Packaging Briefs – MONDAY, APRIL 5

Graham Packaging to purchase China Roots Packaging PTE Ltd.
Graham Packaging Company Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Graham Packaging Company, L.P., expects to acquire China Roots Packaging PTE Ltd., a plastic container manufacturing company located in Guangzhou, China. Graham Packaging has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire from PCCS Group Berhad, a Malaysian company, 100% of the shares of Roots Investment Holding Private Limited, which will be the sole equity holder of China Roots. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2010.

Hitachi America, Ltd. meets all requirements for a Clean Air Solvent (CAS) Certificate for industrial ink jet printer cleaning solution
Hitachi America, Ltd., Industrial Systems Division, announced compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Clean Air Solvent (CAS) protocol for its CL1000 Cleaning Solution. Hitachi continues to expand upon its efforts to reduce toxic emissions released into the environment. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) enforces air pollution regulations in Southern California.

PIMA Management Division Names Robert Snyder as 2010 Executive of the Year
TAPPI and PIMA are pleased to announce the selection of Robert (Bob) Snyder, president and CEO of Orchids Paper Products Company, as the 2010 Executive of the Year. The award is the highest recognition for leadership and management given by PIMA and is traditionally presented to a senior-level executive in the pulp, paper or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole. Snyder will receive the award during the PaperCon 2010 Conference in Atlanta, Ga., May 2-5, 2010. Snyder has worked in the pulp and paper industry since 1970 and has held senior management positions in multi-machine, multi-site manufacturing facilities, nationally and internationally.

SATO announces new All-In-One Tool
SATO has announced its new SATO All-In-One printer management utility that enables users to seamlessly configure all of their SATO products across their system-wide infrastructure. The SATO All-In-One tool is designed to provide a truly easy way to configure SATO printers based on the user’s requirements, and access local or networked SATO printers regardless of how the SATO printers are connected (parallel, serial, USB, Ethernet, or wireless). This one-stop configuration tool simply requires that any Windows PC be connected to the user’s network or any standalone Windows PC environment.

Celanese Announces Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Price Increases
Celanese Corporation announced that its subsidiary, Celanese EVA Performance Polymers Inc., will increase the price of all grades of Ateva EVA by $0.06 per pound and all grades of LDPE by $0.04 per pound effective May 1, 2010, or as contracts allow.


Kraton Polymers announces price increases
Kraton Polymers LLC continues to experience significant raw material and energy cost increases. Accordingly, the company announces the following price increases:

- A general price increase in the Americas of 20 cpp or 440 USD/ton for Kraton SEBS and OE SEBS polymers and compounds across all markets and end-uses, taking effect no later than May 1, 2010.

- A general price increase in Europe, Africa and the Middle East of Euro 250 /MT for Kraton SBS and OE SBS polymers and compounds across all markets and end-uses, taking effect April 15, 2010.

- A general price increase in Europe, Africa and the Middle East of Euro 330 /MT for Kraton SEBS and OE SEBS polymers and compounds across all markets and end-uses, taking effect no later than 1st May 2010

- A general price increase in the Americas of 10 cpp or 220 usd/ton for Kraton SBS and OE SBS polymers and compounds across all markets and end-uses, taking effect May 1, 2010.

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