Coca-Cola test markets contoured 2L PET bottles for its various CSD brands

In a move that’s reminiscent of its industry-leading switch from stock PET single-serve bottles to a custom-designed plastic version of its iconic glass “Mae West” bottle some years ago – a move that re-energized Coke sales at the time – Coca-Cola North America (CCNA), Atlanta, GA, is testing consumer response to a contoured two-liter PET bottle that could replace the category-generic 2L container used by all soft drink brands in the US.

An on-going pilot test in Birmingham, AL and Chattanooga, TN, features what has come to be seen as Coke’s signature contour bottle in a 2-litre (L) size. It’s being tested for Coca-Cola classic®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero®, Caffeine Free Coca-Cola classic® and Caffeine Free Diet Coke®.

Coke is also testing 2-liter versions of proprietary shapes used for its various other brands of soft drinks, including Sprite, Fanta, Fresca, Pibb Extra, others.

An early reading of the tests, according to Coke officials, indicates that consumers “overwhelmingly prefer” the contoured bottle to the straight-walled 2L container. Consumers indicate the shaped bottle is easier to hold and pour.

“Along with Coca-Cola’s one-of-a-kind real cola taste, the iconic shape of the contour bottle is what people love most about the brand,” Hendrik Steckhan, president/gm, Sparkling Beverages, CCNA. Filling occurs at Coca-Cola bottler, Coca-Cola United, Birmingham, AL.

Special recycling initiatives commemorate the introduction of the package, including contour bottle-shaped recycle bins donated by CCNA and Coca-Cola United to The McWane Science Center in Birmingham and to high schools in Chattanooga. The two companies also supplied corrugated recycling bins for Chattanooga Riverbend Festival, 6-14 June 2008. In-store, radio, out-of-home and newspaper advertising support pilot.

Inflatable secondary packaging protects bottles in transit

Inflatable coextruded low-density polyethylene/nylon film pack protects wine, spirits, other high-end beverages with cushion of air.

Sized to stack two-high on store shelves, 140 x 125.14 x 100-millimetre canister contains 15 individually wrapped, bite-size sponge cakes. Firm installs new line to package Strawberry & Vanilla, Lemon, Caramel flavors.

AirSpeed™ 9000 equipment from Pregis Corp., Deerfield, IL, inflates parallel tubular chambers via external valve. One-way valves between chambers prevent entire package from deflating if it is punctured. Applications include distribution packaging, point-of-purchase packaging at outlets such as duty-free shops, wine/liquor stores/clubs, gourmet food retailers, airlines, cruise ships.

Unlike expanded polystyrene (EPS) or molded pulp components, transparent AirSpeed 9000 packaging permits quick, easy identification of contents without removing bottle. Additionally, inflatable packaging reduces fuel consumption, carbon emissions because it occupies significantly less space with about 20,000 AirSpeed 9000 packages/skid versus couple hundred sets of traditional EPS or molded pulp components.

When deflated/flattened, AirSpeed 9000 packaging also generates less solid waste than EPS or molded pulp. Stock sizes include single-, double- triple-bottle packages with cap gussets. Pregis also offers custom designs. Link: Protective Sales, +1 866-692-6163, protectivesales@pregis.com; Link: www.pregis.com.

Software assesses environmental impact of packaging

Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) helps packagers, packaging converters compare materials, processes.

Developed by US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, modular tool considers 12 impacts associated with raw material usage, chemical emissions including ozone depletion, global warming, acidification, eutrophication (buildup of dissolved nutrients in body of water), photochemical smog, human health (cancer, noncancer), human health criteria, ecotoxicity, fossil fuel use, land use, water use.

Standalone software runs on personal computers with Windows operating system, requires life cycle inventory data. Follow-up: Jane Bare, Office Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, +1 513-569-7512, bare.jane@epa.gov; Link: www.epa.gov.

RISI consolidates pulp, paper pricing info

RISI, Boston, MA, combines content of four industry newsletters into online service for global forest products industry. New service, PPI Markets & Prices, centralizes market prices, industry news about pulp, paper, and recovered paper in one website, www.risiinfo.com/mps, but gives subscribers choice of region or grade. Tools allow subscribers to build customized price tables, compare prices in eight currencies. Follow-up: Nancy Costa, marketing director, Pulp & Paper, +1 781-734-8953, ncosta@risiinfo.com; Link: www.risiinfo.com.

