PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Nov. 17

Bosch Packaging Technology to build second plant in China
To further expand its regional commitment in China, Bosch Packaging Technology has announced its intention to build a second production facility in Chengdu, Pujiang, county in Sichuan province. The investment volume amounts to 17 million euros (150 million Yuan). An agreement concerning the use of a site of 66,000 square meters has now been signed. For the current year Bosch Packaging Technology expects to reach sales of around 85 million euros (750 million Yuan) in the Chinese market, with products manufactured either locally or in predominantly European Bosch factories. With its production facility in China, Bosch primarily serves the regional packaging machine market which is estimated to grow by an annual average of 15 percent over the coming years. The decision to build its new plant in Chengdu follows Bosch's strategy to invest to a greater extent in the Western and middle regions of China. The new location's land area is twice the size of the existing location in Hangzhou. Construction work for the new plant is set to start in 2014.

Colbert receives AIB certification for food contact packaging in Elkhart, IN
Colbert Packaging Corp., a leading manufacturer of folding cartons, rigid paper boxes and paperboard specialty products, has announced that its Elkhart, IN-based manufacturing facility has been awarded a Food Contact Packaging Certification from the American Institute of Baking (AIB) Intl., a nonprofit organization recognized for its commitment to protecting the safety of the food supply chain. AIB's Food Contact Packaging Certification was awarded to Colbert Packaging following a rigorous inspection and audit of its Elkhart facility, which primarily manufactures folding cartons and rigid setup boxes for commercial industries, including food and confectionary products.

MWV patent for NoC dip tube is ruled valid and enforceable
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has ruled in favor of MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV) on Aug. 18, 2011. The court found that the company's U.S. patents for a fragrance dispensing system called the NoC dip tube (patent number 7,718,132 and '541) are valid and enforceable. MWV has held exclusive U.S. patents on this technology since May 2010, and is currently involved in further litigation regarding alleged infringements on these patents in the U.S. by competitors Rexam and Valois.

PACK EXPO International 2010 makes Top 5 largest trade shows
PMMI, the owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, has announced that PACK EXPO International 2010 ranked third among the annual Trade Show Executive Gold 100. Trade Show Executive magazine ranks expositions in the country based on net square footage (nsf) of paid exhibit space. In 2010 PACK EXPO International recorded an impressive 1,055,081 nsf; 44,294 visitors; and 1,835 exhibitors (7 percent more than the previous edition, in 2008). Based on these figures, PACK EXPO International was the third-largest trade show in the United States in 2010, following only the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (1.4 million nsf) and IMTS—the International Manufacturing Technology Show 2010 (1.1 million nsf).

Flex Films breaks ground at USA plant
Flex Films, the Global Films Business Div. of the India-based UFLEX Group, has started construction at the site of its proposed U.S. greenfield facility at Elizabethtown, Hardin County, KY, with a traditional Indian groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 28, 2011. Governor Steven Beshear was a guest of honor at the ceremony at which many prominent local dignitaries and other guests were also present, including former Kentucky Senator Joe Prather, Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development for Kentucky Larry Hayes and Elizabethtown Mayor Tim Walker.

TAPPI offers scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year
TAPPI has scholarships to offer to help pay tuition to fund a satisfying green career. The scholarships are available for graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in the pulp, paper, converting and packaging industries. The deadline to apply for Technical Div. scholarships is Feb. 15, 2012. The deadline for the Cullison scholarship is May 1, 2012. Click here for more info.

Alpha Packaging CEO to run for governor
Dave Spence, president/CEO of Alpha Packaging, an Overland-based maker of plastic bottles for the pharmaceutical market, has announced his intention to run for Missouri governor on the Republican ticket. This will be his first foray into public office.

New website eases online shopping for modular conveyors
Modular Conveyor Express, a division of Nercon Eng. & Mfg., has announced a conveyor line that provides a packaging line to be ready and running in days, rather than weeks. The concept begins with modular conveyor components, which can be applied to match most conveyor applications and layout configurations. Additionally, a new website has been launched with an on-line pricing shopping cart, www.modularconveyor.com. Website users can view movies, download CAD layout templates and price a complete system on-line.

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