Hartness develops labeling/decorating solution to compete with ACL, sleeves, paper

Hartness International, Greenville, SC, is a packaging machinery manufacturer. But it prefers to be thought of as a packaging solutions developer. Its latest offering, Uvaclear™, a line of organic inks being promoted initially for direct-on-glass container screen printing, moves Hartness further into the “solutions” camp.

Uvaclear is a new line of “ecologically friendly” inks that are ultraviolet curable in about ¼ of a second. Uvaclear inks are initially being marketed to beer, beverage, wine and spirits packagers and the glass container suppliers who serve them.

Hartness has formed a new division – Hartness Inks – to further develop the inks and expand their markets by providing design and integration services. It is partnering with INX International, Schaumburg, IL, and Kammann Machinies, Inc., St. Charles, IL, on its direct print ink business. INX will manufacture Uvaclear inks – at least initially – at its Edwardsville, KS facility. Hartness Inks will utilize the INX International’s worldwide distribution network to supply customers globally. Kammann will build and sell screen printing equipment for the Uvaclear inks. Current top speed of the equipment is about 200 bottles/minute.

“Compared to ACL (Applied Ceramic Labeling) and other organic inks,” says Cindy Fruth, commercial director of Hartness Inks, “Uvaclear can improve productivity, as bottles can be immediately handled after screen printing.” Further, she notes, “the organic nature of the ink makes it suitable for recycling as it is burned off during the recycling process without contamination. “ACL and other organic inks require curing at high temperatures (400-1100°F) for 45-90 minutes. Other UV-cured inks also require post-curing in annealing ovens or lehrs to optimize properties. A typical lehr handling ACL consumes 100,000-250,000 cubic feet of gas/day. Organic inks require slightly less due to lower temperatures and cure times…” Follow-up: Cindy Fruth, +1 262-835-1637; cfruth@hartness.com; Link: www.hartness-inks.com.

Coca-Cola’s Burn energy drink pioneers resealable bevcan

Addressing major consumer complaint about beverage cans, Coca-Cola France, Issy les Moulineaux, France, adopts resealable end for 500-millitire cans of Burn energy drink.

Launched commercially in March 2008 in France, resealable aluminum end from Ball Packaging Europe, Ratingen, Germany, features flat plastic mechanism that twists open, reclosed. “The resealable end marks a major advance in beverage packaging, and the French trade understood it: They all welcomed the innovation with enthusiasm,” reports Vincent Bouin, marketing manager at Coca-Cola France.

Pre-launch survey by Coca-Cola shows resealable end significantly increases consumer appeal by enhancing can’s convenience, portability, differentiating brand from competition.

Ball, Coca-Cola and inventor of the resealable end, Antonio Perra, director of Bound2B BV, Alkmaar, The Netherlands, spend several years perfecting combination of easy opening with drip-tightness, pressure stability. Compatible with steel or aluminum bevcans, Ball Resealable End enables can to retain its traditional shape, inherent stackability, tamper evidence, light/gas barrier, chill retention, recyclability. Amount of plastic used is so small it reportedly exerts no impact on recycling process. “Extensive consumer trials have shown that…beverage cans are given preference due to their fresh, cool feel,” says Rob Miles, vp Sales & Marketing at Ball Packaging Europe. “However, the consumer sometimes turns to polyethylene terephthalate containers in certain situations because these are resealable. Thanks to our innovation, consumers can…enjoy refreshing, carbonated beverages from the beverage can and reseal it again,” he concludes. Follow-up: Sylvia Bloemker, +49 21 02 13 04 51, sylvia_bloemker@ball-europe.com; Link: www.ball-europe.com.

