PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, Dec. 8

Braskem appoints FKuR as exclusive distributor of bio-based PE in Europe
Global biopolymer leader Braskem and bioplastics specialist FKuR have signed a distribution agreement for FKuR is the official distribution partner for Braskem´s Green PE in Europe. With its European sales force, FKuR will be an additional technology and technical contact support, development advisor and logistic partner for Europe. Furthermore, tailor-made compounds made from Braskem's Green PE will be available under FKuR's brand name Terralene.

MWV to host packaging investor day
MeadWestvaco Corp., a global leader in packaging, will host qualified investors and analysts at its global headquarters in Richmond, Va., at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wed., Dec. 14, 2011, to review the profitable growth strategy for the company's packaging business. The agenda will cover MWV's growth model and outlook in global packaging markets, including specific strategies to drive profitable revenue growth through commercial excellence, insight-driven innovations, and expansion in fast-growing emerging markets. In addition, attendees will be able to tour the company's Customer Experience Center and Center for Packaging Innovation, as well as hear from business leaders about new product introductions. Those interested in attending the Packaging Investor Day should contact MWV at 804-444-7762.

Ardagh products earn Cradle to Cradle certification
Ardagh Group has earned the coveted Cradle to Cradle certification for two of its metal packaging products: a baby food and a paint can. The Cradle to Cradle certification was managed through the leading environmental assessment agency EPEA, starting with a period of nine months of collecting data of all the components of the two cans. This data was independently analyzed at the deepest chemical level (up to 100 ppm) and covers a comprehensive assessment of the material input, material reutilization, energy consumption, water impacts and social responsibility.

DuPont announces packaging competition judges
DuPont has selected the jurors for its 24th Awards for Packaging Innovation competition. Headlining the panel this year as facilitator is Packaging Hall of Famer Brian Wagner, vp, PTIS, a HAVI Global Solutions Direct Co. Judges are: Jane Bickerstaffe, director, Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), United Kingdom; Aparecido Borghi, packaging development manager, Pão de Açúcar Group (GPA), Brazil; Peter Clarke, CEO/founder, Product Ventures, USA; Mike Heldman, marketing manager, Products and Innovation, International Coated Paper, Paperboard Business, USA; Louis Lindenberg, packaging capability director, Global Design & Sustainability, Unilever, United Kingdom; Ann O'Hara, vp and general manager, Amcor Flexibles, Australia; Michael Okoroafor, vp, Global Packaging & Execution, H. J. Heinz Co., USA; Thomas Schäbinger, CEO Mondi Coatings & Consumer Packaging GmbH, Austria; and Tan Hanes Zen Sunjaya, general manager, Product Development and Quality Control (PDQC), PT Inofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk, Indonesia.

Colbert receives SFI Chain of Custody certification in Louisville
Colbert Packaging Corp., a leading manufacturer of folding cartons, rigid paper boxes and paperboard specialty products, has received Sustainable Forestry Initiative Chain of Custody certification from NSF-ISR, an organization accredited by ANSI to certify companies to SFI standards, for its Louisville, Ky.-based manufacturing facility. Colbert's Louisville facility is the fourth to achieve one or more chain of custody certifications for its compliance with the strict tracking requirements pertaining to certified paperboard originating in well-managed forests.

American Packaging Corp. expands flexible packaging plants
Flexible packaging manufacturer American Packaging Corp. has added 100,000 sq ft of space to its Wisconsin printing and laminating plant, with a focus on sustainability. The company installed a regenerative thermal oxidiser and designed the building with sky lights and windows for maximum natural lighting.

Conference to focus on packaging's role in shifting recession-to-growth economy
Technology breakthroughs, equipment developments, next generation material and merger/acquisition activity will be some of the topics being covered at the 2012 Packaging Conference. The event will be held Feb. 6-8, 2012, in Las Vegas at ARIA Resort at CityCenter. Discounted, early registration (by Jan. 15) is available. Speakers will include representatives from H.J. Heinz Co., Colgate-Palmolive, M&G Group, Amcor Rigid Plastics, Ball Corp., Albis Plastics, KHS, Husky Injection Molding, PPi Technologies Group, Beverage Marketing Corp., Blaige & Co., Product Stewardship Institute and many other packaging experts.

Ohio supports Milacron job creation with tax incentive
Milacron LLC, a leading global supplier of plastics-processing technologies and one of Greater Cincinnati's largest manufacturers, was recently awarded an employee tax incentive from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to support the company's creation of jobs in Brown County. The incentive is based on Milacron's recent $1.5 million capital investment for equipment to expand capabilities at its Mt. Orab facility. The expansion is expected to add at least 35 new jobs to the plant's existing 199-person workforce, and the incentive is based on the company's ability to meet this goal over the next three years.

Crown releases its first sustainability report
Crown Holdings Inc., a leading supplier of metal packaging products worldwide, has released its first sustainability report. Titled "Creating an Infinitely Bright Future," the report combines industry and internal data with focused case studies to highlight how the company is addressing the three pillars of sustainability—economic, environmental and social—through its innovations, operations and people. The 32-page report uses the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines as its framework. The contents of the report have been self-declared at application level C, indicating that the company reported on all required profile disclosures as well as at least 10 Performance Indicators. The full report can be downloaded at www.crowncork.com/sustainability.

Eriez founder inducted into Erie Hall of Fame
Eriez company founder Orange Fowler (O.F.) Merwin has been named a 2011 inductee into the Erie Hall of Fame. WQLN-TV started the Hall of Fame in 2007 to recognize the accomplishments of people who made global contributions while living or working in the Erie region.

.