Novelis establishes used beverage can buying organization
Novelis has announced it will establish a new organization for the procurement of used beverage cans (UBCs) in North America. The deal (following its decision to withdraw from its Evermore joint venture with Alcoa) will make the company the largest UBC buyer in the region. It will procure all UBCs for its recycling plants in Greensboro, GA; Berea, KY; and Oswego, NY, directly through the new organization. It currently buys the equivalent of 40 billion cans a year, worth an estimated $1 billion; the company expects its global consumption of UBCs to grow to more than 60 billion cans by 2015.

Premier Tech acquires vonGAL Corp.
Premier Tech has purchased Montgomery, AL-based vonGAL Corp, which manufactures and markets rigid packaging palletizing solutions to diversified industries. According to company officials, the purchase will expand its workforce by adding 80 jobs, and strengthen its position in the North American market.

Microscan lands Ringier Technology Innovation Award 2012
Microscan's Vision MINI smart camera has won a 2012 Ringier Technology Innovation Award in the Food & Beverage Industry category. The award is one of 28 given to companies for their ability to innovate efficient, clean, and cost-effective solutions for five food and beverage categories: Ingredients, Processing, Packaging, Food Safety, and Other. The overall aim of the award is to commend the contributions of companies promoting the development of China's food & beverage industry.

Ripack announces new North American distribution headquarters
Ripack, which makes heat shrink tools for packaging, construction and other applications, has moved its North American distribution headquarters to Elk Grove Village, IL. According to company officials, the new, larger facility will enable it to better serve clients in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

DSM partners with Brazil-based pharma company on biologics packaging
DSM Pharmaceutical Products has signed a biologics contract manufacturing agreement with RECEPTA Biopharma in São Paulo, Brazil. The contract covers the process development and cGMP manufacture by DSM of one of RECEPTA's lead antibodies at its facilities based in Groningen, The Netherlands. DSM started production to supply drug substance materials to be used in the initial clinical trials of this antibody beginning in May of 2012. This project represents DSM Biologics first agreement in the high-growth South American market place.
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