Relocation doubles production space for Spee-Dee

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. doubles production space for dry filling machines with relocation of corporate headquarters to larger facility in Sturtevant, WI. “In designing our production space, we incorporated a variety of Lean manufacturing strategies to promote a production process that is logical and highly efficient,” reports David Navin, the Business Development executive who oversaw expansion project. New facility accommodates 25% increase in workforce experienced in 2007, includes spacious testing center for factory acceptance testing. “We are now able to more closely simulate how our customers’ equipment will perform once it is fully operational within their facilities,” says Navin. “The additional space will also allow us to integrate complementary equipment such as conveyors, checkweighers and infeed systems from other manufacturers,” he adds. New address is 1360 Grandview Parkway, Sturtevant, WI 53177. Phone, fax, email addresses remain unchanged. Follow-up: Timm Johnson, vp, Sales/Marketing, +1 262-886-4402, info@spee-dee.com; Link: www.spee-dee.com.

PMMI website helps plan visit to Interpack

New website, www.PMMI.org/MakeSense, showcases North American packaging companies at Interpack, 24-30 April 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Website established by Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Arlington, VA, posts latest product news from members exhibiting at triennial packaging show, as well as floor plan with member locations. Site also offers keyword search function, access to PMMI’s Packaging Trends Report, registration point for PACK EXPO International, 9-13 November 2008 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Three of the many innovations to be shown at Interpack include:

Wireless Ethernet Adaptor links Phantom metal detector from Fortress Technology Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada, to personal computer where Contact Communication software collects, records quality assurance data without need for physical connection. Record keeping capability makes it possible for metal detector to serve as critical control point in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point safety program.

Adjustable Pouch King continuous-motion, horizontal form-fill-seal machine from RA Jones & Co. Inc., Covington, KY, runs 500 pouches/minute, adjusts to different pouch sizes with few/no change parts. Simplified path expedites web threading, helps minimize changeover time. Lower seal bar temperatures accommodate thinner substrates.

PacDrive Robot P3 from ELAU, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, a Delta-3 robot designed for pick-and-place packaging applications, consists primarily of composite materials to reduce weight, boost speed to 160 cycles/minute. With vertical picker path of up to 230 millimetres (mm), robot covers work envelope with diameter of 1100mm. Follow-up: At PMMI; Link: www.PMMI.org/MakeSense; at Fortress, Sales Department, +1 416-754-2898, sales@fortresstechnology.com; Link: www.fortresstechnology.com; at Jones, Marketing Department, +1 859-578-4497, www.oystar.rajones.com; at ELAU, John Kowal, global marketing manager, +1 847-490-4270, john.kowal@elau.com; Link: www.elau.com.

UL mark moves onto bottled water labels

UL Certified Water Quality Mark on label identifies bottled water certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, IL.

Program marks first time UL has certified a packaged food product. Water Quality Mark provides consumers with assurance that bottled water plants/products meet quality, safety standards of Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC, International Bottled Water Association, Alexandria, VA.

With several bottled water producers already working on certification, first brands to carry mark should appear on store shelves before end of 2008. Display of mark requires ongoing compliance with certification requirements, which is confirmed by periodic facility inspections, as well as adherence to print reproduction specifications for mark itself. Cost of certification varies depending on number of facilities, product lines involved. Research study undertaken in 2007 convinces UL to add bottled water program, shows consumers prefer bottled water brands that carry UL Mark to point that many would switch brands or pay more for independently certified product. “The UL Mark is one of the most widely recognized and trusted safety symbols in the world,” explains Ann Marie Gebhart, UL Water Program director. “Bottled water manufacturers who partner with UL can now very effectively communicate their commitment to the quality and safety of their products,” she adds. UL’s water laboratory holds certification from 48 states, Puerto Rico to rank as one of most credentialed laboratories for bottled water analysis. Follow-up: Dan Klaybor, +1 800-332-4345, ext. 45530, Daniel.C.Klaybor@us.ul.com; Link: www.ul.com.

Eliminating foam, drop in weight make package ‘eco-thoughtful’

Murray’s Chickens, New City, NY, converts to multilayer barrier film package, ends use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam trays for its poultry products.

