PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, January 17

IoPP introduces Environmental Packaging Guidelines

The Institute of Packaging Professionals has released Environmental Packaging Guidelines, a publication designed to give users the ability to develop, manage and evolve a successful sustainable packaging program that takes into consideration considers everything from marketing needs to the bottom line at your company. Rebecca L. Oesterle, Immediate Past Chairperson of IoPP's Sustainable Packaging Technical Committee, has updated information throughout the book from a previous version of this publication, and also added new chapters. The 167-page resource includes information on market research, decision making, procedural issues, implementing reduction strategies, and addressing materials and cost issues. Cost is $95 for IoPP members and $115 for nonmembers.

Bellwyck Packaging Solutions acquires Ace Packaging
Toronto-based pharma carton producer Bellwyck Packaging Solutions has acquired Ace Packaging Ltd., a secondary pharma packaging firm in Ontario. Ace operates out of a 30,000-sq-ft facility. "The acquisition of Ace is a great addition to Bellwyck. We will now be able to offer the current customers of both Bellwyck and Ace a broader suite of products and services and continue to expand Bellwycks' one-stop fulfillment concept," says Jeff Sziklai, CEO of Bellwyck.

Call for Core77 Design Awards entries
Entries are now being accepted in the second annual Core77 Design Awards, including for the competition's Packaging category. The awards feature a total of 17 categories (including progressive areas such as Food Design, DIY and Educational Initiatives), separate professional and student entry fields (with different entry fees), globally distributed juries (from 7 countries and 12 cities), online video testimonials (from entrants and jurors), live jury announcements (from the home cities of each jury team) and a unique trophy that honors design as a team sport (from which multiple trophies can be cast). The deadline for entries is April 10; results will be announced in June.

Plastics machinery demand to reach $28.9 billion by 2015
According to a report by The Freedonia Group, global demand for plastics processing machinery is projected to rise 6 percent annually through 2015 to $28.9 billion. This increase constitutes a rebound from market declines experienced during the recession-impacted 2005-2010 period. Factors behind the growth include increased demand for plastic products, including gains in developing nations.

OCTAL Petrochemical contributions recognized by Sustainability Consortium
The Sustainability Consortium at the University of Arkansas has recognized OCTAL Petrochemical for its environmental stewardship in manufacturing DPET, a direct-to-sheet polyester sheet designed for packaging yogurt, meat, cheese, baked goods and produce along with household consumer goods. Mike Faupel, Operations Director at The Sustainability Consortium, says the company "has stepped out into completely uncharted territory showing tremendous leadership in sustainability measurements using rigorous scientific foundations and great transparency."

SCA sells packaging operations to DS Smith
Swedish paper products maker SCA AB is selling its packaging operations for 1.7 billion euros (approximately $2.2 billion) to UK-based packaging and office products company DS Smith PLC. The sale will enable SCA to focus on its hygiene and personal care products business. Further, DS Smith representatives report that the acquisition would improve its position as a leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods in Europe.

Sealed Air elects Wambold to board
Sealed Air Corp. has elected Richard L. Wambold to its Board of Directors as an independent director, effective March 1. Wambold had served as CEO of Pactiv/Reynolds Foodservice and Consumer Products. He currently is a private investor and serves as a director of Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, and as a director of Precision Castparts Corp.

AmeriVap announces Sustainability in Packaging theme for WestPack
Steam cleaning solutions firm AmeriVap Systems has announced a theme of "Sustainability in Packaging" for its exhibit at the WestPack trade show in Anaheim, February 14-16, 2012. The company plans to deliver a message centering on chemical elimination and water conservation. "We have seen water conservation and waste water reduction as the number one topic on everyone's minds these days," says Marty Hurdt, AmeriVap's Corporate Sanitarian and Industrial Sales Manager. "Other sustainability targets are important, but water has moved to the forefront."
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