RETAL is delighted to be able to donate customised film and expertise to the innovative Robotikos Mokykla to help create over 70,000 masks for healthcare professionals on the frontline of the coronavirus.
RETAL Baltic General Manager Vikorija Jureviciute responded to an online shout-out from the non-profit organisation, which provides innovative technical education for children. “I saw an article where Robotikos described their need for films to create PPE masks for people in at-risk jobs during coronavirus in Lithuania. I knew we could help as we are film experts! I contacted them straight away to offer our films and design and production expertise. My team was so motivated to help, it has been a very positive experience.”
Robotikos has coordinated volunteers for cutting the masks with lasers as well as to provide safe collection and delivery to the ambulance workers and medical staff that need them. Viktorija and her team's quick response saw regular production of its PET and rPET films and preforms slightly delayed over one weekend while they tested various options to create the best possible film for the masks.
Viktorija adds, “More people than ever before are needing to use PPE masks; not only those in hospitals but increasingly those in production of essential food and beverages too. RETAL is delighted to be able to offer our skills and resources to this crucial protection of key workers, and I personally am grateful to Robotikos for managing this important project.”
While nobody predicted the global coronavirus pandemic, now it's here we can make sure to learn lessons that support and strengthen our businesses from now on. Part of the 'new normal' will be to ensure that heightened best practice is maintained across manufacturing, helping to protect our people and our profits.
Global plastic packaging solutions provider RETAL has cleverly adapted its cross-factory quality management protocol to allow all its 17 facilities to stay effective and operational throughout the crisis, with no known cases of coronavirus in its over-1500 employees.
Instigated by RETAL's European & US Quality Director Renata Smataviciene, the QM protocol document was already in place for RETAL's largest Lithuanian factory, offering a detailed risk management for the active promotion of a healthy and efficient workplace. Working in cooperation with general managers, Renata quickly adapted this risk management document for each of the RETAL factories, allowing the specific circumstances of the different factories to combine with the Quality Management Best Practice she created.
The protocol includes strict documentation, keeping shifts totally separate, implementation of extra hygiene practices, a dedicated isolation room at each factory, a plan for potential infection of an employee either while at work or at home, and guidance for staying connected to colleagues and the wider company using appropriate technology platforms.
Renata says, “It will be very important to agree on what did and did not work. We will be able to create a detailed document that delivers clear protocol on how we can handle such unusual circumstances so that what we have learned is not wasted. We will also discuss and plan for what happens when everything goes back to normal, which is not as easy as it sounds! By having crisis management protocol in place with each facility documenting their own experiences, we can transpose this to other situations if needed.”
Read the press release on Manufacturing Journal.
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Retal increases their sustainability-focused films portfolio with the introduction of up-to 100& rPET films. These food-grade films are made from all colours and all kinds of PET scrap (post-consumer PET bottle, trays and industrial). Regional sales manager Violeta Petkeviciute says, “We’ve been producing up-to 80% rPET films for some time now, so it’s exciting to show how we’ve upped our sustainability credentials even more with our latest films development.” As well as the 100% rPET films, sealable and BioPET films are also in Retal’s portfolio.
“We’re Mediterranean. I miss being able to be physically close to my team!”
For Ester Maso, general manager of Retal Iberia, a manufacturer of PET preforms and containers, caps and films, social distancing caused by the coronavirus outbreak has lost her that important physical connection with her colleagues.
She is thankful, however, that there is “a big window between the main office and production area, so the team can talk on the phone and wave to each other while they chat”. For businesses like Retal Iberia, which are reliant on in-person water cooler communication and brainstorming, finding new ways of working within or away from the office has been imperative.
“We are all in different circumstances with our families, maybe with young children or older relatives to care for, so we are making sure to stay connected through text messaging with production staff as they do not always have access to email or our intranet,” said Maso. “I’m very proud of how our team has pulled together.”
Plastics packaging manufacturers have gone from being defensive to essential businesses in a matter of weeks, as the food and beverage supply-chain is doing its bit to keep people fed and watered.
When it comes to the production staff, Retal EU & US quality director Renata Smataviciene explained how the company quickly implemented additional best practice protocol across its ten production plants in the region, taking the lead from its Italian plant, which is located just north of Venice.
Smataviciene said: “As a manufacturer of preforms for the food and beverage sectors worldwide, we already worked to strict health and safety standards for food contact, so we have implemented additional rules for disinfection every two hours and between each shift, separating production workers into up to five shift teams in each location with no contact between shifts, and are maintaining separate coffee and canteen areas for each shift. We have also created a strict plan of action for if a production worker gets sick and we’re taking temperatures before every shift.”
