Greg Hrinya, Editor01.26.22
S-One Labels & Packaging (S-OneLP), the newest and fastest-growing division under the S-One Holdings Corp. umbrella, has been recognized with a Calvin Frost Sustainability Leadership Award from the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI). S-OneLP also received the Best Overall Submission Award for its ReEarth line of bio-based and compostable flexible packaging films.
S-OneLP was honored as a TLMI Champion of Change at the 16th Annual Sustainability Awards at the association’s recent Annual Meeting in Naples, FL, USA.
The Calvin Frost Sustainability Award recognizes companies that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to progressive environmental practices across a range of areas, including solid waste reduction, recycling, landfill avoidance, and the implementation of an education program. There were three levels of award categories. S-OneLP won in the “journey” category, meaning S-OneLP has established sustainability goals and strategies and is committed to improving.
The mission at S-OneLP is to offer integrated solutions for label and flexible packaging converters with both digital and conventional presses. The company seeks to provide essential products, sustainable and bio-based materials, innovative equipment, and a wide array of water-based and energy-cured coatings for every application.
The honors help recognize the company’s significant growth in a short period of time. S-OneLP officially launched as an independent business unit in 2018 as a top provider of Michelman inline and off-line primers and coatings in the US, Canada, and Europe to HP Indigo digital press users.
S-One Labels & Packaging started in 2018 with five employees. Today, it has nearly tripled under the leadership of Tom Hauenstein as VP of sales. Gerard Geurts helms the European division, and Dan Halkyard and Tricia Ohm lead S-OneLP’s product innovation. Halkyard specializes in sustainable packaging.
“Since the launch, we have continued our rapid growth trajectory with a portfolio that now includes a comprehensive family of products that address the needs of today’s label and flexible packaging manufacturers,” says Hauenstein. “In addition to Michelman primers and coatings for HP customers, our portfolio brings together best-in-class manufacturers and our unparalleled service and technical know-how.”
The award-winning ReEarth line of compostable and bio-based prelaminated flexible packaging films is made up of bio-based materials, and its components are either BPI certified or have passed ASTM (The American Society for Testing and Materials) D6400 testing for municipal composting.
A fully formed stand-up pouch made from ReEarth 3.4 mil metalized film also received a passing grade from ASTM and is now BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) certified. S-OneLP submitted a pouch that was primed with Michelman DigiPrime 050, printed on an HP Indigo press, finished with S-OneLP’s CatPak matte eBeam overprint varnish, and formed into a stand-up pouch. After 84 days in industrial conditions, the pouch successfully composted, meaning it disintegrated, biodegraded, passed chemical analysis, and the resulting compost allowed plants to grow successfully.
The product development has not stopped with the ReEarth films, either. S-OneLP solutions now include cutting-edge capital equipment, such as the CatPak eBeam system and Cellcoat T-Series thermal laminators, along with modifications to further augment the efficiency of HP Indigo digital presses. S-OneLP also offers enhanced security and brand protection solutions from VerifyMe, antimicrobial overprint varnishes from Lock3, customizable coatings from Kustom Group, thermal lamination films, and a full line of UV and water-based OPVs.
Sustainability has been a core principle for S-OneLP since its inception. “Our industry leading ReTreve line of recyclable flexible packaging films is approved for store drop-off recycling through the How2Recylce program,” notes Hauenstein. “Our award-winning ReEarth compostable and bio-based films are gaining a lot of attention recently, for good reason. Earlier this year, our popular ReEarth films won a Calvin Frost Sustainable Leadership Award from TLMI.”
S-OneLP has worked diligently to ensure it is leaving a reduced carbon footprint, as its materials can be potentially diverted from landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills receive upwards of 27 million tons of plastic each year. Plastics make up 18.5% of all trash that winds up in the landfill, and it’s been reported that flexible packaging makes up about 4% of that. There are currently 112 facilities in the US that are equipped to handle compostable products.
Following the TLMI awards, S-OneLP’s commercially compostable films have been USDA BioPerferred and BPI certified. This means its products are listed on the USDA and BPI websites as certified commercially compostable products, allowing them to be more easily sourced. Label and packaging converters can now source a certified, highly functional laminated product for their compostable packaging jobs, and produce packaging that is composted instead of ending up in landfills.
“S-OneLP believes that we are the first material supplier to undergo this certification process,” states Hauenstein. “We recognize that composting is complex, challenging and often misunderstood. It becomes particularly challenging to communicate when, where and how to dispose of the products when the infrastructure is sporadic and incomplete. With that in mind, we launched a Sustainability Resource Guide to answer questions about our recyclable, compostable and bio-based solutions.”
S-OneLP’s ReEarth films, a 3.4 mil and a 2.2 mil unprinted pouch and roll stock, along with a 4 mil white pouch, have also successfully passed a real-world test administered with the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA). The CMA conducted the test at a fully operational commercial compost facility in Cedar Grove, WA. The three constructions that successfully composted with the CMA in Washington were printed on an HP Indigo digital press, eBeamed with a CatPak system, and formed into a stand-up pouch, and two had a zipper.
