PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Nov. 3

Brice joins executive team at INX Intl.
INX Intl. Ink Co. has hired Michael Brice as director of business development. Brice has 26 years of experience in the printing ink industry and has been an active leader. He was honored with the Florence and Leo Joachim Award from the New York Club of Printing House Craftsman in 2003. In 2000, Brice served as president of the New York Printing Ink Manufacturers Assn, and a year later was instrumental in its merger with the New York Printing Ink Production Club. He then served as president of the newly formed Metro New York Printing Ink Assn and is a past president of the Graphic Arts Professionals.

IoPP opens 2012 AmeriStar competition
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) is accepting entries for the 2012 AmeriStar competition until Feb. 3, 2012. Click here to be directed to the online entry form.

Silgan Plastics to install first Avery Dennison curve appeal label application machine in North America
Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials and Silgan Plastics are working together to install the first Avery Dennison Curve Appeal system in North America at the Silgan plant in Ligonier, IN. The Avery Dennison Curve Appeal technology, coupled with Fasson Curvy pressure-sensitive film, allows home and personal care brand owners to label complex curved container shapes with attention-grabbing graphics. This innovative labeling system combines a 360-degree look on a container with the bold graphics pressure-sensitive delivers.

TLMI honors Avery Dennison with Environmental Leadership Award
Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials Business Unit has earned the 2011 Environmental Leadership Award from the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI). The award, given by the TLMI Environmental Committee, recognizes the leadership efforts of member companies that consistently demonstrate a commitment to worthy environmental practices. Avery Dennison has been honored previously with the TLMI Environmental Leadership Award in 2008.

Folding carton boot camp slated for Dec. 6-7, 2011
On Dec. 6-7, 2011, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) will host its second Folding Carton Boot Camp workshop of the year at PPC headquarters in Springfield, MA. The workshop is targeted for anyone unfamiliar with carton construction as well as non-plant personnel with little experience outside a single-plant operation. The program emulates the actual packaging production process. First, instructors explain how fiber is recovered and paper and paperboard is made. Next, industry experts describe the uses of various inks and coatings as well as the processes involved in prepress, including CAD, layout and graphics. This is followed by an overview of tooling, embossing, foil stamping, stripping, finishing, gluing and windowing. Finally, the workshop concludes with an examination of automated packaging equipment. Participants who complete the Boot Camp are awarded a certificate of achievement.

Schneider Electric names Maverick Technologies its first Strategic Alliance Partner
Maverick Technologies, the largest control systems integrator in North America, has become the first company to reach the level of Strategic Alliance Partner with Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management.

Sonoco Recycling to manage recycling services for Onslow County in N.C.
Sonoco Recycling Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoco and one of the largest packaging recyclers in North America, has been awarded a 10-year contract to operate the Onslow County, NC, materials recovery facility (MRF). The company plans to invest $1 million in facility upgrades. Currently, Sonoco Recycling operates six MRFs and serves more than 125 communities in which curbside-collected residential and commercial materials are processed.

Lindal Group names new global sales director
Lindal Group, a manufacturer of valves, actuators and spray caps for aerosol products, has appointed Phil Lever to the position of global sales director. In this role, Lever will lead worldwide initiatives to develop and grow sales opportunities for Lindal's products in all applications, including cosmetics, household, pharmaceuticals, food industry and the technical industry. He will report directly to Francois-Xavier Gilbert, the group CEO, and will be based in the U.K.

New handbook showcases metal packaging
"The Power of Metal Packaging" handbook offers a series of thought-provoking articles and summarizes the latest developments in metal packaging as used in daily life. The publication contains hundreds of illustrated examples of best design practice from beer kegs to paint cans, hair care products to furniture polish, and an array of food and drink brands. New decorating, lightweighting, design and handling techniques are also described.

IAA appoints new director general
The International Authentication Assn (IAA) has appointed Susanne Hasselmann as its new director general. Her initial task will be to review the current IAA strategy and develop a renewed focus for 2012 and beyond. Hasselmann has been working in a leadership capacity in the authentication industry for more than 15 years, including heading Microsoft's COA (Certificate of Authenticity) program, one of the largest authentication programs in the world. She co-founded Axess Technologies, a leading technical and strategic consultancy in brand protection and authentication. She has chaired the U.K.'s Anti-Counterfeiting Group's (ACG) Brand Protection Group for many years and has contributed to numerous industry magazines, books and white papers.

Pine Poly Inc. introduces flexible packaging made with new renewable material
Pine Poly Inc. has introduced stock and custom flexible packaging made with Oshenite annually renewable materials. These new sustainable cost effective films and bags will offer a new alternative for those companies looking to use cost effective sustainable packaging that replaces fossil fuel based plastic resins with annually renewable natural resources. The LLDPE, HDPE and co-ex products contain up to 40 percent annually renewable resources and can be used for most food or non food applications. Oshenite, a renewable crystalline performance mineral, is FDA approved and is supplied by U.S. Aragonite Enterprises. It is a naturally reoccurring and consistent crystalline structured form of calcium carbonate harvested off the Bahama Islands. When added into most plastic products, it offers economic, performance and environmental benefits.

EskoArtwork recognized for donation to Michigan State University's School of Packaging
In acknowledgement of its generous donation to Michigan State University's School of Packaging (SoP), EskoArtwork has received recognition into The Frank S. Kedzie Society, one of the university's most prestigious donor recognition groups. Named for the eighth president of MSU, the Kedzie Society is given to individuals, corporations or foundations that bestow a significant donation to the school.

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