Plant expansion includes packaging line upgrade

Diageo, Stamford, CT, breaks ground for $18 million project at plant in Plainfield, IL, to upgrade one seven packaging lines, add processing capability for vodka, premixed cocktails, as well as storage capacity. Packaging line upgrade involves several new machines including Perrier rinser, Zalkin dual turret capper from Fowler Products Co., Athens, GA; liquid filler, Topmodul labeler from Krones Inc., Franklin, WI; Dynac accumulator from Hartness International, Inc., Greenville, SC. Revamped line fills either straight spirits or cocktails in 750-millilitre, 1-litre (L) or 1.75L glass or PET bottles. Diageo plans to take advantage of line’s enhanced flexibility to fill several cocktail products including Smirnoff Premium Cocktails, Jose Cuervo Authentics, Margarita Mix, Golden Margarita. Line continues to run Gordons gin, Smirnoff vodka. Expansion project helps meet rising demand for world’s number one premium vodka brand, Smirnoff, which grew 9% in 2007. Ranked as one of largest combined spirit, malt beverage facilities in world, Plainfield facility produces more than 12 million cases of spirits/year. Follow-up: At Fowler, Sales Department, +1 706-549-3300, sales@fowlerproducts.com; Link: www.fowlerproducts.com; at Krones, Sales Department, Krones Inc., +1 414-409-4000, salesusa@kronesusa.com; Link: www.kronesusa.com; at Hartness, Sales Department, +1 864-297-1200; Link: www.hartness.com.

OnTheDrawingBoard: USDA licenses pathogen control spray

As exclusive licensee of antimicrobial spray technology, Oser Technologies LLC, Fairfield, NJ, helps commercialize method to control Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat foods.

Early adopters include processors of ham, frankfurters, ready-to-eat chicken, turkey, beef products. Technology involves spraying food-grade antimicrobial into packaging immediately before inserting food, vacuum sealing. Sprayed Lethality in Container (SLIC) intervention reportedly inhibits growth of Listeria during extended refrigerated storage, resulting in 99.999% reduction within 24 hours at 4 C (39 F), without impacting flavor or significantly increasing processing time, production costs. In fact, production costs actually decline. SLIC technology stems from work by researchers from Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, is subject of US Patent Application Serial No. 11/471,327, Method and Apparatus for Treatment of Food Products, filed by agency on 20 June 2006. John Luchansky, Neil Goldberg of ARS, along with Alas Oser of Oser Technologies receive 2007 Superior Effort ARS Technology Transfer Award for work on SLIC. Listeria causes severe illness, miscarriages, some fatalities, has been source of $1.2 to $2.4 billion in losses in recent years due to recalls. Follow-up: Marketing Department, info@osertechnologies.com.

Thermal-transfer printing eliminates problems with P-S labels

Galloway Co., Neenah, WI, switches to direct print from pressure-sensitive (P-S) labels on 2- to 2.5-gallon bags of frozen dairy dessert mixes.

By printing bags on NGT series large-format thermal-transfer coders from Norwood Marking Systems/Allen Coding Systems, Downers Grove, IL, “We ended up saving money and improving food safety and package appearance,” reports Shawn Myers, operations leader of Mix Value Stream at Galloway.

Direct print on flat bags prior to filling also eliminates problems with P-S labels, which sometimes didn’t adhere well in freezer conditions. “We’ve improved product tracking by eliminating the possibility of labels falling off the bags,” says Myers, adding, “And, since there are no detached labels that can stick to the returnable crates and compromise the case washing system, we’ve improved food safety. The NGT printers assure permanent product and code date identification on each mix bag,” he concludes. Compared to labeling, direct printing reduces changeover time from 10 minutes to less than 1 minute. With 15 to 20 label changes/day, potentially savings adds up to two or three hours of downtime/day. “To change the print job on the NGT units, it’s a simple drag-and-drop maneuver in a Windows-based environment on the personal computers (PCs) that control the printers,” explains Vanden Wyngaard, process controls engineer at Galloway. “Actually, we can control the printers from any PC on the network, if needed,” he notes. Galloway selects NGT printers over three other options. “We considered the clarity of the print, the reliability of the technology, the ease of use and the cost of the equipment,” recalls Wyngaard. With largest print area of any thermal-transfer printer, NGT 6 E units at Galloway print area up to 6.3 x 6 inches (160 x 155 millimetres). “The large print area allows us to use a larger type, which makes it easier for our delivery drivers to differentiate product in the trucks,” explains Wyngaard. Norwood/Allen distributor, ac codiergeräte GmbH, Würzburg, Germany, builds NGT units. Follow-up: William Delmolino, +1 630-968-0646, marketing@itwnorwood.com; Link: www.itwnorwood.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Tester checks closure torque

