PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, June 19

Zip-Pak to open new plant in Brazil
Flexible packaging firm Zip-Pak has announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in São Paulo, Brazil. According to the company, the plant will reduce lead times, and expand technical and consulting services to the company's customers in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and reduce environmental footprint by cutting the distance required to ship freight to Latin American clients. It plans to begin full production of its full line of resealable closures in early 2013. In addition to eliminating duties and taxes for local customers, Zip-Pak will reduce its environmental footprint by shipping freight shorter distances to reach Latin American customers.

Georgia-Pacific receives recognition for food safety
Corrugated manufacturer Georgia-Pacific has announced that its corrugated facility in Chicago has fulfilled the requirements of the International Consolidated Standards for Food Contact Packaging from the American Institute of Baking. The recognition signifies that the Chicago facility meets the organization's industry best practices and strict regulatory requirements. The facility has been deemed to be safe for the manufacture of packaging that may come into contact with food. The facility received recognition of accomplishment after its February 2012 inspection, joining the ranks of more than fifteen other Georgia-Pacific Packaging facilities throughout North America that have met these rigorous food safety criteria.

Film producer Polyplex acquires Scholle's plastics division
Plastics Today reports that polyester film producer Polyplex has bought Scholle Corp.'s www.scholle.com Vacumet Plastics division, a supplier of metallized plastic filmsThe acquisition expands Polyplex's metallized product range to include all plastic substrates. The company reports that the acquisition supports the company's company's global growth strategy, which includes construction of a $187 million resin manufacturing plant in Alabama, investment in a thick film PET plant in Thailand and a bottle-grade resin plant in Turkey.

Encore Container Adds to Industrial Packaging Industry
Industrial container and plastic drum maker Encore Container has moved its corporate headquarters, manufacturing, and recycling facility to Greenville, SC. The 80,000-sq-ft industrial building was purchased by the company back in February of 2008 as an Investment; the company now has started hiring and installing new equipment to upfit the now-owner-occupied property. The company reports it is investing $3.9 million in the facility, and it expects to create approximately 89 new jobs over the next three years.

Lindal Group increases Brazilian production capacity
The Lindal Group plans to more than double the size of its São Paulo, Brazil-based facility, in response to continued growth in the regional consumer products market. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of valves, actuators and spray caps for aerosol products within the cosmetics, household, pharmaceutical, food and technical industries. Robert Brands, president of Lindal Americas, told PlasticsToday the company outgrew its current space in the Jundiai area, and will move to the nearby town of Itupeva.
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