It may be a while yet before Maso can regain that physical proximity to her colleagues that she longs for, but companies are finding new and imaginative ways to do business, both internally and externally with clients and suppliers.
Read the article in Plastics in Packaging
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RETAL is delighted to be able to donate customised film and expertise to the innovative Robotikos Mokykla to help create over 70,000 masks for healthcare professionals on the frontline of the coronavirus.
RETAL Baltic General Manager Vikorija Jureviciute responded to an online shout-out from the non-profit organisation, which provides innovative technical education for children. “I saw an article where Robotikos described their need for films to create PPE masks for people in at-risk jobs during coronavirus in Lithuania. I knew we could help as we are film experts! I contacted them straight away to offer our films and design and production expertise. My team was so motivated to help, it has been a very positive experience.”
Robotikos has coordinated volunteers for cutting the masks with lasers as well as to provide safe collection and delivery to the ambulance workers and medical staff that need them. Viktorija and her team's quick response saw regular production of its PET and rPET films and preforms slightly delayed over one weekend while they tested various options to create the best possible film for the masks.
Viktorija adds, “More people than ever before are needing to use PPE masks; not only those in hospitals but increasingly those in production of essential food and beverages too. RETAL is delighted to be able to offer our skills and resources to this crucial protection of key workers, and I personally am grateful to Robotikos for managing this important project.”
RETAL – Donation of customised film for coronavirus masks
Retal donates customised film and expertise to the innovative Robotikos Mokykla to help create over 70,000 masks for healthcare professionals on the frontline of the coronavirus. Retal Baltic General Manager Vikorija Jureviciute responded to an online shout-out from the non-profit organisation, which provides technical education for children. “I saw an article where Robotikos described their need for films to create PPE masks for people in at-risk jobs during coronavirus in Lithuania. I knew we could help as we are film experts! I contacted them straight away to offer our films and design and production expertise. My team was so motivated to help, it has been a very positive experience.” Robotikos has coordinated volunteers for cutting the masks with lasers as well as to provide safe collection and delivery to the ambulance workers and medical staff that need them. Viktorija and her team’s quick response saw regular production of its PET and rPET films and preforms slightly delayed over one weekend while they tested various options to create the best possible film for the masks. Viktorija adds, “More people than ever before are needing to use PPE masks; not only those in hospitals but increasingly those in production of essential food and beverages too. Retal is delighted to be able to offer our skills and resources to this crucial protection of key workers, and I personally am grateful to Robotikos for managing this important project.” (April 15, 2020)
At Retal Baltic in Klaipeda, one of the largest production sites of plastic packaging manufacturer Retal, general manager Viktorija Jureviciute has striven to maintain the production of HDPE closures and rPET films for the food and beverage industry – products considered part of the essential industrial supply chain.
Then, an online shout-out from Robotikos Mokykla, or Robotics School, a non-profit organisation that provides innovative technical education for children, who was looking for potential local partners caught Jureviciute’s eye.
“With a few production changes, we could offer exactly what the front-line workers needed. Even though this pandemic has been an incredibly busy and challenging time for everyone, our team really pulled together to produce the film required – everyone was really motivated to help.”
The Retal Baltic production team first assessed its current film production to see how it could be adjusted to meet the performance for the masks. A few trials were carried out to decide which thickness would be suitable, with a one-layer film with anti-block additives chosen as it offers the clearest view. “We tested our GPET film too, but APET was already good enough and allowed for a peel-off cover if needed,” said Viktorija.
With the wholehearted support of the production teams and by slightly adapting its normal production over the weekend, Retal swung into action.
“We've been able to produce enough of the right film for 70,000 masks, which we've happily donated to Robotics School,” said Jureviciute.
The Robotics School team is coordinating volunteers for cutting the masks with lasers as well as their collection and delivery; libraries are 3D-printing the frames used with the Retal film masks for medical workers.
The film PPE masks are being distributed to ambulance workers, medical services staff and hospitals, as well as increasingly to production staff in industrial companies. With more people than ever before needing to use reliable PPE masks in order to continue to perform their work safely, Retal is delighted to be able to offer the necessary skills and resources, said Jureviciute.
Read the article on Sustainable Plastics
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Global plastic packaging manufacturer RETAL is conscious of its important role in sustainable development and closing the loop. Its latest media campaign focuses on ways in which it can harness its sphere of influence and promote a circular economy, with an article and video published on Forbes.
