05/08/2013
In connection with the long-standing and very heated debate on the toxicological effect of Bisphenol A (BPA) on man, France has now created political facts and prohibits its use as a food contact material from 1st January 2015. In line with other EU countries, its use has been prohibited in children's food until now.
Based on their last statement of 30th September 2010, the European Food Safety Authority sees no necessity in amending the specific migration limit of 0.6 mg/kg food (EU Regulation 10/2011) that is currently valid. A new statement is announced for November 2013.
Coatings previously used are also well below the migration limits
At present, the coatings still used by Pano in its closures include epoxy coatings containing Bisphenol A, a common practice in the industry. The raw materials used in these instances meet the legal specifications. Extraction examinations could not determine any Bisphenol A on the inside coatings employed. The content lies below the detection limit. They fall many times below the above-mentioned limits.
Owing to the debate surrounding BPA, we started developing a BPA-free coating system several years ago, collaborating with the suppliers of our coatings. Previous laboratory trials and filling tests have shown that - particularly in instances of aggressive fillings - no satisfactory corrosion protection has yet been attained that permits endorsement for a shelf-life of three years.
We shall have to conduct further tests so that we are also able to provide our customers with closures for the French market in future. We expect to find a timely solution offering adequate packaging- and food safety.
First BPA-free sample caps from June 2013
To test resistance regarding the specific needs of customers and fillings, Pano can provide sample caps with the BPA-free interior coating to all customers for own packing tests from June 2013. Coating changeover is subject to charge. Please get in touch if you are interested in having a supply of sample closures. Pano can also advise you on any issues surrounding execution of the test.
05/08/2013
Pano has expanded its range of BLUESEAL PVC-free lug caps by adding two new sizes - diameters of 38 mm and 48 mm. This has considerably widened the number of possible applications within the BLUESEAL spectrum. Now, even bottles of spicy sauce such as steak sauce or ketchup, small jars containing delicatessen products, capers, for example, and many glass drink bottles can be closed in this environmentally-friendly way. Particularly with its 48 mm-sized closures, Pano now offers the dairy industry an alternative to capping returnable milk bottles. Several well-known dairies are already using the Pano BLUESEAL for yoghurts in the 500 g returnable jars.
After adding further production lines to the company's new plant in Itzehoe, Pano now has an annual capacity of around 300 million BLUESEAL closures. Distribution has been extended on a global scale. In China, Southern Europe and even in South America, BLUESEAL meets with positive response.
In addition to specialists such as Lee Kum Kee with Chinese sauces and Vanelli with anchovies in jars, several Italian and German manufacturers of pesto and pasta sauces now also number amongst BLUESEAL's customers.
Precluding contaminant migration into the filling, the BLUESEAL closure seal is PVC- and plasticizer-free. Further benefits also include: No environmental pollution by emissions, a lower energy consumption in closure production and problem-free recycling.
Sizes of BLUESEAL currently available are 38, 48, 53, 58, 63, 66 and 70 mm. A 77 mm size is to follow in the latter half of 2013. BLUESEAL closures with a diameter of 82 mm will be first available in early 2014. The Pano BLUESEAL closure can be closed using regular glass capping machines so that no further investment in equipment is necessary. The Pano technicians will be happy to assist with trials.
10/14/2012
Every year, more than 20 billion closures are produced for glass jars in Europe. Of these, around 3.5 billion are used by manufacturers for oily and fatty food products. Until recently, there was no other alternative to closures with a seal made of PVC.
Plasticizers need to be added to make PVC supple. But health risks could not be safely excluded from any of the substances. Indeed, the EU adopted regulations to limit transfer of plasticizers into food. However, limit values always assume that only a certain quantity of a food is consumed. In practice, this can be quite different.
In the last few years, repeatedly severe levels of contamination through plasticizers has been found in oily and fatty foods. Baby porridge, pesto, pasta sauces and tuna in oil, for example, were affected.
Since oils and fats promote migration into the filling it is extremely difficult for manufacturers involved in this to comply with the migration limits laid down in Europe. In view of the quantities produced annually, manufacturers are at great risk of running into conflict with the determinations.
