Clemson Sustainable Innovation Lab Awarded $2.5 Million BY GREG KISHBAUGH Clemson University’s Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (SPIL) has awarded $2.5 million to support the development of sustainable pack- aging solutions. These efforts are aimed at ensuring U.S. specialty crops remain competitive in global markets, particularly the European Union and Canada, where new regulations are phasing out plastic and requiring recyclable or compostable alternatives for produce packaging.
Axiom Color Campus Fights Flexographic Waste Axiom Color Campus, an online education- al platform dedicated to preventing printing waste in the flexographic printing industry, has announced its official launch. With a mission to cultivate fully trained press room staff and
transform them into color experts, Axiom Col- or Campus aims to reduce waste and ensure precise, vibrant color in package printing. Overcoming Challenges The flexographic printing industry faces significant challenges related to waste, often
“This lab is all about enabling U.S. specialty crop exporters to suc- ceed in markets that now demand sustainable packaging,” said James Sternberg, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Packaging at Clemson and a leader of the initiative. “We’re building the future of [agricultural] packaging with real-world technologies that ensure compliance and competitiveness.” The new international regulations aim to eliminate single-use and small-quantity packaging in favor of bulk bins for produce under 1.5 kg. According to the regulations, plastic used in packaging must contain more post-consumer recycled content. The regulations also seek to eliminate shrink wrap and require compostable labels on produce, so everything can be composted together, enhancing sustainability. These regulations follow efforts by the United Nations to reduce plastic waste globally and work toward a Global Plastics Treaty.
stemming from inconsistencies in color man- agement, according to Axiom. Axiom Color Campus offers online color courses designed around everyday package printing issues. The curriculum is built upon the “Five Pillars of Color Quality,” providing practical tools and knowledge to achieve repeatable color and prevent costly downtime.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 39
37
www.boardconvertingnews.com
August 11, 2025
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting