Multiples to roll out recycling logo from December

The first products showing a new standardised logo for retail packaging recycling, which is backed by multiples including Tesco and Asda, will start to appear on supermarket shelves in December.

Asda packaging buyer Shane Monkman said the logo, developed by members of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), would first feature on its Christmas gravy lines.

The logo, which is out for consultation with government, local authorities and manufacturers, categorises each of the materials used in a product's packaging – for example, a card sleeve covering a metal tray with a plastic film – into one of three types (see below).

The BRC said there was "more to be gained than lost" from showing consumers the likelihood that local authorities accept materials for recycling.

"It's not feasible to have different labels for different authorities, but saying what can be recycled in most areas should mean that more of these materials are," said a spokesman.

However, Packaging Federation chief executive Dick Searle questioned the benefit of a national scheme, given the localised nature of recycling. "Aren't we also going to antagonise consumers by giving them information overload?" he asked.

The logo will initially appear on retailer own-brands, but Monkman said the multiples hoped to persuade brand owners to adopt it on their products.

He also wants to focus attention on the inconsistencies in local authority recycling.

The logo categories are based on a combination of kerbside collection and bring-bank facilities.

Tetra Pak is being placed in the "not currently recycled" category. Although it has rolled out collection facilities to more than 70% of local authorities, many have fewer than the BRC scheme's requirement of at least five bring-banks.

The BRC will review the situation again at the end of December, and Tetra Pak is confident that its products will be classed as "widely recycled" by the time the label is introduced.

A number of retailers have been involved in the project, including Asda, Marks & Spencer and Tesco, but not Morrisons, which is not a BRC member.

The BRC has launched a consultation to make sure the scheme has "widespread acceptance".

Source: packagingnews

Sustainable packaging materials

UniLustre products maintain the look of metallized papers and boards while meeting sustainable packaging standards. Most metallized foil laminations utilize foil thicknesses in the range of 0.0003 inches and are not recyclable. The metal thickness in UniLustre products is less than 1 percent of that, so the products are capable of being recycled. Nonlaminated UniLustre products easily print with conventional high-speed printing methods. They require no hot stamping or laminating to achieve metallic or holographic effects. In addition, they offer excellent dead fold properties, are curl free, and do not flake.

Source: packworld

CBI survey paints negative picture of capital gains reform

More than half (54%) of people that own equity in their business expect a detrimental impact from the government's proposed changes to capital gains tax (CGT), according to a new report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Chancellor Alistair Darling's plans to abolish CGT taper relief, which would result in a near doubling of the rate from 10% to 18%, have already been met with fierce opposition from printers and industry bodies alike.

The report surveyed 500 chairmen and directors of SME operations and found 61% owned equity in their business.

Some 43% of respondents indicated that they would alter investment in new business if taper relief were scrapped.

A mere 6% expected the changes to ring in a positive impact, 50% forecast no impact and 40% predicted a negative impact.

The feedback from respondents who own equity in their business was significantly more negative, with 54% expecting a negative impact, 35% replying "very negative" and only 6% predicting a positive change.

Source: printweek

AB Graphic expands Omega range with FSR slitter-rewinder

AB Graphic International, the supplier of label printing and finishing machinery, has added the FSR film slitter-rewinder to its Omega label converting lines.

AB Graphic sales manager Tony Bell said the machine would enable customers to process all the substrates they used, including films.

The FSR is designed for inspecting, slitting and rewinding unsupported films for wraparound applications, shrink sleeves and tamper-evident closures.

It can also be used to convert traditional label and packaging materials.

AB Graphic, which is based in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, is aiming the machine at the narrow-web label industry.

Models are available in maximum web widths of 330mm, 410mm and 510mm, and can run at speeds up to 300 metres per minute, depending on the substrate.

Additional features include a driven unwind and closed loop taper tension control.
Source: packagingnews

Green Alliance questions food pack recycling with guidance launch

The different components of a retail pack should ideally have the same recycling route to help consumer understanding, according to the Green Alliance.

Its Applications for Compostable Packaging guidance, launched today (28 November), is designed to help assess whether food packaging is the most appropriate application for compostable materials.

Policy advisor Hannah Hislop said packaging should not "constantly change between formats such as compostable and recyclable".

She added that there was the potential to develop the guidelines for non-food packaging and other materials.

The Green Alliance also called for all food packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2013.

Despite the great interest in biopolymers from retailers and brands, the Green Alliance claimed there was a lack of awareness of the problems they could cause for consumers, local authority collections and reprocessing plants.
Source: packagingnews

API 'making progress' despite share price tumble

API Group, which produces foils and laminates for packaging, has reacted to a plunge in its share price by reassuring the market it is making progress towards resolving funding problems.

Following an 11p fall in its share price to 25.5p today (28 November), the firm said discussions were continuing in a "positive and constructive manner" with its banks and advisers, and key shareholders continued to be "highly supportive".

"The solution may take the form of a renegotiation of the company's banking facilities and/or an equity issue," the firm said.

API will make a further announcement once a solution has been agreed.

API said last month that recent investments in China and the restructuring of operations in Europe would have a positive impact on results for the year.

The company recorded a £2.1m loss in the six months to 31 March, following a "disappointing" 2006 that revealed a slump in its European business. Growth in laminates was offset by poor demand for metallic foils and pigments.

Andrew Turner, formerly of Alcan Packaging, took over as API Group's chief executive last month.
Source: packagingnews

Carbon Trust offers printers green grants for carbon reduction

The Carbon Trust has called for print bodies to set an example to the rest of the industry by applying for the next wave of Networks Initiative funding for carbon reduction projects.

Funding bands of up to £30,000 or £140,000 are on offer to organisations that want to take action on climate change and cut carbon emissions.

Applicants for funding are required to produce a plan by 9 January 2008 outlining how their initiatives will save carbon.

The grants can also be used to develop specific technical guidance and toolkits to help industries manage their carbon reduction measures more effectively.

Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay told printweek.com: "Trade and professional bodies have an important role to play in championing carbon reduction measures across the print industry.

"With as much as £140,000 of funding available for a wide range of initiatives – from development of specific technical guidance to energy efficiency projects – we can support groups that want to highlight the cost of wasted energy and take action to reduce carbon emissions in the sector."

Source: printweek

Capper targets larger packaging needs

A new capping technology can accommodate food and beverage industry demand for larger bottle and cartons, whilst preventing damage to the containers during repeated torque applications, its manufacturer claims.

New England Machinery says that its latest NEHSC single headed capper has been designed specifically for manufacturers wanting to sell their products in larger containers.

In addition, the device can also be adjusted for both single and twin pack carton containers.

The capper, designed as a free-standing unit, can be placed over an existing continuous motion conveyor to adapt to existing operations, according to the manufacturer.

New England Machinery says that the technology also allows for a customer friendly changeover that does not require tool use.

In Europe, markets like Turkey and the Netherlands are increasingly relying on larger packaging to boost sales for some of their beverage and dairy goods, says consumer analyst Euromonitor.

In Turkey, a major growth area for food and beverage production, there has been steady growth for both large and small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging solutions between 2000 and 2005, the analyst said.

Even in more commercially developed markets like the Netherlands, dairy products coming in larger containers were found to have become increasingly popular with Dutch consumers, Euromonitor added.

Similar findings by Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarkt -forschung, a German research association for the packing market, indicate that in some emerging Eastern European markets like Hungary, larger bottles have dominated drinks sales in recent years.
Source: foodproductiondaily

ABC Print to cut 'a million' waste sheets with Heidelberg Anicolor

ABC Print is expecting to save more than a million sheets of paper a year thanks to the faster makeready times of its new Heidelberg Anicolor press.

The Hereford-based company is also making a push for a hat-trick of environmental accreditations with the new machine, anticipating it will reduce paper, inks and coatings waste.

Managing director Mike Greene said he expects to have FSC and PEFC certifications, and ISO 14001 "finalised within three months" following the Anicolor installation.

The kit will join a Heidelberg pressroom that already includes a 10-colour SM 52 and two Suprasetter A52 platesetters running Saphira Chem-Free plates.

Greene said: "It's very fast to makeready, is easy to run and, critically, it reduces your start-up waste. We are seeing it makeready in 10 to 12 sheets only.

The company expects an increase in the work it carries out with the new purchase and plans to "aggressively push" the advantages the Anicolor would bring its clients

Greene added: "With the Anicolor, we anticipate 25% more productivity per shift compared with our conventional press".

The four-colour plus coater machine will replace a five-colour Speedmaster SM 52 when the 20-staff printer takes delivery in January.
Source: printweek

Nicholl spreads into Germany and Eastern Europe with Bachmann buy

Nicholl Food Packaging has increased its presence in continental Europe with the purchase of German aluminium foil container manufacturer Bachmann Aluminium.

Nicholl, which already has facilities in France and Belgium, said Hannover-based Bachmann "fits well" with its plans for expansion in the sector.

Nicholl chief executive Andrew Dent said: "It represents an opportunity for market growth in Germany and the Eastern European market."

Germany is the second-largest largest container market in Europe after the UK.

Cannock-based Nicholl produces aluminium foil food containers for retailers, food manufacturers and the professional catering industry, and employs 400 staff.

As well as its European plants, Nicholl operates two production sites in the UK and has a turnover of more than £60m.
Source: packagingnews

Packaging Market Weekly Wrap - Schoeller Arca Sale Approved

US private equity firm One Equity Partners and German packaging company Schoeller Holding GmbH have received clearance from the European Commission to purchase plastic packaging maker Schoeller Arca Systems.

The deal will become final in one month unless the commission receives objections from third parties.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Polimoon, the French plastics manufacturer acquired by Icelandic company Promens early this year, has changed its name to Promens.

The name change coincides with the launch of a new logo, designed to communicate the energy and ambition of the group.

SECTOR FORECASTS

The rigid tubular aluminium packaging market is expected to fluctuate over the next five years, increasing one percent by 2012, according to a recent report by Market & Business Development (MBD).

The research firm says sales will increase in the short-term to a peak of £293.9m at 2007 prices in 2009.

Despite this, demand is forecast to decline by three percent over the next two years, before recovering to a one percent increase for 2012.

MBD says trading conditions are expected to remain "difficult" over the next five years, reflecting cost disadvantages of aluminium as a packaging material.

MBD have also released a report on the steel food and drink packaging market, forecasting a seven percent decline over the next five years.

The report says the steel food and drink container sector is one that is most open to speculation in the face of potential competition from carton and plastic packaging options.

MDB say market conditions are likely to be hindered by the maturity of the canned food sector as packaging companies seek to increase the appeal of light metal packaging, which is often regarded as old fashioned and has developed an association with low-quality goods.
Source: packaging-technology

Sampling Innovations makes tester pack for TV hit perfume

Sampling Innovations, the promotional packaging specialist, has developed the tester packs for a perfume range that won backing in TV programme Dragons' Den.

David Pybus secured £80,000 from Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones on the BBC show to commercialise the Scents of Time perfume range, which is based on scents lost in time that have been recreated for the modern age.

Pybus commissioned Sampling Innovations, based in Haywards Heath, to produce silver z-fold sample packs that contain vials of both the Pyxis and Nenúfar fragrances.

The packs include information about the perfume alongside a biography of Pybus.

Pybus said the samples would encourage consumers to purchase the full-size 100ml perfume, which is packaged in a presentation box with a booklet explaining the history of the scent.

He said: "In the perfume business, the smell comes before the sale. People have to experience aromas as they are bottled emotions."

He will launch a third fragrance, Ankh, alongside the Tutankhamen exhibition at the Millennium Dome.
Source: packagingnews

Brecon automates Burgopak production with Bosch kit

Pharmaceutical packaging specialist Brecon Pharmaceuticals will be the first company to fully automate production of Burgopak's patented sliding case.

Bosch Sigpack has developed a machine that automates the construction of Burgopak's case, which was previously constructed by hand.

Brecon was appointed as contract packer for the task and will assemble PocketPaks, which are sliding single- and double-sided blister packs that contain ibuprofen or paracetamol.

The Wye Valley-based firm will take delivery of the Bosch machine in the coming months, ready for production in spring 2008.

The four metre-wide by 18 metre-long kit produces a minimum of 150 Burgopaks per minute, which equates to a minimum of 20 million units each year.

It has been designed specifically for pharmaceuticals, but future machines will be capable of producing packs for a range of industries, including SIM cards, credit cards, cosmetics, CD and DVD packaging.

Source: packagingnews

Report: publishers upbeat about business but pessimistic on print

Market research body The Industry Measure has reported that publishers are more positive than ever about business, but are looking to the internet for cost savings and sales growth.

According to the Publishing Forecast 2008, nearly a quarter (23%) said 2007 was better than 2006, and 27% thought that 2008 would be even better. The figures were even more pronounced for magazine publishers, at 27% and 33%, respectively.

However, the predicted success may not be passed on to printers, with rising paper and postal costs making for a "turbulent year", according to the report. Around three in five respondents described printing costs as a "business challenge".

In response to this, around two in five magazine publishers said email promotional activity would be increasingly important, while nearly the same number of publishers said they would increasingly use online proofing for final approval. Three in five identified driving traffic to their websites as a sales opportunity, and 73% thought that improving their websites would drive sales.

In fact, sales opportunities involving print scored lower than online campaigns, with around a third of publishers interested in cross-media projects that included printed advertising or direct mail, and 28% interested in new book titles. However, 38% were interested in direct mail-only projects.

"We should be careful when thinking about media channels becoming more and less important. When we say that certain media – such as print – are becoming 'less important', that is not to imply that they are becoming 'unimportant'. Print and other 'old media' have for so long been entrenched in these companies' marketing and promotion efforts that it's easy for print media-based promotion to be scaled down," said the report.
Source: printweek

Excelsior seeks 'significant' boost with Omni acquisition

North Wales packaging firm Excelsior Technologies has bought printing company Omni Flexibles in Salford with the aim of "significantly" increasing its turnover in the next 12 months.

The producer of packaging for brands such as Birds Eye and SC Johnson has 205 existing staff at premises in Flint, Nelson and Leeds.

It specialises in microwave steam cooking packaging, laminates and bags for multinationals and blue-chip companies.

Omni Flexibles, which changed its name from Brand Packaging in May, has 60 "very good people" in Salford and made a pre-tax profit of £161,475 for the year ended 30 April 2007. It prints flexible packaging for brands such as Haribo and Persil.

Excelsior Technologies managing director Dave Moorcroft said the addition of Omni Flexibles would take the combined group turnover to £40m.

"The plan is for Omni Flexibles to continue trading from its Salford premises and increase volume during the course of 2008," he said.

Moorcroft said the acquisition would make Excelsior the "largest independent flexible packaging producer in the UK".

The aim now is to leverage Omni Flexibles' technology to improve and increase the range of products offered, he added.
Source: packagingnews

Tri-Star makes third acquisition of 2007 with MG's sushi arm

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies of Enfield, Middlesex, has taken over the sushi-packaging division of MG Plastics in Chesterfield.

The purchase is the food packaging supplier's third acquisition this year, following earlier deals for Stadium Disposable and Nu-Line Marketing, both based in London.

MG Plastics' owner Malcolm Gill has joined Tri-Star to help the firm develop its sushi-packaging sales.

Tri-Star managing director Kevin Curran said the acquisition would enable the firm to supply for the first time a "comprehensive range of sushi containers" to retailers and the food-to-go sector in APET, HIPS (high-density polystyrene) and PS materials.

"This year's acquisitions and another planned for 2008, together with organic growth, will help us exceed a projected turnover of £20m by the end of 2008," said Curran.

Tri-Star, which employs 108 staff, now supplies everything from sushi and salad containers to serviettes and disposable cutlery.

Source: packagingnews

Palm Paper wins planning rights for £330m Norfolk mill

Palm Paper yesterday (20 November) received planning permission for a £330m newsprint manufacturing plant from King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.

The site is expected to produce around 550,000 tonnes of newsprint per year and create 150 direct jobs and 150 indirect jobs.

Palm Paper managing director Derek Harman said that one machine will start up in 2009 with the option for a second if market conditions are right.

In September, Harman said that the privately owned German firm was in the first stages of recruiting its key management for the site.

Paper rivals are also planning new UK mills include Ecco Newsprint in Teesside and Aylesford Newsprint, but it is understood that Palm Paper's plant is now likely to be the first project to go ahead.

Merseyside-based AbitibiBowater, Kent-based Aylesford and UPM Shotton in north Wales are the current recycled newsprint mills in the UK.
Source: printweek

Huhtamaki hunts new CEO as Takanen departs

Huhtamaki, the Finnish consumer and speciality packaging group, is looking for a new chief executive following the resignation of Heikki Takanen.

Chief financial officer Timo Salonen will fill the role as an interim measure while the group, which is reviewing its UK consumer goods business, hunts for a new chief.

Huhtamaki has also appointed Clay Dunn, executive vice president Americas, as chief operating officer. The executive vice presidents of the firm's European rigid, flexibles, films and moulded fibre divisions, as well as of the Asia-Oceania-Africa regions, will report to Dunn.

The firm said these appointments would remain in place until it appointed a new chief executive.

Huhtamaki chairman Mikael Lilius said the firm would continue to move in the strategic direction reported in an interim statement on 25 October.

The group said at the time that it wanted to expand its flexible and films businesses globally and would target investment on North America and Asia. Huhtamaki is also reviewing its operations in South Africa.

Huhtamaki Group reported sales of £1.6bn (€2.3bn) in 2006.
Source: packagingnews

Packaging Market Weekly Wrap - AstraZeneca South Africa Sells Alrode Packaging unit

AstraZeneca South Africa has sold its Alrode packaging facility to Afrika Biopharma Manufacturing (ABM) for an undisclosed sum.

AstraZeneca chief executive Dr Guni Goolab says the sale will bring about a transformation for the company.

"A partnership agreement has been put in place with ABM, where a new company will be contracted to package our products until 2011," he says.

"This will ensure a guaranteed income stream for the Alrode facility while the new shareholders take over the management of the factory and build the business."

GRAPHIC LOSSES

Paperboard packaging manufacturer Graphic Packaging Corporation has reported a net loss in the third quarter, after charges related to its operations in Sweden.

The company had a net loss of US$13.9m on US$612.1m in sales, compared with US$5.1m net loss on US$595.9m over the same period last year.

Graphic says third quarter results were affected by a US$25.2m non-cash impairment charge to the company's operations in Sweden.

Graphic has since announced plans to sell its Swedish operations.

CEO David Scheible says the company posted an increased operating income for the fourth consecutive quarter, despite the net loss.

"We made substantial progress with out cost-cutting programmes this quarter, helping to drive a US$19m increase in operating income over the prior year's third quarter," he says.

Net sales equalled US$612.1m, up 2.7 percent on the same period last year.

AFRICAN PACKAGING PLANT OPENS

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has opened East Africa's "largest and most modern plant for manufacturing packaging materials."

Riley Packaging, owned by Raps and Mukwano group of companies, manufactures a wide range of corrugated products, display stands and dustbins.

The firm produces 2,500t monthly (14 million boxes) and expects to attain full capacity by 2008 and to employ 400 people, managers say.