Specially designed chucks on TorqueTraQ device from Plastic Technologies, Inc., Holland, OH, positively engage closure. Billed as world’s first ergonomic handheld torque meter, unit eliminates variability caused by manual gripping, improves measurement reliability. Compact water-resistant closure testing device to be shown at PACK EXPO International, 9-13 November 2008 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, captures, stores, exports data. Interchangeable chucks permit variety of caps to be tested including continuous-thread closures ranging from 15 to 43 millimetres in diameter, push-pull, sport, flip, other styles. Capper setup feature set ups or checks head while it is still mounted in capper system. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 419-867-5424, NBD@plastictechnologies.com; Link: www.plastictechnologies.com/torqtraq.

Vacuum sealer packages space meals

NASA, Washington, DC, vacuum packages up to 250 meals/day for space program on VMS 153V Vacuum Sealer from Packaging Aids Corp., San Rafael, CA. Unit installed at NASA facility at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, replaces regular seal bar that was tilted for vertical sealing, required pouch to be held in place manually, did not pull vacuum. VMS 153V vertical vacuum packaging machine accommodates three pouches simultaneously, pulls vacuum to reduce headspace, cuts sealing time by two-thirds. Sealed pouches undergo retort processing to yield shelf-stable product. Thermostabilized foods account for about 25% of menu items offered, possess shelf life ranging from two to five years. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 415-454-4868; Link: www.pacmachinerygroup.com.

Economist predicts record recovered paper prices

Prices for recovered paper will reach new high in 2009, predicts David Clapp, senior economist of Recovered Paper at RISI, Boston, MA. As result, Clapp forecasts growing interest in alternative fiber sources like bamboo, eucalyptus, increased investment in virgin pulping capacity. Quarterly World Pulp & Recovered Paper Forecast attributes rising prices to sustained increase in paper/paperboard output as well as recovered paper consumption. Forecast notes US exports more than 9 million tons of waste paper annually, making it the country’s largest export. Most goes to China, world’s biggest buyer of recovered fiber. China appears likely to retain its number one ranking since companies there are expanding capacities of recovered paper mills. Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd., Dongguan, China, for example, plans to double capacity to nearly 10 million tons by 2009. RISI, an information provider for global forest products industry, compiles quarterly forecasts into single volume. Latest World Pulp & Recovered Paper Forecast - 5-Year sells for $6400. Follow-up: Brian Doyle, account director, +1 781-734-8968, bdoyle@risiinfo.com; Link: www.risiinfo.com/pulp5year.

Thermal packaging solutions provider adds plant, partners

Cold Chain Technologies (CCT), Holliston, MA, opens 42,500-square-foot plant in Reno, NV, expands its thermal testing facility in Massachusetts, plant in LaVergne, TN. CCT’s line of thermal packaging solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, medical service sectors include KoolTemp insulated containers, Koolit refrigerants, growing line of pre-qualified thermal solutions. New partners include Foam Fabricators, Scottsdale, AZ, manufacturer of expanded polystyrene; plus manufacturer/distributor, Topa Packaging, Voorhout, The Netherlands. Follow-up: At CCT, Bob Bohne, vp/gm, +1 508-429-1395, ext. 283, expansion@coldchaintech.com; Link: www.coldchaintech.com; at Foam Fabricators; Link: www.foamfabricatorsinc.com; at Topa; Link: www.topa-verpakking.nl.

Prime label manufacturer gains new owner

Ownership of York Label, Omaha, NE, shifts from one private equity firm to another. LabelCorp Holdings, Inc., York senior management join forces with Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC, New York, NY, to purchase company from Wind Point Partners, Chicago, IL. Prime label maker, which has grown by acquisitions during past two years, employs 800 at 14 label production facilities, 15 sales/technical offices throughout Americas, serves more than 3,000 customers, primarily in consumer products, wine/spirits, pharmaceutical, food/beverage industries. Participants expect transaction to close before 1 September 2008. Follow-up: David E. Klotter, vp of Marketing, +1 402-829-4571, dave.klotter@yorklabel.com; Link: www.yorklabel.com/.

