Conference at PACK EXPO focuses on sustainability

The business, operations and environmental rationales for sustainability in packaging will be major topics at the Conference at PACK EXPO, taking place in Chicago’s McCormick Place, Sunday-Wednesday, November 9-12, 2008.

Amy Zettlemoyer-Lazar, packaging director of Sam’s Club and co-manager of Wal-Mart’s Sustainability Value Network will offer a special keynote address on Sunday, November 9, at 1pm. Monday’s keynote will be delivered by Betsy Cohen, vice president, Sustainability of Nestlé. Tuesday’s keynote will be presented by Trevor Cusworth, director of Deloitte Consulting, and the program’s closing keynote on Wednesday, will be given by Glenn Wright, commercial vice president, NA Basic Plastics, The Dow Chemical Co.

The Conference’s daily sustainability sessions include:

MONDAY:

• Conservation - The First Step to Sustainability, Bill Petersen, Iconotech (M10)
• The United Kingdom's Packaging Sustainability Efforts, Richard Bull, Ryan Schuelke, Enercon Industries (M11)
• A Brilliant Partnership: Color, Energy & Material, Rich Novomesky, Ampacet (M12)
• Sustainability: What Brand Owners Expect from Their Packaging Suppliers, Tom Taber, Strategex (M13)
• OEM Perspectives on Innovation & Sustainability, Mike Wagner, Darren Elliott, Rockwell Automation (M14)

TUESDAY:

• New Technologies for Lightweighting Polyolefins, Terry Glass, Dow Chemical (T06)
• COMPASS - A New Tool to Map the Environmental Impact of your Packaging Material and Application Choices, Martha Leflar, GreenBlue (T07)
• Tradeoffs in Sustainability in Wrapping, Katherine Putnam, Package Machinery (T08)
• Achieving Sustainability through Adhesive Dispensing Technology, Rick Pallante, Nordson (T09)
• Minimizing Packaging without Compromising Integrity, Patrick Hessini, Adalis (T10)
• Packaging Production Waste & Rework - A Gold Mine, Paul Zepf, Zarpac (T17)
• Designing Sustainable Transport Packaging . . . Then Managing It, Brian Lindell, Rehrig Pacific (T19)
• Leveraging the Findings of a Corrugated Life Cycle Assessment, John Heckman, Five Winds International; Dwight Schmidt, Fibre Box Association (T20)

WEDNESDAY:

• FDA and Sustainable Food Printing & Packaging Implications with UV/EB Curing Part 1 and Part 2, Mickey Fortune, RADTECH (W04)
• Sustainability - Reframing the Responsibility, Peter Nelson Fox, Delkor Systems (W07)
• Making a Case for Reduced Format Transit Packaging, Ralph L. Dillon, Joseph Noferi, Compliance Surety Associates (W11)
• High-Density Foam as an Alternative to Chemical Foam, Jonathan S. Cage, Spartech (W12)
• Creating a Better Tomorrow Than Today, Jay Gehring, Frito-Lay (W13)
• The Road to Zero Landfill Waste, Jim C. Bowen, Sonoco (W14)

Follow-up: Please go to www.packexpo.com to view complete Conference at PACK EXPO program and register for keynote and concurrent conference sessions. Registration fees are $55 per session before October 21; $75 afterwards..

Suppliers collaborate to create packaging for skincare product

Glass, paper tube, metal components comprise Maximum Benefit Revitalizer™ skincare system from Soypure Luxury Products, Inc., New York, NY.

Elaborate kit housed in folding carton from Coastal Packaging Corp., Kearny, NJ, contains thermatic warmer, unit dose packs of soy wax, which is formulated to be applied warm, tea lights, matches. To apply, user removes hermetic seal on aluminum disk from Alupak AG, Belp, Switzerland, sets disk in warmer, lights candle to bring anti-aging wax to proper temperature.

Liquid crystal temperature strip from Liquid Crystal Resources, LLC, Glenview, IL, allows user to adjust temperature. Warmer components include aluminum cover, base from Cameo Metal Products, Brooklyn, NY; US Can Corp., Rosedale, MD; glass candle holder from Libbey, Inc., Toledo, OH. Flame-, water-resistant, lightweight, recycled compressed paper tube from Jonesville Paper Tube Corp., Jonesville, MI, forms body of warmer. Filling, kit assembly take place at Soypure. Follow-up: At Coastal Packaging, Marketing Department, +1 201-955-4414; at Alupak, Marketing Department, +41 31-818-31-31; Link: www.alupak.com; at Liquid Crystal Resources, +1 847-998-8580; Link: www.lcr-usa.com; at Cameo, Marketing Department, +1 718-788-1106; Link: www.cameometal.com; at US Can, Marketing Department, +1 410-686-6363; at Libbey, Marketing Department, +1 419-325-2100; Link: www.libbey.com; at Jonesville, Marketing Department, +1 517-849-9963; Link: www.papertube.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Inkjet codes two sides simultaneously

