PACKAGING BRIEFS - Thursday, Nov. 11

Dannon supports breast cancer research with under-the-lid code campaign
The Dannon Co., along with partner The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., has donated $75,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Through Dannon's Give Hope with Every Cup national campaign, for each under-the-lid code from specially marked packages of Dannon yogurt entered at www.cupsofhope.com , NBCF will receive a 10 cent donation from Dannon -- up to $1.5 million, with a guaranteed $500,000 minimum donation. The campaign runs September through November 2010.

Optima Machinery Corp. celebrates 25 years in the U.S.
On Oct. 29, 2010, Optima Machinery Corp. celebrated its 25th year of business at a gala event at its headquarters in Green Bay, Wis. Within this time, the packaging machinery maker has grown from two to 45 employees and to $21 million in annual revenue.

IoPP schedules Fundamentals courses in Orlando
The Institute of Packaging Professionals will present Semesters 1 & 2 of the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology course in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 17-21, 2011. Visit the IoPP website for more details.

Johnsonville Sausage offers gift packages online
Johnsonville Sausage has partnered with The Wisconsin Cheeseman to sell a variety of gift packages online. Options include complete food gift sets with a cutting board and knife, to smaller packages featuring Johnsonville Summer Sausage, Wisconsin cheese and crackers. Colleen Kuhn, Johnsonville associate brand manager, says, "Consumers have long expressed an interest in being able to order Johnsonville products online -- especially at the holidays -- so we're excited this partnership provides an opportunity for us to answer those requests."

Coty Inc. signs up Lady Gaga for signature fragrance
Coty Inc. has signed up international and multifaceted artistic force Lady Gaga to develop and market her first-ever signature fragrance. "The marketing behind Lady Gaga's fragrance will be unprecedented and groundbreaking," said Steve Mormoris, senior vice president of global marketing for Coty Beauty. "We are working toward distilling the brilliance of Lady Gaga into a fragrance that delivers a breathtaking olfactory experience and a timeless, enduring packaging design that is part of Lady Gaga's overall artistic sensibility."

Helzberg Diamonds selects unique packaging for new designer jewelry line

Helzberg Diamonds has added a selection from iconic jewelry designer Judith Ripka to its designer bridal collection. The retail price of the collection begins at $599, and each piece is accompanied by a Judith Ripka certificate of authenticity and special packaging.

Menasha Packaging expands plant in Hartford, Wis.
Menasha Packaging Co. is spending $4.2 million to expand its facility in Hartford, Wis., to meet increased demand and position the company for continued growth. The project will boost the current 209,000 square foot facility by 30 percent. The company will use the new 60,000 square feet of production and shipping space to increase productivity by adding a third shift to its corrugators and creating room for new equipment.

WRAP study scopes PP recycling
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) reports its progress on developing recycled polypropelyne (PP) that can be used in food packaging. Its "Scooping study into food-grade polypropylene recycling" report concludes that producing food grade recycled PP is possible particularly for dry foods, but that significant challenges remain to satisfy the requirement of European food safety legislation and achieve a commercially viable process.

Millwood earns CHEP award
Millwood Inc., a manufacturer of unit load and packaging materials and services, was recognized for Service Center Operational Performance by CHEP, the global leader in pallet and container pooling services, at the recent 2010 Supply Chain Symposium.

Sara Lee sells its North American bakery unit
To concentrate more on its coffee and meat businesses, Sara Lee is selling its North American bakery unit to Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo for $959 million.