IP buys Weyerhaeuser packaging ops

International Paper (IP), Memphis, TN, pays Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, WA, $6 billion in cash for its Containerboard, Packaging and Recycling (CBPR) business.

Deal, which IP expects to close in 3Q08, involves approximately 14,300 employees at nine containerboard mills with 6.3 million tons capacity, 72 packaging locations with 99.4 billion square feet capacity, 10 specialty-packaging plants, four kraft bag/sack locations with 199,000 tons capacity, 19 recycling facilities.

Deal does not include:

• Weyerhaeuser’s corrugated plant in Hawaii (being closed),
• Liquid Packaging ops in Longview, WA, which makes polyethylene- or nylon-coated board, for sale in Far East, or
• Newsprint & Specialty Papers facility, also in Longview.

Closing remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory review, receipt of financing. However, IP intends to finance transaction through debt, already has financing commitments from several lenders. IP projects that the acquisition will be earnings accretive in 2009 due largely to $400 million in annual cost savings/efficiency improvements.

“Weyerhaeuser has low-cost, well-run assets that complement our existing mill and converting system and offer significant synergies,” reports Carol Roberts, svp of IP’s packaging business. “The acquisition expands our geographic presence in the US and Mexico and diversifies our customer base in key product lines. All of this will make our packaging business more competitive, more profitable and better able to serve customers,” she predicts. Weyerhaeuser plans to use most of proceeds to pay down debt. Market reacts with mixed feelings. Weyerhaeuser stock closes up $1.09 to $63.06 on 17 March 2008, while IP stock closes down $2.79 at $29.47. Follow-up: Containerboard Sales, James Lewis, central region, +1 901-419-4653, james.lewis@ipaper.com; Steve Gulotta, eastern region, +1 203-541-8413, steve.gulotta@ipaper.com; Marcus Rozatti, western region, +1 951-898-9320; marcus.rozatti@ipaper.com; Link: www.internationalpaper.com.

Pro Mach adds to labeling/coding/marking group

Pro Mach, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, expands its Identification and Tracking Business Unit with acquisition of Labeling Systems, Inc. (LSI), Oakland, NJ. LSI designs, manufactures turnkey pressure-sensitive labeling systems used by makers of beverages, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, other consumer/industrial goods. “We’re pleased to welcome the LSI team, including its distributors and agents,” says John W. Paxton Sr., chairman/ceo of Pro Mach. Jack Roe, evp/gm of LSI, joins Pro Mach as vp/gm over new division, reports to Bob Zuilhof, president of Pro Mach’s Identification and Tracking Business Unit. Ted Zaccheo, LSI founder/ceo, will retire by end of March 2008. “My goal for a long time has been to retire before I turned 60 and to leave LSI in good hands,” says Zaccheo, who co-founded company in 1979. “I will make my goal by 27 days.” In addition to LSI, Pro Mach’s Identification and Tracking Business Unit includes ID Technology, Fort Worth, TX, a supplier of label printer-applicators, bar code printers, laser marking equipment, peripherals, supplies, service. Other Pro Mach divisions focus on primary packaging, end-of-line equipment. Follow-up: At Pro Mach, Marketing Department, +1 513-831-8778, info@ProMachInc.com; Link: www.ProMachInc.com; at LSI, Marketing Department, +1 201-405-0767, lsi@labelingsystems.com; Link: www.labelingsystems.com; at ID Tech, Marketing Department, +1 817-626-7779, info@idtechnology.com; Link: www.idtechnology.com.

Cosmetic/personal-care packaging moves into bioplastics

CSI/Cosmolab, Oxnard, CA, partners with Cereplast, Inc., Hawthrone, CA, to develop bioplastic packaging for cosmetics, personal-care products. Injection molder of jars, closures plans to use materials from Cereplast Hybrid Resins family to produce double-walled jars and closures, extend sustainability efforts. First hybrid resin, Biopropylene, consists of 50/50 blend of petroleum-, starch-based resin. “The Cereplast resin boasts the lowest carbon footprint of any product offered by our company,” says Hiram Santana, product development manager, CSI/Cosmolab. Firm also produces polypropylene containers with post-consumer recycled content. Follow-up: At CSI/Cosmolab, +1 805-487-6698, info@csi-cosmolab.com; Link: www.csi-cosmolab.com; at Cereplast, Marketing Department, +1 310-676-5000, info@cereplast.com; Link: www.cereplast.com.

