PACKAGING BRIEFS Friday, April 22

Suppliers join up to develop self-heating food and beverage cans
Austin-based, self-heating technology developer, HeatGenie and packaging products supplier, Crown Holdings Inc. have signed a joint development agreement to integrate HeatGenie's patented high-efficiency, solid-fuel technology into food and beverage packaging. The HeatGenie technology, under development since 2008, heats beverages or foods within their package. To activate, consumers simply press a button at the bottom of the package. The compact modular heat source at the base of the package is about the size of a small tea candle and weighs just 1.33 ounces. The common, food-safe material within the heater provides high content energy and heat at a controlled rate. The end result is a cup of hot coffee or a bowl of soup, safely heated in the hand of the consumer in less than two minutes.

Reusable Packaging Assn. adds members, sells out Pack Expo pavilion
The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) added two new members and sold out space at the Reusable Packaging Pavilion for PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The two new RPA member companies are CABKA North America of St. Louis, MO, and Quick-Crate of Greenville, SC. Both will exhibit in the sold-out RPA Reusable Packaging Pavilion at PACK EXPO in Las Vegas, which will bring together 21 suppliers of services and solutions for reusable packaging.

Tetra Pak releases new environmental targets
Tetra Pak plans to cap carbon emissions at 2010 levels by the end of 2020 and increase efforts to double the recycling rate for used beverage cartons by the end of the decade. The 10-year targets are part of an ambitious new environmental program designed to deliver on the company's ultimate aim of providing sustainable packaging using only renewable materials, achieving a minimal environmental footprint and creating zero waste.

Graham Packaging buys Italian blow-molding machinery company
Graham Packaging Co.'s subsidiary, Graham Packaging Co. Italia S.r.l., has committed to buy the assets of Technipack Engineering Italia S.r.l. (Techne), for €8.8 million. Techne makes extrusion blow molding machines and has an installed customer base of 1,000-plus machines with more than 200 customers representing more than 70 countries. Techne's machines produce bottles for use in the dairy, household, industrial, personal care, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage markets. Graham intends to acquire intellectual property, inventory, fixed assets, customer relationships and trade agreements, and intends to continue to operate Techne's manufacturing site in Bologna, Italy.

Grants program awards almost 4,000 recycling bins to 70 communities nationwide
Recycling programs in 70 towns and cities throughout the country will receive a significant boost to their local efforts as Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and The Coca-Cola Co. announce the recipients of the spring 2011 Recycling Bin Grant program. Chosen from nearly 800 applications submitted, the 70 grant recipients include community groups, local governments, colleges and nonprofit organizations across the country. Grants were awarded to applicants in 31 states including nine colleges and universities, 25 municipalities and other local government entities, 10 primary and secondary schools, 26 nonprofit organizations, and additional community groups and Native American tribes. Recipients were chosen by KAB based on a number of criteria, including where bins are likely to have the most impact on recovering beverage containers from the waste stream, ability of recipients to sustain their program in the future, and intention to support collection programs with recycling education and promotion. The Bin Grant program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Co. and is designed to promote and support community recycling in the U.S.

Robatech earns "Red Dot" design excellence award
Robatech AG has been awarded the prestigious "Red Dot" design excellence award for its new ergonomically designed "ErgoStar" hand adhesive applicator. The internationally acclaimed "Red Dot" competition was established in 1955 and has grown to become the world recognized quality seal for "best of best" new product design. In 2011, more than 60 countries submitted a total of 4,433 new product designs to the "Red Dot" 36 member international committee for scrutiny and evaluation. Of all the products submitted, a mere 1.3 percent received the coveted "Red Dot" quality seal.

Graphic Packaging Intl. to close Cincinnati plant
Graphic Packaging Intl., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Co., will close its beverage carton facility in Cincinnati, OH, on or about Aug. 31, 2011. The company will transition business and equipment from Cincinnati to its operations in West Monroe, LA, and Perry, GA. The closure of the Cincinnati beverage facility reflects the company's ongoing efforts to align its manufacturing footprint to the changing needs of its customers and to improve its cost structure and margins to better position it for future growth.

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