New C-Series inkjet, D-Series plus laser coder head lineup of products Domino Printing Sciences plc, Cambridge, UK, plans to showcase at PACK EXPO International, 9-13 November 2008 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Patent-applied-for technology enables C6000AS plus to print two sides of case simultaneously with single printhead. “Business models in high volume retailing and wholesaling of food mean that several different sets of coded information may be required for the various transactions in the supply chain,” explains Mike Hurst, product director for Outer Case Coding. “Until now, these demands could only be met by complex installations involving multiple coding stations and turntables that require an amount of floor space for end-of-line operations,” he adds. Unit installs easily on new or existing lines. D-Series plus laser coder offers choice of 10-, 30-, 55-watt laser, modular construction, browser-based control software, Ethernet interface to standardize connectivity with host machines, simplify integration, maximize overall equipment effectiveness. Flexible laser head moves in multiple directions. Single housing controller box, Ethernet web server fit in standard 19-inch rack systems commonly found in control cabinets of packaging machines. Ethernet connectivity means user interface can be integrated via main control panel of host machine for original equipment installations or for retrofits. D-Series plus range also connects directly to Domino DPX fume extraction system for automatic removal of fumes, particles, thereby ensuring consistent code quality, reduced rejects, as well as clean environment for personnel. Follow-up: Carl Traynor, vp of Marketing, Domino Amjet, Gurnee, IL, +1 847-244-2501, ctraynor@dominoamjet.com; Link: www.domino-printing.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Adept showcases robots, robot software

Adept Technology, Inc., Livermore,CA, plans to showcase two new robots as well as its ACE PackXpert™ software at PACK EXPO International, 9-13 November 2008 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Instead of relying on different platforms for different tasks, ACE PackXpert software manages packaging, picking, placing, palletizing. Software also seamlessly integrates robotic vision, conveyor tracking in single, compact controls platform. New high-performance, large-payload Adept Cobra™ s850 SCARA robot loads cases, cartons, handles bags, performs other material handling tasks. Inverted and IP65 configurations enhance flexibility. Adept SmartServo™, powerful embedded amplifiers, smallest controls minimize expansion costs, maximize scalability. Addition to Adept Quattro line, Adept Quattro™ s650H modified delta-style robot, combines high speed with increased payload from 2 to 6 kilograms. Hygienic design makes Adept Quattro s650H robot ideal for food, pharmaceutical applications. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 925-245-3400, info@adept.com; Link: www.adept.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Four-station labeler boosts speeds

Four-station design of Trine Model 4600 label applicator from Accraply, Minneapolis, MN, permits faster handling of smaller bottles. Capable of labeling 500-millilitre bottles at up to 600/minute, Model 4600, to be shown at PACK EXPO International, features servo label registration, enhanced vacuum system, advanced change parts, powered roll stand, compact footprint. Accraply, a Barry-Wehmiller company, also plans to display Model 9000 VF, Model 204 pressure-sensitive label applicators as well as Model 924 printer applicator. Model 924 generates 300 dot/inch print quality at print speeds of up to 16 inches/second. Combination of large ribbon capacity, ribbon saver technology maximizes time between ribbon changeovers. Follow-up: Bill Yarochowicz, marketing coordinator, +1 763-557-1313, sales@accraply.com; Link: www.accraply.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Expanded Showcase honors international winners

The Showcase of Packaging Innovations™ at PACK EXPO International inspires new ideas with display of more than 300 award-winning packages from around world. Showcase, sponsored for third consecutive year by Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI, also houses PACK EXPO Selects finalists, packages developed, produced by exhibitors. Show attendees will vote for finalist they consider most inventive. The Showcase of Packaging Innovations include winners of ABRE Design and Packaging Award (Brazilian Packaging Association); AMEE Stellar Packaging Awards (Association Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje); DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation; Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards (Flexible Packaging Association); Clear Choice Awards (Glass Packaging Institute); Compliance Package of the Year (Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council); Estrella del Sur (Instituto Argentino Del Envase); IMDA Awards (In-Mold Decorating Association); AmeriStar Competition (Institute of Packaging Professionals), Japan Packaging Contest (Japan Packaging Institute), NACD Packaging Awards (National Association of Container Distributors), Print Quality Awards (Packaging and Labeling Gravure Association), National Paperboard Packaging Competition (Paperboard Packaging Council).

