90 YEARS OLD,
AND GETTING BOLDER

CKF Strengthens Global Leadership in Sustainable Packaging with Significant Capital Investment

• HANTSPORT, NS (October 26th, 2021) – CKF Inc., a global leader in the design and production of sustainable packaging solutions, has announced investments to substantially increase its thermoformed moulded fibre production capacity. The investment is to support the expanding markets for Earthcycle™, CKF’s certified home compostable, recyclable and renewable packaging solution for the fresh produce, grocery retail and food service sectors.
• The production capacity expansion, slated to be operational by Q3 2022, will be in a newly constructed wing at CKF’s current pulp production facility in Langley, BC, Canada. “It has always been our goal to produce Earthcycle on both coasts of Canada, to take advantage of global shipping lanes and to further support the large US west coast and South American markets” says Ian Anderson, President of CKF. “We are listening to our customer base and watching market trends, so we know that the time is right for our expansion.”
• The additional capacity on the west coast will in turn free up production currently in the Company’s east coast facility in Hantsport, NS, Canada. “We are well positioned to support the growth in demand for Earthcycle in European markets due to policies like the UK’s plastic tax and France’s move to ban single use plastics in the fruit and vegetable markets” adds Anderson. The Earthcycle line of packaging, from its first launch in 2005, has focused on the fresh fruit and vegetable industries and has garnered a market reputation for quality, continuous innovation and design.

Earthcycle ™ Packaging Now on Retail Shelves with Paper Sleeves

• Automatically Wrapped Earthcycle Packaging with Paper Sleeves are 100% Plastic Free
  
• HANTSPORT, NS (July 14th, 2021) – CKF, Inc.’s Earthcycle brand of home compostable and recyclable packaging has expanded its range of sustainable options for its customers to encase their fresh produce by commercializing paper sleeves. CKF designed, tested and trialed paper sleeves for a variety of fresh produce items including apples, kiwis, avocados and berries. The results have been met with strong support from Earthcycle’s international customer base and new programs have now been commissioned and will be appearing on retail shelves as early as July 2021.
• An Earthcycle tray or punnet with a paper sleeve is designed to respond to the growing consumer sentiment for reduced single use plastic packaging. Using a paper sleeve offers consumers a 100% plastic free package that is still certified home compostable and recyclable. With expanded “real estate” for high impact branding and product messaging, the Earthcycle sleeved solution checks all the boxes. Sleeved solutions are also uniquely well suited for home delivery and e-commerce solutions, markets that have gained momentum due to the pandemic.
• “It really is as simple as listening to our customer base”, says Brad Dennis, Vice President Sales and Marketing (Global). “We are hearing, especially in the European markets, that consumers want to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, so a paper sleeve is an ideal solution”.
• CKF sought input from JASA Packaging Solutions, a leader in automated sleeving solutions. “We are intimately aware of the need for highly automated packaging systems in the fresh produce industry and our sleeving solutions meet our customers’ high standards for performance and speed” says Sandra Somford, President, JASA Packaging Solutions Inc. “CKF is grateful to the initial support of JASA in designing for purpose and concept testing” adds Dennis.
• PackCo S.L, a packaging design and consultancy firm in Valencia, Spain is actively engaged in developing sleeved solutions. “Many of our clients, such as Ballberry, are looking to differentiate their produce at retail while maintaining an environmentally conscious footprint” says PackCo Art Director, Michael Stephen. “The product range and depth of the Earthcycle punnets makes the packaging uniquely suited to protect and display soft fruit while offering an authentic canvas to promote our client’s brand”.

CKF Earthcycle Lid Mates™ Provide a Sustainable Option for Growers and Retailers Alike