Change made in time for Earth Day, 22 April 2008, reduces primary, secondary packaging weight, volume, as well as waste headed to landfill.

Primary packaging consists of freezer-compatible, high-barrier formable bottom web, lidstock from Winpak Ltd., Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Proprietary adhesive reportedly emits significantly fewer byproducts than traditional adhesives, results in leak-resistant seal that eliminates need to bag product to protect shopping carts, refrigerators from drips.

Although no more recyclable than polyfilm-wrapped EPS tray it replaces, at 0.04 ounce, all-film package weighs 0.016 ounce less. Thicker film provides puncture-, abrasion resistance. “This allows us to package even bone-in products without the use of foam tray or added bone-guard sheet,” explains Steve Gold, vp, Marketing at Murray’s Chickens.

Sealed primary packaging also eliminates need for mother bag inside shipper. More significantly, elimination of foam trays means smaller package, more product/case, reduces size, weight of master case.

New one-way, corrugated master case measures 22.563 x 15.313 x 4.625 inches, weighs 1 pound, vs. previous 23 x 15.5 x 7-inch, 1.3-pound case. Smaller shipper makes it possible to stack more boxes/pallet, eliminate one truckload in 50, save 3,600 trees/year, remove equivalent of 1,128,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions/year (78 cars), reduce solid waste by 455,670 pounds/year.

Although all-film package is more expensive, elimination of mother bag, reduction in shipper size, improved cube equalizes costs. Murray’s installs new Repak RE20 form-fill-seal machine from Reiser, Canton, MA, to accommodate new package. Follow-up: At Reiser, Sales Department, +1 781-821-1290, sales@reiser.com; Link: www.reiser.com; at Winpak, Sales Department, +1 204-889-1015; Link: www.winpak.com.

Glass, plastic fragments prompt yogurt recall

Stonyfield Farm, Londonderry, NH, recalls 6-ounce cups of Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Blueberry Yogurt because it may contain fragments of glass, plastic. Recall involves Universal Product Code 0-52159-00044 with product codes on cup bottom that start with April 13, 14, 15, 25 or 26. Stonyfield issues recall following consumer complaints reporting glass, plastic fragments. There have been no reports of injury. “While we continue to investigate these complaints and believe that the risk of injury is extremely remote, we feel that this voluntary measure is the prudent and responsible step at this time,” states Gary Hirshberg, president/ceo.

Clinical trial provider adds, upgrades packaging facilities

Six new state-of-the-art packaging rooms, storage, distribution facilities add 72,000 square feet at Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies (GCS), Phoenixville, PA. Addition nearly doubles floor space to 153,000 square feet for single-source supplier of clinical trial materials support, service with operations in North America, Europe, Asia. Expansion project also upgrades flexibility, capacity of 20 primary, secondary packaging rooms at US operation. “The expansion and upgrading of our facilities and equipment is part of an ongoing and comprehensive effort to provide world class service to our customers,” says Vincent Santa Maria, president, adding, “Now more than ever Bilcare GCS has the capacity, expertise and capability to manage any project and to provide quality and service beyond compliance.” Upgrade includes labeling system software from PRISYM Medica, Charlotte, NC, plus increased stability storage, formulation, analytical service capacity. Follow-up: At Bilcare, Vincent Santa Maria, +1 610-422-3180, Link: www.BilcareGCS.com; at PRISYM, Sales Department, +1 704-409-2351, info@prisymidinc.com; Link: www.prisymls.com.

Stock temperature monitoring labels protect perishables

PakSense, Inc., Boise, ID, now offers standard configurations in Ultra family of time/temperature monitoring labels. Stock designs for frequently shipped perishables such as beef, poultry, seafood, produce simplify ordering process. “We found that 80% of our customers needed these standard label configurations,” says David Light, ceo of PakSense. However, “...we will continue to offer a label that can be customized with specific temperature ranges and graphics.” Stock labels come in seven temperature ranges, three time spans -- six, 15 or 30 days -- to protect perishable products from produce to frozen products. Pressure-sensitive labels are attached to product or packaging prior to shipping, activate by snapping corner. Each configuration allows for 30-minute cool-down period after activation, delays visual alert of temperature excursion for 30 minutes. Color-coding provides easy visual recognition. Follow-up: Amy Childress, marketing department, +1 208-639-1758, amy.childress@paksense.com; Link: www.paksense.com.

