Packaging Briefs – TUESDAY, MAY 4

Klöckner Pentaplast announces plans to invest in new European capacity
The management of the Klöckner Pentaplast Group announced that the company plans to further enhance its production capabilities and product quality in the European market with a €40 Mio ($54 Mio) investment in new state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. This business decision allows kp to optimize capacity and streamline production processes for the shrink-label films, food, thermoforming, boxmaking, adhesive tape, and decorative surfaces business segments. Klöckner Pentaplast has ordered the new machinery which is targeted for start-up beginning in the first half of 2011. The Kempten (Germany) and Graben-Neudorf (Germany) facilities will not be closed until the new machinery is operational and film from those lines has been qualified by the customers. The closure of the Muri (Switzerland) site is possible.

Constar International Inc. Announces Resignation of Michael Hoffman; Ruth Mack to Serve as Interim President and CEO
Constar International Inc. announced that Michael J. Hoffman has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, effective today, to pursue other opportunities. Constar’s Board of Directors has initiated a search for Mr. Hoffman’s replacement. In the interim, Ruth J. Mack will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, in addition to her current role as a member of Constar’s Board of Directors.

Catalent Pharma Solutions Appoints New Packaging Services Segment President
Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc. announced the appointment of Barry D. Russell as Group President, Commercial Packaging, effective May 1, 2010. Mr. Russell will have full responsibility for Catalent’s Packaging Services segment, including leading more than 2,200 employees at nine pharmaceutical packaging and printing facilities in both North America and Europe. Mr. Russell will report to John Chiminski, President and CEO of Catalent, and will be based in Catalent’s flagship Philadelphia packaging facility. David Heyens, the current incumbent, will simultaneously step down from the role.

Graphic Packaging Increases Prices on SUS Paperboard
Graphic Packaging International, Inc. a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, recently announced a price increase of its solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) paperboard, effective with shipments on or after May 31, 2010. The price of GPI's coated folding carton grades Pearl-Kote and Omni-Kote will increase by $40 per ton. Aqua-Kote, GPI's carrier grade, will increase by $45 per ton.

RockTenn Announces Price Increase on Millennium Grades of Paperboard Products
RockTenn announces today a $40 per ton price increase on Millennium® grades of 100% high strength recycled paperboard. Price increases are effective with shipments on June 7, 2010.

Kraton Polymers Announces European SIS Price Increase
Kraton Polymers LLC (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, “Kraton”), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, announces a general price increase in Europe, Africa and the Middle East of Euro 150 /MT for Kraton SIS and SIBS polymers across all markets and end-uses. Subject to the terms of any applicable contracts, these price increases will take effect June 1, 2010.

H.B. Fuller Announces North American Price Increase
H.B. Fuller Company announced that it will implement a price increase on its water-based, hot melt and reactive adhesives sold in North America. The increases will average between 8 and 15 percent, depending on technology, and will be effective on June 1, 2010.

MWV studies compostable food service packaging
As part of its sustainable packaging development efforts, MeadWestvaco Corp. closely examined the impact and effects of its compostable food service packaging by studying the implementation of its MWare product at its corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va. MWV followed its product from fiber sourcing to consumer end use to its deposit into a composting bin, and finally to its return to the lifecycle as organic fertilizer available to local businesses. The company produced a video to showcase the sustainability of its product and to help customers better understand the opportunities of compostable packaging. The video will debut in conjunction with International Compost Awareness Week.

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