Together with its partners, Bobst has released one of the most exciting milestones in the journey towards truly sustainable packaging: oneBARRIER, a family of new alternative and sustainable solutions providing flexible packaging workflows based on individual converter production needs.
At K 2022 in Düsseldorf, Generation 3.0 ‘hero samples’ of oneBARRIER PrimeCycle were available. The polymer-based mono-material is recycle-ready while retaining excellent barrier qualities, making it a potentially groundbreaking development for sustainable packaging. PrimeCycle is an EVOH-free, top-coat-free solution for full PE barrier and is an alternative to metallised polyester film. The Generation 3.0 samples represented a significant evolution from the 1.0 version first presented at K 2019 – they are now converted and printed on real-scale equipment, assuring quality and barrier performance along every successive conversion phase.
The reveal came just weeks after Institute Cyclos – the respected expert in the classification, assessment and certification of recyclability of packaging – awarded Bobst an EU-wide certification of recyclability for oneBARRIER PrimeCycle, with a recyclability level of 98%. This is an exceptionally high recyclability level for a high-barrier film. Bobst’s partners involved in oneBARRIER PrimeCycle include Dow, Michelman, Sun Chemical and Zermatt, who were all present during K 2022 to demonstrate their vital contributions to this exciting development.
A second major oneBARRIER breakthrough also on show for the first time at K 2022 was oneBARRIER FibreCycle , a full paper, mono-material, recycle-ready solution created together with partners Michelman and UPM, in response to increasing demand in the industry for more paper-based packaging options. Together with Finnish-based converter Huhtamaki, Bobst revealed the first-ever hero samples of converted packaging using the FibreCycle solution, representing another exciting and significant milestone for sustainable packaging.
“The oneBARRIER solutions presented at K 2022 are the real deal – sustainable, recycle-ready packaging with excellent barrier properties,” said Sara Alexander, Marketing and Communications Manager, Flexible Packaging Industry, Bobst. “This success is testament to the great collaboration between all our valued partners, and we are proud to have played an integral role. Sustainable packaging has represented one of the great challenges of the modern era, and one of the most necessary. Now at Bobst, together with our partners, we are ready.”
One complete solution
Sustainability was not the only hot topic for Bobst at K 2022. Also announced was the launch of One complete solution – a new tailored package of end-to-end solutions to create a perfect flexible packaging workflow for converters, based on their production needs.
One complete solution is a portfolio of end-to-end workflows that connect all steps, from production file and prepress through to the reels of printed or laminated substrates, or of high-barrier functional films or paper.
Bobst hosted an Open House event in Bielefeld running concurrently to K 2022, where attendees were able to see an example of One complete solution in action. The workflow on display included a full prepress setup with smartGPS, plus sleeve mounting with partner, AV Flexologic, plus a CI Flexo press with the Bobst Vision CI, plus quality control with the Bobst digital inspection table, plus lamination with the solventless Bobst Nova SX 550 laminator, plus all essential data and digital services with Bobst Connect.
“One complete solution provides everything converters need tailored to their specific needs,” said Sara Alexander. “Uniquely in our industry, Bobst has the knowledge and portfolio of solutions to create complete and seamless quality production for converters, offering end-to-end solutions for more productive flexible packaging. The workflow is more efficient, the whole process is smoother, and servicing is considerably easier. It really is the whole package.”
A second Bobst Open House focused on the FibreCycle solution with partners UPM and Michelman, and gave attendees the opportunity to see Bobst`s latest vacuum metallisng solutions in person.
BOBST Connect
An integral element of One complete solution, and also on show at K 2022, was Bobst Connect. This user-centric digital platform links different steps of the production process through a digitalised and automated workflow. It improves efficiency, control and data knowledge, driving quality and productivity across the value chain.
Bobst Connect Essential – the first subscription plan of this very powerful tool – has been made available on all Bobst machines as a standard supply. This is a unique offer within the industry.
Caption:
The Bobst stand at K 2022 in Düsseldorf