“Testing and certifying compostable packaging is time-consuming and expensive,” comments Hauenstein. “Often, it’s out of reach for brand owners and packaging converters. With these certifications, we can provide additional value for our customers, allowing them to promote the environmental benefits of compostable flexible packaging and help their customers reach their sustainability goals, all while diverting waste from landfills.
“We have plans to certify more structures for specific applications, such as cannabis, because that market is driving a lot of innovation for compostable packaging,” he adds.
S-OneLP has also amassed a strong support staff to help promote the company’s latest product innovations. “We not only tripled our headcount, but our sales and marketing team brings with them a wealth of industry knowledge across the packaging supply chain,” remarks Hauenstein. “Hiring industry veterans was a strategic decision. It’s how we continue to offer a superior customer experience, outstanding sales expertise, and valuable educational content to our customers.
“Our sales, marketing, and product management teams are engaged with the latest technology and industry demands,” says Hauenstein. “We will continue to provide timely information to our manufacturers to communicate our customers’ needs, educate them on environmental requirements, and passionately work to inform our customers and consumers on how and where to responsibly dispose of different kinds of packaging.”
With a robust support staff, S-One Labels & Packaging is committed to helping the industry develop more energy-efficient materials and processes for label and packaging manufacturers to improve their own sustainability goals. In order to accomplish these goals, the company is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, BPI, FINAT, and TLMI. The future at S-OneLP looks bright, especially as flexible packaging continues to see strong growth, as well as adoption from label and package printing converters looking to expand into new areas. In addition to flexible packaging, S-OneLP has optimized its products to meet the trend toward digital printing.
As more brands, both big and small, establish lofty sustainability goals, flexible packaging will only rise in adoption. Flexible packaging has become a popular format for its inherent environmental advantages over rigid packaging. Flexible packaging offers the following benefits: extending shelf life of food, transportation advantages, and material efficiencies.
“Flexible packaging has one of the highest growth rates across the printed packaging landscape. Research shows that the flexible packaging market is a $200+ billion global industry,” says Hauenstein. “While just a small percentage of that is printed digitally, that tide is shifting quickly toward digital production. Digital printing allows for individual customization down to a single unit, as smaller run sizes and faster turnaround times are sought by consumer-facing brands of all sizes, from start-ups to giant CPGs. Innovative marketers realize the benefits of unique, one-of-a-kind packaging. The growing trends of snacking over traditional meals have led to a greater demand for short-run, marketing-oriented customized flexible packaging. All of this favors short-run digital or narrow web production.
“Like our award category journey, sustainability in packaging is a journey. And we’re just getting started,” Hauenstein concludes.
S-OneLP was honored as a TLMI Champion of Change at the 16th Annual Sustainability Awards at the association’s recent Annual Meeting in Naples, FL, USA.
The Calvin Frost Sustainability Award recognizes companies that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to progressive environmental practices across a range of areas, including solid waste reduction, recycling, landfill avoidance, and the implementation of an education program. There were three levels of award categories. S-OneLP won in the “journey” category, meaning S-OneLP has established sustainability goals and strategies and is committed to improving.
The mission at S-OneLP is to offer integrated solutions for label and flexible packaging converters with both digital and conventional presses. The company seeks to provide essential products, sustainable and bio-based materials, innovative equipment, and a wide array of water-based and energy-cured coatings for every application.
The honors help recognize the company’s significant growth in a short period of time. S-OneLP officially launched as an independent business unit in 2018 as a top provider of Michelman inline and off-line primers and coatings in the US, Canada, and Europe to HP Indigo digital press users.
S-One Labels & Packaging started in 2018 with five employees. Today, it has nearly tripled under the leadership of Tom Hauenstein as VP of sales. Gerard Geurts helms the European division, and Dan Halkyard and Tricia Ohm lead S-OneLP’s product innovation. Halkyard specializes in sustainable packaging.
“Since the launch, we have continued our rapid growth trajectory with a portfolio that now includes a comprehensive family of products that address the needs of today’s label and flexible packaging manufacturers,” says Hauenstein. “In addition to Michelman primers and coatings for HP customers, our portfolio brings together best-in-class manufacturers and our unparalleled service and technical know-how.”
The award-winning ReEarth line of compostable and bio-based prelaminated flexible packaging films is made up of bio-based materials, and its components are either BPI certified or have passed ASTM (The American Society for Testing and Materials) D6400 testing for municipal composting.
A fully formed stand-up pouch made from ReEarth 3.4 mil metalized film also received a passing grade from ASTM and is now BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) certified. S-OneLP submitted a pouch that was primed with Michelman DigiPrime 050, printed on an HP Indigo press, finished with S-OneLP’s CatPak matte eBeam overprint varnish, and formed into a stand-up pouch. After 84 days in industrial conditions, the pouch successfully composted, meaning it disintegrated, biodegraded, passed chemical analysis, and the resulting compost allowed plants to grow successfully.