California grocers recycle 2.3 billion pounds of waste in 2006

In 2006 California grocers divert more than 2.3 billion pounds of plastic, paper, corrugated, wood, green waste, animal products from landfills. According to survey by California Grocers Association (CGA), Sacramento, CA, some stores recycle more than 50% of their solid waste. Based on responses from 1,763 members (54%), CGA estimates in 2006 grocers recycled 1.2 billion pounds of corrugated/paper, or more than 371,000 pounds/store; 55.7 million pounds of solid plastic, plastic film, bags, foam, or roughly 17,000 pounds/store; 10.8 million pounds of waxed corrugated, or more than 3,300 pounds/store; 298 million pounds of wood pallets/scrap wood, or nearly 92,000 pounds/store. According to CGA’s Jill Rulon, acting president, “California grocers continue to play an integral role in the State’s recycling efforts.” Number of participants grows annually, along with number of products recycled. Follow-up: Dave Heylen, vp communications, +1 916-448-3545, dheylen@cagrocers.com; Link: www.cagrocers.com.

First handled PET bottle for liquor spurs vodka sales

Consumers, retailers like new handled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle so much, sales of McCormick vodka are rising, distribution is expanding. According to McCormick Distilling Co., Weston, MO, 1.75-litre (L) bottle from Amcor PET Packaging, Manchester, MI, is first commercial PET liquor bottle with built-in handle. Although large, handled PET bottles for cranberry juice appeared on market several years ago, until now, choices for handled liquor bottles have been limited to glass or polyvinyl chloride. “McCormick is the number two domestic vodka brand,” reports Jim Zargo, president/coo, McCormick. “With a lot of competition in the value-priced category, we were looking for a way to differentiate ourselves,” he explains. “We…looked at a clip-on version, but found out pretty quickly that it wouldn’t support the 1.75L volume,” he recalls. Ordinarily handle designs are incompatible with PET due to difficulty of blowmolding around grip, but two-year development effort between McCormick, Amcor achieves success by ensuring extruded solid polypropylene grip is perfectly placed in mold. “If that is not done correctly or if the material isn’t heated just right, you either won’t ‘capture’ the grip or you will puncture the material,” explains Jonathan Jarman, project engineer, Amcor. Project also necessitates construction of purpose-built, proprietary reheat/blow machine, which is installed at Amcor’s plant in Nicolasville, KY, Amcor’s center of excellence for liquor packaging. Bottle also emulates look of McCormick’s previous 1.75L design, compensates for volume displaced by grip by raising shoulder while reducing neck height. Follow-up: Latricia Fry, Marketing Manager, DPD, +1 734-302-2802, latricia.fry@amcorpet.com; Link: www.amcor.com.

Wind power supplies some of SC Johnson’s energy needs

Wind energy now supplies 46% of power requirements for manufacturing plant in Bay City, MI, owned by SC Johnson, Racine, WI. SC Johnson’s second largest plant receives energy from Harvest Wind Farm, LLC, Oliver/Chandler Townships, MI, via agreement with Spartan Renewable Energy, Cadillac, MI. Deal is one of first manufacturing uses of wind power in Michigan, reserves company’s total annual capacity of 31.5 million kilowatt hours for Bay City plant. SC Johnson estimates switch to wind power will prevent 29,500 tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to taking almost 3,000 cars off road. “In addition to helping accomplish our global renewable energy goal, this initiative further reduces the company’s reliance on coal-fired electricity,” says Fisk Johnson, chairman/ceo of SC Johnson. Conversion to renewable energy source enables SC Johnson to achieve two more of its 2011 environmental goals -- 8% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in US between 2005, 2011, 12% absolute reduction in GHG emissions worldwide between 2000, 2012. Bay City project follows efforts to slash coal-fired energy dependence at company’s largest global manufacturing plant, Waxdale, located in Racine, WI, which generates average daily base-load of electricity via cogeneration turbines. First turbine, installed in 2003, uses methane piped from local public landfill, second one, installed in 2005, relies primarily on natural gas.