• HANTSPORT, NS (June 21st, 2021) – CKF, Inc. has added to its growing line-up of reduced plastic packaging with the newly redesigned Earthcycle Lid Mates. The Lid Mates marry a clear recyclable PET lid with an Earthcycle punnet, which is a thermoformed moulded fibre container that is certified home compostable and widely recyclable. While designed to suit the needs of growers and packers, the Lid Mates also have various food service and prepared food applications.
• With growing demand from consumers to provide sustainable solutions in packaging, CKF has risen to the challenge and has been continuously working to develop a variety of options that both excel in performance and range. The Earthcycle Lid Mates are a crucial answer to the ever-evolving requirements of the industry. While the Earthcycle line-up boasts a range of applications in and of itself, inclusive of top seal capabilities, the Lid Mates offer an additional avenue for customers who require product containment but do not have top seal equipment.
• During the redesign process CKF went to great lengths to ensure that the lids exceed standards in performance, strength, fit and quality. The new lids feature design elements for a more secure fit– especially important when produce is packed and then subject to various temperatures in the supply chain. Additionally, the PET lids provide a clear, smooth surface for labelling and visibility of the products displayed inside.
• CKF continues to provide a variety of options to their customers when it comes to packaging. PET has been shown to follow a sustainable life cycle1 and can be an excellent option where pulp packaging is either unavailable or impractical for the intended use. As a fully recyclable product, the clear lids can easily re-enter the intended disposal stream without much effort from the end customer.
• There are 3 designs of the Earthcycle Lid Mates that will be available by August 2021, which can fit a total of 6 different Earthcycle punnets. CKF will continue expanding the product line to meet customer demand.

Earthcycle™ Home Compostable Packaging Expands 3rd Party Verification to Include Recyclability

• HANTSPORT, NS (April 7th, 2021) – CKF, Inc. has added to its roster of independently assigned environmental labels by joining the How2Recycle program and having the “Widely Recyclable” designation granted for its Earthcycle™ line of thermoformed moulded pulp trays and punnets for fresh produce.
• How2Recycle is an on-pack labelling scheme administered by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) with the goals of providing consistent and accurate information on how to properly recycle packaging and to cut down on “greenwashing”. The program currently has over 330 brand owners and retailers, representing over 2,600 brands, along with over 100 packaging producers/converters as members.
• Greenwashing is a term used to describe misleading environmental claims and was first popularized in a study done by Terrachoice in 2007 when it launched its now infamous “Seven Sins of Greenwashing”1. The Sin of No Proof refers to “an environmental claim not substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party certification”.
• “It is frustrating to witness terms like biodegradability, recyclability and compostability used without the appropriate independent verification or qualifications” says Brad Dennis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We consider all the independent environmental certifications, like OK Compost Home and FSC® (C145472) that we have achieved for Earthcycle as not only an investment in the brand but also an investment in the growth of a transparent and fair environmental packaging industry”.
• In the How2Recycle program, CKF’s packaging is designated Widely Recyclable in both Canada and the US when clean and dry. The assessment process by the How2Recycle team is thorough and specifies that packaging is only recyclable if there is a “substantial likelihood” that it can be collected, sorted, reprocessed and reused in manufacturing or in creating another item in “majority of communities”.
• Dennis adds that “CKF appreciates the work of the SPC in devising and administering the on-pack recycling label as it will help drive innovation in sustainable packaging design and promote responsible environmental marketing”.
• Earthcycle has an extensive product line of top seal punnets for soft fruit, tomatoes, grapes, and mushrooms along with industry standard trays that are used with flow wrap and over-wrap applications. Earthcycle packaging is OK Compost Home certified, is certified home compostable by the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA), is product level FSC® (C145472) certified and now is acknowledged as being Widely Recyclable in the US and Canada by the How2Recycle program.

Award Winning Earthcycle™ Plastic Free Packaging Meets Australian Home Compost Standard

