Packaging Briefs

People, services, awards, and announcements

-- Packaging Digest, 10/27/2009 8:22:00 AM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009

Hammer Packaging Wins Best Workplace Award for 2009

Hammer Packaging is a recipient of the 2009 Best Workplace in the Americas Awards. Since 2000, the Best Workplace program, sponsored by the Printing Industries of America, has recognized industry leaders from small, medium, and large firms in the graphic arts industry for their outstanding human relations practices. This year marks the seventh time since 2001 that Hammer Packaging has earned this distinction.

Developed to promote the concept that companies providing a superior workplace maintain a successful, top-notch workforce, Best Workplace in the Americas gives graphic arts companies the unique opportunity to systematically compare their human relations programs and policies to other companies of similar size.

China YiBai Signs Agreement with Greateast Packaging

China YiBai United Guarantee International Holding Inc. has recently signed a listing agreement with the Greateast Packaging Holdings Ltd. located in Zhejiang Province. The agreement made between China YiBai, functioning as the sponsor, and Greateast Packaging in relation to list the latter on the Tianjin Equity Exchange would promote the brand name of Greateast Packaging. China YiBai and Greateast Packaging both believe that the agreement would bring mutual benefits to each party involved.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

Kraton Polymers Announces Mark Siebert as VP of Adhesive Sealants & Coatings

Kraton Polymers LLC (Kraton), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, announces the appointment of Mark Siebert as the new Vice President for Kraton's Adhesives, Sealants and Coatings (ASC) end-use market.

With over twenty years of experience, Mark will be responsible for the development and execution of the strategic growth plan for the ASC global business. "We believe Mark's executive leadership as well as his sales and marketing experience will enhance our efforts and commitment to growth in the Adhesives, Sealants and Coatings markets," commented David Bradley, Kraton's Chief Operations Officer. "Mark is a tremendous addition to our senior management team and we are excited to have him join Kraton."

Abbott Receives Sustainability Award

Abbott announced that it has received the annual Illinois Continuous Improvement Award for environmental excellence. It is the eighth time Abbott has received the award for its efforts to safeguard the environment and integrate sustainability initiatives throughout its operations in Illinois.

Abbott was recognized for implementing 11 projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and waste, and saving water and energy at its Lake County, Ill. headquarters and manufacturing facilities.

Cereplast Expects to Benefit from Continuing Growth in Worldwide Bio-Plastics Market

Cereplast, Inc. announced that it expects to benefit from continued strong global growth in demand for bio-plastics and bio-plastic resins. The German-based Helmut Kaiser Consultancy estimates that the global bio-plastics market is growing at 20-30 percent per year, and will jump from 400 million pounds (203,000 tons) in 2006, to 10 billion pounds by 2015. A 2007 report from US-based BCC Research forecast the global bio-plastics growth rate at 17 percent per year from 541 million pounds in 2007 to 1.2 billion pounds by 2012.

Herkules' Launches Web Pages on Material Handling Systems

Herkules Equipment Corporation has added information-packed pages to its website in the form of a blog covering a wide range of topics all related to scissor lift tables and material handling systems. Topics include basic applications of scissor lift tables for all possible uses under the sun: basic workstation lifting; scissor lifts for conveyors; skillet lifting system; operator lifting; instrument lifting; and the list goes on and on. Herkules' team members share their experiences and knowledge they've acquired throughout many years working on solutions for our customers. The blog is located at www.herkules.us/lifts/

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009

Sonoco Combines Its Trident and Keating Businesses into a Single Operating Unit

In an effort to improve its position in the marketplace, increase productivity and grow the business overall, Sonoco is combining its Trident and Keating businesses into a single operating unit within its Flexible Packaging division.

Trident, which employs approximately 250 people and has been a part of Sonoco for 13 years, offers customers world-class packaging pre-press services that deliver fully integrated and individually tailored graphics management solutions. Keating is a premier supplier of pre-press graphics in North America with fully automated rotogravure cylinder engraving operations, including North America's only laser-engraving capability. Keating's rotogravure engraving operations are located in Charlotte, N.C., and Chester, Va., and its flexographic plating operations are based in Oakville, Canada.

Carbon Disclosure Project Again Recognizes PPG as Industry Leader

PPG Industries has been recognized as a leader for its carbon disclosure transparency and emissions management by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) within the S&P 500 Index companies in the CDP's 2009 Leadership Index (CLDI).

PPG scored 81 of a possible 100 points in the CLDI, ranking second in the materials sector, which had an average score of 59. In addition, PPG ranked third among materials companies for the CDP's pilot "performance-based" metrics, which measure a company's plans and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Companies report data voluntarily to the CDP.

Dow Packaging Adhesives to display solutions at Andina-Pack Trade Show in Colombia

The Dow Chemical Company's Adhesives and Functional Polymers business unit has announced its participation at this year's Andina-Pack Trade Show being held November 3-6 in BogotÃ¡, Colombia. Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers will join with its Latin America representatives, Cosalco Group, to present a number of advanced adhesives for packaging applications. Dow expects intense interest in its offering of high-performance, high-speed solventless laminating adhesives that run at rates up to 600mt/min in BOPP/BOPP structures and at rates of 380mt/min with metalized films. Dow's legacy solvent-based, solventless and widely used water-based adhesives will also be featured. These technologies are known for performance and improved packaging economics for advanced packaging applications.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2009

BWAY Holding Company Announces the Completion of Plastic Packaging Acquisition, Plant Rationalizations, and Provides Fiscal 2010 Guidance

BWAY Corporation, the principal operating subsidiary of BWAY Holding Company reports that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the assets, and certain liabilities, of Ball Corporation's plastic packaging plant and business located outside of Atlanta in Newnan, GA. The facility produces injection molded plastic pails and certain other products. The Company paid approximately $32.0 million for the acquisition, and funded the transaction using cash on hand.

The Company announced that it has completed its evaluation of plant rationalizations associated with the August 2009 acquisition of Central Can Company located in Chicago, IL. The Company will close two metal packaging plants located in Chicago, IL and Brampton, ON and move business and certain equipment into the recently acquired Central Can Company facility (BWAY's "Chicago plant"). The Chicago plant consolidation, which will create the second largest plant in the Company's manufacturing network, is expected to be completed during the Company's second fiscal quarter (ending March 31, 2010).

A. Schulman Announces Plans to Establish a Masterbatch Facility in India

A. Schulman, Inc. announced that it plans to establish a masterbatch facility in western India to better serve its customers in the region, which is a key geographic growth market for A. Schulman. A specific location for the facility has not yet been determined.

The facility initially will consist of one line and will manufacture the Company's masterbatch products which serve the packaging, appliance and consumer products markets. Its capacity is projected to be approximately 12 million pounds per year, and production is expected to begin within the next 12 months.

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