Final rule clears way for irradiation of spinach, lettuce

Final rule amends food additive regulations to permit use of ionizing radiation to control pathogens, extend shelf life of fresh spinach, iceberg lettuce.

Safety of irradiation of other types of lettuce, produce such as tomatoes, peppers, remains under review. Final rule permits up to a maximum absorbed dose of 4.0 kilogray (kGy), allows treatment of bagged spinach, iceberg lettuce as long as packaging material is approved for irradiation.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Washington, DC, requires irradiated foods to display “radura” logo along with statement “Treated with radiation” or “Treated by irradiation.” Latest ruling related to spinach, iceberg lettuce expands number of foods FDA allows to be irradiated to kill microbes including meat/poultry, molluscan shellfish, spices.

Rule sets deadline of 22 September 2008 for submitting objections or hearing request on Docket No. FDA-1999-F-2405 (formerly 1999F-5522), represents partial response by FDA to food additive petition (FAP 9M4697) from National Food Processors Association, now Grocery Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC, on behalf of Food Irradiation Coalition. Follow-up: Dr. Lane A. Highbarger, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, +1 301-436-1204; Link: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr080822.html.

Bottle contains built-in desiccant

With regulatory approval in hand, TricorBraun, St. Louis, MO, begins blowmolding DryKeep desiccant bottles, wide-mouth packers from medical-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Stock offerings include sizes ranging from 30 to 2000 cubic centimetres. Coextruded containers sandwich naturally occurring edible desiccant between HDPE layers, eliminate need to insert desiccant sachet or cartridge.

Current production is limited to blowmolded HDPE, but DryKeep desiccant is compatible with other commonly used resins as well as injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming of containers, coextruded film production.

Desiccant works without direct contact to environment, absorbs 100% of its weight, provides three times more moisture capacity/gram than other in-wall or traditional desiccant systems. Controllable moisture uptake, governed by resin choice, layer thickness, achieves specific target humidity levels. Absorptive control means containers don’t require any special care during filling process to maintain active capacity. Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC, grants Drug Master Files on compound, component materials. Multilayer bottles molded with DryKeep material hold certification of adherence with USP 661 Containers, USP 671 Containers-Permeation standards set by US Pharmacopeia (USP), Rockville, MD. Follow-up: Suzie Fenton, director of marketing, +1 314-569-3633, sfenton@tricorbraun.com; Link: www.tricorbraun.com.

Portable dressing packets squeeze fresh flavor onto sandwiches

Single-serving, high-barrier foil laminate pouch with custom spout keep shelf-stable sandwich dressings fresh for on-the-go consumers. Pouches hold 0.50-ounce (14g) of Fresh Ideas Sandwich Dressings from Sara Lee, Downers Grove, IL, feature perforated, easy-opening feature. Directional spout, created by seal bar during form-fill-seal process, helps control flow of dressing while tapered shape directs product toward center of packet for easy dispensing with minimal pressure. Jonathan Drake, vp, Sara Lee Deli, explains, “The dressings offer the restaurant-style taste people prefer without the added expense of buying and eating out….the small packaging makes it easy to transport and can be spread on a homemade sandwich right before eating to preserve freshness and prevent a soggy sandwich.” Now in stores nationwide, portion packs sport Sara Lee logo, flavors such as Creamy Ranch, Sweet Honey Mustard, Savory Horseradish with Garlic, Smokey Bacon, Zesty Pepper Trio Mustard, Sub Sandwich Oil. Secondary packaging consists of 4.0-ounce (113g) carton, which holds eight packets of one flavor, carries suggested retail price of $1.99.

Sonoco Flexible Packaging standardizes software

Flexible Packaging division of Sonoco, Hartsville, SC, standardizes on PECAS Vision enterprise resource planning system. Software from Radius Solutions Ltd., Chicago, IL, helps North American operations operate efficiently, respond more quickly to customer needs, access information from various facilities. Standardizing on one system across seven facilities eliminates patchwork of legacy systems in division built via acquisitions during past decade. It also reduces costs, risks of maintaining highly customized legacy applications. “We had four disparate legacy systems all running on different technology platforms and databases,” recalls Ben Chan, director of Division Business Systems. “It was inefficient and difficult to get adequate levels of reporting and to respond quickly to the needs of our customers,” he explains. Rapid software selection process considers packaging-specific functionality; scale, financial performance, client longevity of vendor. Other requirements include graphical user interface, web-based customer portal support. First site goes live in 105 days, with two more US sites to follow before end of 2008. Remaining US site, three Canadian sites go live in 2009. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 312-648-0800, info@radiussolutions.com; Link: www.radiussolutions.com.