SiOx-coated PET bottle debuts for Canadian wine

Artisan Wine Co., Oliver, BC, Canada, launches Painted Turtle wines in barrier-coated 750-millilitre polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from Ball Corp., Broomfield, CO.

Ball represents sole North American source of barrier bottles using Plasmax silicon oxide coating technology, developed by SIG Plasmax GmbH, Hamburg, Germany, part of SIG Holding Ltd., Neuhausen, Germany.

Transparent, ultra thin (less than 100 nanometres), interior coating resists cracking, abrasion, delamination, does not degrade over time, so length of time bottle inventory can be stored is not limited by barrier material. Two bottle styles, one for Semillion/Chardonnary, one for Cabernet/Shiraz, feature aluminum screw caps from G3 Enterprises, Modesto, CA.

Brand sells through Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), Toronto, ON, Canada. “LCBO works with suppliers to offer more products in alternative packaging, such as PET plastic bottles, because each plastic bottle contains significantly less material than each comparable glass bottle,” explains David Fallis, vp of Operations for Artisan Wine Co. “The combination of the PET bottle and screw cap closure give our customers a more convenient, environmentally friendly wine packaging choice.

Because Ball’s PET bottles are approximately one-tenth the weight of the average glass bottle, they can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the supply chain, plus the Plasmax barrier coating…makes these bottles…easy to recycle.”

Study conducted according to protocols of PETCORE, Brussels, Belgium, shows recycling process removes Plasmax coating. Thus, it poses no negative effects to PET recycling stream. Follow-up: At Ball, Plastic Beverage Containers, +1 303-469-3131, corpinfo@ball.com; Link: www.ball.com; at SIG, Marketing Department, +49 40 67907-364, sigplasmax@sig.biz; Link: www.sig.biz; at G3, +1 800-321-8747; Link: www.g-3enterprises.com.

Winery receives carbon neutral certification

New Zealand Wine Co. (NZWC), Wellington, New Zealand, achieves carbon neutral recertification for facility, products. Maker of Grove Mill, Sanctuary, Frog Haven wines, measures greenhouse gas emissions under emerging British Standard PAS2050, recertifies under carboNZeroCERT program, developed by Landcare Research New Zealand, Lincoln, New Zealand, independently audited by Deloitte New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. To achieve further improvements, winery plans to adopt lightweighted glass containers beginning with 2008 vintage. “Our position as a pioneer in this field has seen us garner huge amounts of media attention and business opportunities,” says Rob White, NZWC ceo. “The model of aligning our environmental and business aspirations was adopted by the board two years and we are beginning to see this come to fruition through significant sales growth,” he notes. “Retailers are beginning to ask their suppliers to provide carbon-neutral solutions to consumers,” reports Roger Kerrison, sustainable development manager for NZWC. “Firstly we now trade with a number of retailers such as Sainsbury, Tesco and Waitrose who are actively looking for environmentally responsible suppliers. Secondly we have been selected by the Thresher Group to provide carbon neutral wines for their Origin ethical range. I am aware of around 50 other wineries around the world that are undertaking carbon neutral certification. Proliferation of these wines will allow retailers to set up carbon neutral sections much like we have seen with organic produce.”

