Retailers, brand owners, suppliers celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day, April 22, dates from seventies, but takes on new importance this year amid rising concerns about global warming, dwindling natural resources, sustainability.

As a result, retailers like Jewel-Osco, Melrose Park, IL, Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, El Segundo, CA, hope to wean consumers away from disposable carrier bags by giving away reusable bags. Each Jewel-Osco stores presents free reusable grocery bag to first 200 shoppers that bring in 10 disposable bags to recycle. Midwest grocery chain, which traces its recycling efforts to 1940s, also plans to present benches made of recycled plastic to commemorate date, remind consumers of creative uses for recycled materials. On Earth Day, Fresh & Easy bags groceries in free reusable “Bag for Life” it replaces for free if damaged. Chain also launches web page highlighting green building practices including meter showing how much solar energy it is generating.

Another company adopting solar power in big way is Frito-Lay, Plano, TX. Latest solar field starts up in Modesto, CA, provides heat to generate steam to help heat cooking oil used to make SunChips multigrain snack, reduce plant’s consumption of natural gas. Frito-Lay also purchases renewable energy certificates equal to 100% of electricity needed to produce SunChips. To reflect support of green energy, SunChips packaging carries Green-e symbol granted by Center for Resource Solutions, San Francisco, CA. In October 2007, company dedicated solar electric power system installed on roof of its Arizona Service Center in Phoenix. Largest business-owned photovoltaic (PV) system in Arizona generates roughly 350,000 kilowatt hours annually. Arizona facility ranks as seventh company distribution center with PV system.

As part of its Earth Day celebration, Danone Group’s Evian Natural Spring Water, Atlanta, GA, begins incorporating recycled content in most popular sizes of polyethylene terephthalate bottle, 1-litre, 750-millilitre. In addition, company partners with RecycleBank, Philadelphia, PA, an organization that provides incentives to households to recycle, and establishes Evian Water Protection Institute, which will work in conjunction with Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Gland, Switzerland, to maintain/restore wetlands, help local populations manage water resources.

Glass Packaging Institute, Alexandria, VA, uses Earth Day to encourage consumers to make daily habit of glass recycling. “Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for four hours, a computer for 30 minutes or a television for 20 minutes,” reports Joseph Cattaneo, GPI president. “And that’s just one bottle,” he adds, noting glass bottles, jars go from recycling bin to store shelf in as little as 30 days. As rule of thumb, for every 1% of recycled glass used, energy costs drop 0.5%. In addition, 10% increase in recycled glass content decreases fossil fuel emissions 2.5%, particulate emissions 7%.

--Hallie Forcinio

DuPont Awards competition recognizes sustainable packaging

Now in its 20th year, DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, sponsored by DuPont Co., Wilmington, DE, shifts focus to sustainability. Winning achievements include:

* Replacing traditional confectionary package inserts with homecompostable tray made of cornstarch-based material from Plantic Technologies, Altona, Australia, for Swiss Chocolate Assortment produced by Chocolat Frey, Buchs, Switzerland for UK retailer, Marks & Spencer;

* Home-compostable flexible packaging for Jordans Organic Cereals made by Alcan Packaging, Dublin, Ireland, consists of two-layer cellulose-/starch-based material, supports natural branding of product;

* Organic kiwi package made of palm fiber material from Earthcycle Packaging Ltd., Vancouver, BC, Canada, with compostable Natureflex film overwrap from Innovia Films Inc., Atlanta, GA; compostable label completes package;

* Redesign of container for salad dressings from Kraft Foods, Northfield, IL, by Plastipak Packaging, Plymouth, MI, to reduce weight by nearly 20%, improve transport efficiency, energy conservation while retaining brand appeal;

* AMPET single-serving retortable pack from Faerch Plast, Holstebro, Denmark, for Larsen Danish Seafood, Frederikshavn, Denmark, reduces food waste commonly encountered with multi-serving package;

* AirLEssMotion Bag-in-Bottle System from Gaplast GmbH, Saulgrub-Altenau, Germany, for disinfectant spray bottles that reduce energy usage by more than 50% via new process technology that enables one-step process to replace four-part approach;

* Bag-in-Box from Klabin, Sao Paulo, Brazil, for water from Lindoya Vida, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil serves as energy-saving alternative to bottles, improves access to clean drinking water.