Non-automotive robot orders increase, but market declines

Increase in robot orders for non-automotive applications like packaging fails to offset 43% decline in automotive orders for first half of 2008. As result, North American robotics orders fall 23% to 7100 units valued at $528.6 million in first half of 2008 versus same period in 2007, according to Robotics Industries Association, Ann Arbor, MI. When orders outside North America are added, bookings total 7951 units valued at $575.6 million, a 20% decline in units but 2% increase in dollars. With non-automotive rising, as automotive declines, orders reach parity, ending traditional domination by automotive buyers. RIA estimates US robot population at 182,000 robots, second only to Japan. Follow-up: Jeff Burnstein, evp, +1 734-994-6088; Link: www.roboticsonline.com.

Tapemark snaps up unit-dose package capabilities

With purchase of Snap! single-dose packaging for topical ointments, creams, lotions, Tapemark, West St. Paul, MN, extends brand worldwide as exclusive provider for select drug, medical device, consumer markets. Acquisition from former licensor, Smyth Cos., Inc., Minneapolis, MN, includes intellectual property, equipment, inventory, customer list. According to Kim Mueller, vp, Sales/Marketing at Tapemark, “We are seeing continued market demand for convenient unit-dose formats such as our Snap! packaging. Our increased production capacity supports our projected sales targets and allows us to accelerate further development of our extended Snap! Product Family.” Range of FDA-compliant (Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC) designs include Snap! Duet for two different side-by-side solutions; Snap! Array for multiple pre-measured doses; Snap! Dual Chamber for dispensing two different solutions at same time; Snapplicator for no-touch application of ointment, cream. Follow-up: Julie Karlson, marketing manager, + 1 651-554-7858, karlsonj@tapemark.com; Link: www.tapemark.com.

Extrusion equipment makers join forces

Two extrusion equipment makers owned by private-equity firm Triton, Jersey, UK, consolidate administrative functions like purchasing, logistics, finance, but maintain separate brand identities. Report includes operations acquired from Stora Enso North America in December 2007, sets baseline for future improvements for supplier of paper for packaging, labeling applications. “Sustainability has always been important to our company, as our primary raw material is renewable and contributes to improving the environment when managed responsibly,” says Mark Suwyn, chairman/ceo. Report’s 60 pages of statistics confirm multiple fiber certifications, such as American Tree Farm System, Canadian Standards Association, Forest Stewardship Council, details improvements in North American facilities, paper machines. Follow-up: Sales Department, +1 877-855-7243; Link: www.newpagecorp.com.

Packaging prices spiral upward

In moves becoming commonplace, three packaging converters announce price increases. Cost of oil-based feedstocks, energy, freight costs, tight supply of thermoplastic elastomers prompt DuPont Packaging Graphics, Wilmington, DE, to add surcharge, increase prices 10% for flexographic printing plates, inks, substrates, raw materials beginning 15 September 2008. Rising resin, energy, freight, converting prices lead Sonoco, Hartsville, SC, to charge 10% more for plastic cartridges, plungers for adhesives, sealants packaging. At Unisource Worldwide, Inc., Norcross, GA, escalating diesel fuel costs force packaging distributor to institute fuel surcharge on warehouse, eCommerce orders. Beginning 3 September 2008, warehouse orders receive per line item surcharge; eCommerce shipments collect flat surcharge. Follow-up: At DuPont, Dian O’Leary, dian.e.oleary@usa.dupont.com, +1 302-999-5483, Link: www.dupont.com/packaging; at Sonoco, Roger Schrum, roger.schrum@sonoco.com, +1 843-339-6018; Link: www.sonoco.com; at Unisource, Kevin Feeney, +1 770-209-6552; Link: www.unisourcelink.com.

US wine market marks 14th year of growth

Wine consumption rises 3.2% in 2007 to 292.1 million 9-litre cases, according to 2008 Wine Handbook, published by Beverage Information Group, Norwalk, CT. Number represents $27.9 billion in retail sales, 14th consecutive year of market growth. “If wine continues to grow at these levels, the U.S. will surpass both Italy and France to become both the largest wine market and biggest wine importer in the world by the end of the decade,” says Eric Schmidt, manager of information services for Beverage Information Group. Wine sells well among millenials (23-30 year-olds), boomers (43-61), echo boomers, who are turning 21 in large numbers. Study also shows strong interest from Hispanic consumers. Numbers bode well for glass container industry, which still represents lion share of wine packaging. However, other packaging formats, particularly bag-in-box, also spur purchases of premium, super-premium wines. In addition, study notes, screw cap closures are gaining acceptance. Report reviews consumption category; supplier performance; advertising expenditures by brand, company, media type; consumer drinking preferences; economic, demographic data. Handbook sells for $775; $945 with companion CD, plus $10 for shipping to US/Canada, $20 elsewhere. Follow-up: Cynthia Porter, +1 630-762-8709; Link: www.beveragehandbooks.com.

