NEWS

From September 16 to 19, Interpack participated in the International Exhibition of Containers, Packaging, Technologies, and Processes 2025, organized by the Argentine Packaging Institute at the Costa Salguero center. This event is the most important in the sector in Argentina, bringing together the leading figures of the packaging industry at both national and international levels. Under the motto Leadership, Commitment, and Innovation, Grupo HZ uses these gatherings to communicate our value proposition, based on the production of recyclable materials and comprehensive packaging solutions adapted to current market demands. In this way, we support brands with technical service and proximity. During the event, the companies that make up the Group’s Packaging Unit—Celomat, Interpack, and Farmográfica—along with Papelera del Sur, presented their main developments in sustainable materials and packaging, innovation, and functional design. At the stand, each company had an exhibition table that served as a space for technical dialogue, product display, and the presentation of featured packaging. Celomat’s presence at this event focused on showcasing the know-how acquired in the development of a wide portfolio of flexible packaging, which they supply to leading brands in various markets. Interpack, for its part, used the event to promote its line of generic products developed through the Biohz brand and to exhibit new retail packaging and paperboard containers for fruit, vegetables, and bakery products. On the other hand, Farmográfica took advantage of the exhibition not only to hold discussions with potential clients and industry professionals but also to showcase its packaging aimed at mass consumption markets, focusing on premium packaging proposals for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Papelera del Sur’s Circular Seal: making sustainable brand decisions visible One of the event’s highlight launches was the Circular Seal, a communication tool developed by Papelera del Sur that identifies packaging made from recycled paperboard. This badge, which is free and optional for brands choosing PDS paperboard, provides a simple, clear, and visual way to communicate a sustainable choice. The Circular Seal was created to facilitate the identification of products manufactured with recycled paperboard from Papelera del Sur. Every time a brand incorporates it into its packaging, it conveys more than just a message of sustainability: it communicates a conscious decision that favors recycled, biodegradable, and responsibly produced materials. During the Expo, the Circular Seal was presented applied to packaging mockups made with recycled paperboard from Papelera del Sur, offering a concrete and interactive way to see how it is implemented in real pieces. This presentation allowed us to show brands that already use our paperboard that they can now add value to their packaging by communicating their sustainable choice through the seal. Interpack and Grupo HZ would like to thank the Argentine PackagingInstitute for organizing the event, as well as all the teams thatwere part of the exhibition. We also extend our gratitude tothe collaborators and clients who visited the stand and joined us duringthese days. See you at the next edition!

On November 21, the 2024 Southern Star Awards were held in Buenos Aires, organized by the Argentine Packaging Institute (IAE). At this event, which recognizes advances in design, technology, and sustainability within the packaging industry, several developments by Interpack, a leading company in the cardboard packaging market and part of the HZ Group, were recognized. In this edition, Interpack, a founding member of IAE, received a total of one award and four special mentions in different categories, standing out not only for the quality of its designs but also for its commitment to sustainability: Special mention in sustainability and food for the Fabric Sushi Box x 30 packaging. Special mention in food for the Pertutti croissant box. Special mention in secondary packaging for the Terrazas Chandon wine box. Award in the food category for the Biohz Mini Dipper packaging Biohz Mini Dipper: the winner of the night The Mini Dipper from Biohz, Interpack’s sustainable and innovative packaging brand, was the winner of the Southern Star award in the food category. This packaging, developed without plastic laminates, is completely recyclable and biodegradable, becoming an example of how food packaging can be more sustainable without losing functionality or design. The packaging, designed in response to the needs of the delivery and take-away market, is available in versions with or without a lid. It is ideal for any type of dip or cold or hot sauce, as it features grease-resistant and moisture-resistant barrier varnishes that allow the product and its contents to be preserved in optimal conditions. While traditional plastic dippers take approximately 400 years to degrade, the Biohz Mini Dipper biodegrades in just 18 months, presenting itself as a more environmentally friendly and equally functional alternative. Interpack gave special thanks to the R&D, design, marketing, technical office, planning, and production teams, who, from different areas, contributed to the success of the winning packaging. Innovation, effort, and collaborative work were fundamental pillars in achieving these results. “This type of award not only validates the effort and dedication of our teams, but also drives us to continue innovating and developing more sustainable and innovative packaging,” they stated from Interpack, adding: “Sustainability is undoubtedly a key pillar in our strategy, and we are proud to be part of the change that is transforming the industry.”