Low levels of PLA contamination make recycled PET unusable

Less than one polylactic acid (PLA) bottle mixed with 1,000 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles makes recycled PET (RPET) unsuitable for use in containers, sheet, dramatically reduces its value. Results of independent evaluation by PTI-Europe SARL, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, commissioned by Technical Committee of Petcore, Brussels, Belgium, contradicts manufacturer claims that PLA bioplastic at levels up to 0.1% would not hinder recycling or damage quality of PET reyclate. Testing shows that level of PLA affects esthetics such as color, haze of RPET bottles, sheet. In addition, presence of PLA disrupts recycling process because lower melting point causes flakes to stick to one another, to RPET, to equipment. Findings raise fears that very low levels of PLA contamination will render RPET nearly useless for anything except noncritical fiber applications, a market where demand is declining. Unfortunately, it appears current sorting technology cannot remove enough PLA bottles to prevent problems. According to Sue Ward, secretary general of Petcore, “PLA containers can be sorted manually if the label is still in place (it is brands that identify the resin in this case) or by polymer detection such as near-infrared….The efficiency of these [near-infrared] machines is in the high 90%s, [but]…even if a recycler runs three of these machines in series (best industry practice in Europe), they cannot remove 99.9% of PLA, even when set so tightly that an unacceptable quantity of good PET bottles is removed with the PLA.” As result, Petcore position statement concludes, even small market penetration of PLA threatens recycling infrastructure for PET containers in European Union where about 40 billion PET bottles (1 million metric tons) are being recycled, and continued success depends on input purity, sorting, recycling technologies, high-quality market outlets. Follow-up: At Petcore, PLA Report, +32 2 675 39 35, info@petcore.org; Link: www.petcore.org; at PTI, US office, Holland, OH, +1 419-867-5400, info@plastictechnologies.com; Link: www.plastictechnologies.net.

Insulated shipper protects temperature-sensitive shipments

Custom thermal box simplifies loading, protects temperature-sensitive biopharmaceutical from Solstice Neurosciences Inc., Malvern, PA, for duration of shipping cycle. Customized AcuTemp shipper from AcuTemp Thermal Systems, Dayton, OH, weighs 60% less, occupies about one-third of space required for expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulated shipper it replaces. With new design, outer dimensions of 10 x 8.5 x 10.5 inches provide payload volume of 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches including coolants. AccuTemp shipper maintains product at 2-8 C for 48 hours, consists of recyclable components including outer corrugated case, coolant packs, proprietary ThermoCor® high-performance vacuum panel insulation. At 45 R value/inch, vacuum panels perform significantly better than EPS or polyurethane options. Testing in AcuTemp’s in-house lab, which is certified by International Safe Transit Association, East Lansing, MI, confirms one-way shipper provides sufficient protection against in-transit damage. “The new AcuTemp solution meets our shipping requirements, and its performance was confirmed through extensive testing,” states Alison Becker, director, Customer Relations and Information Management for Solstice. Although Becker prefers to keep cost comparison between AcuTemp shipper and previous insulated shipper confidential, she notes, AcuTemp shipper “provides us with a smaller and lighter weight box than we have used in the past, providing advantages in [handling], shipping and warehousing.” Follow-up: Linda A. Raisch, marketing coordinator, +1 937-312-0114, ext 280, lraisch@acutemp.com; Link: www.acutemp.com.

Tortilla bag takes top AIMCAL honors

Bag for 1-kilogram of Harina Tortillas Selecta tortilla mix from Molinera de México SA de CV, Naucalpan, Mexico, receives Metallized Product of the Year Award.

Annual competition sponsored by Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL), Fort Mill, SC, honors member Grafo Regia, Monterrey, Mexico, for its role in design, converting of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)/ink/adhesive/metallized BOPP/adhesive/2.25-mil modified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bag. (1) Structure provides excellent sealability, barrier properties. Matte finish with metallized details stands out on store shelves compared to competing products in paper or fabric bags. Bag format represents source reduction compared to bag-in-carton packaging often seen in dry baking mix category. Other participants in project include BOPP supplier Biofilm SA, Puerto Industrial Altamira, Mexico; metallizer Poligal (Polipropileno de Galicia) SA, Naron, Spain; contract packager Molinos Azteca SA de CV, Guadalupe, Mexico.

Uflex Limited, Noida, India, takes home Marketing Award in Packaging: Food Category for stand-up pouch (SUP) for Tata Tea Limited, Kolkata, India. (2) SUP format, high-quality graphics, easy-opening laser score, zipper reclosure differentiate tea from its competition, discourage copycats As single-source supplier, Uflex produces films, metallizes one layer, converts 12-micron reverse-printed polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/12-micron metallized polyester/50-micron blown LDPE lamination. Pouch-making machine brings five webs together in register to form SUP with two side gussets, one bottom gusset. Uflex also serves as contract packager, fills tea on fill-seal machine.