• HANTSPORT, NS (February 23th, 2021) – CKF, Inc. has expanded its international accreditations for responsible end of life disposal of packaging by meeting the Australian Home Compostability standard, AS 5810 (2010) for the Earthcycle™ line of produce packaging.  The packaging was tested by the recognized and accredited third-party lab, OWS N.V and proven to meet the stringent guidelines, including 90% biodegration and no toxic effect on compost.
• CKF is now in the process of applying for the Australian seedling logo for its customers to display on retail packaging.
• Obtaining the Australian certification for home compostability is critical for the expansion of Earthcycle packaging in the region, including for one of CKF’s major clients, Fresh Berry Co Pty Ltd.  “Proof that Earthcycle meets Australian standards for home compostability sets us even further apart from competition—not only do we have a package that is 90% less plastic for our superior tasting berries and tomatoes, but we now have a package that meets stringent retailer requirements for certifications”, says John Pettinella, Product Development Director at  Fresh Berry Co.  “We introduced the CKF product to the Australian market three years ago confident in the knowledge that CKF would support our initiatives and meet the requirements specific to Australia. That confidence was certainly not misplaced and we are now in a position to provide further support to our retail customers with our fresh produce presented in a package their consumers can either home compost directly or recycle” adds Pettinella.
• Earthcycle packaging resonates with the growing segment of consumers trying to reduce their use of single-use plastics and shop responsibly.  In a June 2019 global survey done by Accenture, 77% of those surveyed felt that plastic was the least environmentally friendly packaging and close to one-quarter of consumers choose to no longer purchase food that is packaged in plastic[1].[1] Accenture Chemicals Global Consumer Sustainability Survey, 2019
• “CKF extended our list of independent environmental credentials to include the AS 5810 (2010) standards for home compostability for two reasons: we believe in the Australian market and we believe in Fresh Berry Co.” says Brad Dennis, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “We recognize that international markets are unique in their approaches to sustainable packaging and for Australian growers and retailers, certification to home compostable standards developed by and for the Australian market was important to meet.  Furthermore, we want to support the pioneering work being done by Fresh Berry Co to develop the market for Earthcycle packaging in the country”.
• Earthcycle produce packaging is also certified home compostable to European standards, is considered widely recyclable in waste paper streams and is FSC® (C145472) certified.  Earthcycle has an extensive product line of top seal punnets for soft fruit, tomatoes, grapes, and mushrooms along with industry standard trays that are used with flow wrap and over-wrap applications.

CKF Workplace Recognition Program – CKF Inc. Wins Safety Transformation Award by Workers’ Compensation Board 12.01.2020

• CKF Hantsport has done it again! They said “Zero harm is our target, and we believe it is achievable”. In 2009, CKF Inc. made their first walk across the Mainstay stage, winning the award for Safety Transformation by the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). This was a significant moment for the team from the Hantsport molded fibre plant and their 270 full-time employees. In 2014, they were awarded the Mainstay award for Safety Excellence by WCB, the highest safety honor in Nova Scotia. It is a signal of their leadership in best practices when it comes to workplace injury prevention, timely and safe return to work, and a culture of workplace safety. On November 4th, 2020, CKF Hantsport was recognized one more time by WCB with their 3rd Mainstay Award, again for Safety Excellence for their demonstration of positive outcomes and/or significant improvements in their Return to Work, injury frequency and reduction in WCB costs, and duration of claims.
• Since 2016, CKF Hantsport has reduced their WCB costs by almost 90%!
• A true success story, CKF Inc. believe in sharing their best practices with other organizations across Nova Scotia, and indeed the country, telling their story and offering their expertise through participation in such groups as The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Nova Scotia Employee Assistance Program Association, the Canadian Manufacturing and Exporters, and the Nova Scotia WCB Working Group among others.
• From May to September in 2019, CKF Hantsport participated in the Joint Workplace Initiative (JWI). This initiative created a partnership between WCB, LAE (Department of Labour and Advanced Education), CKF Management and the Joint Operational & Health Services Committee.
• The JWI consisted of 10 formal workplace inspections and Operational Health Service document reviews with the intent of improving on existing safety program elements or developing new ones.
  Each one of these 10 inspections looked at the following 9 different elements:
• • Safe Work procedures for high ranked hazards
• • JOHSC
• • Policy review (CKF Policy statement and safety policies)
• • Air Quality assessment
• • Return to Work Program
• • Workplace Inspections
• • Training program
• • Machine Guarding
• • Internal Responsibility System
• From the JWI findings, CKF Hantsport developed and implemented an action plan to improve areas identified during the inspections and document reviews.
• Please join us in congratulating CKF for a job well done!

Award Winning Earthcycle™ Plastic Free Packaging Extends Product Line to Protein 07.07.2020

