Mark Bunker: We have had some great innovation launches this year, some of which are industry firsts. Earlier this year, we globally launched Editions, first developed in South America in July 2012. Using the latest patent pending technology, Editions allows Rexam to produce 8-24 designs of the same label simultaneously on a single pallet. This printing innovation enables our customers to deliver several designs to one line, improving filling efficiency and creating new marketing opportunities for brands using beverage cans.
Two recent innovations from Rexam are thermochromic printed ends and photochromic ink, two added value finishes launched in May and available to all of our customers.
Available in 12 different colours and on 200 and 202 ends, thermochromic ink changes colour, indicating the can is perfectly chilled and ready for consumption. Photochromic ink is another Rexam value-added innovation that drives brand interaction. A white, transparent ink that reacts and changes colour outdoors when exposed to natural daylight, this finish is available on the whole beverage can range.
Mark Bunker: Following the 2012 launch of our Sustainability Report, we have set our European business four defined and challenging sustainability targets for the next three years, and one of the key discussion points for our team and our customers at Drinktec 2013 recently was around how we can work and support them in their own sustainability goals.
Following the establishment of Rexam’s sustainability framework in 2012, we can report that significant progress has been made, and that we are on track to achieve our three-year target of a 10% CO2 reduction through energy efficiency programmes.
Rexam is a member of FTSE4Good, submitting carbon and water data in the Carbon Disclosure Project, Sedex, and the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. Alongside CO2 targets, Rexam has made considerable progress with the lightweighting of cans, with nearly 8,000 tonnes of aluminium saved in 2012 alone, and is proud that out of the 60 billion cans it produces annually, 70% will be recycled in 2013.
Mark Bunker: Operating in a high volume and high speed business requires us to be an efficient and cost-effective manufacturer, and that goes for the way we innovate as well. At the moment, it is our understanding that digital printing doesn’t deliver the necessary speed on a production line and so its associated costs are high. We are committed to innovation and continually evaluate our product portfolio, processes and printing capability to ensure our cans provide the quality and standout shelf appeal our customers expect.
Mark Bunker: Our key areas of focus are innovation and sustainability. We want to push the manufacturing potential of the beverage can sector to new heights, and so that’s why, last November, following the ongoing success of our Fusion bottle, we unveiled the prototype of our Fusion Contour bottle.
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