Unifoil Corp., Fairfield, NJ, sweeps Packaging: Healthcare Category, captures both Marketing Award, Technical Award. Marketing Award goes to holographic set-up box with matching promotional folder, envelope for Sarah Jessica Parker Covet perfume from Coty, New York, New York. (3) Based on design created by Coty, Unifoil converts polyester from Toray Plastics America Inc., North Kingston, RI, which has been metallized by Celplast Metallized Products, Toronto, ON, Canada. Box wrap consists of gold, acrylic-coated, 48-gauge polyester laminated to 80-pound, coated-one-side paper. Light green raised printing adds texture. Complementary promotional folder, envelope consist of gold, acrylic-coated, metallized, 48-gauge polyester laminated, respectively, to 20-, 11.4-point coated-two-side Invercote Creato solid bleached paperboard from Iggesund Paperboard Inc., Lyndhurst, NJ. Graytor Printing Co. Inc., Lyndhurst, NJ, performs contract packaging duties.Unifoil receives Technical Award in Packaging: Healthcare Category for barrier carton for Puffs with Vicks tissues from Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH. (4) Metallized polyester barrier layer offers better water vapor transmission values, lower cost compared to traditional foil/paperboard barrier structure, prevents odor, moisture, vapor loss, protects product freshness for duration of distribution cycle, extends shelf life, prevents distinctive smell of Vicks from permeating environment around product. Carton consists of aqueous-printed, stain-resistant, 20-pound Millmask clay-coated news from Rock-Tenn, St. Paul, MN, laminated to metallized, coextruded, 36-gauge PA10 polyester. Unifoil performs converting duties using polyester supplied, metallized by Toray. Contract packaging occurs at Rock-Tenn. Technical hurdles include production of curl-free lamination so there’s no slowdown in carton erecting, filling, plus selection of adhesive to ensure uncoated coextruded polyester seals properly. Follow-up: At Grafo Regia, Abel Coello Quintanilla, sales manager, +83 28 68 00, acoequi@graforegia.com.mx; Link: http://www.graforegia.com.mx; at Biofilm, Mauricio Moreno (Bogota, Colombia), +57 1-630-4470, mauriciom@mail.biofilm.com.co; Link: www.biofilm.com.co; at Poligal, +34 981 32 05 05, poligal@poligal.es; Link: www.poligal.es; at Uflex, Pradeep Tyle, senior president, +91 120 3982121, ext. 252, ptyle@flexfilm.com; Link: www.flexfilm.com; at Unifoil, Joseph Funicelli, +1 973-244-9900, jfunicelli@unifoil.com; Link: www.unifoil.com; at Toray, Eric Bartholomay, product development manager, +1 401-294-4511, ext. 2015, eric.bartholomay@Toraytpa.com; Link: www.TorayFilms.com; at Celplast, Jim Lush, account manager, +1 416-293-4330, ext. 235; jim@celplast.com; Link: cmp.celplast.com; at Iggesund, Sales Office, +1 201-804-9977; Link: www.iggesund.com; at Graytor, Marketing Department, +1 201-933-0100, info@graytor.com; Link: www.graytor.com; at Rock-Tenn, Paperboard Division, +1 877-643-5414, dvandeford@rocktenn.com; Link: www.rocktenn.com.

