfully. With the refinement of TPE compounds also for use in Twist-Off® lids and other metal closures, the company continued to pursue this PVC-free strategy successfully.
PROVALIN®, too, was developed with the goal of replacing PVC with PVC-free sealants in all wide-mouth lid applications. With the variants 1241 for products that are high in oil and fat content, 1231 for foods that contain little or no fat, 1631 for metal/plastic composite lids and 1288 for all areas, suitable solutions are available for a wide range of foods that are packaged in glass jars.
The compound has since entered mass production. Pano Blue Seal closures with PROVALIN®, which are fundamentally suitable for a wide range of lug-type lids, have been produced in size TO 66 with Pano Verschluss GmbH since the beginning of 2011. TO 53 and 63 will be processed successively in the 2nd quarter, followed by other lid sizes (TO 48, 58 and 70 mm), areas of application and classes of contents. Positive experiences with this PVC-free initiative have led to major interest among other packagers and food manufacturers.
For in addition to compliance with the most stringent migration thresholds even with small packages, long storage periods or unfavorable general conditions, this PVC-free solution offers other advantages as well. The lid makes especially economical use of resources thanks to the TPE technology used. Air emissions are avoided, the gelling ovens are eliminated, energy input and waste are reduced, and the granulate material is cleaner in use. Because no liquid plasticizer is required for the flexibility/elasticity of PVC, the potential for migration of undesirable substances is minimized with TPE granulate.
Thus the Blue Seal lids with PROVALIN® fulfill both the requirements of food manufacturers and retail chains as well as all current EU regulations (incl. EU Directive 10/2011 and PIM) and the demands for maximum food safety.
Actega DS’s presence at Interpack will also focus on other PVC-free product groups. The SVELON® family of products, for example, includes a range of PVC-free granulate variants for crown caps, twist caps, aluminum and plastic closures for beer, mineral water, wine, etc.
OXYLON® is a barrier sealant especially for protecting beverages from oxygen and other volatile substances in different variants for corresponding product requirements.
Polyliners® are used with plastic closures and the Peak-Free® technology is for contents with especially delicate sensory properties.
New developments include: aroma protection especially for beer, biodegradable and compostable liners, and flavored liners.

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Overview crown corks

Overview crown corks 06/04/2011
ACTEGA DS GmbH Standard Products
The compounds are particularly suitable for low liner weights. All materials show excellent sensoric properties and are suitable for mineral water.

Sevlon® 477: PVC-free – unmatched sealing properties even on poor glass bottle finishes due to high degree of softness – high and constant productivity on all types of linings machines

Svelon® 855: PVC-free - approved by all major fillers and brand owners – premium raw materials, specifically formulated to guarantee excellent sealing properties and constant process stability

Svelon® 855 B: PVC-free – economical selection of high class raw materials for usage in modern production environment – very good sealing properties on non-returnable bottles

Svelith KG 352 MS:
Unfoamed PVC dry-blend – excellent sealing properties due to degree of softness – reliable performance which has been approved for decades by customers and fillers alike

Scavenger and Barrier Compounds
The scavenger and barrier technologies are two different ways
to protect taste and to extend the shelf-life of different filling goods.
Scavenger compounds neutralize oxygen left in the head-space of
closed bottles. Additionally it prevents oxygen ingress into the bottle.

SvelOX® 8800 TC:
PVC-free compound for twist-off crown corks – flagship compound consisting of high-tech raw materials and combining an unmatched number of functionalities: high softness, twist-off and O2-scavenger – especially designed to achieve secure sealing as well as convenient opening on multiple bottle-finishes

SvelOX® 8500: PVC-free, pry-off compound – premium raw materials, specifically formulated to guarantee excellent sealing properties and constant process stability – tests at major specifier have shown significant shelf-life extension – oxygen ingress below 1 ppm after 180 days

Barrier compounds are specifically designed to protect filled goods
from ingress of gases, like oxygen (O2) or carbon dioxide (CO2), as
well as other substances, e.g. 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (TCA), which
can have a negative impact on the quality of the product. Barrier
compounds are used for products with high organoleptic sensivity
like Champagne and beer.

Oxylon® CS 25: PVC-free – world standard barrier compound for beer and fruit juices – oxygen-ingress as low as 0,1 ppm after 180 days of storage – significant extension of shelf-life, plus preventing a colour change of fruit juices – the molecular structure results in a specific hardness

Oxylon® 940: PVC-free – suitable for returnable and non-returnable bottles, with excellent barrier properties

Oxylon® 420 PFT: PVC-free – this product belongs to the Peak-Free®-Technology (PFT) range of compounds and is especially engineered for usage with highly sensitive filling goods – it shows excellent results with Champagne and sparkling wine – suitable to replace PE- and cork discs, used in the ripening process of Champagne

Compounds for Twist Crown Corks
All compounds for twist crown corks are available with different
Lubricant packages to meet the versatile demand of different bottle
finishes in the market.

Svelon® 880 TC: The world’s first PVC-free compound suitable for twist crown corks – the latest generation of high-tech raw materials guarantees optimized sealing in combination with convenient opening values – suitable for returnable, as well as non-returnable bottles, due to it’s softness

Svelith KG 353 AT 3 B:
Foamed PVC dry-blend – even suitable for the poorest bottle finishes – globally used twist-off compound, approved by all major fillers, in particular in the USA

Compounds for Low Gauge Crown Corks
To offer the most suitable compound for the above described
technology, ACTEGA DS has developed Svelon® 830 LG (PVC-free).
This product offers excellent softness, which is required by the LG
Crown geometry.