While crown corks are almost exclusively PVC-free nowadays, it is only recently that jar closures have come up for review. Pano, the German closure manufacturer, has been providing impetus with the world's first PVC-free twist-off lug cap, Pano Blueseal. The seal is made from Provalin®, a material based on thermoplastic elastomers, which remains supple without the need for plasticizers. Thanks to Pano Blueseal, compliance with all migration regulations is easily achievable, even with small packs and unfavourable general conditions.
Increasing numbers of food manufacturers are now focusing on the PVC-free closure. Dittmann, the German deli brand, was there from the start and, as a result, played a large role in developing Pano Blueseal. German organic brands such as Andechser in the yoghurt sector, Zwergenwiese, Bruno Fischer, Tartex and Isana equally use the closures nowadays, followed by producers from Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey.
The Chinese have also recognised the value of the PVC-free Blueseal closures. Lee Kum Kee, a specialist in Chinese sauces, was the first Chinese company to accept costs involved in switching.
Pano assists interested manufacturers in changing from conventional closures to Pano Blueseal. Similar to conventional twist-off lug caps, Pano Blueseal is equally suitable for hot and cold filling, pasteurisation and sterilisation, is also available with and without buttons and can be processed in all steam vacuum sealing machines. It is also available in every requested varnish and print finish. To differentiate Pano Blueseal from previous closures, the sealing compound has been coloured blue.
Recognising a PVC-free and plasticizer-free product on the supermarket shelf from its external appearance, is quite likely to be a key factor, particularly for health- and environmentally conscious consumers. For this reason, Pano is offering to put a PVC-free label on the closure for its customers. Or alternatively, it would also be possible to mark the jar label. What is key here is that the consumer immediately knows: He is in safe hands here.
04/25/2012
You are cordially invited to visit us at the PLMA trade fair "World of Private Label" in Amsterdam. We look forward to welcoming you to the joint stand of Actega and Pano:
PLMA "World of Private Label", Food Section RAI Holland Complex, Stand 9418
Pano makes its presence felt through an innovation that is establishing itself in the food industry with great strides. With the lug cap BLUESEAL and its PVC-free sealing compound PROVALIN®, we and our development partner, Actega have achieved a milestone in the path towards a PVC-free future.
With BLUESEAL, the packing complies with the strict requirements of current EU and FDA regulations. Time to switch over to the cap without PVC, plasticisers and migration problems.
At the PLMA, we say: No PVC. Just BLUESEAL. Experience it yourself.
04/24/2012
We are delighted to have received the German Packaging Award 2011. A total of 237 participants had applied for the coveted prize which has been awarded to the most innovative packaging solutions for around 50 years with the intention of encouraging and promoting innovations.
Under the auspices of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology and together with a high-profile jury, the German Packaging Institute pays tribute to the best materials, designs, machines, strategies, processes and application scenarios. The jury singled out the consistent further development of the world's first PVC-free lug cap BLUESEAL for special praise.
Pano and Reichold Feinkost took part in the competition together. The food industry manufacturer previously collaborated closely with Pano during the development phase and consistently relies on BLUESEAL for its products.
In the eyes of customers, suppliers, and consumers, the German Packaging Award has become a genuine seal of approval, testifying to the excellent standard of quality.
02/06/2012
Since the market launch of Pano BLUESEAL in 2011, the world’s first PVC-free and unplasticised cam screw caps, interest has grown along the whole food industry supply chain. Several renowned companies from the delicatessen sector have now been convinced of their attributes and have converted their packaging to BLUESEAL. Additional firms are investigating and planning conversion. Retail and supermarket chains are also asking their suppliers to look into conversion.
Pano was able to achieve a production capacity of 10 million caps soon after commissioning the first production line in March 2011. Capacity was doubled in December 2011 thanks to a second production line at the new Pano factory on Fraunhoferstraße.
Pano has also made progress in product development. The BLUESEAL is now available in three diameters: 53 mm, 63 mm and 66 mm, each with and without button. Diameters of 58 and 70 mm are likely to follow at the start of April 2012. Other cap sizes are in progress.
An expansion of the range of uses for BLUESEAL is also great news. In addition to the familiar application in the pasteurisation sector, Pano now also offers caps with specially designed seals for cold filling and sterilisation applications.
BLUESEAL is: environmentally-friendly, sustainable and helps the consumer. BLUESEAL easily meets the requirements of European food legislation.