Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Sonoco JV Launches Water-Based Barrier Coat, FlexSHIELD

Read MoreHide Full Article

Cascades Sonoco, a joint venture between Sonoco Products Co. (SON - Free Report) and Cascades has introduced FlexSHIELD, a new aqueous-based barrier coating to replace the standard polyethylene coating used on folding carton grades to make traditional food take-out containers.

Cascades is a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products. Cascades Sonoco, a 50/50 joint venture, was established in 1992 to bring together strong technology platforms for the coating and lamination of industrial papers and other substrates. The company has four locations, two in the U.S. and two in Canada.

Given the increasing demand for paper-based take-out containers, and with many cities banning expanded polystyrene containers, Cascades Sonoco developed FlexSHIELD after three years of rigorous product development and field trial work. While scoring and folding often create major challenges, FlexSHIELD is the first fully compostable product that provides polyethylene-like protection at an economical price.

FlexSHIELD offers a unique, functional and viable option for creating much more environmentally attractive paperboard take-out containers. It is also cost effective, a sustainable alternative to poly-based products and PLA, and protects containers against water, oil grease, sauces, toppings and other liquid or viscous substances.

Moreover, containers made from paperboard with FlexSHIELD are ideal for a wide range of applications including food service trays and takeouts, bakery products or any non-food product where leakage of the contents could stain, damage, taint or otherwise damage goods stored in proximity to the container.

Sonoco remains committed to its ‘Grow and Optimize’ strategy, which is focused on targeted growth of its Consumer Packaging and Protective Solutions businesses, and optimization of its Industrial-focused businesses. The company will also launch several innovative products in 2016, as it continues to work closely with customers through its i6 Innovation Process, utilizing the full capability of the recently opened IPS Studio in Hartsville.

At present, Sonoco carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks worth considering in the same industry include Greif, Inc. (GEF - Free Report) , Columbus McKinnon Corp. (CMCO - Free Report) and Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE - Free Report) . All of these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
 

Published in