• HANTSPORT, NS (July 7th, 2020) –Responding to industry and consumer demands for less plastic packaging, CKF Inc., worked with key retailers to develop an Earthcycle solution for meat and seafood. Still a thermoformed moulded pulp tray, the new Ultra White Earthcycle trays are made from 100% virgin fibre, giving them an eye-popping white, which strikingly highlights the final packaged meat or seafood item.
• In working with a large north eastern grocery chain, the trays were tested for performance and appearance. For protein applications packed at site, the Earthcycle Ultra White trays met the 5 day shelf life requirement. The new Earthcycle trays, in addition to being a different colour to the original Earthcycle, are also heavier, which makes them up to 20% stronger. Available in industry standard sizes, the trays can easily be incorporated into a retail offering, especially for organic meats and Ocean-wise® offerings.
• “It is a balancing act” says Brad Dennis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing when commenting on the structure of the new Ultra White Earthcycle trays. “Adding coatings or laminates to our Earthcycle offering detracts from the superior end of life value proposition of our material. We chose to go to market with a clean, mono-layer material that offers the consumer an easy recycling alternative in the paper stream. The new protein Earthcycle trays are best used in conjunction with a soaker pad and ideally used for in-store packing”.
• The Earthcycle Ultra White trays are widely recyclable in waste paper streams. Made from sustainably sourced North America pulp, the trays add to Earthcycle’s already extensive product line of trays and punnets for the fresh produce sector.

Compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act

• To Whom It May Concern:

• CKF is committed to the eradication of slavery and human trafficking and is in compliance with the requirements of the 2010 California Transparency in Supply Chain Act.
• As a Canadian company, the rights and privileges of employees are protected by Provincial and Canadian Federal Laws, and we are bound and required to follow all Canadian efforts on the eradication of any form of Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and Child Labour. At a national level, such efforts are covered by the laws implemented by the Canadian Federal and Provincial Governments. Some relevant programs are mentioned below:
  • ● Children’s Rights and Business Principles
  • ● The Official Development Assistance Accountability Act
  • ● National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking

• By complying with the above, CKF also complies with the 2010 California Transparency in Supply Chain Act. In accordance to these guidelines, CKF Inc. performs the following tasks:
  • ● Verifies that all first tier suppliers are in compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act.
  • ● Obtains Supplier Self Assessment Evaluations to verify supplier compliance with company standards for trafficking and slavery in supply chain.
  • ● Has all suppliers certify that materials incorporated into their products comply with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking of the country or countries in which they are doing business, as well as Canada and California
  • ● Maintains procedures to manage those contractors who fail to comply with company standards regarding slavery. Contractors or Suppliers who fail to comply with this Act will be removed as Suppliers.
  • ● Ensures that all company employees who are responsible for supply chain management undergo regular training on human trafficking and slavery.
  • ● Has enacted a proper reporting and investigation system for employees to use if they become aware of any unlawful, unethical or inhumane conduct, including the ability to complain anonymously at the local company or headquarters levels.

• If any further explanation on this field is required, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

• Yours Sincerely,

• Krista Mills
  Vice President, Supply Chain
  kmills@ckfinc.com

CKF Inc. Responds to City of Vancouver’s Request for Food Service Containers 05.14.2020

• In response to the City of Vancouver’s urgent request to provide foodservice containers for the City’s growing number of homeless:
• After years of actively spearheading efforts to not only reduce but eliminate the use of single-use items amongst businesses, the City of Vancouver is now seeking urgent donations of single-use items and bottled water for its COVID-19 emergency efforts.
• The municipal government is asking businesses and the general publix to donate takeout containers, disposable cutlery, and food packaging for the purpose of its operations of providing free or low-cost meals in a hygenic and safe way to Downtown Eastside residents and other homeless and vulnerable populations.
• CKF has donated 585 cases, roughly 130,000 Polystyrene foodservice trays, to this worthy cause. CKF continues to be committed to assisting all Canadians during this Covid-19 crisis. From producing face shields to protect front line workers to providing safe, sanitary foodservice packaging; CKF actively embraces social responsibility as an integral component of our sustainability strategy!

