PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Apr. 5

Weber invests in labeling inspection systems
Weber Packaging Solutions Inc., a leading worldwide manufacturer and supplier of labels and labeling systems since 1932, has bought six PrintVision/Helios II 100% Inspection Systems from Advanced Vision Technology (AVT). Weber, which conducts business globally in 15 countries, will place the new systems in its worldwide headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL, a suburb of Chicago near O'Hare airport. Weber's sophisticated label manufacturing equipment includes the latest flexographic and digital high-speed label presses. Four of the Helios II 100% Inspection Systems will be placed on presses, one on a rewinder and one on a finishing unit of a digital label press.

Amcor buys tobacco packaging plant in Mexico
Amcor has aquired the Aluprint tobacco packaging plant in Monterrey, Mexico, for US$40 million. The acquisition establishes a local presence in Mexico, a large and strategically located market for tobacco packaging. It follows Amcor's recently announced purchase of a tobacco packaging operation in Argentina.

Toray Plastics appoints divisional director of sales
Toray Plastics (America) Inc. has appointed Chad Hedden to the position of director of sales for the Lumirror Polyester Film Div. Since 2009, Hedden has served the company as national sales manager for the Torayfan Polypropylene Div., a position that included the responsibility of developing PET sales in the packaging sector. Prior to that appointment Hedden was a manager in Toray's Strategic Alliance Group. He joined Toray in 2006 as a product manager in the Torayfan Div. after working at Tredegar Film Products.

TNA promotes global project manager

Food packaging solutions specialist, tna, has promoted David Townsend to group projects manager. Based in Birmingham, U.K., Townsend will closely monitor all global projects, promote knowledge sharing and actively support project managers globally to ensure tna's customers continue to benefit from the highest standards across all key installation deliverables.

Pinnacle Polymers converts customers, products to clarified PP
Pinnacle Polymers, a major polypropylene (PP) manufacturer based in Ridgefield, CT., has fully migrated its customer base to Milliken's Millad NX 8000 clarifier and is launching new PP grades featuring the advanced Millad technology. Millad NX 8000 enables PP to approach the clarity of glass, and promotes energy savings and cycle time reduction through faster processing at lower temperatures. By facilitating the reduction of energy required to process Pinnacle's Millad NX 8000 PP grades, this new clarifier allows Pinnacle to offer a more sustainable product to the plastics industry. Following its successful adoption of the next-generation Milliken chemistry in its resins, Pinnacle has received uniformly positive feedback from customers regarding improved aesthetics, performance and productivity.

TAPPI offers scholarship for the 2012-2013 school year
The William L. Cullison Memorial Scholarship is available for undergraduate students with an interest in the pulp, paper, converting and packaging industries. For information, click here. This scholarship provides an incentive for students entering their third year of college to pursue an academic path related to this vital work. These activities are made possible through the generous support of companies and individuals who share TAPPI's vision for the future.

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