CURTIS GOES CARBON NEUTRAL

Curtis Packaging says it is the first printing and packaging company in North America to become 100 percent carbon neutral.

The company is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and uses renewable energy to power its operations.

Curtis says it will work with The CarbonNeutral Company to neutralise the company’s remaining carbon emissions through investment in a portfolio of independently audited projects.
Source: packaging-technology

Willsons plumps for second iGen3 to boost short-run turnaround

Willsons has responded to growing demand for digital work by investing in a second Xerox iGen3, only 12 months after it installed its first iGen3.

The Newark, Nottinghamshire-based printer has experienced a 20% growth in its digitally printed work since the original installation and plans to use the new machine to offer faster turnaround times.

Willsons managing director Mark Willson told printweek.com: "We carry out a lot of four-colour, short-run work on the iGen.

"People now need work completed yesterday. There is a demand to be more reactive and produce work as quickly as possible."

The iGen3 has a resolution of 600x600dpi and can process up to 6,600 full-colour A4 impressions per hour.

Willson added: "We took the decision to install another Xerox iGen3 in order to ensure we maintain our reputation for providing highly personalised services to our clients."

The 60-staff firm, which operates a Heidelberg litho pressroom, will add the new Xerox to its digital portfolio, which includes the existing iGen and a four-colour HP Indigo 3050.

Source: printweek

Survey: downtime biggest woe of digital print firms

More than a third of production press users say downtime is their biggest business headache, a survey carried out by Ricoh has revealed.

The poll, which was run at this year's Digital Print World exhibition, showed 39% of respondents put "maintaining availability" at the top of their list of woes.

Danwood graphics and production systems division managing director Gerry Mulvaney agreed that downtime was an issue and said his company offered a 90% working week uptime service level agreement (SLA) in its support provisions.

He told printweek.com that it was in both his and his company's interests to keep these presses running.

"On average, our machine uptimes are in mid-90%," he said. "There are penalties built into the SLA if we fail to meet the targets. We have put this in place to ensure that customers share our confidence in the equipment."

Ricoh UK marketing director Chas Moloney said he was not surprised at reliability issues being at the top of the heap and claimed that the measures his company takes can reduce downtime by a fifth.

"We provide mission critical-level support to our customers through, for example, our customer replaceable parts service. Parts are stored on site and changed as soon as needed by the customer with support form Ricoh.

"There is no packaging or posting of used parts, to ensure customer convenience engineers visit the site to repair or replace stock – boosting customer productivity," he said.

Mulvaney said that downtime issues are often more a problem with mismatching equipment to the task rather than an inherent problem with unreliability.

"The problems occur when machines are purchased or used for volumes or applications they were not designed for. There are many reasons for this, sometimes it is the salesman's fault for incorrect specification or sometimes users buy to a price or their needs change and they try to use inappropriate equipment for the application," he said.

Mulvaney added: "There is a good reason why the Konica Minolta engine is more expensive that the Sharp, for example, and trying to produce 700,000 to 800,000 mono prints a month on the Sharp would make it seem 'unreliable', when in fact is not designed for that volume."

Mulvaney also cited skill gaps as being a stumbling block, particularly with colour machines, where the applications involved are often more sophisticated. He said that the pressures of a busy print room could mean supplier provided training can get sidelined, leading to problems further down the line.

However, he added that despite these pressures, many printers and CRDs recognise the value of adding in substantial support packages when they buy a production press.

"Experienced users realise that regular equipment maintenance and staff training will pay dividends in terms of reliability, productivity and up-time. Can you imagine what the M1 motorway would look like, if it was populated with learner drivers and clapped out unserviced bangers? There would be precious little travelling being done."

Among the other headaches cited by those polled at the exhibition, the pressure to be green was the second biggest problem at 14%. Issues such as processing out-of-hours jobs, boosting infrastructure capacity, managing workflows and increasing security also rated among the key concerns.

The survey polled 100 people at this year's Digital Print World, 16 to 18 October at London's Earl's Court 2

Source: printweek

Paper industry pilot paves the way for carbon management standard

The Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) has launched a pilot scheme to create a carbon emissions framework for the UK paper industry.

The Carbon Circles initiative is currently in talks with paper mills to develop a foundation for the scheme, which seeks to measure a plant's "entire carbon footprint".

According to PITA, the average UK paper mill consumes 4,000kWh of electricity per tonne of paper produced, leaving "considerable scope" for energy reduction.

Project manager Barry Read said: "Carbon will definitely go down the same path as quality and environmental standards, such as ISO 9000 and 14001.

"I would love to think this project would lead to a carbon management standard. It could be huge."

Read added that there are also plans to develop the scheme into a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) for paper industry workers.

Richard Bloxham, head of marketing communication at sector skills council Proskills, said: "The paper industry's occupational standards are not comprehensive or are running out of date."

PITA is already in talks with a number of paper and packaging mills across the UK, including Aylesford Newsprint and M-real in Sittingbourne.

It is holding a packaging-related session at Bury College, Lancashire, on 21 November, with representatives from a number of mills, including Mondi's Holcombe plant and Smurfit Kappa SSK.

The £32,800 initiative, which will run till April 2008, is part-funded by a £30,000 grant from the Carbon Trust.

Source: printweek

Food Standards revises rules for 'traffic light' packaging

The Food Standards Agency has updated guidance on packaging design for its "traffic light" labelling scheme and added breakfast cereals to the six food groups already covered.

The body has modified the criteria to identify when sugar content is due to high levels of fruit rather than added sugars.

Research found that consumers wanted to be able to distinguish between products based on the source of the sugars. A food can be labelled amber for sugars if the total amount exceeds 5g per 100g and added sugars are less than 12.5g per 100g.

The guidance also provides advice on Pantone colours and CMYK breakdown for the traffic lights, as well as the text colour, font and font size. Monochrome packaging may use the signposts with the words 'high', 'medium' and 'low' in place of colours.

The changes take immediate effect for newly labelled products, and when labels are next reprinted for existing signposted products.

An agency spokeswoman said it currently had no plans to expand the scheme to cover further food groups, although this would be reviewed in 2008.
Source: packagingnews

Esko: alliances would improve supply chain

Partnerships in the packaging supply chain would create more innovation, according to packaging pre-production technology firm EskoArtwork.

Chief executive Carsten Knudsen said collaboration between firms at different stages in the chain needed to be smooth to improve efficiency and product development, and reduce costs and delivery times.

"Innovation increasingly comes through partnerships between firms," he said at an open day for select customers yesterday (15 November) at the firm's headquarters in Belgium.