Shannon Boase with CKF Inc. Discusses Increased Demand for Packaging 05.12.2020

• “There is no reason to sacrifice sustainability for security”
• Demand for packaging has increased in the past few weeks as consumers increase at-home meals and feel insecure about buying bulk product that others may have touched. Although the coronavirus doesn’t transmit through food, retailers’ demand for packaged products is soaring. “We are seeing an increase in demand for packaging across the board,” says Shannon Boase with CKF, Inc. The company manufactures traditional foam packaging, rPET plastic as well as a sustainable alternative in the form of thermoformed and rough molded pulp.
• Shift from bulk to packaged
• “First of all, we are seeing an increase in demand from our existing customers,” said Boase. Because of increased demand for packaging from the retail side of business, companies are starting to package products that weren’t typically packaged. According to the results of a Canadian market survey from Abacus Data, consumers do perceive some risk in unpackaged fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh vegetables not in packaging were considered too risky by 14 percent while 57 percent of survey respondents said they are somewhat risky. The numbers for fresh fruit were similar (15 percent versus 58 percent respectively). Fresh vegetables and fruits in plastic packaging on the other hand, were only considered too risky by 4 and 6 percent respectively, suggesting consumers feel safer buying packaged product.
• Supply interruptions for Foam and PET
• “We also picked up business from new customers who are using foam and PET packaging but are facing supply interruptions,” Boase shared. Demand for foam and PET has increased significantly for all food products. “We have viable sustainable substitutes to foam and rPET like our Earthcycle thermoformed molded pulp trays and punnets as well as our Shopak rough moulded pulp trays.” As an example, Boase mentioned the mini cucumber segment. “Many greenhouse growers were packaging in foam and PET, but because of supply shortages, we’ve been able to fill their demand with our Earthcycle trays.”Not only is the availability of molded pulp trays plentiful, Boase also makes a case for this type of packaging being the safest. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the coronavirus can remain viable and infectious up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic.
• More demand from Europe
• Earthcycle, CKF’s sustainable packaging brand, is certified home compostable to European standards and is widely recyclable in wastepaper streams. “We are the largest thermoformed molded pulp manufacturer in the world. Since all our plants are deemed an essential service by the Canadian government, we will be able to supply the fresh produce industry with the packaging they need,” Boase said.Outside North America the company has noticed increased demand for packaging in Europe. “We are shipping by ocean freight from Halifax to Europe. Our Nova Scotia plant is only 45 minutes away from the Halifax port and from there, it’s 10 days on the water to most major European ports.” In addition to Nova Scotia, CKF, Inc.’s production plants are located in British Columbia and Ontario.

CKF Launches Front Line Face Shields in Support of Fight Against COVID-19 04.14.2020

• In under 2 weeks, the company has designed, re-deployed and produced personal protective equipment (PPE) in support of health care professionals and essential services during this public health crisis
• HANTSPORT, NS (April 14, 2020) – CKF Inc. is united in its efforts to help protect front line medical workers and essential services by launching the newly developed Front Line Face Shield. In less than 2 weeks, the Company designed, tooled up and began the pilot manufacturing of the protective gear at its plant in Delta, BC. Made from recycled PET (rPET), the face shields are easily assembled in 60 seconds and will be available from CKF’s Delta, BC and Rexdale, Ontario locations. The face shields come with assembly instructions and are available in cases of 144—6 bags of 24— so they can be easily distributed to individual departments or locations.
  “I could not be more proud of our team,” says Ian Anderson, President of CKF., Inc. “We all heard the call of front line medical workers for much needed PPE so our staff got to work. They quickly mobilized resources, reached out to our trusted suppliers and developed a plan to re-deploy our manufacturing capacity to produce the much need face shields”.
  Working in collaboration with local industrial design firm Tangram Design and national material suppliers, the concept for the face shield came together quickly because CKF, like any Canadian company, is motivated to give back to the dedicated healthcare professionals and others keeping us safe and fed during this time of crisis. CKF, deemed an essential service, is also doing its part in support of the food supply chain by ramping up production and service for much needed food packaging such as meat and produce trays and egg cartons.
  The Front Line Face Shields are set to start full production this week with capacity for up to 1 million face shields per month.
• About CKF Inc. CKF Inc. is a diversified Canadian-owned manufacturer that proudly offers a wide range of moulded pulp, foam, and rPET products to meet the specific demands of retail consumers, food service operators and the packaging industry. CKF is part of the Scotia Investments Family of Companies.
  R.A. Jodrey established Canadian Keyes Fibre Company Limited in the summer of 1933, during the worst of the Great Depression years. The Company began with a single plant in Hantsport, NS – manufacturing pie plates and cake circles for bakeries. CKF has experienced uninterrupted growth since its establishment and now operates 5 plants across the country – Hantsport, Rexdale, two in Langley, and Delta – employing over 800 people. Nationally recognized brand Royal Chinet® is one of CKF’s best known products and stands as a symbol for many Canadians of family, friends and joyous occasions.