Pregis purchases Inter-Pac
According to PlasticsToday, Pregis Corp. has acquired foam extruding firm Inter-Pac, a move that makes Pregis the largest producer of polyethylene sheet foam in the U.S. Pregis will continue to operate Inter-Pac's 180,000-sq-ft Tupelo, MS manufacturing facility; its 25 employees will be joining Pregis' 2000-member worldwide team. Foam extruder Inter-Pac is one of the first protective packaging products manufacturers in the U.S. Inter-Pac manufactures two types of PE foam: Inter-Foam, a light-weight, closed-cell, low-density polyethylene foam; and I-Plank, a lightweight, polyethylene foam product that exhibits enhanced cushioning properties.

A. Schulman acquires ECM Plastics
A. Schulman has acquired ECM Plastics Inc., a plastics compounder in Worcester, MA, for $36.5 million. "With ECM's expertise in custom color matching, higher-value compounding and specialty additive formulations, we believe they are an excellent strategic fit as we continue to focus on niche products," says Joseph M. Gingo, chairman, president and CEO for A. Schulman. "We expect ECM to provide strong synergies when combined with our current masterbatch and engineered plastics businesses allowing us to strengthen our position for long-term profitable growth in the United States."

RPA announces Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award judges
A panel of independent judges with a combined total of more than 80 years in packaging and sustainability will judge submissions for the Reusable Packaging Association's first annual Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award. The judges are Justin Lehrer, Program Manager, StopWaste.Org; Rick LeBlanc, Editor, Reusable Packaging News; Sara Willis Hartwell, Senior Policy Advisor, US EPA, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery; and Ben Miyares, President, Packaging Management Institute. The award is designed to recognize companies that have developed, supported or implemented measurable and innovative reusable solutions in a business-to-business supply chain. Companies will be judged on the quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of their reusable packaging solutions and services. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 1, 2012. Submission forms are available at the RPA website.

Ardagh Group acquires Anchor Glass
Rigid container maker Ardagh Group has acquired Anchor Glass Container Corp. in a transaction involving a total cash consideration of $880 million. Anchor, headquartered in Tampa, FL, is a manufacturer of glass containers serving the North American food and beverage industries. Currently the third-largest glass container manufacturer in the US, Anchor produces approximately 5.6 billion containers annually from its eight facilities, employs approximately 2,700 people and has annual revenues of approximately US $800 million.

IMI Europe announces Annual Ink Jet Conference in Barcelona
IMI Europe is presenting its 20th Annual Ink Jet Conference Nov. 7-9 in Barcelona. The event will provide attendees with a view of emerging markets and trends, latest technology developments, and pressing issues. Presenters will represent a range of leading companies, including Eastman Kodak, Infotrends, Global Inkjet Systems, Konica Minolta and others.
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