Glass packaging chiefs are in a race against time to find a solution to a potentially major RFID problem, while Britain’s bin men may soon be offering marketers a valuable new research avenue using the state-of-the-art radio tags.
According to the British Glass Manufacturers’ Association, volumes of recycled glass could plummet unless the tags can be made to come off easily.
The association said that adhesives being used in trials were currently too strong, meaning that tags are too difficult to remove.
Unless a solution is found, it warned, glass recycling targets could fall well below the current 60% as silicon chips in the tags contaminate the process.
Pete Grayhurst, the association’s technical manager, said that although RFID tags were mainly used on pallet and box consignments, it was inevitable that retailers would eventually want to see them on individual high-cost, glass-packaged items such as spirits.
“The big spirits suppliers have managed to fight off the use of adhesive security tags so far due to similar problems. But as RFID technology becomes more widely implemented, there will be more and more pressure for them to accept it and apply the tags at source.”
In its efforts, the association is joining forces with The Scotch Whisky Association and The Packaging Federation.
Meanwhile, refuse collection contractor Biffa has revealed it is considering plans to apply RFID tags to bin containers.
The company, which serves 27 local authorities, said the tags could be used to increase recycling rates and collect market research information.
Ahold has acquired 67 supermarkets from Julius Meinl in the Czech Republic. They will be rebranded to Albert, Ahold’s fascia in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The deal increases the number of Ahold stores in the country to 300 and the number of Alberts to 250.
Uniq has sold its Nordic Salads business to Rieber & Son for 114m. Proceeds will reduce group borrowings and the sale is in line with Uniq’s strategy of building stronger product categories in the UK, France, Spain and Germany.
Aldi is planning to open at least 36 new stores a year in Australia. MD Michael Kloeters said the group would focus its immediate expansion plans on New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. New Zealand is also “on the radar”.
P&G’s fourth-quarter profit rose 9% to $1.5bn, boosted by strong growth in developing markets such as China, Russia, India and Mexico. Sales were up for all 16 of its top brands, which include Crest, Pringles, and Olay.
Atkins Nutritionals has filed for bankruptcy protection. The US group reportedly owes $300m and has asked the US courts for protection from creditors. The filing follows the collapse of Atkins’ UK subsidiary last March as low-carb diets went out of fashion.
German retailer Metro’s second-quarter operating profit fell 1.4% to 1316m. The group blamed the decrease on a slump in German consumer spending and meat packing irregularities at its under-performing Real hypermarket business. However, sales rose 3.6% to 113.8bn.
n czech out
n nordic sold
n aldi oz growth
n p&G up 9%
n atkins files
n metro down 1.4%
According to the British Glass Manufacturers’ Association, volumes of recycled glass could plummet unless the tags can be made to come off easily.
The association said that adhesives being used in trials were currently too strong, meaning that tags are too difficult to remove.
Unless a solution is found, it warned, glass recycling targets could fall well below the current 60% as silicon chips in the tags contaminate the process.
Pete Grayhurst, the association’s technical manager, said that although RFID tags were mainly used on pallet and box consignments, it was inevitable that retailers would eventually want to see them on individual high-cost, glass-packaged items such as spirits.
“The big spirits suppliers have managed to fight off the use of adhesive security tags so far due to similar problems. But as RFID technology becomes more widely implemented, there will be more and more pressure for them to accept it and apply the tags at source.”
In its efforts, the association is joining forces with The Scotch Whisky Association and The Packaging Federation.
Meanwhile, refuse collection contractor Biffa has revealed it is considering plans to apply RFID tags to bin containers.
The company, which serves 27 local authorities, said the tags could be used to increase recycling rates and collect market research information.
Ahold has acquired 67 supermarkets from Julius Meinl in the Czech Republic. They will be rebranded to Albert, Ahold’s fascia in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The deal increases the number of Ahold stores in the country to 300 and the number of Alberts to 250.
Uniq has sold its Nordic Salads business to Rieber & Son for 114m. Proceeds will reduce group borrowings and the sale is in line with Uniq’s strategy of building stronger product categories in the UK, France, Spain and Germany.
Aldi is planning to open at least 36 new stores a year in Australia. MD Michael Kloeters said the group would focus its immediate expansion plans on New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. New Zealand is also “on the radar”.
P&G’s fourth-quarter profit rose 9% to $1.5bn, boosted by strong growth in developing markets such as China, Russia, India and Mexico. Sales were up for all 16 of its top brands, which include Crest, Pringles, and Olay.
Atkins Nutritionals has filed for bankruptcy protection. The US group reportedly owes $300m and has asked the US courts for protection from creditors. The filing follows the collapse of Atkins’ UK subsidiary last March as low-carb diets went out of fashion.
German retailer Metro’s second-quarter operating profit fell 1.4% to 1316m. The group blamed the decrease on a slump in German consumer spending and meat packing irregularities at its under-performing Real hypermarket business. However, sales rose 3.6% to 113.8bn.
n czech out
n nordic sold
n aldi oz growth
n p&G up 9%
n atkins files
n metro down 1.4%
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