Labels help trace watermelons from field to table

Labels on watermelons from Leger & Son, Inc., Cordele, GA, allow consumers to trace individual melon to source, obtain information instantly online. Watermelon purveyor applies pre-coded PLU labels from Label Technique Southeast Inc., Pensacola, FL, at its four packing locations. Labels carry unique, item-level HarvestMark code developed by YottaMark, Inc., Redwood City, CA. On-demand hosted solution eliminates need for grower to install, support costly hardware, complex software. Coded labels provide instant trace-back, deliver new levels of produce information to retail produce buyers, consumers. “The integration of HarvestMark augments our ongoing food safety program and opens new channels of communication with our retail partners and consumers,” says Greg Leger, president, Leger & Son. “Providing the ability for each of our watermelons to be traced back to source of origin, as well as deliver instant marketing information to consumers will be of tremendous value in educating the public on the health benefits of watermelons and continuing to raise awareness of our brands.” HarvestMark provides case, pallet trace-forward, trace-back, as well as full unit-level traceability. Follow-up: At Label Technique, +1 800-476-1028, bob@labeltechnique.com; Link: www.labeltechnique.com; at YottaMark, Miz Nakajima, +1 503-997-6045, mnakajima@YottaMark.com; Link: www.harvestmark.com.

Logo, recycling toolkit promote bag recycling

Major bag makers begin putting logo on bags to encourage consumers to recycle bags at participating stores. To help stores collect bags for recycling, members of Progressive Bag Affiliates (PBA), Arlington, VA, also unveil recycling toolkit, which consists of bins; signage for store entrances, exits, checkouts; pins to raise awareness; plus municipal bins to be used at curbside. Members of PBA, which is part of American Chemistry Council (ACC), Arlington, VA, include API Corp., Sugar Land, TX; Hilex Poly Co. Inc., Hartsville, SC; Inteplast, Livingston, NJ; Superbag Corp., Houston, TX, represent more than 90% of domestic bag production. “The goal of the PBA is to gather the leaders of the plastic bag industry together with major recyclers to effect meaningful change in plastic bag recycling,” says Steve Russell, md for ACC’s Plastics Division. “This unified awareness campaign, with a clear message printed on millions of bags across the nation, will be one of the most widely distributed environmental messages ever created,” he predicts. Increased bag recycling helps boost plastic film recycling 24% in 2006 to 812 million pounds from 652 million pounds in 2005. Follow-up: Link: www.plasticbagrecycling.org.

Sidel opens packaging service center in Mexico

Sidel Group, Le Havre, France, invests €3.0 million (US$4.7 million) in 1,200- square-metre Packaging Development & Tooling Center in Guadalajara, Mexico. Facility employs 16, offers bottle design services; industrial qualification; prototyping; mold production, repair, sales; produces 2,000 molds/year for all types of blowmolding machinery, including non-Sidel equipment. Regional center serves Mexico, Central America, cuts lead time to four weeks for deliveries to regional soft drink market that increasingly focuses on health, wellness beverages. “We appreciate Sidel’s strategy,” says Ernesto Lappe Oliveras, operations director for Amcor PET Mexico, Apodaca, Mexico, who adds, “In our highly demanding and changeable market, having a worldclass mold manufacturer in the region meets our needs in record time.” Follow-up: At Sidel, Corporate Office, +33 1 41 27 70 00; Link: www.sidel.com.