Baby-friendly PP sip cap tops PET bottle for organic juice

Hot-fillable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container with polypropylene (PP) sippy-top cap delivers nutritious juice to toddlers in 8-ounce (240-millilitre) size that travels well. First organic fruit, vegetable formulations from First Juice, Inc., Mt. Freedom, NJ, fortified with calcium, vitamins A, C, D, contain juice blended with purified water, 50% less sugar than leading 100% fruit juice products. Designed from scratch with parents in mind, patent-pending, no-spill PP closure with clear overcap comes equipped with silicone valve similar to dispensing systems for condiments. Sourced from TricorBraun, St. Louis, MO, spout’s sloped design prevents chewing, clamping tendencies by toddlers. Ball Corp., Broomfield, CO, supplies 8-ounce container as well as 32-ounce (946-millilitre) PET refill bottle. Larger container features PP twist-off cap, also from TricorBraun. First Juice requires suppliers to certify packaging is free of bisphenol A, phthalates, lead. “…we also have had independent labs test our plastics to ensure that we deliver what we say,” reports David Glasser, founder/ceo of First Juice. Like any other sippy cup, reusable sippy-top container needs cleaning between uses. When no longer reused, PET containers recycle easily. Full-body polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) shrink sleeve labels feature eye-catching green/orange for Apple+Carrot flavor, yellow/orange for Banana+Carrot, incorporate tamper-evident band on 8-ounce size. Seal-It, a division of Printpack, Farmingdale, NY, flexo-prints labels in eight colors. Label illustration of toddler on tricycle matches “training wheels for healthy eating” tag line. Available nationwide at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Babies R Us stores, brand sells for suggested retail price of $1.99-$2.49 for 8-ounce container; $3.49-$4.49 for 32-ounce. Follow-up: At Ball, Scott McCarty, director, Corporate Relations, +1 303-469-3131, smccarty@ball.com; Link: www.ball.com; at Seal-It, Barbara Drillings, marketing communication manager, +1 516-935-3965, bdrillings@printpack.com; Link: www.printpack.com; at TricorBraun, Marketing Department, +1 314-569-3633, marketing@tricorbraun.com; Link: www.tricorbraun.com.

Small container makes honey portable, promotes Bee Movie

Golden Heritage Foods (GHF), Hillsboro, KS, adds 2-ounce, shrink-sleeve-labeled polypropylene container to its honey line-up as co-promotion for Bee Movie. Licensed by DreamWorks, Glendale, CA, to make honey products that look like characters in movie, GHF designs Barry Bee bottle in 2-ounce “to-go” size. Custom shape, graphics printed in four-color process plus one spot color on polyethylene terephthalate shrink sleeve label recreate Barry Bee character. Flip-top dispensing closure from Seaquist, Mukwonago, WI, enhances convenience, measures 28-millimetre (mm) in diameter with 6mm orifice. Additional sourcing details remain proprietary. “It’s very exciting to offer consumers a whole new convenient way to use honey,” says Dwight Stoller, ceo of GHF, which packages millions of pounds of honey each year at plants in Kansas, Ohio. “It’s the perfect size for active families, for the office or to enjoy practically anywhere,” he adds. Limited edition packaging requires several packaging line changes including addition of steam tunnels to shrink labels snugly on contoured bottle, as well as robotic case loading to keep up with faster 200-bottle/minute line speed of smaller 2-ounce containers. Secondary packaging consists of 36-count retail cases. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 262-363-7191, info@seaquistclosures.com; Link: www.seaquistclosures.com.

Process prints eye-catching detail on aluminum bevcans

Proprietary technology brings improved definition, finely detailed beverage can graphics to North American market. Exclusive to Ball Corp., Broomfield, CO, Eyeris six-color process technology creates premium, on-shelf differentiation. First US user, Jones Soda, Seattle, WA, decorates limited edition cans with crisp photographs of three Seattle Seahawks players for football-inspired flavored sodas sold in fall 2007. According to Jennifer Hoover, manager, Marketing Communications at Ball, Eyeris technology makes it possible for existing offset printing equipment to “hold higher and tighter line screens and smaller dots resulting in a greatly increased level of detail in the graphics, which in turn enables the use of far more realistic images on cans. For example, now images of people printed on cans look more like photographic images and can have realistic skin tones, something that cannot be done with conventional beverage can printing.” She also notes process differs from high-resolution can printing technologies Ball offers elsewhere in world, including waterless printing, laser-imaged plates. Available on any of Ball’s 18 beverage can sizes, Eyeris process is compatible with all filling processes, retorting. Ball does not discuss pricing specifics publicly, but Hoover says, premium look does come at premium price. Follow-up: Jennifer Hoover, +1 303-460-5541, jhoover@ball.com; Link: www.ball.com.

