PPC Signs On To Single-Use Plastics Joint Letter And Technical Paper The European Union has made a strong push toward sus- tainable practices with their latest Directive (EU) 2019/904. This new guideline reduces the consumption of single-use plastics and, by design, the negative impact such plastic waste has on our environment. However, the language of the initiative as it currently stands incorrectly defines “plastic” to potentially include recyclable, low-impact re- sources like paperboard. As the voice for North American paperboard manu- facturers, PPC has a greener future in mind, which is why we’ve signed this document soliciting an update to the EU’s definition of plastic to be truer to form. Paperboard’s Distinction From Plastic Paperboard is a natural polymer, which means it should not be included in the EU’s new directive. The ECHA Guidance for monomers and polymers for the implementation of REACH April 2012, version 2.0 and Article 3(39) of REACH explain that natural polymers are the result of a polymerization process that has taken place in nature, independently of the extraction process. A non-chemically modified substance is defined under Article 3(40) of REACH as a substance whose chemical structure remains unchanged, even if it has undergone a chemical process or treatment, or a physical mineralogical
transformation, for instance, to remove impurities. In layman’s terms, even when treated, the chemical makeup of paperboard does not change. It can easily break down in the environment and be reused and re- purposed, unlike plastic. The current language notes all chemically-affected polymers regardless of end results, which includes paperboard. However, since its chemical makeup does not actually change, unlike single-use plas- tics, it is sustainable and safe for our environment, there- fore should be left out of these new regulations. Visit paperbox.org to read the entire letter. Esko Unveils Its Fastest Single Head Imager Ghent, Belgium based Esko has unveiled its fastest single head imager, the new Optics 100v2, delivering a 25 per- cent increase in productivity for corrugated plate imagers. The Optics 100v2 features a new imaging setup that enables plate makers to obtain one 5080 (50in x 80in, or 127cm x 203cm) full sheet more per hour from their CDI and achieve a 100 percent increase in productivity on par- tial plates. The overall increase in productivity leads to a 20 percent improvement in operating efficiency, while the ability to obtain a full sheet more per hour means an addi- tional eight sheets per typical shift. Visit esko.com for more information.
. . . IS NOW ONLINE! Please visit: www.boardconvertingnews.com
22
www.boardconvertingnews.com
June 8, 2020
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator