FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009
Associated Packaging Technologies and ConAgra honored with DuPont Packaging Innovation AwardThe partnership of Associated Packaging Technologies (APT) and ConAgra Foods to develop Healthy Choice frozen food trays using 40% recycled PET material has already resulted in successful sustainable packaging. Now, it has also paid off with award-winning industry recognition. The pair has been named winner of a 21st annual DuPont Award for Packaging Innovation. Winners were honored by DuPont on May 28, 2009 in a global on-line event including exchanges on key sustainability topics in the packaging industry including solutions for end of life."We apply DuPont science in working with consumer goods companies to redesign their packaging in order to minimize packaging content and improve environmental performance, as well as to be more cost effective," said William F. Weber, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. According to Mark Staton, APT President and CEO, "This is a huge honor to have our efforts recognized by an industry giant like DuPont. It is also a great incentive to continue our company-wide environmental initiatives."An independent, international expert jury panel facilitated by Anne Johnson, director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, evaluated the over 120 entries in this year's competition on seven innovation factors including resource and energy optimization and enhanced performance in selecting ten winners and eight notable accomplishments.  www.aptechnologies.com

Smurfit-Stone wins awards from Pulp & Paper Safety AssociationFour Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation facilities received top honors and a total of 34 were recognized for outstanding safety achievement at the Pulp & Paper Safety Association's (PPSA) 66th annual Safety and Health Conference."Smurfit-Stone is extremely proud of its safety record and of the employees at these facilities," said President and Chief Operating Officer Steven J. Klinger. "Working safely is our top operating priority as we continue to work toward our goal of achieving an accident-free workplace."Smurfit-Stone's Richmond-North, VA, container plant and Seattle, WA, recycling plant were recognized with "Best One-Year Safety Record" awards for having the lowest incident rates in their categories in 2008 as defined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Both plants completed the year without any injuries.Smurfit-Stone's Coshocton, OH, containerboard mill and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, recycling plant received "Most Improved" awards for having the most improved incident rates in their categories compared to their weighted average over the previous three years.The PPSA is the only industry association dedicated solely to safety and the improvement of safety performance.Smurfit-Stone completed its safest year in company history in 2008 by achieving a 0.94 recordable case rate (RCR), or less than one recordable injury per 100 full-time employees. www.smurfit.com 

TAPPI achieves $6.2 million turnaround with team approachAfter 11 years of operating in the red, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) is seeing black. The turnaround is the result of a team-based approach that focuses on involvement and ideas from association staff, board members and volunteers. Combined with a new emphasis on emerging markets related to its core industries of pulp, paper and packaging, the approach has helped turn a corner long in the making for the Norcross, GA-based organization.“The association experienced 11 years of operating in the red,” TAPPI’s President and CEO Larry N. Montague recently told Connections magazine, a publication from the Georgia Society of Association Executives. “The deficits were not due to any one action but to myriad issues that built up over time. There were a lot of angry paper people who were passionate about addressing the association’s financial situation.”Among the issues fueling a passion to improve financial performance was a downturn in TAPPI’s industry, resulting in a smaller North American membership and revenue base. Recognizing that tapping into investment income for operations could not accomplish the turnaround needed for future success, TAPPI chose to implement sweeping changes in 2006. As a first step in its transformation, TAPPI members and staff were enlisted to provide cost-cutting and member benefit ideas, as well as insight into new market opportunities.Since 2006, TAPPI has dramatically changed its culture, cut expenses and employed new technologies to build a profitable organization. At the same time, it has also strengthened member benefits and broadened horizons in related industries like nonwovens, flexible packaging and bioenergy. The result has been a renewed focus on the individual member, as well as creation of a lean, flat organization, Montague told Connections.To find out more about TAPPI’s team transformation strategy and its results, see the Spring 2009 issue of Connections.  www.tappi.org

