Packaging Briefs - Monday, August 23, 2010

Nestle Waters North America wins innovation award for its Eco-Shape bottle
Nestle Waters North America announced it is the recipient of a 2010 Gold Connecticut Quality Improvement Award's (CQIA) Innovation Prize for its next-generation Eco-Shape half-liter bottle, which uses 25% less PET plastic than its predecessor Eco-Shape bottle.

Integrated Foam and PXL Cross-Linked Foam to operate under Palziv
We are very excited to announce that Integrated Foam and PXL Cross-Linked Foam will now operate under Palziv, the global leader in PE Cross-Linked foam.This is the final step in a decade-long plan to increase Palziv’s commitment to the North American market. Palziv North America will produce Cross-Linked continuous rolls and buns from polyethylene pellets for packaging, automotive, construction, insulation, orthopedics and other products.  Headquarters for Palziv North America will be now be located in Louisburg, North Carolina, joining current facilities in Ohio and Canada.

WS Packaging Group Names New CEO
WS Packaging Group, Inc., announced it has named Rex E. Lane as its new chief executive officer. Lane will continue to drive company innovations in industry technology, with an increasing focus on total business lean initiatives aimed at improving profitability, quality, service and overall cost-effectiveness in order to stay competitive in all aspects of the business. Terry Fulwiler, who is retiring as CEO, held the position for nearly 25 years. He will remain with the company, serving as chairman of the board until June 2011.

Metso to supply a pulp mill to Oji Paper to China
Metso will supply a greenfield kraft pulp mill to the Japanese Oji Paper Co. Ltd., to be built in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, in the southern part of China. Start-up of the pulp mill is scheduled at the end of 2012. The value of the order will not be disclosed. A typical value of this type of a pulp mill ranges from EUR 100 to 150 million depending on the scope of the delivery. More than a half of the order was included in Paper and Fiber Technology's Q2 orders received and the rest in Energy and Environmental Technology's Q2 orders received.

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