Products on show included WebCenter, an online system that enables all players, including brand owners, designers and converters, to access information relevant to their role in packaging development.

It also enables swift changes to be made to language or crucial legal requirements.

Knudsen said EskoArtwork was "back on track" after an initial sales dip following its creation through Esko's acquisition of Artwork Systems in August.

"Our goal was to make sure all our customers were not disrupted by the merger," he said.

Source: packagingnews

Nationwide Print saves time with Screen PlateRite

Nationwide Print has demonstrated its commitment to green, ethical printing and saved "around two days" of employee time per month by investing in Screen PlateRite 4300E platesetter.

The St Austell, Cornwall-based printer, which produces work for clients such as The Eden Project and The National Trust, has also installed an SAL 4100 auto plateloader, stacker and Screen Trueflow software.

The 15-strong company is running the system unmanned, processing 50 plates a day, while the processless plates have cut the printer's waste disposal costs.

Nationwide Print managing director Julian Hocking said: "The extra consumables and chemistry required for our old system, in addition to paying out for waste disposal and extra maintenance, added about 30% to the price of our violet plates so even though the plates were cheaper, it was a bit of a false economy."

The litho printing company, which runs a Heidelberg pressroom that includes two Speedmaster SM 52 presses, a five- and two-colour, wanted to ensure its new machine set-up was as green as possible.

Nationwide Print managing director Julian Hocking said: "Our customer network is spread right across the UK and no matter where businesses are based, every company is concerned about sustainability and reducing emissions.

"As well as consistently outputting plates with a dot sharpness and registration accuracy that enables superior process control and fast makeready times, our new processless set-up proves we are dedicated to building our business in an ethical way as we are operating a much cleaner and efficient operation since we had it installed."
Source: printweek

Packaging Innovations Weekly Wrap - Stora Enso Unveils Latest Smart Pharma Pack

Stora Enso’s latest pharmaceutical pack can be upgraded to include patient compliance technology by intelligent pharmaceutical packaging specialist Cypak.

The cartonboard Discreet Dose Slider’s lock mechanism has recently gained F1 status for exceptional child safety from the US Code of Federal Regulations.

The intelligent version of the pack, DDSi, incorporates printed circuits which are connected to sensors that detect when a pill is broken out of the blister pack.

An alarm sounds until a question is answered by pushing a button on the pack.

The technology is likely to be used for clinical trials or for drugs that require high compliance monitoring, Stora Enso says.

The pack has printable surfaces for patient guidance and can be produced using existing machinery.

Recently launched subsidiary of The Instone Group, New Ice has received patents for its potato starch-based trays.

The biodegradable trays are an improvement on corn-starch products as the potato starch’s high gluten content creates a stronger container, company founder Giles Instone says.

The patents, which have been issued in Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Europe and the US provide New Ice with improved techniques and materials for forming mouldable ecological containers which can hold fresh produce in dry, damp or wet environments.

Instone says additional patents are expected to be granted in 2008.

The firm expects the trays to be available to the US market by the first quarter of 2008.

Manufacturing

Spanish company Productos tecnicos y Maquinaria SL has introduced a new labelling machine it says is well suited to small and medium sized wine companies.

The LabelFast 800 is a semi-automatic labelling machine for cylindrical and conical products, which prints the front and rear of the label at the same time.

It is able to process 800 units per hour and can codify information such as the date and pack number.

SmartSeal and Corvaglia Closures have signed an agreement covering the development, manufacture and sale of the SmartSeal FLEX range of closure.

The closure family features an automatically activated valve, which provides spill control and increased user convenience.

Corvaglia says the agreement will get the “innovative product to market in a short time without compromise”, and covers activities in Europe and Latin America.
Source: packaging-technology

London leaders press ahead with plastic bag ban

London council leaders have today (13 November) approved a bill to ban the distribution of free plastic bags.

The decision follows a London-wide consultation organised by London Councils on its proposals to introduce either a ban or a tax on shopping bags in the capital.

The consultation ran from 14 September to 26 October and London Councils said last week that it would press for action after almost 60% of respondents voted in favour of an outright ban.

However, it decided today not to take the step of imposing a plastic bag tax on shoppers.

"The levy is off the table basically," said a spokesman.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said there was no clear evidence that a plastic bag tax would be beneficial on either broad environmental or litter-reduction grounds.

"This is because people would be encouraged to use bags made from other materials or alternative forms of packaging instead, which may be equally or more damaging to the environment," it said.

Following the consultation results last week, Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) chief executive Liz Goodwin said charging was "one way of tackling the environmental impact of plastic bags", but using recycled content, lighter-weight material and 'bags for life' would make a "huge difference".

London Councils chairman Merrick Cockell said: "The campaign to rid the capital of the environmental blight of throwaway shopping bags begins here. As a society, we need to do far more to reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill and London as a city is determined to take an ambitious lead on this issue."

He urged all Londoners to voice their support to their MP and back the London Local Authorities (Shopping Bag) Bill, which is due to be deposited in parliament on 27 November.

London Councils said retailers would still be able to sell plastic bags. However, it hopes that any profits generated from the sale of bags will be channelled into environmental projects.
Source: packagingnews

Sainsbury's to go 100% compostable on ready meals

Sainsbury's aims to convert its ready meals to 100% compostable packaging by March 2008.

The goal, outlined alongside interim results today (14 November), follows its target to make 50% of fruit and vegetable packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by the same month, set by the multiple's head of print and packaging, Stuart Lendrum.

Sainsbury's is also looking to make its online sales deliveries, which have increased by 40% over the past six months, more environmentally sound.

A company spokeswoman said it used crates and encouraged staff to ask customers if they really required plastic bags.

The use of disposable carrier bags has decreased by 10% since May, following 'Make the difference' days when Sainsbury's distributed nine million reusable 'Bags for Life' free to customers.

This coming weekend (17-18 November), it will again issue more free 'Bags for Life'.

Announcing a rise in half-yearly pre-tax profits of almost 20%, chief executive Justin King said the company was well placed to respond to increased customer demands for "high standards and principles".

Asda yesterday (13 November) announced a fall in quarterly profits compared with the same period last year, despite "very positive sales results". Chief executive Andy Bond said, however, that profits were "slightly above plan" and that retailers should stop looking for excuses about sales performance. "Our job is to make products more affordable, not moan about the state of the economy," he said.
Source: packagingnews

Nipson slumps in third-quarter

Nipson has reported a massive fall in profits for the nine months to September 2007, citing a decrease in equipment sales as behind the poor results.