On Sustainable Gastronomy Day, and following several successful product launches, we celebrate Biohz’s third year in the sustainable packaging market. Every June 18, Sustainable Gastronomy Day is celebrated worldwide. The objective is to raise awareness about new eating habits that contribute to the well-being of the global population and to the protection and preservation of resources that come from the earth. This was the date when, three years ago, the Biohz spoon was launched—the first spoon on the market made from paperboard, being biodegradable and recyclable. Today, the Biohz product range is constantly evolving. “In these years, we have had several successful and innovative launches in the food industry market,” confirms Pablo Garcia, Regional Business Development Manager, and continues: “In addition to the spoon and ice cream containers, we developed lines of containers for prepared foods, containers and packaging for sushi, without plastic laminates.” Biohz offers products such as salad bowls, spoons, bakery trays, minidippers, among many others, being a sustainable alternative to the use of disposable plastics. Biohz offers products such as salad bowls, spoons, bakery trays, minidippers, among many others, being a sustainable alternative to the use of disposable plastics.

From October 3 to 6, we participated in Expo Envase Packaging and Processes, organized by the Argentine Packaging Institute. The largest packaging event in Argentina, bringing together the leading representatives of the packaging and packing industry both nationally and internationally. At the exhibition, products from the Packaging Business Unit—Interpack, Celomat, Farmográfica, Innovapack and Selecta—were showcased, together with Papelera del Sur. The communications concept we sought to convey during the event was “Sustainable packaging”. At Grupo HZ, we believe in a sustainable present and future. Our commitment is our purpose: “To develop and manufacture value-added products and services that protect tomorrow”. For more than 70 years, we have led the packaging industry and supported brands with knowledge and experience, turning their packaging needs into reality. We develop packaging that not only protects the product, but also our planet. That is what we achieve with sustainable packaging: using recycled materials that drive the circular economy, simplifying structures, and promoting eco-design. The future of sustainability is in our hands, and every choice matters.

On the weekend of March 31, April 1, and April 2, from 11 AM to 6 PM, the fourth edition of Bioferia Buenos Aires took place in Palermo. As the country’s largest gathering aimed at driving a sustainable transition, it invited the public to question their consumption habits and learn about environmental issues and the solutions available to address the climate and ecological crisis. Grupo HZ, Papelera del Sur, Interpack, and its Biohz product line participated in this event, educating through our products on how we can play a leading role in environmental care by adopting new habits. Let’s Be Circular Following the event’s premise “Live Consciously, Consume Responsibly,” at the Grupo HZ stand, we aimed to educate and raise awareness among visitors by showcasing our circular economy cycle. In this cycle, we recover post-consumer materials and transform them into useful goods for society, using innovation as the primary driver for the sustainable redesign of packaging and utensils. Under the motto “Let’s Be Circular,” we invited visitors to play a memory game about the 7Rs and how we can apply them in our daily lives: • Reusing and repairing durable products • Reducing unnecessary consumption • Recycling disposable products • Rethinking, by understanding the impact of consumption choices and waste. • Choosing companies that redesign their products sustainably or that recover waste and transform it into new goods. To generate impact and awareness, the stand’s Photo Opportunity was made with bales of die-cutting scraps, which, combined with the exhibited packaging, materialized the message of transforming waste into new goods. After inviting visitors to participate in the memory test and take a photo at the Photo Opportunity, we handed out organic popcorn from the Bamboo brand in eye-catching, biodegradable packaging made with Terraprint natural paperboard from Papelera del Sur. Bioferia 4th Edition This fourth edition of Bioferia saw a great turnout, with more than 45,000 visitors, 267 exhibitors, 25 NGOs, and over 200 environmental content sessions. It was a very enriching and dynamic event where we interacted with entrepreneurs, curious visitors, and media outlets interested in learning more about us, leaving our mark on the fact that the circular economy is the way forward to care for tomorrow.

