A new partnership around robotics aims to tackle a problem that seems totally insoluble: the scourge of single-use plastic.
Compostable packaging company Zume, which pioneered manufacturing high-yield molded fiber packaging using robots, is partnering with sustainable packaging company Transcend Packaging. Companies are joining forces to tackle the unfathomable power of the plastics industry.
Robots for compostable packaging
Currently, single-use plastic is a $320 billion industry. Shockingly, there is no economically viable alternative. The ease of use of single-use plastics (fostered by longstanding consumer apathy) has led to a disposal crisis. Some 130 million tonnes of plastics were thrown away in 2019, and almost all single-use plastics are made from virgin petroleum, as opposed to recycled materials. As NPR reports, globally there are just 20 companies that produce nearly half of these products, and they include some of the best-capitalized companies on the globe.
“For global brands, maintaining the status quo on plastic use is no longer a viable strategy,” said Alex Garden, president and CEO of Zume. “The proof will be in the hands of the brands that put a plan in place and see it through. Zume aims to provide businesses with a road beyond plastic. »
But feeding the huge global appetite is no easy task. Plastic production relies on mature technologies and well-distributed capacities, which is not the case for sustainable alternatives, in particular molded cellulose containers.
Last year, Zume capitalized on recent advances in machine vision and flexible automation by securing a new deal with robot maker ABB Robotics. The companies have signed an agreement under which ABB’s robotic machines will help Zume accelerate and expand production of 100% compostable packaging made from plant-based agricultural materials.
A future production site in Europe
The multi-million dollar agreement with Transcend will expand production capacity by creating one of the largest specialty molded fiber production facilities in Europe, which is expected to be fully operational by mid-2023. According to a statement, the companies have launched molded fiber “snap lids” for hot drink cups on the market, with the goal of creating 500 million units to ship by September initially.
The new production site in Europe will complement Zume’s global network, which includes factories in North America and India, and others being planned in Latin America and Canada, to further increase capabilities and meet the needs of global brands.
“This partnership with Transcend is intended to increase our ability to drive real change and replace plastic with an economically viable solution that works like plastic without the inconveniences,” explains Alex Garden.
Of course, a single company or alliance will not be enough to truly change the paradigm of plastic consumption. Consumer pressure and changing local and state laws have helped create a market for sustainable packaging. Technology may be the missing ingredient to evolve this market and truly reduce plastic consumption globally.
Source: ZDNet.com