Packaging Briefs – Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ball announces plans to consolidate salmon can plant production
Ball Corporation announced today plans to consolidate the production equipment in its Richmond, British Columbia, plant into other company manufacturing facilities. The Richmond plant, which produces steel food cans, will cease production during the first quarter of 2011 and its customers will be served by other Ball facilities.

PTI offers PET testing to help brand owners
Plastic Technologies, Inc. is now offering recycling stream impact testing services for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers (including resins, additives, adhesives, labels, etc.).

Novelis proposes closure of Bridgnorth, UK, plant
Novelis announced the proposed closure of its Bridgnorth, UK, foil rolling and packaging operations in 2011 and the consolidation of those activities into other plants in its European system. The proposal is subject to consultation with Novelis employees at Bridgnorth, which currently number 319.

Crown Holdings, Inc. announces agreement to acquire partner's interest in Chinese and Vietnamese joint ventures
Crown Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into agreements to acquire, from affiliates of Swire Pacific Limited, their 44.57% interest in the holding company for Crown's four joint venture facilities in China and their 49% interest in the holding company for Crown's joint venture facility in Hanoi, Vietnam for an aggregate purchase price of $150 million. Consolidated 2009 net sales for the above operations was approximately $250 million. Upon consummation of the acquisition, the holding companies will be wholly-owned subsidiaries of Crown.

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