An Argentine company prevented the production of seven tons of plastic with an innovative utensil This is Interpack, a leading manufacturer of cardboard and microcorrugated containers. The company developed the BioHZ line, which offers innovative and sustainable products. In the past year, they sold 2,300,000 units of their flagship product: the BioHZ spoon. Additionally, they participated in Bioferia, the most important event in the environmental niche in Latin America. “Our first launch was the first spoon manufactured one hundred percent from cardboard, without plastic laminates, with moisture and grease barriers. We wanted to start with a mass-market product and reinvent it in a more sustainable way,” explains Pablo Garcia, New Business Development Manager. This product was well received by Argentine consumers who had been demanding lower environmental impact alternatives in businesses such as ice cream parlors. This becomes clear when reviewing some data: while the sustainable BioHZ spoon degrades in a period of 12 to 18 months, the plastic option can take 400 years. The BioHZ line products are characterized by applying innovation to develop functional, disruptive, and accessible product alternatives, committed to caring for the environment. The local market response was very positive. In fact, in the past year, the company sold 40,000,000 generic containers for food service products. They also sold 2,300,000 sustainable spoons, which allowed them to replace 7 tons of plastic products. Their differentiator consists of offering a plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable alternative. Regarding the emergence of these products, García clarifies: “We created the BioHZ line inspired by biodiversity, evolution, and environmental care. Under this product line we develop and manufacture biodegradable and recyclable disposablepackaging.” BioHZ not only had good adoption in Argentina but continued expanding throughout Latin America.It recently launched in Brazil through Innovapack, a Grupo HZ company in the neighboring country, which develops and produces cardboard containers. For its part, Grupo HZ is one of the main packaging groups in the region. “Under the existing environmental challenges and the new needs of consumers, we challenge ourselves to think differently; leveraging our knowledge, experience, and economies of scale. We propose a more circular and regenerative way of producing, to create products that help and inspire consumers to lead a more conscious lifestyle,” express its representatives. Grupo HZ participated in the 2023 edition of Bioferia, which took place between March 31 and April 2 at the Palermo Hippodrome, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. In this context, the company engaged with the public that visited its booth, with the objective of educating about the 7Rs and responsible consumption. In particular, the company’s representatives emphasized the importance of choosing biodegradable and recyclable containers as well as the habit of recycling. Additionally, they offered attendees organic popcorn in a biodegradable container produced with terraprint paperboard (a natural paperboard alternative from Papelera del Sur). Read the article here

From April 26 to 29, Grupo HZ participated in Expo Envase Alimentek, the trade fair organized by the Argentine Packaging Institute that brings together the most prominent representatives of the packaging industry both nationally and internationally. At the exhibition, products from the Packaging Business Unit—Interpack, Celomat, Farmográfica, Innovapack, and Selecta—were showcased, and the new Terra-Print paperboard from Papelera del Sur was presented. The communication concept we sought to convey during the event was Packaging with Purpose: intelligent, functional, and sustainable. Packaging with Purpose We know that the role of packaging has evolved. Beyond protecting, containing, and transporting a product, it has become a branding element—an innate communicator with a leading role in environmental care. At Grupo HZ, we are aware of this new role and focus on developing new materials, alternative products, and creating Packaging with Purpose: intelligent, functional, and sustainable. Sustainable Purpose We support our clients in the development of sustainable packaging. We promote eco-design through the use of eco-friendly materials and optimized designs. We offer a line of biodegradable foodservice packaging called Biohz, made of paperboard without plastic laminates, which biodegrades in less than 18 months, compared to other packaging alternatives that take up to 500 years to decompose. Functional Purpose Our experience and knowledge in packaging distinguish us, and we place them at the service of our clients. We have specialized departments for the development of paperboard and micro-corrugated packaging. We challenge ourselves to design innovative and functional packaging and products based on changing market needs. We believe packaging is functional when it fulfills its role from manufacturing, packing, and transport to its use by the consumer. We create packaging that optimizes in-plant packing, facilitates point-of-sale operations, and enhances the consumer experience, generating engagement throughout the entire chain. Intelligent Purpose We apply our know-how in packaging manufacturing and continuous improvement to optimize our production processes. Comprehensive in-house production and the incorporation of new machinery and technologies allow us to produce packaging with an intelligent purpose from the moment of manufacture. Expo Envase 2022 The event saw a large turnout of entrepreneurs, large and small companies, suppliers, and influential figures in the Packaging Industry. Our Grupo HZ stand stood out at the exhibition and attracted a large number of clients, suppliers, and new parties interested in our packaging. As part of our communication initiatives, we encouraged interaction with our products by using foodservice packaging for the catering, and interactive digital catalog terminals were provided. Additionally, a recycling terminal was set up to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainability.