Year-on-year profits for the period were £2.49m, down 61.2% year-on-year on its £6.43m revenue in 2006.

The manufacturer's £4.9m of equipment sales represent a 51.5% decrease compared with the same period in 2006, with the US constituting the largest part of the decrease, dropping 73.6%.

While recurrent sales for the period continued to grow, with an increase of
2.1%, the lower number of equipment sales meant revenue dropped by 20.7% to £18.9m.

It reported an operating result loss of £3.1m compared with a profit of £300,000 for the same nine months in 2006.

The France-based company experienced a £500,000 drop in operating costs to £5.6m, declaring the weakening dollar and the group's cost reduction programmes as reasons for the fall.

Nipson chairman Rimon Ben-Shaoul said: "The growth in our recurrent revenues is encouraging. I believe the fourth quarter will show an increase in equipment sales."

Source: printweek

HP to downgrade camera arm as it focuses on Print 2.0

HP has pledged its future to the industry by shedding the design and development side of its digital camera range in order to focus on expanding its print portfolio.

The manufacturing giant wants to focus on its Print 2.0 initiative and is working to find a manufacturer to design and develop its cameras under the HP brand.

It will continue to sell its own cameras throughout the Christmas period, but intends to establish the partnership in the first half of 2008.

HP's claimed the high-profile Print 2.0 campaign, fronted by pop star Gwen Stefani, will deliver a digital printing platform that increases speeds and lowers the cost of printing for high-volume commercial work.

The company also stated that the initiative would make it easier to print from the web and extend HP's digital content creation and publishing platforms.

It said in a statement: "This shift in strategy is intended to enable HP to accelerate its investment in Print 2.0 initiatives.

"These include furthering HP's leadership position in home photo printing and online photo services, while accelerating the company's retail photofinishing business."

HP will take a pre-tax charge of approximately £14.3m ($30m) in the fourth quarter ending 31 Oct 2007 as a result of its new strategy.

Source: printweek

Kraft Counter Sues P&G - Packaging Market Weekly Wrap

Kraft Foods and Procter and Gamble's (P&G) argument over the use of plastic coffee containers stepped up a notch this week, with Kraft counter-suing P&G.

P&G filed a lawsuit against Kraft in August seeking a patent infringement ruling over Kraft's use of plastic Maxwell house coffee containers.

Kraft now alleges P&G's plastic container infringes on Kraft's patent for its Maxwell House brand and wants P&G to stop selling Folger's in the container.

Last month a judge granted Kraft's motion that the case be put on hold pending a review of the patent.

EU WASTE RULES

The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN) says EU packaging recycling targets will not be revised at the end of this year as previously announced.

When the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste was revised in 2004 it was agreed that targets for a five year phase from 2009 until 2014 would be set by the end of 2007.

However, in a recent report on EU and national packaging and environment legislation, EUROPEN says recent data shows many of the original EU states have already surpassed the 2008 targets and new states are making rapid progress toward meeting their targets.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Packaging firm Mayr-Melnhof has acquired a 53 percent stake in Jordanian folding carton producer Al-Ekbal Printing & Packaging Co.

The purchase strengthens Mayr-Melnhof's position in the Arabic region and will grow the company’s main sales area of cigarette and detergent packaging.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

RESULTS

Packaging Corp of America has issued a profit warning after heavy rain affected the operation at one of its linerboard mills.

The containerboard and corrugated packaging products maker says a "major unplanned outage" at the Tennessee mill has boosted costs and reduced output.

The mill was inoperable for 2½ days and experienced continuing operating problems.

Packaging Corp says the outage will reduce fourth-quarter per share earnings by four cents.
Source: packaging-technology

Industry leaders rally against 'forced' pension scheme

New government legislation, which would make it compulsory for employers to contribute to their employee's pension schemes, has been criticised by industry bodies and printers alike.

The bill, confirmed in Tuesday's Queen's speech (6 November), outlines new legislation that forces companies to make a minimum contribution of 3% into new pension "personal accounts".

The scheme, which the government said would "help people meet their retirement aspirations", requires a 4% input from the employee in addition to a further 1% from the government.

The legislation has been welcomed by the Confederation of British Industry and trade union Unite, which called it a positive change that would provide "good quality safe pension schemes properly funded by employers".

But the print industry has been less welcoming to the bill, condemning it for being both impractical and "forced".

BPIF solicitor head of legal Anne Copley told printweek.com: "Given that the people the government most wants to protect is the lowest paid, it seems nonsense to allow an opt-out.

"A part-time bindery employee having to pay 4% of their wages is more likely to choose not to take up the scheme than higher-paid employees."

Copley added that if "employees don't have to join if they already have a 'good workplace scheme', who will decide if the scheme is 'good'?"

This view has been echoed by employers that are already paying into independently run schemes.

Roger Severn, managing director of London-based printer Aquatint, told printweek.com: "The scheme is an admirable idea, but the execution is totally impractical if it's imposed on you.

"We operate our own scheme, into which we contribute 4.5%. Our employees can opt into it a year after they join the company."

Severn outlined major drawbacks faced by printers over the new personal accounts.

"There have been times that we've had to opt out of pensions in our 28-year history and our staff have understood that.

"If we didn't put the pensions on hold, we would've had to let some staff go."

He said that an employer would likely factor in the cost of pension contributions to the salaries it offers to staff, potentially resulting in lower wages.

"I have no problems rewarding good staff, but I resent the government telling me to do so," Severn added.

The enforced nature of the bill has proved unpopular with many employers.

Gurdev Singh, managing director of Nottingham-based printer Howitt, told printweek.com that "the devil is in the detail".

He said: "We are comfortable to pay into company-approved pension schemes, but authoritarian instruction from the government to do so is inherently a bad thing."

"On the surface, it's a good idea as everyone should be saving for their retirement. But as government pensions have been so devalued over recent years, people don't really believe in them."

Singh added: "Politicians are coming up with these soundbites and then leaving businesses to pick up the cost at the other end," he said.

The new bill has also come under attack for creating more confusion for those unsure of how best to save for the future.

BPIF's Copley said: "Employees that are already apathetic about making provision for their old age will now be further confused by yet another option."

TPF Group chief executive Steve Brundle added: "It's potentially a piece of significant legislation. As for the wider way to solve the pension problem though, it seems like a case of too little, too late."

Source: packagingnews

Shop combats packaging waste by plugging 'reuse' angle

A shop that wants to refocus the packaging debate towards reuse opened its doors in London yesterday (8 November).