Custom PET container launches RTD iced tea

Pedestal-based, custom PowerFlex polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle from Amcor PET Packaging, Manchester, MI, launches ready-to-drink (RTD) iced tea line. Patterned after columns gracing plantation houses, 16-ounce, panel-less bottle for Luzianne® tea from Reily Foods Co., New Orleans, LA, features four-color process label graphics with images of verandas, white rocking chairs, Spanish moss to support southern theme. RTD tea joins retail tea bags, foodservice filter bags, loose tea, concentrate products. “Consumer research told us that our consumers were ready for a ‘turnkey’ alternative – products that require less work,” explains Nicole Champine, marketing manager. During design phase, Interbrand, New York, NY, sketches potential designs for glass bottle. “They designed a beautiful bottle, but as we talked to our customers and looked at freight costs and potential problems with breakage, we realized we needed to evaluate plastic alternatives,” recalls Champine, adding, “Also, because our products are made without preservatives, we knew…we needed a hot-fill container.” So, Reily asks Amcor to duplicate design as closely as possible in PET. “What we received was a unique geometry; something that had never been done before in PET,” says Chris Burt, project engineer at Amcor. “It was a sloping, martini shaker shape on a pedestal and that posed several engineering challenges. For example, you have to have a diameter that is large enough to relieve the vacuum that occurs during the cooling process. We also had concerns of how the container would function on the production line,” he explains. “We had to keep tweaking various geometries to find the compromise between the original design and what could withstand the vacuum in a production environment,” reports Burt. “We discovered that by adding a rib around the top of the pedestal base, we could achieve structural stability.” Rib not only prevents ovalization during cooling, but also keeps entire label panel smooth. Ultraviolet additive in PET helps extend shelf life. Label graphics, also designed by Interbrand, stop at rib, although polyvinyl chloride shrink sleeve label itself, supplied by Constantia Colmar, Inc., Colmar, PA, continues to bottom of container. Extending clear portion of label facilitates application, allows consumer to see tea is sediment-free. Extending clear portion of label facilitates application, allows consumer to see tea is sediment-free. “What we ended up with was a tapered bottle with nice hand feel,” says Champine. “The 38mm wide-mouth also makes the tea more ‘gulpable.’ Because it was a private mold, we were also able to add custom embossing…on the bottle shoulder,” she notes. Five flavors – Sweet Tea, Diet Peach, Lemon, Green Tea with Mint, Raspberry – contract packaged by Southern Classic Foods, Brundidge, AL, sell singly, in four-packs in retail outlets in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina with distribution expanding to other southern states in 2009. Follow-up: Katy Bejma, marketing manager, NA Beverage Div., +1 586-468-3837, Kathryn.bejma@amcorpet.com; Link: www.amcor.com.

Sealed Air collects inflatable packaging film for recycling

Under program established by Sealed Air Corp., Saddle Brook, NJ, recipients mail in film from Fill-Air® inflatable packaging for recycling. Recycling facility grinds up deflated Fill-Air cushions, repelletizes material for use in products ranging from trash bags to automotive parts. “We received countless calls from customers wanting to know how they can recycle the material,” recalls David Weiss, business manager for Fill-Air products. “Our Fill-Air film recycling program is a direct response to customer demand,” he explains. To encourage recycling, Sealed Air prints website address, www.fillair.com/recycle, on Fill-Air film, along with information about how to recycle material, how product is recycled, where it will be reused. Fill-Air inflatable void-fill expands at point of use, reduces warehouse space requirements, associated energy consumption. To recycle Fill-Air material, recipient pierces each cushion to deflate it, folds film, places it in envelope or small carton, applies postage, mails it to: Ameri-Pak, Inc.; Sealed Air Recycle Center; 477 South Woods Dr.; Fountain Inn, SC 29644. Followup: Fill-Air Recycling Program, +1 800-982-6197; Link: www.fillair.com/recycle.

DuPont expands family of renewably sourced resins

DuPont, Wilmington, DC, adds two members to its family of renewably sourced resins in launch at Interpack, 24-30 April 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany. DuPont Biomax® TPS thermoplastic starch resin for injection molding or in sheet stock form for thermoformed packaging (see photo) like trays for chocolates contains 85%-90% renewably sourced content. DuPont Biomax® PTT (polytrimethylterephthalate) injectionmoldable resin for cosmetic packaging, other parts where polyesters are used, consists of up to 35% renewably sourced content. Renewably Sourced Materials from DuPont reduce dependence on petroleum, often lower net production of greenhouse gases, energy consumption without compromising performance. “Expanding our portfolio of solutions in renewably sourced packaging is a key strategy for DuPont’s Performance Materials segment,” reports Diane Gulyas, gvp -- DuPont Performance Materials. “These new offerings…support our commitment to helping customers improve the sustainability of their value chains.” Other Biomax polymers made with renewable resources include DuPont Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomers, DuPont Sorona® EP thermoplastic resins, DuPont Selar® VP breathable films, renewably sourced grades of DuPont Zytel® long chain polyamides. Follow-up: Link: www.renewable.dupont.com.