KapStone Charleston Kraft Achieves FSC Controlled Wood and Chain of Custody CertificationsKapStone Charleston Kraft LLC, an unbleached Kraft paper and lumber producer recently third-party certified to the SFI(R) and the PEFC standards, is proud to announce today that it has also achieved third-party certification to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard. KapStone Charleston Kraft LLC is wholly owned by KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation."At KapStone Charleston Kraft, we have a strong commitment to sustainability, and so do our customers," said Bruce Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager."Achieving FSC certifications means that fiber used by our Charleston Kraft paper mill and Summerville Lumber Mill can be tracked in our supply chain from the forest through our finished products. Our customers can be assured that our products contain fiber that comes from responsibly managed forests and a tightly controlled wood procurement system. I am pleased that we are able to offer our customers multiple certifications to meet varying requirements around the world."Currently, 280 million acres of forestland worldwide are certified to FSC standards in over 80 countries. In North America alone, close to 90 million acres of forestland are certified to the FSC standards. FSC has a vision that the world's forests will meet the social, ecological and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations.Included in KapStone's FSC certifications are four chip mill sites located in Kinards, Elgin, Andrews, and Hampton, a lumber mill in Summerville, S.C., and a paper mill in North Charleston, S.C."Certification to the FSC standard means that we are able to meet the increasing market demand that our products come from responsibly managed forests," said Terry Jenkins, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Specialty Products. www.kapstonepaper.com 

Alcoa Russia’s Samara Plant Launches New Coating Line for Aluminum SheetAlcoa Russia’s Samara Plant today commissioned a new state-of-the-art coating line for production of high-quality coated sheet used in the packaging market for aluminum soft drink and beer cans as well as serving the building and construction markets. The new coating line is the only one of its kind in Russia and raises Alcoa to the worldwide leadership position in all aspects of can material production capability.The Samara Plant is the only can stock producer in Russia, and will serve can manufacturers in Russia as well as customers across Europe. The creation of the new production line is an example of world-class manufacturing being installed under Russian leadership and significantly raises the capabilities of the manufacturing operation.“This is a major milestone in the long history of our Samara plant…a milestone that will ultimately generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the country over its life and create enormous value for Alcoa, our customers, employees and the region as a whole,” said Helmut Wieser, Executive Vice President of Alcoa and Group President for Flat Rolled Products.“Until now, our Samara plant has manufactured only aluminum can stock for can bodies,” said Wieser. “With the commissioning of this new state-of-the-art equipment, the Samara plant will be able to fully meet the demand of the Russian market in all three types of can stock required for production of aluminum cans: can body stock, end and tab stock. This allows customers the opportunity and efficiencies of obtaining their needs locally as well as all in one place,” said Wieser.“In addition to benefiting our overall business, our customers in Russia will benefit from local supply and likely will invest more here in Russia. Our investment is a win-win-win for the country, the Samara region, and our customers. This new production line adds to the more than 6,000 people we already employ here, and will ultimately result in many more indirect jobs,” he added. “In addition, the plant will also now have the capability to produce painted sheet used in architectural structures, expanding this plant’s capabilities even further.”Production capacity of the line is approximately 60,000 tons per year. The first products were shipped to customers beginning this month. www.alcoa.com
 TAPPI Research Management Committee seeks William H. Aiken Prize nominationsThe TAPPI Research Management Committee is seeking nominations for its Research and Development Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. The US$500 prize is funded by an endowment from the estate of William H. Aiken. Dr. Aiken was TAPPI President in 1967-1968 and won the TAPPI Gold Medal, the association’s highest honor, in 1971. He was vice president of technology for the former Union Camp Corporation at his death in 1974.The award is given for outstanding accomplishments or contributions which have advanced the technology of the paper and related industries in the field of research and development.The deadline is July 15, 2009, for nominations for the Research and Development Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. The form for TAPPI Division Technical Awards should be used; links to either interactive or pdf versions of this form can be found on the TAPPI Division Honors page online. The form will require a summary of the nominee’s technical achievements; personal data (education and work history); and information about other pertinent activity (such as TAPPI activities or professional achievements in other associations). Completed forms should be sent to David Bell either by postal mail (TAPPI; 15 Technology Parkway South; Norcross, GA 30092, USA), by fax +1 770-446-6947, or by email ([email protected]). www.tappi.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009
Alcoa Russia’s Samara Plant launches 
new coating line for aluminum sheetAlcoa Russia’s Samara Plant today commissioned a new state-of-the-art coating line for production of high-quality coated sheet used in the packaging market for aluminum soft drink and beer cans as well as serving the building and construction markets. The new coating line is the only one of its kind in Russia and raises Alcoa to the worldwide leadership position in all aspects of can material production capability.The Samara Plant is the only can stock producer in Russia, and will serve can manufacturers in Russia as well as customers across Europe. The creation of the new production line is an example of world-class manufacturing being installed under Russian leadership and significantly raises the capabilities of the manufacturing operation.“This is a major milestone in the long history of our Samara plant…a milestone that will ultimately generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the country over its life and create enormous value for Alcoa, our customers, employees and the region as a whole,” said Helmut Wieser, Executive Vice President of Alcoa and Group President for Flat Rolled Products.“Until now, our Samara plant has manufactured only aluminum can stock for can bodies,” said Wieser. “With the commissioning of this new state-of-the-art equipment, the Samara plant will be able to fully meet the demand of the Russian market in all three types of can stock required for production of aluminum cans: can body stock, end and tab stock. This allows customers the opportunity and efficiencies of obtaining their needs locally as well as all in one place,” said Wieser.“In addition to benefiting our overall business, our customers in Russia will benefit from local supply and likely will invest more here in Russia. Our investment is a win-win-win for the country, the Samara region, and our customers. This new production line adds to the more than 6,000 people we already employ here, and will ultimately result in many more indirect jobs,” he added. “In addition, the plant will also now have the capability to produce painted sheet used in architectural structures, expanding this plant’s capabilities even further.”Production capacity of the line is approximately 60,000 tons per year. The first products were shipped to customers beginning this month. www.alcoa.com 

TAPPI Research Management Committee 
seeks William H. Aiken Prize nominationsThe TAPPI Research Management Committee is seeking nominations for its Research and Development Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. The US$500 prize is funded by an endowment from the estate of William H. Aiken. Dr. Aiken was TAPPI President in 1967-1968 and won the TAPPI Gold Medal, the association’s highest honor, in 1971. He was vice president of technology for the former Union Camp Corporation at his death in 1974.The award is given for outstanding accomplishments or contributions which have advanced the technology of the paper and related industries in the field of research and development.The deadline is July 15, 2009, for nominations for the Research and Development Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. The form for TAPPI Division Technical Awards should be used; links to either interactive or pdf versions of this form can be found on the TAPPI Division Honors page online. The form will require a summary of the nominee’s technical achievements; personal data (education and work history); and information about other pertinent activity (such as TAPPI activities or professional achievements in other associations). Completed forms should be sent to David Bell either by postal mail (TAPPI; 15 Technology Parkway South; Norcross, GA 30092, USA), by fax +1 770-446-6947, or by email ([email protected]). www.tappi.org

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009 

SATO expands into service bureau printing with former Franklin Press Group

SATO Labeling Solutions America, Inc., a leading global provider of innovative label and tag printing solutions throughout the retail supply chain, announced today the addition of the former Franklin Press group to its organization.In a strategic move, SATO Labeling Solutions further advances its leadership role to this market by offering customers variably imprinted tags, labels and ticketing solutions for retailers, brand owners and apparel manufacturers around the globe. In addition to these identification solutions, SATO plans to deepen its market penetration by launching a robust, customer centric, secure and efficient software platform to administer customer’s data, as well as, support SATO’s global printing operations.“Expanding our offering to include Service Bureau printing is a great benefit to our existing customers and a much needed alternative for any customers requiring the delivery of variably imprinted tags and labels,” said Joseph Podsedly, president of Sato Labeling Solutions America. “We are very excited to have the former Franklin Press team join SATO as we leverage their Service Bureau experience and together best serve our customers.”  www.satolabeling.com 


Eastman Chemical honored by EPA with the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge AwardThe United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tennessee in Washington, DC as one of five winners nationally to receive the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. For the 14th year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention through source reduction in the United States.The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are given in five categories: Academic, Small Business, Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener Reaction Conditions and Designing Greener Chemicals. Eastman Chemical Company won the Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for A Solvent-Free Biocatalytic Process for Cosmetic and Personal Care Ingredients.Eastman's new process uses immobilized enzymes to make esters, saving energy and avoiding both strong acids and organic solvents. Esters are an important class of ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. Usually, they are manufactured by harsh chemical methods that use strong acids and potentially hazardous solvents; these methods also require a great deal of energy. This new method is so gentle that Eastman can use delicate, natural raw materials to make esters never before available. www.eastman.com
International Paper establishes world's largest Forest Stewardship Council manufacturing platformContinuing its commitment to provide more certification options for its customers, International Paper announced the expansion of its Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody certification to include a majority of its U.S. pulp and paper mills and a number of converting facilities across its businesses. The increase establishes the company as having the largest FSC manufacturing platform across the globe."Having FSC Chain-of-Custody certification at a majority of our International Paper mills demonstrates our continuing commitment to sustainability and to helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals," said John Faraci, International Paper's chairman and chief executive officer. "This FSC certification is the latest commitment by our company to provide multiple certification opportunities for our customers, including the widely recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) (SFI(R)) program and Programe for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) systems."Chain-of-Custody certification guarantees that wood coming from certified and responsibly managed forestlands is tracked throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the consumer. With its expansion, International Paper's FSC Chain-of-Custody certification worldwide includes: three Coated Paperboard mills and its six converting facilities; four Pulp operations; six Industrial Packaging mills; seven Printing Papers mills and its sheeting operations; and a number of manufacturing facilities associated with its Foodservice and Shorewood businesses."As customer demand for certified paper and packaging products have grown, International Paper has not only increased the availability of certified products -- we have also become the leader in Chain-of-Custody certification," said David Struhs, IP's vice president, Sustainability. "We are pleased to provide another critical link in the certified supply chain and look forward to the day when we gain access to sufficient FSC wood fiber to take advantage of our expanded certified manufacturing capacity." internationalpaper.com
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009
BluePrint Automation Group names Bernhard Barta VP of Corporate AccountsOn Monday, June 15, Mike Ganacoplos, President, BluePrint Group announced Bernhard Barta as the new Vice President, Corporate Accounts. In his new role, Mr. Barta will be responsible for further developing BluePrint Automation’s Corporate Accounts and introducing the group’s capabilities to potential customers in non-food industry segments.Upon making the announcement of Mr. Barta’s appointment, Michael Ganacoplos, President, stated, "Bernhard is a highly capable individual with a proven track record in the packaging automation industry who will build on our reputation and further secure our leadership position."Bernhard Barta began his career in the food processing equipment industry as the General Manager of Franz Haas Machinery, and then went on to hold senior positions with AMF Bowling products and backaldrin of America. A graduate of the University of Vienna, Austria with a degree in Economics, Bernhard has been working in equipment and food related industries for most of his career.   www.blueprintautomation.com

Pregis Corporation named Packaging Distributors of America Vendor of the YearPregis Corp. was recently named Vendor of the Year by the Packaging Distributors of America (PDA), Alpharetta, GA.“The company was selected Vendor of the Year because of its innovative products and outstanding service. Pregis’ total commitment to our members also stood out. From the president all the way through the rest of the organization, the company was dedicated to meeting or exceeding our members’ needs,” said George Strobel, president PDA.PDA is an association of independent packaging distributors whose members are collectively responsible for approximately $1 billion in annual sales. The organization is comprised of strong local/regional distributors who have joined forces to create a national buying/servicing entity. The group currently has 15 members which represent approximately 50 full-service, stocking locations across the United States.“We were thrilled to receive PDA’s Vendor of the Year award. At Pregis, we pride ourselves in living the word ‘partnership” everyday. Our top priority is making sure that we help our partners and customers meet their objectives. We do so with best-of-class equipment and materials, coupled with customer service excellence,” said Sean Condon, vice president of sales, Protective Packaging North America, Pregis. www.pdainc.net    www.pregis.com

Mettler Toledo appoints Martin Madaus to Board of DirectorsMettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD) announced today that Dr. Martin D. Madaus has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2009.Dr. Madaus is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Millipore Corporation, a life sciences company serving the bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Prior to joining Millipore in 2005, he was at Roche Diagnostics Corporation where, as President and Chief Executive Officer, he was responsible for the North American operations.Robert F. Spoerry, Chairman of the Board, stated, "Martin brings very relevant experience to our Board. His background and insights into the life sciences market will be invaluable, as this market is an important area of growth for us. Martin has an excellent leadership track record, both in developing effective strategies and in achieving results. We welcome him and look forward to a close collaboration." www.mt.com 

Metabolix and Telles Announce Availability of Color Concentrates for Mirel™ Bioplastics

Metabolix, Inc. announced that Telles, its joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland Company that produces Mirel™ bioplastics, has collaborated with Teknor Color Company to develop a range of color concentrates for use with Mirel resin. The newly developed color concentrates are formulated using Mirel base resins and meet ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards for compostability and biodegradability.“Teknor developed this series of color concentrates for use with Mirel PHA in direct response to customer demands for a wider range of bioplastic colorants,” said John Wood, Technical Manager with Teknor Color.The new Mirel colorants are designed to be useful for a wide range of injection molding, sheet, film, and thermoforming applications. Colors are currently being used in the Mirel injection molding grade for laboratory material handling trays, and several colors have been developed for use in consumer retail products. In addition, a black concentrate is currently being used in the Mirel film grade for agricultural mulch film field trials. www.mirelplastics.com 


JUNE 22, 2009
Smurfit-Stone earns safety award from Fibre Box AssociationThree Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation box plants earned safety awards as a result of their ranking in the Fibre Box Association (FBA) 2008 Corrugated Container Industry Annual Injuries and Illness Report.Each year, the FBA recognizes sheet and corrugator facilities with the fewest reported occupational injuries or illnesses in relation to the number of hours worked for the preceding calendar year. In addition, each winning facility has the greatest amount of hours worked with no recordable cases and no lost workdays.The following Smurfit-Stone facilities were recognized for outstanding safety performance:- Minneapolis, MN (corrugator plant)
- Richmond-North, VA (corrugator plant)
- Ft. Worth, TX (corrugator plant)In addition to the safety award winners, 34 Smurfit-Stone plants received FBA “Perfect Plant” awards for having zero recordable incidents in 2008; 79 of the company’s corrugator and sheet plants received FBA “Safety Excellence” awards for having no lost workdays due to a job-related injury or illness for the preceding calendar year. www.smurfit.com 

General Plastics, Inc. expands in anticipation of new businessGeneral Plastics, Inc. has added two machines to its manufacturing line in the last six months as part of a strategic plan designed to capitalize on favorable buying conditions and anticipated future growth in new markets.The custom manufacturer of thermoformed products recently added a used 2002 three-station rotary press capable of producing 6- x 11-foot parts to its Milwaukee headquarters. The company also added a new 5- x 4-foot pressure former earlier this year. General Plastics, which spent just under $500,000 on the entire project, expects it to create a yet undetermined number of jobs in the Fourth Quarter of 2009.“The three-station rotary alone has state-of-the-art processors, direct drives, and top and bottom ovens each equipped with 210 zones,” said President Bob Porsche. “The new machines will increase the number of parts we produce per hour as well as allowing us to manufacture larger parts. It’s difficult to pass up the opportunity to improve the technical capabilities of your manufacturing line when the market is like this.” www.generalplastics.com 


PTI Recycling Systems formed to sell/service modular, food-grade rPET production system globallyA compact, modular system to produce food-grade, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin is now available globally. The system has been designed to cost-effectively address increased international rPET demand for blow molding, injection molding and thermoforming applications, by efficiently turning post-consumer PET containers into reusable food-grade resin.PTI Recycling Systems, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plastic Technologies, Inc., has been formed to bring the proven LNO™c rPET production process to the global marketplace. For the past two years, LNO™c resin has been produced for commercial use in the United States, by Plastic Technologies’ sister company Phoenix Technologies, Bowling Green, Ohio.“Plastic Technologies has a strong reputation as a global engineering firm that executes confidential, technical packaging projects for major brand owners around the world. Because we have had the opportunity to validate the LNO™c process for several applications, we believe that this technology has the potential to become the new global standard for rPET production,” said Craig Barrow, president, Plastic Technologies.The new company will be headed by Steve Hawksworth, director, who will be responsible selling and servicing the “small footprint, low energy” system internationally. (The equipment requires less than 2,500 sq. ft. and can easily be taken apart and transported to a new location, if desired.) www.ptirecyclingsystems.com 

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