Unpackaged, which has spent the past 12 months distributing dry goods to the capital's markets, encourages customers to bring their own containers to be refilled with products.

It also charges 50p for shopping bags if customers do not bring their own.

Founder Catherine Conway said it was important to refine the business model to help the large number of people who wanted to "do the right thing" about the environment.

"We're not anti-packaging and recognise that it plays an important role in combating food waste. But for most of our products, like detergents, there's no need for disposable packaging," she said.

Unpackaged also sells organic fruit and vegetables, which are delivered in suppliers' original packaging – often in durable plastic sacks – that the shop can recycle itself.

Once inside the shop, the products are transferred to airtight plastic containers to help maintain quality and freshness.
Source: packagingnews

European Commission deliberates on Arjo's Zanders takeover

Arjowiggins will learn early next month whether it is permitted to buy M-real's Zanders Reflex mill in Germany.

The European Commission is due to decide by 7 December whether to allow the merger after considering the likely effect on the carbonless paper market, which is in decline and beset by structural overcapacities.

The submission from Arjowiggins and M-real argues that the effect on the market will be limited and that the merged entity will face strong competition from three large players, Koehler, Mitsubishi and Torraspapel, as well as a number of local players.

The parties pointed out that prices will be constrained by the overcapacities in the market and the potential competition from thermal paper producers and neighbouring markets, such as uncoated wood-free paper.

The mill, in Düren, has been operating since 1857 and has four paper machines, with a joint annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes of speciality paper. It is dedicated to the production of carbonless and creative papers, such as letterhead, employs 470 people and has annual sales of £104m (€150m).

The financial value of the deal was not disclosed, but M-real, a subsidiary of Metsäliitto Group, will book a £14m loss from the transaction.

As a result of the sale, Arjowiggins, a subsidiary of Sequana Capital, will own all the assets and inventories of Zanders Reflex mill and the associated trademarks.
Source: printweek

Packaging war wages for coffee giants

A vertical packaging machine originally created for confectionery packaging has been redesigned for use with a wider selection of foods requiring modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications, its manufacturer claims.

PFM Packaging Machinery says that its PFM Comet machine is ideal for high-speed form fill and seal wrapping using heat sealable film for products like cheese and nuts that require gas flushing in compact spaces.

MAP is used extensively in the food industry as a means of extending shelf life.
Typically, air is removed from the space above the food as it is being packed by flushing the package with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

It is an increasingly lucrative technology for packaging companies currently used to provide fresher food such as sandwiches, fresh pizzas and meats.

According to PFM, the Comet has been redesigned from its earlier PV260 packaging system to offer manufacturers a more compact packaging technology that also ensures improved control and synchronization with product feeding and dosing systems.

PFM department manager, Ermanno Roso, said the machine had allowed the group to improve upon the previous design, originally used for wrapping jelly sweets, with further development allowing for the extension of its applications.

"The system was supplied complete with an MBP multi-head weigher and currently has a production speed of 140 packs per minute which is impressive given that the features of the company's product are soft, sticky and extremely lightweight," he stated.

According to PFM, the design of their new machine makes use of a stainless steel frame, which it claims offers food manufacturers robust protection from organism infiltration as well as a more user-friendly cleaning system.

The PFM Comet also contains the latest generation Long Dwell rotary sealing system, which the company claims has been found in testing to achieve 200 mechanical cycles a minute while also ensuring hermetic sealing.

The manufacturer says that the addition of this technology to the machine has allowed additional packaging capabilities such as for products like mozzarella in brine, due to the low leakage rate of the packs.

The machine's capabilities for high speed 100 per cent hermetic sealing reduces any possible negative effect if the product falls against closed sealing jaws or the seal itself, according to the company.

The machine also makes use of an LCD colour touch screen to control the operations. The screen can also be connected remotely for servicing and repairs, PFM says.

Additionally the company claims that the technology can also be developed for online programming and diagnostics.
Source: packwire

Dsi CMM buys £35k camera kit to meet mail monitoring law

Dsi CMM, the mailing and print provider, has invested £35,000 in camera matching equipment to comply with new legislation from the Gambling Commission.

The law now requires that any organisation that mails material, such as raffle tickets, must have a record of what each individual has been sent.

Dsi CMM's polywrapping division, Alpha Mail, has invested in online camera systems for its polythene wrapping machines to improve security and tracking standards.

These cameras allow the firm to record the sequential numbers on every document that is wrapped. If a number is missing, the machine automatically stops, allowing staff to investigate the matter.

Additional cameras and software from Lake Image Systems allow Dsi CMM to read sequential numbers on items and record to whom each one has been sent. This information can then be downloaded onto a CD, providing the client with a full data report at the completion of each job.

The new equipment is also used to match items, for example, a letter and a brochure, either numerically, or via barcodes or 2D symbols. This personalised matching means Dsi CMM can assure their clients that individuals are receiving the correct items and helps to minimise the number of mailings sent to an individual.

Alpha Mail managing director Don Green said the company had completed its first job with the new equipment in October, matching 300,000 raffle tickets for a charity.

"We're very excited about the new equipment as it will enable us to take on jobs that are governed by the new legislation," Green said.

"We'll also be able to take on more work that requires personalised matching of separate items. In the past, we have had to turn work away, but now we have the capability to get the job done."

London-based Dsi CMM has a turnover of £80m and 800 staff in locations nationwide.
Source: printweek

Monarch Airlines launches recycling scheme for onboard waste

Monarch Airlines has today (9 November) launched a scheme to recycle the packaging used on its flights in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint.

The Luton-based outfit said it would separate all recyclable items, such as plastic water bottles, aluminium drinks cans and glass wine bottles, which ground crews would send for recycling.

It is also looking to introduce biodegradeable carrier bags and containers for items that cannot be recycled due to food contamination.

Monarch managing director Tim Jeans said the airline already operated a paper collection scheme, but added that 70% of cabin waste was potentially recyclable.

"If they were at home, passengers would be recycling the items, so why should they not do so on flights?" he said.

The plan was launched after the airline found that only 16% of passengers thought it was doing enough to recycle onboard waste.

The airline has trialled the initiative in partnership with Gatwick airport, but Monarch is working to extend the scheme.
Source: packagingnews

Chemical recycling plant to give further boost to rPET bottles

The use of recycled PET in food packaging will get a boost in 2009 when a closed-loop bottle recycling plant is due to open in the north of England.

Recycling company Petagain said it has developed relationships to obtain sufficient material supply as well as find end markets for its rPET, which is particularly suitable for water and soft drinks bottles or thermoformed films.