EarningsUpdate: Nordson… Amcor… Greif…

Helped by 20% increase in sales in Adhesive Dispensing segment, growth in international business, revenue at Nordson Corp., Westlake, OH, jumps 12% to $288 million in fiscal 3Q08 (ended 31 July 2008) vs. $258 million in fiscal 3Q07; performance helps push sales for first nine months of fiscal 2008 to record $827 million; net income also improves, rising to $34 million in fiscal 3Q08 vs. $25 million in fiscal 3Q07… Sales, earnings drop at Amcor Ltd., Abbotsford, Australia, for fiscal year ended 30 June 2008; revenues fall 4.9% to A$9.2 (US$7.9) billion from A$9.7 (US$8.3) billion in fiscal 2007; earnings plunge to A$266.5 (US$229.1) million from A$545.1 (US$468.5) million in fiscal 2007… At Greif, Inc., Delaware, OH, strong sales, especially in industrial packaging, set record for fiscal 3Q08 (ended 31 July 2008) with net sales soaring 18% to $1.0 billion for period vs. $874.2 million for fiscal 3Q07; net income increases too, reaching $64.6 million compared to $48.8 million for fiscal 3Q07; company sets 3Q08 dividend at $0.38/share of Class A Common Stock, $0.57/share of Class B Common Stock, payable 1 October 2008 to shareholders of record at close of business on 17 September 2008…

Upstream: RFID… Vision Guided Robotics…

RFID World conference/exhibition (www.cmp-egevents.com/web/rfid/home) takes place 8-10 September at MGM Casino and Resort, Las Vegas, NV… Automated Imaging Association (www.machinevisiononline.org), Ann Arbor, MI, picks up speed for International Conference for Vision Guided Robotics, 30 September-2 October 2008 at Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, Novi, MI; sessions include Advancements in Vision Guidance for Packaging & Flexible Feeding, Fundamentals of Robotics, Machine Vision Basics, Successfully Integrating Vision Guided Robotics… PharmaEd Resources, Inc. (www.pharmaedresources.com), Champaign, IL, hosts Extractables & Leachables 2008 Conference - Strategies to Ensure Safety and Compliance in the Packaging and Processing of Drugs and Biologics, 20-21 October 2008 at Sheraton La Jolla, San Diego, CA; in-depth pre-conference workshop presents Extractables & Leachables: A USP Perspective…

ShortRuns: O-I… Graphic Packaging… Arpac…

Owens-Illinois, Inc., Perrysburg, OH, shutters glass container plant in Lavington, BC, Canada, on 31 October 2008 to lower energy, production costs; move affects 300 employees, furthers shrinks company’s footprint in Canada where it is in process of closing 430-employee plant in Toronto, ON, ceased production at 200-employee facility in Scoudouc, NB, at end of 1Q08… Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Marietta, GA, plans to shutter folding carton plants in Greensboro, NC; Richmond, VA; Smyrna, TN; with Greensboro, Richmond locations closing by end of 2008, Smyrna shutting down in 1Q09. In preparation for closings, company transitions business handled by Handschy ink/coatings sales office in Grand Rapids, MI; ink manufacturing operations in Indianapolis, IN; to other facilities… Arpac LP, Schiller Park, IL, forms PMI-Arpac LLC subsidiary to acquire some assets of Packaging Machines International, Inc., expand capabilities in shrink packaging equipment; Branko Vukotic, PMI president, plus some other PMI employees join Arpac; PMI-Arpac continues to service, support existing PMI equipment… Automated ingredient handling system provider, Shick USA, Kansas City, MO, adds packaging technology through acquisition of Tech Pak, Joplin, MO, manufacturer of bulk container systems…

Changeover: Multivac…

Brandon White begins overseeing northeast territory for Medical-Consumer-Industrial (MCI) division of Multivac, Kansas, MO, upon 3 October 2008 retirement of Marty Moscowitz after 26 years of service; White, who currently works as western territory MCI manager, is relocating from Colorado to new office in Cherry Hill, NJ…

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