Paper recovery rate hits 56%, sets new record

Paper recovery rate hits 56% in 2007, meets industry goal five years ahead of schedule. With achievement, American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA), New York, NY, sets new goal of 60% recovery by 2012. “While the upward trend in recovery rates is most encouraging, getting to 60% is an important challenge for all of us,” says Patrick J. Moore, chairman/ceo, Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, IL, an AFPA member and major recycler, which collected more than 7 million tons of recyclable material in 2007 and is investing in waste sorting line technology to extract more fiber from waste stream. Recovery rate for 2007 represents 54.3 million tons of paper, or 360 pounds for each man, woman, child in America. Each percentage point increase equals approximately 1 million tons or enough to fill 14,000 railroad cars. Applauding the increase, Maria Vickers, deputy director of Office of Solid Waste, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, notes, “in 2007, the US recycled over 25 million tons more paper than was recycled in 1990. This increase in paper recycling reduced emissions by more than 97 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, comparable to the annual emissions of nearly 18 million cars.” Follow-up: Link: www.paperrecycles.org.

Indorama completes purchase of PET, PTA assets from Eastman

Indorama Polymers Public Co. Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand, closes on purchase of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), purified terephthalate acid (PTA) assets from Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN. Deal includes PET facility, related businesses in UK, as well as PET, PTA facilities, related businesses in The Netherlands. Indorama pays Eastman €224 million (US$354 million) in cash, subject to adjustments in working capital. Eastman projects transaction will result in gain for 1Q08. “This transaction completes Eastman’s divestitures of its non-strategic PET and PTA assets located outside the US,” says Gregory O. Nelson, Eastman evp/polymers business group head. In May 2007, Eastman completed sale of PET polymers manufacturing assets, related polyester resins business of Eastman Chemical Iberia, SA, San Roque, Spain, to La Seda de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Indorama’s US operations include StarPet Inc., Asheboro, NC, as well as largest PET plant in North America, which is under construction in Decatur, AL. Follow-up: At StarPet, +1 336-672-0101, info-sp@indorama.net; Link: www.indoramapolymers.com.

Blowmolder purchases container decorating firm

Alpha Packaging Inc., St. Louis, MO, acquires Technigraph Corp., Winona, MN, for undisclosed sum. With deal, Alpha, a $100-million blowmolder of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate bottles, jars for personal-care, pharmaceutical, nutritional supplement, niche food/beverage markets, expands decorating capabilities. Dave Spence, president/ceo of Alpha, which also offers in-house package design services, mold-making, custom tooling, says companies share many customers, common philosophy. “We’ve worked with Technigraph on many projects....We saw great synergies with…Technigraph’s decorating skills.” Technigraph operates as independent business unit, employs approximately 100 people at 135,000-square-foot facility in Winona. Follow-up: Sales Department, + 1 314-427-4300; Link: www.alphap.com.

Thiele broadens product line with acquisition of Nigrelli assets

Barry-Wehmiller’s Thiele Technologies, Minneapolis, MN, plans to acquire intellectual property, certain assets of Nigrelli Systems, Inc., Kiel, WI. Latest acquisition broadens Thiele’s expertise in cartoning, case packing, bagging, palletizing, feeding to include high-speed beverage tray packers for cans/bottles, high-speed shrink bundling, tray machinery, printed rollstock shrink bundling machinery, bottled water packers, plastic tray denesters, pallet shuffle systems. Thiele plans to build Nigrelli’s equipment in Minneapolis, as well as at its location in Reedley, CA. All Nigrelli engineering, sales, aftermarket support associates transfer to Thiele, remain with Nigrelli product lines. Follow-up: Larry Smith, president/ceo, +1 612-782-1200, sales@thieletech.com; Link: www.thieletech.com.