Social media usage in Argentina grew by 5.9% during 2021. Packaging can take center stage when shared by users, becoming an Instagrammable element with the potential to go viral. Instagrammable Packaging Social media has revolutionized the way we interact with the world. In this era where everything is postable, packaging becomes a means of brand expression and content elements. Packaging has become a relevant topic on digital platforms. Beyond the brand’s advertising use, good packaging can take center stage when shared by users, becoming an Instagrammable element with the potential to go viral. Many companies have already understood the importance of packaging as a brand element and have designed packaging aimed at being shared on social media. An example is the beer brand Budweiser which, as part of a massive promotional campaign around the Super Bowl, launched SelfieBud, a beer with its label printed upside down that reads correctly when taking a selfie. Packaging Graphic Design To accompany this trend, graphic design has also evolved. Creativity, humor, and a committed message are key elements when developing packaging graphic design.Some packaging not only seeks to stand out for its visual appeal but also to connect with strong causes such as diversity, sustainability, and other causes, in order to generate engagement and a sense of belonging.Many brands seek to connect with Gen Z consumers by speaking their ‘language’, helping them co-create their personal stamp through what they share on social media. Social Media in Argentina In Argentina, there are 36 million active social media users. Its usage grew by 5.9% during 2021, representing 2 million new users compared to 2020. In 2020, YouTube positioned itself as the preferred social network, with 96% of internet users interacting on the platform. It was followed by WhatsApp and Facebook, both with over 90% participation from internet users, and Instagram with 85%. The average social media usage is 3 hours and 22 minutes daily. Source: Hootsuite Digital 2021 Global Overview Report

HZ Group, through its company Interpack, is expanding the BIOHZ line of recyclable and biodegradable cardboard products. It is introducing BIOHZ® ice cream packaging, which degrades in less than 18 months, while EPS foam containers take more than 500 years. BIOHZ ice cream tubs are designed to replace EPS foam, and a very high positive impact on the planet is expected, given that annual per-capita ice cream consumption in Argentina is 7 kg per person. In mid-June, HZ Group launched the first product in the BIOHZ line. It was a spoon, and now it is time for the ice cream tubs and cups, which are also: biodegradable, suitable for direct food contact, structurally strong, free of bleaching agents, and feature moisture- and grease-resistant treatment. The ice cream tubs feature a novel design, unique worldwide, because their modular insulated box is completely one of a kind. The range includes 250 g, 500 g, and 1 kg ice cream tubs and an insulated box. This packaging is designed primarily for delivery and take-away, so a modular tub concept was developed. Assembly is simple and fast; the outer box is delivered flat-packed, optimizing transport and storage space at the point of sale. The packaging keeps the product at temperature for more than 45 minutes. In addition, the insulated boxes can be used more than once, encouraging reuse. The market launch of the ice cream tubs includes the launch of cups in various sizes. Unlike poly-paper tubs and plastic cups, these cups are made of cardboard with a moisture barrier, without plastic laminates, making them a biodegradable and recyclable alternative. This second launch phase of the BIOHZ line will consist of around two hundred thousand units in its different formats. Interpack anticipates a third phase in which it will produce trays and food containers by the end of the year; and a fourth phase in early 2022, when it will introduce cutlery, small spoons, and drink stirrers. Single-use disposable plastics are one of the global challenges to be addressed. Disposable cutlery is used for an average of about 20 minutes, and if it is plastic, it takes around 400 years to degrade. The BIOHZ line, being made of biodegradable cardboard, will take less than a year and a half. HZ began developing this BIOHZ utensil line with the spoon because, within the cutlery range, it is the product most used and consumed in public spaces. “As a business group, we are aware of the need to drive social change that moves us to be more sustainable, mitigating environmental impact. We promote recycling, implement environmental policies across all our plants, and seek to develop sustainable product alternatives,” says Pablo García, regional commercial manager of HZ Group. Interpack, a packaging company in Argentina, worked together with three other Group companies on its development: Celomat (flexible packaging), Selecta, and Innovapack, cardboard packaging companies in Chile and Brazil. “We challenge ourselves to think differently, focusing on needs, on changes in the world, and on new trends, developing attractive value propositions for different markets. We do not settle for what we know; we are constantly searching for new designs, materials, and applications.” explains Santiago Villagra, commercial manager of HZ Group. BIOHZ products are initially marketed in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The suggested retail price is competitive with the alternatives available in the market. “To create the ice cream tubs, we used the “job to be done” perspective, and the question we asked ourselves was: How can we transport ice cream for 45 minutes in a sustainable way? We focused on temperature retention and the choice of biodegradable materials. As an added value, we worked on optimizing storage space, which is so useful for ice cream shops; we developed an innovative and eco-friendly product.” says James Mac Donald, Regional Innovation + Development Lead.