CanCollar® X Is Newest Solution Automated by Patented CanCollar Fortuna® Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK) has received a USPTO patent for its new CanCollar® X, a sustainable beverage packaging solution that can reduce material use by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. This fiber-based design eliminates the need for hard-to-recycle plastics and enhances consumer handling. The CanCollar® X is automated by the patented CanCollar Fortuna® platform, ensuring high-speed accuracy in can orientation. This innovation aims to bolster WestRock's sustainability efforts and strengthen its industry position.

Positive

• Patent grant enhances WestRock's intellectual property portfolio in sustainable packaging.
• CanCollar® X offers a 50% reduction in material use compared to traditional packaging.
• Elimination of hard-to-recycle plastics improves recycling practices and circular economy efforts.
• High-speed accuracy from the CanCollar Fortuna® platform supports efficient production.

Negative

• None.

The recent USPTO grant of a patent to WestRock expands the range and sustainable impact of the company’s intellectual property ownership within the beverage packaging machinery category.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK), a leading provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions today announced an expansion of its CanCollar^® family of multipack solutions with the introduction of CanCollar^® X, a fiber-based solution for sustainable large format canned beverage packaging enabling as much as fifty percent material reduction compared to fully-enclosed traditional packaging.

As the newest addition to the family of solutions automated by the patented CanCollar Fortuna^® platform, CanCollar^® X uses a similar fiber-based, glue-free minimalist design preferred by consumers to maximize can visibility, is comfortable for consumers to handle and optimizes the use of material to bundle multipacks for larger formats.

“Whether it’s beer, soft drinks, or sparkling water, across the globe large multipacks of cans are packaged in shrink film,” said Chris Davidson, vice president, Sustainability at WestRock. “With CanCollar^® X we have an opportunity to significantly reduce materials when compared to fully-enclosed cartons and replace hard-to-recycle plastic shrink wrap with recyclable fiber-based packaging, improving circularity at impressive scale.”

CanCollar^® X is automated by the CanCollar Fortuna^® platform - a newly patented beverage packaging machine that uses a series of star wheels and metering screws along with a highly innovative linear drive system to seamlessly move containers through a travel path in the machine, resulting in unprecedented accuracy of can orientation at high speeds.

“Our robust portfolio of intellectual property anchors our ability to nurture and grow successful relationships as we look to make our planet better,” said John Perkins, vice president, Global Packaging Systems. “It’s through our unique integrated position in the industry that we’re able to innovate with an expert perspective on all aspects of the process – from fiber sourcing to recycling – to arrive at thoughtful product design, make positive contributions to the circular economy, and deliver on WestRock’s promise of a more sustainable future.”

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) partners with our customers to provide sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220911005071/en/

Media:

Robby Johnson, 470-328-6397

Manager, Corporate Communications

robby.b.johnson@westrock.com

Investors:

Rob Quartaro, 470-328-6327

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

rob.quartaro@westrock.com

James Armstrong, 470-328-6327

Vice President, Investor Relations

james.armstrong@westrock.com

Source: WestRock Company

FAQ

What is the CanCollar® X introduced by WestRock?

The CanCollar® X is a fiber-based, sustainable beverage packaging solution aimed at reducing material use by up to 50%.

How does the CanCollar Fortuna® platform automate packaging?

The CanCollar Fortuna® platform uses advanced mechanisms for precise can orientation at high speeds, enhancing production efficiency.

What sustainability benefits does WestRock's CanCollar® X offer?

It replaces hard-to-recycle plastics with recyclable fiber-based packaging, improving overall circularity.

When was the patent for CanCollar® X granted to WestRock?

The patent was recently granted by the USPTO, although the exact date is not specified in the release.

How does WestRock plan to use its new patent for business growth?

The patent supports WestRock's ability to innovate and strengthen industry relationships through sustainable packaging solutions.