Beverage Marketing study reveals top juice flavors, trends

Challenges of getting fruit juice to market, discussions of single- versus multi-serve fruit drinks, US consumption/capita take center stage in new 400-page report. Comprehensive study, Fruit Beverages in the US, 2007 Edition from Beverage Marketing Corp., New York, NY, provides tables, graphs with statistics on market share, top fruit juice flavors, chilled, ready-to-serve, shelf-stable, concentrates. Other coverage includes national, regional sales; imports, exports; leading companies, brands. Company snapshots include PepsiCo, Inc./Tropicana, Naked Juice, Izze, SoBe, Coca-Cola Co./Minute Maid, Fuze Beverage, Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Printed volume costs $5,195; single-user CD $5,395; with both for $5,595 for both; three-user license for $6,095. Follow-up: Charlene Salito, +1 212-688-7640, ext. 1962; Link: www.beveragemarketing.com/?section=news&newsID=58.

ShortRuns: Cereplast… Huhtamaki… Kellogg…

Cereplast Compostables® resins from Cereplast, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, meet new federal procurement guidelines for bio-based content enacted by US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC; resulting BioPreferred designation gives products like bags, containers, foodservice items made from Cereplast Compostables resins preference in purchasing by US General Services Administration, Washington, DC… Huhtamaki Oyj, Espoo, Finland, revises 2008 earnings estimate downward to below 2007’s €136.0 million due to high costs for raw materials, energy, distribution… Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, MI, completes package redesign for ready-to-eat cereal sold in US, Canada, Mexico, Korea to add Guideline Daily Amount information on front panel about how food fits into daily diet, complementing nutrition label on side panel…

Changeover: DuPont… FPE… EAFA…

DuPont, Wilmington, DE, promotes William F. Weber to vp/gm, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, effective 1 July 2008, from position as division’s global business director – Ethylene Copolymers; Weber’s experience includes leadership roles in marketing, operations in multiple business units since joining DuPont in 1981… Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), Düsseldorf, Germany, re-elects Michael Cronin, Alcan Packaging Food Europe, Paris, France, as chairman; Gérard Blatrix, group managing director, Amcor Flexibles Food, Brussels, Belgium, vice chairman… European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), Düsseldorf, Germany, re-elects officers to second terms: President Fred McDonogh, Hydro Aluminium, Grevenbroich, Germany, who also chairs Roller Group; VP Michael Cronin, Alcan Packaging Food Europe, Paris, France, who also chairs Flexible Packaging Europe Group; VP Felix Steinbrecher, Alupak AG, Belp, Switzerland, who also chairs Container Group; VP Hans Hogeveen, ITS Foil & Film Rewinding BV, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, who also chairs Rewinder Group; other division officers include Roller Group Vice Chairman François Coëffic, Novelis Europe, Zurich, Switzerland; Container Group Vice Chairman Khrosrow Tahmasebi, Coppice Alupack Ltd., Bridgend, UK; Rewinder Group Vice Chairman Günther Tzeschlock, FORA Folienfabrik GmbH, Radofzell, Germany; Flexible Packaging Europe Group Vice Chairman Gérard Blatrix, Amcor Flexibles Food, Brussels, Belgium…

Upstream: PET… Pre-filled syringes…

PET Strategies Conference & VIP Networking, New Business Opportunities event, organized by Packaging Strategies, West Chester, PA, kicks off 1-2 October 2008 at Omni Hotel, Atlanta, GA; redesigned 11th annual event discusses innovations related to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging, its position against competing rigid, flexible packaging formats, business-driving sustainability initiatives… Parenteral Drug Association (PDA, www.pda.org), Bethesda, MD, presents Universe of Pre-filled Syringes and Injection Devices conference, exhibition 6-7 October 2008 at Manchester Hyatt San Diego, San Diego, CA; topics include regulatory inspection strategies, quality issues, financial model for converting from vial to pre-filled syringe; special guest, three-time Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., discusses experiences with injection devices to manage Type 1 diabetes…

EarningsUpdate: AEP…

At AEP Industries Inc., South Hackensack, NJ, 15% increase in average selling price compensates for higher resin costs, drives net sales up 14% to $181.2 million during fiscal 2Q08, ended 30 April 2008, compared with $158.3 million in fiscal 2Q07; net income slips in fiscal 2Q08 to $5.5 million from $6.2 million in fiscal 2Q07…

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