MCC's Packaging Summit - Shine On!

Welcome to the latest edition of MCC Label LabelTalk Link. In line with our commitment to our three pillars: People, Products, and Operations, we are thrilled to shine a light on our inaugural customer Packaging Summit, a ground-breaking innovation - NOVA™ Ink, and the latest news on sustainability regulations affecting the packaging industry.  

We hope this edition inspires you as much as it motivates us to drive positive change within the labeling industry.  

MCC’s inaugural Packaging Summit event 🤩

In a significant step towards promoting collaborative, industry-leading engagement, we recently hosted a two-day Packaging Summit event for our customers. The event brought together leaders from top CPG companies, industry organizations, and advocates committed to shaping a more responsible future within the label and packaging industry. 

The two-day summit kicked off with a keynote speech from MCC President and CEO, Hassan H. Rmaile, and focused heavily on sustainability and innovation. With the global spotlight on environmental consciousness, MCC recognizes the importance of revolutionizing traditional packaging practices. 

Guest speakers added to the agenda, including Corey Reardon, CEO of leading market intelligence firm, AWA Alexander Watson Associates, who shared current label market trend data; David Luttenberger, CPP, Global Packaging Director of Mintel, presented a glimpse into today’s sustainable packaging trends and consumers’ sentiments around the topic; and Scott Trenor, Technical Director for the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), providing guidance on how to improve PCR volume and quality for packaging applications. The event also featured a tour of MCC’s flagship plant in Batavia, Ohio. 

“The event helped elevate the industry by providing an opportunity to build relationships across the supply chain and build best practices.” - Dr. Scott Trenor

The event truly served as a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration, igniting a collective determination to prioritize conversations important to today’s CPG brands. To learn more about the recent event and the organizations involved, please visit the event site at www.mccpackagingsummit.com. 

NOVA™ Ink Embellishment - Shines from every angle 🌟

Research shows that CPG packaging donning metallic foil rates 80% higher in perceived quality, appeal, value and brand awareness compared to non-foil packaging. MCC's recent innovation, NOVA™ inks, mirror the metallic look of foil while also creating a more sustainable solution. 

This proprietary suite of metallic inks allows customizable sheens, patterns, colors and effects that enable your product to shine from every angle. 

The Aesthetic Angle 

• Customizable effects, including metallic, iridescent & pearl 
• Brilliant reflectance to rival foils, even on shrink sleeves 
• Full palette of colors from matte to mirrored finish 

The Quality Angle 

• Flexible applications: pressure sensitive, shrink sleeve, roll fed, cut & stack 
• Uniquely formulated for blending and label durability 
• Efficient coverage with concentrated ink chemistry 

The Sustainability Angle 

• Printed NOVA™ inks are fully recycling compatible and do not impact sortation 
• Potential to reduce waste over metallic substrates, foils, and other inks     

Visit our website to find out more! 

Global sustainability regulations ⚖️

As the world turns its focus to sustainability, several laws and regulations come into effect across the globe to encourage organizations to do their part. 

In the US alone, over 40 EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) bills have been introduced across 19 states. 

And in Brussels, on Monday 4 March, a trilogue for the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was held and another step taken in the process - the committee reached a provisional agreement. 

The following items - among others - have been included as part of the provisional agreement: 

Substances in packaging 

• Restriction of food contact packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) above certain thresholds 

Recycled content 

• 2030 and 2040 targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging 
• Exemption from targets for compostable plastic packaging, and packaging with plastic components represent less than 5% of the total weight 
• Medication and medical devices are excluded 

Packaging minimization and empty space 

• Manufacturers and importers to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are the minimum necessary, except for protected packaging designs 

Packaging restrictions 

• Introduction of bans from 1st January 2030 
• Bans of single-use plastic packaging for in many sectors

Reuse & refill targets 

• Binding targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040 
• Beverages targets exclude wines, milk and other highly perishable beverages 
• Transport and sales packaging targets exclude packaging used for dangerous goods or large-scale equipment, and flexible packaging in direct contact with food 

Please note this list is not exhaustive, but feel free to reach out to us if you have specific questions relating to PPWR and your labels. 

We will share more information as we get it and understand it. Stay tuned! 

Thank you for joining us. At MCC Label, we remain resolute in our pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what is possible, while consistently upholding our sustainability responsibilities.  

Join us as we continue to pioneer and shape the landscape of the labeling industry, one sustainable step at a time. Subscribe to our newsletter here.