Software manages weighing, provides ingredient traceability

Software deployed by Expanscience Laboratories, Epernon, France, manages weighing, dispensing of ingredients for pharmaceutical, personal-care products on eight lines. Deployed since June 2007, XFP Weigh & Dispense software from Elan Software Systems, Toulouse, France/Princeton, NJ, provides ingredient traceability for 46.5 million products, company fills each year, including Mustela brand baby products. Software complies with standards of US Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC; French Health Products Safety Agency, Saint-Denis, France, integrates with Movex enterprise resource planning system at Expanscience to constantly exchange data about items, locations, batches, material consumption. “The implementation of XFP Weigh & Dispense has improved our process reliability and increased our overall manufacturing visibility,” states S. Heidmann, IT manager at Expanscience. “The XFP software simplifies and facilitates the day-to-day tasks of the operator by providing guided manufacturing and automatic controls. The risk of human error is minimized,” he concludes. Follow-up: Cecile Morel, marketing manager, +33 562 165 900, cmorel@elansoftware.com; Link: www.elansoftware.com.

HP displays EPA SmartWay Logo on computer packaging

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, DC, grants first approval for use of its SmartWay logo to HP, Palo Alto, CA. HP displays logo on packaging for HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario desktop computers, monitors, accessories with more products to be added. Presence of logo certifies brand owner uses only SmartWay compliant carriers. Goals of voluntary SmartWay partnership between EPA, freight industry call for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 33 million tons annually by 2012, nitrogen oxide by 200,000 tons annually, plus reductions in particulate matter, air toxins. If successful, initiative will save 150 million barrels of oil annually, the equivalent of parking 12 million cars for year. To reduce environmental impact of air shipment of notebook personal computers from China, HP embarks on pilot test of plastic pallets with all major US retail partners on 1 April 2008. HP estimates use of stronger, lighter, more durable plastic pallets for airfreight shipments in existing implementations in Europe, Latin America cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 7 ?? metric tons in 2006, equivalent to parking 150 cars for year. HP’s program reuses, recycles pallets through its supplier, Airdex International Inc., Henderson, NV, with European program capturing 98% for reuse or recycling. “Our plastic pallets contribute to improved human welfare, not only from the direct environmental benefits of reduced carbon dioxide emissions, fuel consumption and deforestation, but also due to the near impossibility of the ultra-light Airdex pallet to cause harm to air cargo workers in any way,” asserts Vance Seagle, founder/ceo of Airdex. “The AIRpallet cargo safety record is a well-proven cost saver combined with the elimination of aircraft cargo bay damage so common when using wood pallets,” he adds. Follow-up: Rich Imbrecht, customer service manager, +1 702-270-6004, rick@airdex.com; Link: www.airdex.com.

Vision guides material handling mobile robots

GP8 general-purpose motorized pallet jack from Seegrid Corp., Pittsburgh, PA, moves pallets to assigned location, returns to starting point or other pre-assigned location. Stereo camera system, decision making software eliminate need for facility modification involving wire, magnet or laser guidance used by traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), allow robotic unit to sense, move, analyze, interact, repeat, perform more autonomously. During training run, GP8 unit creates three-dimensional map to use as it navigates from Point A to Point B to complete its assigned task. Based on Industrial Mobile Robotics technology developed by Mobile Robot Lab at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, system looks high, low for points of interest, matches images to up to 15 miles of mapped paths, knows its location within +/- 2 inches, stops if anything is in its way. “In the future, it will be able to move around obstacles,” predicts Greg Cronin, evp. GP8 robotic pallet mover sells for about $45,000, roughly one-third the cost of conventional AGV. GP8 unit transports loads weighing up to 8000 pounds at up to 3.5 miles/hour, sells through network of distributors. Supermarket retailer, Giant Eagle, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, ranks as one of first users. Follow-up: Greg Cronin, +1 720-851-5447, gcronin@seegrid.com; Link: www.seegrid.com.

HDPE slip sheet eliminates traditional pallets

Black, recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Slip-Tray Pallet from envirOpak, Hartville, OH, replaces both traditional slip sheets, pallets. Scored, tabbed material ships flat, erects in minutes to create tray that holds bulk bag weighing up to 4000 pounds, or pallet load of sacks, cases, gaylords. Sidewalls prevent loads from shifting, protect bottom row of product, contain product leakage. Compatible with stretch wrapping, patented, rounded lip design permits transport by forklift equipped with tapered forks or push-pull attachment. Forks simply slide underneath. With weight of about 4 pounds, Slip-Tray Pallet represents significant weight savings compared to wood, plastic or metal pallets. Since Slip-Tray Pallets sit flat on floor, loads often carry extra layer. Options include different colors, dimensions, sheet thicknesses, wall heights. Although designed primarily for one-way trips, some Slip-Tray Pallets may make multiple trips depending on construction, handling conditions. Once retired, envirOpak retrieves used Slip-Tray Pallets, recycles HDPE into new units. Follow-up: Jack Trickett, +1 330-877- 1505, jack@enviropak.ws; Link: www.enviropak.ws.