The company’s approach includes responsible and sustainable solutions already implemented across many of the group's multinational sites, such as purchasing up to 100% renewable energy, installing solar panels, and investing in the latest CAD technology to support its design-for-recycling approach to R&D.
A crucial message in the article and video is RETAL's assertion that valuing plastic waste is imperative in establishing and maintaining a closed loop. RETAL Sustainability Director Emmanuel Duffaut adds, “We have developed the capacity and expertise to produce preforms from up to 100 per cent recycled PET, and we are continuously working towards creating innovative design-for-recycling solutions that use light-weighting and tethered closures. This campaign is a great way to add visibility to our commitment to a circular economy.”
That visibility is already being felt by many of RETAL's multinational food and beverage brand customers, who value its strict CSR standards that are active across its facilities, bringing reliability and continuity for household name product packaging.
A representative from a global beverage brand customer agrees, “It’s great to see how RETAL is actively working on this important topic and trying to shed some light on the value that plastic has, focusing on the fact this material is not bad per se and it has indeed a lower CO2 footprint than the other primary packaging in the market (cans, glass).”
Norway's Telemark Springwater adds, “I read the article last week. Very good!”
PETcore Europe, the association that represents the complete PET value chain across Europe, also praised the campaign. PETcore’s management team member Sebastian Lemp says, “RETAL's transparent approach to address and overcome recycling challenges to move forward in a circular economy is exemplary. PET is not just any material; it is one of the most sustainable and circular materials, with a low environmental impact due to its lightweight, low CO2 emissions and high recycling rates. PET packaging helps keep food safe and decrease food waste due to longer shelf life and transportability.
If packaging is properly designed and collection/sorting schemes are optimised, as stated in the video, PET can be the ultimate star of the circular economy. At PETcore Europe we are working together with our around 100 members from the entire PET packaging value chain to overcome the mentioned challenges and push PET recycling up to 100%. Used PET packaging has to be valorised instead of ending up in the environment. It is PETcore Europe's objective to make this happen and we support our member RETAL in this endeavour towards a circular economy.”
RETAL would like to thank our valued customers for their positive response to our latest campaign, and are delighted to see how many stakeholders are just as committed to creating a supporting a circular economy that is sustainable for companies, consumers and the environment.
Creating reliable, responsible preforms and closures drives RETAL’s cooperation with beverage brands around the world. Collaborating with many of the world’s leading FMCG brands keeps RETAL leading the way when it comes to cost-effective, high volume PET and rPET preforms, closures and films, with its deep understanding of the latest regulations and trends allowing this packaging solutions company to consistently bring quality and flexibility to its customers.
RETAL cooperates with Spendrups Bryggeri AB, the largest and most well-known independent family-owned Swedish brewery, which produces, imports, and distributes alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages across Sweden’s unique drinks’ industry. Established in 1897, Spendrups is managed by the fourth-generation of the founding family and is ‘convinced that a proactive approach to sustainability is crucial’; an approach that RETAL is proud to share.
Since 2005, Spendrups has been a valued partner to RETAL, thanks to its provision of preforms and closures for its best-selling Loka carbonated water brand, which is the market leader in carbonated water in Sweden, and the world-recognised Heineken beer, which it license brews. RETAL supplies three preform sizes and one type of closure to Spendrups, providing packaging solutions for both beer, water and soda for this ISO 14001 company.
RETAL Sales Director Rimvydas Bazinys works closely with Spendrups’ Purchaser Bjorn Deborg to ensure that the solutions created meet the strict requirements of this Stockholmbased Group. Bazinys explains how the companies started their mutually-beneficial relationship,
saying, “Working with Bjorn and the Spendrups team is a very positive experience as they have an interesting, open company culture and they are very progressive in terms of sustainability. The infrastructure and Swedish mindset around collection and recycling is so strong, it’s an inspiration. It shows what is possible with the right circumstances.”
Read the full version on Drinkworld Technology & Martketing
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Ensuring the circularity of plastics - all plastics - is key to the future of the industry.
And rightly so. We are all consumers as well as employees, we are parents, friends, children. We want to do the right thing wherever possible within our sphere of influence, from what we chose to spend our money on at lunchtime to where we go on holiday. One of the quickest, most satisfying ways to visually show how important sustainability is to us is in the products that we buy, particularly the products that other people will be aware that we've bought.
FMCG brands that use bio-based packaging are up year on year, with a recent study [1] stating that bio-based packaging was valued at USD4.65bn in 2019. Leading brands are keen to align themselves with the positive media of bio-based packaging, with smaller brands using it to connect with Millennials and differentiate themselves on crowded supermarket shelves [2].