GLASS packaging specialist Croxsons has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with German closure manufacturer PANO Verschluss GmbH to introduce its BLUESEAL PVC-free twist-off caps to the UK food sector.
The new partnership enables Croxsons to incorporate PANO’s closures across its glass food jar portfolio. The firm said this gives food producers a PVC-free option that reduces the risk of unwanted substances migrating from the lid into the food, and also provides a ‘measurable and independently-verified’ sustainability improvement.
The closures are produced using 100% renewable energy with gas-fired thermal drying replaced by induction and UV process in 2020. This is said to have delivered an 81% reduction in CO2 per closure (2025 versus 2011) that can help producers lower their overall carbon footprint.
The brand has verified product carbon footprints for individual closures, which customers can use within their own supply chain reporting.
The blue ring was developed in response to calls from retailers who wanted PVC-free closures for own label food products. The company now manufactures more than one billion closures a year across 12 sizes which are suitable for cold filling, hot filling and pasteurisation up to 95°C, as well as sterilisation up to 121°C.
News of the agreement between Croxsons and PANO Verschluss comes at a time when the UK and European retail and food manufacturing sectors, together with major retailers, are responding to tighter European restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging.
“As the shift from PVC to PVC-free closures accelerates across Europe and regulation continues to tighten, there is an urgent and growing need for compliant, sustainable closures,” said Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons. “We’re delighted that two heritage family businesses, which have more than 250 years of combined packaging expertise between them, and which are completely aligned on sustainability and safety, have come together to bring proven PVC-free technology to the UK market.
“We are very much looking forward to introducing it across our jars as part of our ongoing commitment to quality, performance and packaging safety, while giving our customers the reassurance of enhanced food safety combined with a demonstrable sustainability journey.”
Thomas Stock, CEO of PANO Verschluss, added, “At PANO, we believe that true innovation is driven by strong partnerships based on shared values. We are very excited to be working with Croxsons’ whose commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation makes them the ideal partner to help shape the future of PVC-free closures. We look forward to combining our strengths to create sustainable value for both our customers and the industry.”