Pre-press process reproduces detailed can graphics

High-quality printing draws consumers to 16-ounce cans of Black Jack brand teas, soft drinks from Polar Beverages, Worcester, MA. PCans represent first commercial application in Americas of preprint-topress process developed by Crown Beverage Packaging North America business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Proprietary separation techniques, high-resolution printing plates result in improved dot spacing, reproduce finely detailed images, text. Graphics include color coding for flavor, present adventures of pirate captain Black Jack Crowley, dog Grog. Gold ends with black tabs enhance differentiation. Can format meets Polar’s requirements for shelf impact, sustainability. “We are continually exploring ways to reduce our carbon footprint and using metal packaging for the Black Jack brand supports that goal,” says Gerry Martin, vp of Marketing for Polar Beverages, largest privately owned soft drink bottler in New England. Black Jack line consists of four tea varieties – Cannonball Black Iced Tea, Arrr Raspberry Iced Tea, Calypso Green Tea, Gunpowder Green Energy Tea, plus Portside Fruit Punch, Mango Mutiny. Follow-up: Tom Hughes, marketing manager (US), +1 215-698-5298, thomas.hughes@crowncork.com; Caroline Archer-Reed, marketing director (Europe), +33 1 49 18 40 43, caroline.archerreed@eur.crowncork.com; Link: www.crowncork.com.

Packaging firms organize New England Packaging Association

Eight packaging firms form regional alliance to foster networking, benefit from shared activities like purchasing. Group known as New England Packaging Association includes Econocorp, Package Machinery Company, Inc., George Gordon Associates, Inc., Standard Knapp, Inc., PDC International, Belvac Production Machinery, Inc., OK International Group, Rollprint Packaging Products. Group plans third meeting around 18 June 2008 in Connecticut in conjunction with regional meeting of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, Arlington, VA. Agenda items include employee incentives for performance/safety, dealing with sales reps.

Changeover: Ball… Chesapeake… FPA…

At Ball Corp., Broomfield, CO, shareholders elect Robert W. Alspaugh to one-year term to replace Howard M. Dean who has retired, re-elect George M. Smart, Theodore M. Solso, Stuart A. Taylor II to three-year terms… Chesapeake Corp., Richmond, VA, names two corporate officers: David A. Winter, new assistant vp – Human Resources, J. Christopher Naftzger, new assistant secretary/assistant general officer; shareholders also re-elect Sir David Fell, John W. Rosenblum, Beverly L. Thelander to three-year terms as directors, Mary Jane Hellyar to one-year term, reduces number of directors from 11 to nine with retirement of Joseph P. Viviano, Harry H. Warner, who served on board for 20, 30 years, respectively… Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), Linthicum, MD, elects 2008 Board of Directors including Chairperson George Thibeault of Constantia Hueck Foils LLC, Immediate Past Chairperson Ilene Gordon of Alcan Packaging, Executive Vice Chairperson (chairperson-elect) James E. Love of Printpack Inc., Treasurer Michael Impastato of Flint Group; President (non-voting) Marla Donahue, FPA; seven Executive Committee Members At Large including John Baumann of Ampac Packaging LLC, William Burke of Nordenia USA, Hans Deamer of Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., Jim Mize of Sealed Air Corp., Richard Pettifor of Sun Chemical Corp., Pat Woods of The Robinette Co., Peter B. Schottland of American Packaging Corporation (serves as advisor to Executive Committee); 20 directors, Dale Brockman of ISO Poly Films Inc., Peter Brues of Amcor Flexibles Inc., Thomas J. Bryce of Bryce Corp., Lou Clark of Flint Hills Resources LLC, Fred Crowe of Exopack, LLC, Jeff Dowd of Belmark Inc., John Hotz of NOVA Chemicals Inc., Jeff Kellar of Reynolds Packaging Group, Tim Kolakowski of DuPont Co., Jeffrey Lammers of Bemis Co. Inc., Larry L. Lanham of Polymer Packaging Inc., Ryan Madigan of Master Packaging, Paul Nietvelt of Dow Chemical Co., John Norder of Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC, Jerry Parker of LyondellBasell Industries, David Price of ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Irv Robinson of Robbie Manufacturing Inc., Madeleine Robinson of LPS Industries LLC, Ken Swanson of Pliant Corp., Rob Tiede of Sonoco Flexible Packaging…