Folding carton adhesive adheres to hard-to-seal substrates

Solvent-free VelocityP3 33-711C, a multipurpose adhesive adheres well to difficult-to-stick substrates, withstands heat/cold. Adhesive from National Adhesives, Bridgewater, NJ, provides such good adhesion, it requires smaller quantity than other products for folding carton, glued lap applications. Compatible with most wheel, bottom pot equipment, adhesive improves line efficiency, virtually eliminates slinging, throwing, thus avoiding inside stickers. Follow-up: National Adhesives Information Center, Monroe, NJ, +1 800-797-4992, nscinquiry@salessupport.com; Link:
www.nationaladh.com/foldingcarton.

Converting business magazine wins sustainability award

Paper, Film & Foil Converter (PFFC) magazine, Chicago, IL, wins 2008 Publication of the Year award for its Green Converting issue in September 2007. PFFC’s issue receives recognition for its coverage of environmental compliance regulations, energy efficiency, Wal-Mart’s packaging initiative, adopting corporate culture of sustainability; five ways to create eco-conscious packaging. Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC), bestows award in Book/Collection: National Publication category. According to PNEAC’s Wayne P. Pferdehirt, “We received an exceptionally strong set of nominees for consideration for this year’s awards. The Paper, Film & Foil Converter staff should feel well-deserved pride knowing that its publication was judged by experts as truly contributing to the practical knowledge that printers can use to improve their environmental performance.” Follow-up: Link: www.pneac.org; www.pffc-online.com.

Shapely PET bottle shakes up premium juice category

Patent-pending, clear, hourglass-shaped, 54-ounce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle showcases fresh, 100% juice from select Valencia oranges. Shapely bottle for Tropicana Pure Valencia, Valencia Pulp, Valencia Mango from Tropicana Products, Inc., division of PepsiCo, Inc., New York, NY, features twist-off cap with tamper-evident shrink band. Slightly top-heavy container sets super-premium juice apart, sports thermal-transfer label printed with Van Gogh-like illustration of fruit inside. Sides remain unobscured to allow contents to shine in refrigerator case. Graphics also instruct consumers to “keep refrigerated,” include “Smart Choices” checkmark indicia on back. Four other flavors, Raspberry Acai, Pomegranate Blueberry, Indian River Grapefruit, Peach Papaya Mango, launch in same hourglass shape in 33.8-ounce (1-litre) size. For on-the-go consumption, Tropicana also offers 12-ounce bottle for Pure Valencia, Pomegranate Blueberry, Raspberry Acai, Peach Papaya Mango.

US label manufacturer acquires woven label group in Taiwan

Avery Dennison Corp., Pasadena, CA, broadens woven label offerings with acquisition of DM Label Group, Taipei, Taiwan, for undisclosed terms. Acquisition encompasses 11 factories in six countries including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, US, that produce woven, printed, heat-transfer labels, accessory tapes, hang tags, “skin touch” fabric ribbon tape. “The DM Label Group strengthens our woven label product line and reinforces our presence in Asia, a major sourcing area for the global apparel, retail branding and marking industry,” says Avery Dennison’s Dean A. Scarborough, president/ceo. James Hsu, president/ceo of DM Label Group, becomes vp/gm, reports to Terry Hemmelgarn, gvp of Avery Dennison’s Retail Information Services Group. “We have had a long and productive relationship with Avery Dennison,” says Hsu. Now…we have the opportunity to offer customers an increased product range and the global scale, local presence and resources to help retailers, brand owners…meet their business goals,” he concludes. Follow-up: Laurence J. Dwyer, marketing department, +1 626-304-2014, communications@averydennison.com; Link: www.averydennison.com.

