PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Dec. 23

Whole Foods Market redesigns 365 Everyday Value milk products
New packaging for Whole Foods Market's 365 Everyday Value soy and rice milk products uses graphics intended to streamline its entire non-dairy beverage category. With the changes, the retailer is also introduces value twin-packs to encourage more bulk buys.

Kraton names G. Scott Lee vp of ops
Kraton Performance Polymers Inc., a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, has promoted G. Scott Lee to vp of operations, effective Jan. 1, 2011. David Bradley, the person previously in that position, resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities. In his new role, Lee will have responsibility for Kraton's global manufacturing, supply planning and procurement activities. He'll report to Kraton's CEO, Kevin Fogarty.

Curtis Packaging appoints first director of sustainability
Beth Scherer has been named director of sustainability at Curtis Packaging. The company created this position to further its sustainable packaging strategy and to expand on its goal of environmentally friendly manufacturing operations.

Private equity group buys into Saxco Intl
Houston-based private equity investment firm The Sterling Group has acquired a substantial equity interest in Saxco International, a leading value-added distributor of rigid packaging products for the wine, spirits and craft beer markets in North America. With an operating history that spans more than seven decades, the company distributes glass bottles and other packaging products to a customer base of more than 2,000 wineries, distillers, brewers and specialty food manufacturers. The company has a broad network of sales offices and distribution facilities across the US, Canada and select international locations.

Paperboard Packaging Council welcomes three new members
Three new companies have joined the Paperboard Packaging Council, one as a principal member and two as associate members. The principal member, Metro Packaging & Imaging Inc., is a folding carton manufacturer with digital pre-press services for customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, primarily in the food industry. ACTEGA Kelstar is the largest supplier of coatings to the printing industry in the world, manufacturing more than 90,000,000 pounds of coating annually. MarquipWardUnited offers sheeting solutions for converters, folding carton plants, commercial printers and mills.

Cardia Bioplastics appoints exclusive distributor for Brazil
Through an exclusive distribution agreement, Eco Ventures, a subsidiary of World Eco Ventures, will offer customers the comprehensive range of Cardia Bioplastics Biohybrid and compostable resins to the Brazilian packaging and plastic products industries.

Plastic Packaging Technologies bought by investment firm
Plastic Packaging Technologies LLC, a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging, has been purchased by privately-held Mid Oaks Investments LLC for an undisclosed amount. PPT's current management team—led by David Staker, president and CEO and Dan Staker, evp—will continue leading the business under Mid Oak's ownership.

GEA acquires Convenience Food Systems
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft expands the share of food process technology in its portfolio with the acquisition of Convenience Food Systems (CFS), a multi-faceted supplier of secondary food processing and packaging machinery, primarily for the meat, fish and cheese markets. The transaction remains subject to approval by the antitrust authorities and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2011.