Field Trip: Huhtamaki

http://www2.us.huhtamaki.com/#sthash.2u7GVzMD.dpbs

INDD 508 Materials & Processes 

Field Trip Notes
Who is/ what is Huhtamaki?

• Huhtamaki are most well known for their Chinet products. The also produce consumer goods packaging and food service products. Huhtamaki is comprised of nearly thirteen thousand employees and operates in thirty countries around the world. Their North American HQ is located in De Soto, Kansas which is where we went. The North American division primarily focuses on consumer goods, retail, and food service.

 Products & Services: What do they do/ what do they make?

• They make a lot of ice cream packages among their consumer goods packaging and food service products like tableware. They maintain many business relationships with companies like Popeyes, Arby's, KFC, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, etc. (Much of their business relationships are with fast food companies).

Vocabulary Terms & Definitions (Materials):

• Polythylene is the most commonly used plastic material. Virtually all of their products contain a clear coating to protect them from wear. Both low density and high density polythylene are used. LDPE is less expensive and contains a lower moisture barrier while maintaining a good heat seal. HDPE is the opposite of LDPE. It contains a higher moisture barrier so its used for containers that will be used to hold liquids. Other types of plastics that are used is polypropylene, polystyrene, polyacetal, acrylics, polycarbonates, and nylons just to name a few.

Forming Technologies:

•  The facility we went to focused on paperboard forming so the majority of the machines were centered around that function. They have machines for sheeting as well.

Cutting Technologies:

• Machines for die-cutting.

Joining Technologies:

• Adhesives made from ethanol is used to join some of their products. Otherwise, a lot of their containers are produced in a way that does require them to be joined by an adhesive. Sometimes, starch is added into the material so that they resist moisture better as well.

Finishing Technologies:

• Paper products like cup stock are bleached on certain occasions. The majority of the products however, are clay coated or poly coated with LDPE so that they last longer.

Overall Impressions/ Epiphanes/ Aha Moments?

• It was good to see that Huhtamaki was so environmentally conscious. Now, whether or not that was an act during the tour, or a way for them to advertise themselves as being more environmentally friendly than they may actually be is something I'm unsure of, but their explanation of the entire process certainly makes that image of them more credible. Huhtamaki so in tune with the manufacturing process that it makes sense that they are able to focus on finer details that aim to be more environmentally friendly. For example, applying resins and coatings on their products that extend the duration of the products life while also being biodegradable. It was also interesting to find out that they like to buy waste from other manufacturers to produce their products in an effort to reduce waste. It seems like Huhtamaki is really one of the few companies that is making a real effort towards the Cradle to Cradle approach.