Converter of printed electronics develops smart packaging

Roll-to-roll process prints electronic circuits on continuous web to create smart packaging, drug delivery patches.

Proprietary technology developed by Soligie, Savage, MN, opens door to high volume production of printed thin-film transistors, which can be used in products such as smart labels, medical patches, chipless radio frequency identification tags. “We are…shipping medical patch and smart packaging components to customers [for testing],” reports Matt Timm, resident of Soligie.

Roll-to-roll process applies conductive silver, silver/silver-chloride inks as well as carbon-based resistors, dielectric materials, creates vias (connections between printed circuit board layers) in single pass on flexible material such as paper, foil, polyethylene terephthalate. Applications include flexible substrates equipped with memory, sensors, displays, batteries. Follow-up: Becky Aistrup, director of Marketing, +1 952-808-3265, becky.aistrup@soligie.com; Link: www.soligie.com/.

EarningsUpdate: Graham… Constar…

Graham Packaging Holdings, parent of Graham Packaging Co., LP, York, PA, records lower sales, net loss for 2007; 3.6% drop in North American sales drags net sales down 1.1%, or $27.4 million, to $2,493.5 million in 2007 versus $2,520.9 million in 2006; change in product mix due to steady conversion to concentrated liquid laundry detergent, which requires fewer, smaller bottles, replacement of 1-quart with multi-quart motor oil containers, obsolescence of older machinery in food/beverage sector exerts pressure on earnings, results in net loss of $206.1 million for 2007 compared to net loss of $120.4 million in 2006… Another container maker, Constar International Inc., Philadelphia, PA, struggles in 2007, experiences decline in sales to $881.6 million from $927.0 million due to increased self manufacture by water bottlers, shift away from carbonated soft drinks; company registers net loss of $26.3 million for 2007, more than double $10.3 million loss recorded in 2006…

Upstream: Machine Vision… Growth Strategies… Interphex…

Free, half-day Machine Vision Seminars (www.cognex.com/microseminars) by Cognex, Natick, MA, run April-June 2008 in US, Canada, Mexico, combine basics tutorial, setup demo for automated inspection of pharmaceuticals, foods, beverages… Packaging Strategies, West Chester, PA, presents Growth Strategies Symposium (meetings@packstrat.com), 9-10 June 2008 at Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL; meeting focuses on new business opportunities/technologies, innovation in competitive environment, intellectual property protection for packaging converters, suppliers, brand owners… Reed Exhibitions, Norwalk, CT, partners with International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, Tampa, FL, to present Interphex Canada, 24-25 September 2008 at Palais de Congress de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada; new show joins eight Interphex events worldwide including US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, UK, India, China, Singapore, Japan…

ShortRuns: Heineken/Diageo… Silgan Holdings… KHS… Sirit…

Joint venture (75%/25%) between Heineken NV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Diageo plc, London, UK, builds brewery in Johannesburg, South Africa; anticipates startup by end of 2009 with initial capacity of 3 million hectolitres, workforce of 225… With completion of delayed closing for White Cap operations in Brazil, Silgan Holdings Inc., Stamford, CT, finalizes acquisition of White Cap closures business in Europe, Asia, South America from Amcor Ltd., Melbourne, Australia; White Cap product line includes extensive range of metal, composite, plastic vacuum closures for foods, beverages… Beverage packaging machinery supplier, KHS AG, Dortmund, Germany, celebrates 140th anniversary in 2008, traces roots to establishment of Holstein & Kappert in 1868, currently operates 14 production facilities, 60 sales/service bases, employs more than 5,000, generates nearly €1 billion (US$1.6 billion) in annual sales… Infinity 510 UHF (ultra-high frequency) radio frequency identification (RFID) reader from Sirit Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada, receives compliance certification to operate under China’s State Radio Regulation Committee standards; reader now rates as acceptable in 18 countries worldwide…

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