PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Dec. 22

SC Johnson sets sustainable packaging goals for next five years
SC Johnson has released its 2011 annual public report, "360 Degrees of Greener Choices," which shares that the company met—and in many cases far exceeded—all of its sustainability objectives for 2011 and also set new five-year goals. Among the new objectives is to further reduce waste by:
• Increasing post-consumer-recycled content across product packaging to 30 percent.
• Decreasing packaging across product lines by 5 percent.
• Offsetting 30 percent of virgin material use through innovative partnership and packaging advances.

Philip Morris Limited challenges the Australian government over plain packaging
Philip Morris Limited (PML) has filed a High Court challenge against the Australian government over plain packaging for tobacco products. PML is seeking a ruling from the Court that the government cannot prevent PML from continuing to use its valuable intellectual property and branding on its cigarettes and packaging. PML spokesperson Chris Argent says, "The government has passed a law that acquires our valuable brands and intellectual property despite being unable to demonstrate that it will reduce smoking and ignoring the widespread concerns raised in Australia and internationally regarding the serious adverse ramifications associated with plain packaging. We believe plain packaging violates the Australian Constitution because the government is seeking to acquire our property without paying compensation."

H.B. Fuller to acquire Forbo's industrial adhesives business
H.B. Fuller Co. has signed an agreement to purchase the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group to enhance the company's position as a global leader in the adhesives industry. This business will generate approximately $580 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2011, operates 17 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries, and employs more than 1,100 people globally.

Kuka Robotics opens new North American headquarters
Kuka Robotics has opened new headquarters in Shelby Township, MI. Sales and marketing vp James Cooper states, "The location is well suited to Kuka's robot expanded business and market needs to offer in-depth local support of products and services to KUKA's growing customer base in North America. We continue to expand our staff to provide sales, service and engineering support for our customers. Our focus is to make sure customers-both equipment integrators and end-users-are provided an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in robotic technology and show them how we can help improve productivity and quality."

Kuka Robotics' CEO and area manager-North America, Stu Shepherd, adds, "The new Shelby Township facility is the second and largest of four buildings planned by Kuka Robotics opening in North America in between the third quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012 to extend Kuka's reach and customer support. The two remaining facilities include a replacement building for the operations in Mexico City, and a new branch location in California."

Optima debuts new global image
Following rapid growth in the past years, the Optima Group is accentuating the unity of the company with a new corporate design to be implemented as of Jan. 1, 2012. The new company logo focuses on the essentials: it is easily legible and succinct. The wordmark appears in bright blue and stands as the corporate brand for all Optima worldwide.

Sealed Air appoints new lead director
Sealed Air Corp.'s board of directors has elected William Marino as its lead director, effective immediately. This appointment replaces the current practice of having board members rotate as presiding director. Marino has been a member of the board since 2002, has served as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee since 2010 and has been a member of the organization and compensation committee since 2002.

Multivac acquires Trimaster Oy
With the acquisition of the Finnish company Trimaster Oy, Multivac can now offer complete end-to-end packaging lines right through to final palletization, as well as strengthen its presence in Scandinavia. Trimaster Oy, which was founded in 1998, specializes in palletizing systems and robotic cells, as well as monitoring and conveying systems. Trimaster Oy currently employs around 20 staff members, who will be integrated into Multivac's Finnish sales and service business.

PPC to honor manufacturing safety records at spring meeting
At the 2012 Spring Meeting: Outlook and Strategies Conference in Louisville, KY, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) will honor its members for their manufacturing safety record with the presentation of its annual Safety Boxscore Awards, which are based on the cumulative number of hours worked without an OSHA recordable injury.

Possible awards include working 125,000 hours, 250,000 hours, and 375,000 hours without a recordable injury. Twelve-month calendar awards will also be issued for working an entire calendar year without injury. The highlight of the ceremony, however, will be the presentation of the Chairman's Safety Award, which is presented to that company which finishes the year with the most hours worked without an OSHA recordable injury.

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