InterFlex buys UK flexible packaging firm, adds US facility

With purchase of EBR Ltd., Sunderland, UK, InterFlex Group, Inc., Wilkesboro, NC, enhances market position in bakery, snack food sectors. Newly acquired EBR folds into InterFlex Scotland subsidiary, Dalkeith, UK, which will operate both factories, supply major global packaged food companies in UK, Ireland with array of film, paper laminations; cold-seal, coated structures; wax paper; polyethylene bags. In US, flexible packaging converter expands organically, opens 25,000-square-foot converting facility in North Carolina with slitting, laminating, coating, pouch/bag making, printing capacity. According to InterFlex Group’s Stephen Doyle, ceo, “The integration with EBR creates a financially robust multi-site packaging supplier offering UK customers the full complement of products and technical support….This transaction, in conjunction with our US expansion, significantly enhances…[our] technical capabilities and pushes revenues above the $100 million level.” Follow-up: William Elkin, +1 336-921-3505, ext. 245, belkin@interflexgroup.com; Link: www.interflexgroup.com.

OES optimizes performance at multi-site packaging suppliers

FlexNet for Packaging Manufacturers operations execution system (OES) software from Apriso, Long Beach, CA, standardizes systems of far-flung operations. Designed especially for producers of flexible, polyethylene terephthalate, metal, glass packaging, software offers preconfigured, best-practice business processes for production, quality, warehouse, maintenance, time/labor, seamlessly integrates converting line automation with enterprise systems to improve quality, reduce waste, increase sustainability. In use by Amcor, Melbourne, Australia, at 50 sites, software provides supply chain visibility, synchronizes production with supply chain processes, improves sustainability profile by increasing asset utilization, lowering energy consumption, reducing waste, improving overall productivity. Follow-up: Jordan Berkley, industry director, Mill Products, +1 562-951-8000; Link: www.apriso.com/industries/packaging.htm.

White Paper offers guidance on COOL law for produce

What You Need to Know Now About Complying With Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Rules white paper analyzes requirements taking effect 30 September 2008. Published by United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, DC, author Autumn Veazey, associate counsel, offers advice for every segment of produce supply chain from grower-shippers to retailers. Free to members, paper costs $25 for non-members. Follow-up: Autumn Veazey, +1 202-303-3400, aveazey@unitedfresh.org; Link: www.unitedfresh.org.

ABA uses World Water Day to raise environmental profile

To mark World Water Day, 22 March 2008, American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, DC, focuses on industry’s environmental accomplishments. Set by United Nations, New York, NY/Geneva, Switzerland, observance of World Water Day dates from 1993, focuses on improving access to clean water, sanitation. “The beverage industry understands the importance of strong, healthy water systems and the need to conserve natural resources,” says Susan K. Neely, ABA president/ceo. “Importantly, our industry has taken upon itself a unique leadership role amongst all industries in helping nations develop strong water management strategies,” she adds. As part of its leadership plan, ABA becomes founding member of Alliance for Water Efficiency, Chicago, IL, a US nonprofit dedicated to efficient, sustainable water use, works with National Recycling Coalition’s National Recycling Partnership, Washington, DC, to revitalize recycling in America. Member companies support own initiatives like distribution of Ethos water by PepsiCo, Purchase, NY. Sales raise funds for water, sanitation, hygiene education programs in Africa, Asia. Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, GA, pledges to reduce water use, funds watershed conservation efforts. Nestle Waters North America, Greenwich, CT, designs plants to conserve water, electricity, minimize waste, safeguards acreage around its spring sources, works with The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, to protect natural habitats. In response to rising level of criticism, association notes bottled water containers make up only one-third of 1% of US waste stream. In addition, suppliers continue to reduce water/energy usage, lightweight containers, support recycling, incorporate more recycled content in packaging, encourage consumers to recycle empties. Follow-up: At ABA, Industry Water Management PracticesIinitiatives; Link: www.ameribev.org; at Alliance, Mary Ann Dickinson, executive director, +1 773-360-5100, maryann@a4we.org; Link: www.allianceforwaterefficiency.com; at National Recycling Partnership, +202-789-1430, info@nrc-recycle.org; Link: www.nrc-recycle.org.

ShortRuns: General/PTI… Rock-Tenn… Orchids Paper…

General Packer Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, appoints PTI Packaging Systems, Tuckahoe, NY, exclusive Americas agent for its automated p