The product development has not stopped with the ReEarth films, either. S-OneLP solutions now include cutting-edge capital equipment, such as the CatPak eBeam system and Cellcoat T-Series thermal laminators, along with modifications to further augment the efficiency of HP Indigo digital presses. S-OneLP also offers enhanced security and brand protection solutions from VerifyMe, antimicrobial overprint varnishes from Lock3, customizable coatings from Kustom Group, thermal lamination films, and a full line of UV and water-based OPVs.
Sustainability has been a core principle for S-OneLP since its inception. “Our industry leading ReTreve line of recyclable flexible packaging films is approved for store drop-off recycling through the How2Recylce program,” notes Hauenstein. “Our award-winning ReEarth compostable and bio-based films are gaining a lot of attention recently, for good reason. Earlier this year, our popular ReEarth films won a Calvin Frost Sustainable Leadership Award from TLMI.”
S-OneLP has worked diligently to ensure it is leaving a reduced carbon footprint, as its materials can be potentially diverted from landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills receive upwards of 27 million tons of plastic each year. Plastics make up 18.5% of all trash that winds up in the landfill, and it’s been reported that flexible packaging makes up about 4% of that. There are currently 112 facilities in the US that are equipped to handle compostable products.
Following the TLMI awards, S-OneLP’s commercially compostable films have been USDA BioPerferred and BPI certified. This means its products are listed on the USDA and BPI websites as certified commercially compostable products, allowing them to be more easily sourced. Label and packaging converters can now source a certified, highly functional laminated product for their compostable packaging jobs, and produce packaging that is composted instead of ending up in landfills.
“S-OneLP believes that we are the first material supplier to undergo this certification process,” states Hauenstein. “We recognize that composting is complex, challenging and often misunderstood. It becomes particularly challenging to communicate when, where and how to dispose of the products when the infrastructure is sporadic and incomplete. With that in mind, we launched a Sustainability Resource Guide to answer questions about our recyclable, compostable and bio-based solutions.”
S-OneLP’s ReEarth films, a 3.4 mil and a 2.2 mil unprinted pouch and roll stock, along with a 4 mil white pouch, have also successfully passed a real-world test administered with the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA). The CMA conducted the test at a fully operational commercial compost facility in Cedar Grove, WA. The three constructions that successfully composted with the CMA in Washington were printed on an HP Indigo digital press, eBeamed with a CatPak system, and formed into a stand-up pouch, and two had a zipper.
“Testing and certifying compostable packaging is time-consuming and expensive,” comments Hauenstein. “Often, it’s out of reach for brand owners and packaging converters. With these certifications, we can provide additional value for our customers, allowing them to promote the environmental benefits of compostable flexible packaging and help their customers reach their sustainability goals, all while diverting waste from landfills.
“We have plans to certify more structures for specific applications, such as cannabis, because that market is driving a lot of innovation for compostable packaging,” he adds.
S-OneLP has also amassed a strong support staff to help promote the company’s latest product innovations. “We not only tripled our headcount, but our sales and marketing team brings with them a wealth of industry knowledge across the packaging supply chain,” remarks Hauenstein. “Hiring industry veterans was a strategic decision. It’s how we continue to offer a superior customer experience, outstanding sales expertise, and valuable educational content to our customers.
“Our sales, marketing, and product management teams are engaged with the latest technology and industry demands,” says Hauenstein. “We will continue to provide timely information to our manufacturers to communicate our customers’ needs, educate them on environmental requirements, and passionately work to inform our customers and consumers on how and where to responsibly dispose of different kinds of packaging.”
With a robust support staff, S-One Labels & Packaging is committed to helping the industry develop more energy-efficient materials and processes for label and packaging manufacturers to improve their own sustainability goals. In order to accomplish these goals, the company is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, BPI, FINAT, and TLMI. The future at S-OneLP looks bright, especially as flexible packaging continues to see strong growth, as well as adoption from label and package printing converters looking to expand into new areas. In addition to flexible packaging, S-OneLP has optimized its products to meet the trend toward digital printing.
As more brands, both big and small, establish lofty sustainability goals, flexible packaging will only rise in adoption. Flexible packaging has become a popular format for its inherent environmental advantages over rigid packaging. Flexible packaging offers the following benefits: extending shelf life of food, transportation advantages, and material efficiencies.
“Flexible packaging has one of the highest growth rates across the printed packaging landscape. Research shows that the flexible packaging market is a $200+ billion global industry,” says Hauenstein. “While just a small percentage of that is printed digitally, that tide is shifting quickly toward digital production. Digital printing allows for individual customization down to a single unit, as smaller run sizes and faster turnaround times are sought by consumer-facing brands of all sizes, from start-ups to giant CPGs. Innovative marketers realize the benefits of unique, one-of-a-kind packaging. The growing trends of snacking over traditional meals have led to a greater demand for short-run, marketing-oriented customized flexible packaging. All of this favors short-run digital or narrow web production.
“Like our award category journey, sustainability in packaging is a journey. And we’re just getting started,” Hauenstein concludes.