Compound for Retortable Liner

Svelon® H-29: PVC-free compound for pry-off crown corks – retortable at temperatures of up to 121°C – suitable for fatty filling goods like milk – retortable liners require a specific adhesion lacquer, suitable for retort – only available in grey color

Compounds for Laser Marking Liners
Laser marking compounds can be used as a mean for promotion or
brand protection.

Svelon® 845 LM: Heavy-metal free – suitable for online high-speed processing – best results are achieved with Nd:YAG-Lasers – the laser marking process does not result in an ablation of material, but in an activation of a pigment incorporated in the compound – processing is similar to standard crown cork compounds

Oil-free Compounds for Crown Corks

Sevlon® 874: PVC-free pry-off compound – oil-free product, developed to the particular requirements of the filling industry – processable as easy as all ACTEGA DS compounds – Excellent pressure retention and superior adhesion properties – high transparency of the liner in the crown cork

   
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PROVALIN goes into series production

PROVALIN goes into series production 03/03/2011
ACTEGA DS GmbH After an intensive test and rollout phase in 2010, PROVALIN® - the PVC- and plasticizer-free sealant for lids of glass jars - is now going into series production. Pano Blue Seal closures with PROVALIN®, which are fundamentally suitable for a wide range of lug-type lids, have been produced in size TO 66 since the beginning of 2011. TO 53 and 63 will be processed successively in the 2nd quarter, followed by other lid sizes - such as TO 48, 58 and 70 mm, areas of application and classes of contents, incl. a sterilizable variant.
PROVALIN® was developed by Actega DS with the goal of replacing PVC with PVC-free sealants that comply with EU regulations (incl. EU Directive 10/2011 and PIM) and offer a high level of food safety in all areas of application in which wide-mouth lids are used. With the variants 1241 for products that are high in oil and fat content, 1231 for foods that contain little or no fat, 1631 for metal/plastic composite lids and 1288 for all areas, suitable solutions are available for a wide range of foods that are packaged in glass jars.
Pano Verschluss GmbH uses the sealant to make its Blue Seal lids. This development was preceded by extensive research and development projects. Once Actega DS had manufactured the first lids in the laboratory, the search for capable machinery manufacturers began. The first sample lids were manufactured in 2009 and 2010 using a prototype machine and in spring, 2010, the first 10,000 jars were processed under production conditions and marketed. This was done in partnership with the production firm Reichold (Feinkost Dittmann). Subsequently, an additional 300,000 Blue Seal lids were processed and Feinkost Dittmann marketed food preserved in jars with PROVALIN® lid seals.
In addition to compliance with the most stringent migration thresholds even with small packages, long storage periods or unfavorable general conditions, this PVC-free solution offers other advantages as well. The lid makes especially economical use of resources thanks to the TPE technology used. This avoids air emissions of the type encountered when processing PVC compounds. Because the gelling ovens are eliminated (the PVC-free granulate is applied and shaped only in the lid, but no longer has to be cured), less space is required. Processing the granulate requires less energy than with plastisols. Granulate material is cleaner in use and produces less waste. Furthermore, there are no viscosity problems of the kind experienced with plastisols. Because no liquid plasticizer is required for the flexibility/elasticity of PVC, the potential for migration of undesirable substances is minimized with TPE granulate.
Thus the Blue Seal lids with PROVALIN® fulfill both the requirements of food manufacturers and retail chains as well as all current EU regulations and the demands for maximum food safety.
Starting in spring, 2011, jars of Dittmann’s delicatessen products will contain a consumer notice on the lid stating that the lid is PVC-free with a web link where interested consumers can read the story behind this PVC-free initiative: www.pvc-freier-verschluss.de and www.pvc-free-closure.com.
In the meantime, other packagers have indicated their interest in Blue Seal lids with PROVALIN® on account of the positive experiences which Actega DS, Pano and Feinkost Dittmann have had with the PVC-free initiative.
Within the scope of the Interpack 2011 (12 – 18 May), Actega DS will offer a technical conference “No migration – intelligent solutions for optimum food safety” for merchandisers, food manufacturers and packagers on 13 May in Room 7a of the CCD South at Dusseldorf Exhibition Center. The conference begins at 10:00 am (for further information or to register, go to www.provalin.com or info@wirkomm.de).
   
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Conference on "Intelligent solutions for optimum food safety"

Conference on "Intelligent solutions for optimum food safety" 09/02/2011
ACTEGA DS GmbH Focusing on preventive health protection and safeguarding the quality, taste and storage safety of food, Actega DS is hosting a conference on "Intelligent solutions for optimum food safety". In cooperation with Pano Verschluss GmbH and Feinkost Dittmann, trends and developments for food packaging will be discussed by experts representing science and industry as well as decision-makers from the food industry within the framework of the Interpack 2011 in Düsseldorf on May 13, 2011.
Information and registrations online: www.provalin.com/termine

Conference background: The increasing range of packaged foods available means that the attempt to provide food of maximum quality and safety is a complex task. According to a Europe-wide study recently published, many consumers are increasingly opting for food in glass packaging. And for a good reason, too. Glass is regarded as a healthy and safe type of packaging which is impermeable and practically prevents any interactions with the contents. Glass is therefore considered as optimally retaining the quality of food and drinks. This also applies for the metal lids on jars or bottles which prevent lid seals from migrating into the contents. The solution discovered many years ago for the drinks industry is also possible for wide-neck lids and therefore an entire range of preserves in glass. Thanks to TPE technology originally developed by Actega DS for crown caps and aluminum lids, it has been possible to seal an essential gap in eliminating PVC from packaging with food contact.
In the form of PROVALIN®, a closure seal mass without PVC and softener is now available for all lids made of metal which have been developed and launched onto the market in collaboration with competent partners representing machine and packaging technology. www.provalin.com
   
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