From:Packaging News

The UK plastic sector has launched a co-operative strategy for the plastic packaging supply chain to reach recycling targets.

At the Grupo Água de S. Martinho’s production site in Chamusca, a SIG Combibloc CFA 909 filling machine for filling products in the carton pack combiblocMagnum and a CFA 112 filling machine for filling products in the small-format carton pack combiblocMini are in operation.

In an initial step, a variety of ice teas are being filled in combiblocMagnum 1,500 ml with combiSwift screw cap and in combiblocMini 200 ml.

The non-carbonated soft drinks market is experiencing significant growth in Portugal, which the Portuguese firm attributes largely to demand for home-grown products.

“So we’re confident that with ice tea, nectars and juices from Portugal for Portugal, we’re right on the mark in catering to consumers’ wants,” said Francisco Ferreira, owner and chief executive of the Aguarela Group which owns the drinking water brand.

“We’re getting ready to enter this sector with carton packs, because they help retain the quality of the products, they’re convenient for consumers to use in their day-to-day lives, and they also have positive characteristics in terms of logistics and the environment”.

SIG Combibloc is one of the world’s leading system suppliers of carton packaging and filling machines for beverages and food.

In 2014 the company achieved a turnover of €1.6bn, employing around 5,000 staff in 40 countries.