ShortRuns: UPM Raflatac… Graphic Packaging… Pregis…

Passive high-frequency (13.56 MHz) inlays from UPM Raflatac, Tampere, Finland, earn highest rating from ABI Research, Inc., Oyster Bay, NY; analysis of radio frequency identification labels considers product, antenna, connection, inlay manufacturing innovation, application strategy, breadth of markets served… In changes related to merger with Altivity Packaging, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Marietta, GA, plans to discontinue folding carton manufacturing in Middletown, OH, by end of 3Q08, transition work to other facilities; decision affects 133 workers; boxboard mill in Middletown continues to produce coated recycled paperboard; in Elk Grove Village, IL, company shifts paper laminating to other facilities, maintains operations at two folding carton plants… Pregis Corp., Deerfield, IL, redesigns website (www.pregis.com) to help purchasers of its protective, flexible, foodservice packaging locate relevant information; registering on website provides access to library with downloadable case studies, product brochures, videos; language choices include US English, UK English, German, Spanish… Public relations agency, Weber Shandwick, New York, NY, adds Food Issues Practice; bases team at Powell Tate, its Washington, DC, office, under leadership of Susan Ruland, svp, to address client concerns related to sustainability, food safety, nutrition, obesity, animal welfare, biotechnology… With startup of first phase of polyethylene terephthalate production anticipated in 4Q08 at new plant in Salalah, Oman, Octal Holding and Co. SAOC, Muscat, Oman, begins selling resin, allocating output to producers of bottles for soft drinks, bottled water… To simplify on-the-go snacking, Ocean Spray, Lakeville-Middleboro, MA, adds single-serving pouches of Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries 100 Calorie Packs to line...

EarningsUpdate: Sonoco… Silgan… Ball…

At Sonoco, Hartsville, SC, acquisitions, foreign currency rates, higher selling prices offset lower volumes in North America Tubes/Cores, Paper/Packaging Services segments to generate $1.04 billion in net sales for 1Q08 versus $956 million in 1Q07; net income drops to $13.3 million in 1Q08 versus $53.1 million for 1Q07… Silgan Holdings Inc., Stamford, CT, records 4.5% increase in sales to $679.8 million in 1Q08 compared to $650.8 million in 1Q07 due to higher average selling prices, pass-through of higher raw material costs, favorable currency translation; while net income slips to $21.2 million in 1Q08 from $28.5 million in 1Q07 primarily as result of restructuring charges related to closure of metal food container manufacturing facility in Tarrant, AL; plastic container manufacturing plant in Richmond, VA, consolidation of European closure operations… In 1Q08, Ball Corp., Broomfield, CO, improves on records set in 1Q07, reports earnings of $83.8 million on sales of $1.74 billion, compared to earnings of $81.2 million on sales of $1.69 billion in 1Q07; attributes improvement to better performance in metal food, household products, Americas segment, plastic packaging, Americas segment, continued sales/earnings growth in metal beverage packaging, Europe segment, fewer shares outstanding as result of stock repurchases…

Upstream: BP Council… Packaging Law… Latin America…

BPCouncil, Geneva, Switzerland, International Quality & Productivity Center, New York, NY, host third annual Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection Summit, 28-30 April 2008 in New York… Packaging World magazine, Chicago, IL, organizes Packaging Law Forum (www.packaginglawforum.com), 17 June 2008 at Gleacher Center, Chicago, IL; topics include food-contact materials, food security, recalls, patents, trademarks, nanotech… Packaging Conference – Latin America 2008, 9-10 October 2008 at Loews Hotel, Miami Beach, FL, occurs under auspices of Strategic Business Analysis, Ltd. – Container Consulting, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, Plastic Technologies, Inc., Holland, OH…

Copyright 2006 Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), 4350 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, Virginia (USA) 22203.

Editorial offices: 31408 Narrangansett Lane, Bay Village, Ohio (USA) 44140-1068; Tel: +1 440-892-0998; Fax: +1 440-892-0208; Email: bmiyares@packmgmt.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be redistributed or reproduced in any form without the written authorization of the publisher.