Product of the Year USA calls for 2013 entries
Product of the Year USA, a competition that recognizes innovation in packaged consumer goods, has opened its call for entries. Winners in the 2012 competition include Orville Redenbacher's Pop Up Bowl, Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, Healthy Choice Top Chef inspired Cafe Steamers, Clairol Nice 'n Easy Color Blend Foam, Wisk Deep Clean, Milk-Bone Mini's Dog Treats, Sierra Mist Natural and Air Wick Flip & Fresh. Entries will be voted on by 50,000 consumers in a national survey; according to the organization, winning products bearing the seal stand to increase sales. Eligible products must be launched since January of 2011 and demonstrate innovation. The final deadline to enter products is July 31.

Pira, Smithers integrated as Smithers Pira
Pira International and The Smithers Group have fully integrated as Smithers Pira. The newly formed organization will provide testing, consulting and information services to the packaging, paper, and print industry. Pira originally was acquired by Smithers in late 2010. President Jim Dowey says, "Smithers Pira in being part of the Smithers family is able to align with other Smithers companies to leverage resources when projects extend across multiple expertise areas."

UPM Raflatac launches small-roll services
UPM Raflatac now offers a Small Roll Service for Durables and Security labeling products in the Americas. The program enables converters to provide a range of labelstock solutions to a broader customer base. "With our new Small Roll Service, label converters can provide Durables and Security end-users with high-quality, speed-to-market labelstock solutions," says Trevor Richardson, Business Development Manager, Specials, UPM Raflatac. "Additionally, our customers can take advantage of our new service to run product trials and fill small orders at a lower cost with less risk, increasing their flexibility and profitability."

NextLife supplies PCR for Styrolution virgin/recycled blend resin
NextLife, a manufacturer of sustainable plastic resins, is partnering with Styrolution to manufacture a line of post consumer recycled (PCR) polystyrene resin. NextLife supplies Styrolution with the post consumer content found in their new blends containing PCR. The new line, with three grades of resin is designed for injection molding and extrusion applications, and is FDA compliant. The PS virgin-recycled line contains 25 percent PCR resin, which processes the same as standard polystyrene and is suitable for a variety of industries including housewares, food service, office accessories and appliance components.

INX Sacramento attains Platinum Sustainability status
Package printing ink and technology firm INX International Ink Co. has announced its Sacramento office has earned Platinum certification as a Sacramento Sustainable Business. The 9,000-sq.-ft. facility (which provides ink blending, technical support services and warehouse space to customers throughout northern California) passed a rigorous audit conducted by the Sacramento County Business Environmental Resource Center. Businesses are evaluated in six categories: Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Pollution Prevention, Solid Waste Reduction, Green Building and Transportation/Air Quality. Overall business practices, physical facility features and equipment were among over 210 items that applied to INX as part of a checklist subjected to an extensive inspection.

Apex Die Expands die-making, CAD capabilities
Apex Die Corp., a post-press firm specializing in packaging applications, now offers a wider range of die making and CAD capabilities. Company representatives report that the company has improved the speed and accuracy of its die making services. According to Kevin Cullen, president of Apex Die, "The upgrades we've made to our die making and CAD departments will greatly benefit our many customers who count on Apex from their project's initial stages onward."

TAPPI announces scholarship for packaging, printing students
TAPPI is offering scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in the pulp, paper, converting, and packaging industries. The deadline for the William L. Cullison Memorial Scholarship is May 1, 2012. Visit the organization website for details and application instructions.

P&G Duracell to expand battery packaging facility
P&G Duracell, maker of alkaline batteries, is investing $36 million to expand its battery manufacturing and packaging facilities in Cleveland, TN, creating 60 jobs and bringing its workforce to more than 500. The manufacturing facility is one of only three Duracell plants in the U.S. and will be the sole producer of C- and D-cell batteries for the Duracell brand. Batteries made and packaged in Cleveland are then distributed throughout the U.S. and to Europe, Asia and Latin America.
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