"We are trying to move away from spot buying and selling of material, because it undermines the sustainability of recycled PET," said chief financial officer Andrew Feather.

Petagain's facility will use a chemical process to recycle post-consumer waste – most plants currently use mechanical sorting equipment – which Feather said "improves the quality of the polymer produced".

"We also believe that with our process, the yields are better," he added.

The current supply of rPET in Europe is estimated to be 20% of total demand.

According to Petagain, the plant will be able to recycle 20,000 tonnes per year by 2012, eliminating 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

In September, Innocent Drinks and GlaxoSmithKline highlighted shortfalls in the UK supply of rPET as they announced they were moving lines over to 100% rPET.
Source: packagingnews

Printer Dataforms becomes UK's 1,000th FSC holder

Dataforms Chartered Press (DCP) has become the 1,000th company in the UK to be awarded FSC Chain of Custody accreditation.

The Orpington, Kent-based printer, whose pressroom includes a B2 six-colour Heidelberg SM 74 and a five-colour Speedmaster 72, received the green nod last month.

The 32-year-old firm produces a range of promotional materials, such as flyers and newsletters, as well as stationery and financial documents.

DCP managing director Chris Kiernan said: "Some of our clients had expressed interest in FSC. We listen to our customers and always aim to provide the best service possible, catering to our clients' needs.

"We also consider our impact on the environment to be an important issue and becoming part of the FSC Chain of Custody has enabled DCP to promote responsible management of the world's forests."

FSC UK marketing officer Rosie Teasdale said: "It is wonderful news that there are so many certified companies in the UK. It is not surprising, given the current interest in FSC within the paper and print sector, that the 1,000th certificate holder is a printing company."

The FSC Chain of Custody accreditation will join the company's ISO 9002 and ISO 27001 and its OHSAS 18801 award for safety management systems.
Source: printweek

Alternative WIne Packaging Popular in Canada - Packaging Innovations Weekly Wrap

Dempson has launched a new carry bag designed to make it easier for consumers to do the office coffee run. It combines cup holders with a bag for other purchases.

Ampac Flexibles has launched a new biodegradable film, while Cognis Oleochemical has released a new antifogging agent for food wrapping film.

As UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s launches its line of wine bottled in plastic rather than traditional glass, recent Canadian sales figures show the format is proving popular across the Atlantic.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) says sales of wine in Tetra Pak and plastic bottles has increased more than 300 percent in 2006-07 to reach sales of C$2.1m.

Plastic packages make up two percent of the wines sold in Ontario, with the figure expected to double to four percent by 2008.

LCBO says the retailer carries about 140 kinds of wine in non-glass containers.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INNOVATIONS

UK printed bag supplier Dempson, in association with Portabrand, is launching a range of bags designed to transport both beverages and meals.

Portabag paper bags have a strong recyclable container board insert at the bottom, allowing customers to carry hot drinks and other purchases in the same bag.

This eliminates the need for bulky pulp cup trays and makes it easier for customers to transport multiple purchases Dempson says.

The Portabag folds flat and is made from pure kraft from sustainable forests.

It is available in the UK in two and four cup configurations.

Canadian company Earthcycle Packaging has launched a range of palm-fibre trays for the produce market.

The trays present an environmentally friendly alternative to Styrofoam, as palm-fibre is a renewable resource that takes fewer than 90 days to compost.

The trays, which are available in four sizes, do not have perpendicular angles due to the different production processes involved.

Ampac Flexibles, a unit of Ampac Packaging, has launched a new compostable film.

The Apex 3,000 sustainable film (SF) series is made from a proprietary blend with a high percentage of the renewable resource polylactic acid (PLA).

The film is naturally opaque but can be coloured or printed via rotogravure or flexography.

Ampac says the film is easier to process and has physical properties more in line with traditional films when compared to those made solely with PLA.

The film could be used for cereal bag liners, organic snack packaging or secondary packaging for biodegradable packaging materials, Ampac says.

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

Cognis Oleochemicals has released a new antifogging agent for food wrapping films.

Liquid-based LOXIOL A 4 is incorporated directly into plastics, transforming condensed water droplets into a continuous and uniform transparent layer of water on the film's surface.

Cognis says the agent has excellent antifogging properties in ESBO/polymeric plasticizer formulations.

The agent is best used in flexible PVC food contact packaging film as a combined lubricant and antifogging agent for semi-rigid and plasticized PVC.

Milliken Chemical has unveiled a new product it says represents a "breakthrough in clarity possibilities" for polypropylene.

Millad NX8,000 typically reduces haze in clear polypropylene by 50 percent when compared with the current industry standard.

Milleken says Millad NX8,000 improves clear polypropylene's ability to substitute clear materials such as plastics and glass in packaging.
Source: packaging-technology

Stora Enso develops smart pharma carton

Stora Enso has launched a cartonboard pharmaceutical pack that can be upgraded to include patient compliance technology from Cypak, the specialist in intelligent pharmaceutical packaging.

The Discreet Dose Slider's (DDS) lock mechanism has gained the pack F1 status, for exceptional child safety, from the US Code of Federal Regulations, and is suitable for highly toxic drugs.

The pack, which has printable surfaces for patient guidance, can be produced using existing machinery. Tests on Bosch kit have reached speeds of 120 packs per minute.

Patient compliance features can be added to create the intelligent version of the pack, the DDSi.

Printed circuits are incorporated into the board and connected to sensors that detect when a pill is broken out of the blister pack.

An alarm will then sound until a question is answered by pressing a button on the pack.

Stockholm-based Cypak has developed a silicon chip, called an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), to store this information.

The information can then be checked using a paper reader attached by USB to a computer or a wireless unit suitable for the elderly, who may not have access to a computer.

Stora Enso has developed PackAgent Compliance monitoring software to capture and share the data with interested parties.

It is likely the technology will initially be used in clinical trials or for pack improvements for drugs that require high compliance monitoring.
Source: packagingnews

PMS Design & Print picks Suprasetter with Pro-T plates

PMS Design & Print is aiming to boost its green credentials by investing in a Heidelberg Suprasetter A52 running Fuji Pro-T processless plates.

The Sydenham, London-based company will produce around 400 plates a month on the new machine, which will replace a Prosetter visible light system.

The investment is part of a move to work towards reducing its alcohol to 2 to 3% in the coming months.

Glyn Limpenny, managing director at eight-staff PMS, said: "The reduction in chemical usage will not only save us money and time, but is a contribution towards a greener industry.

"We think the green factor is something that is becoming increasingly important when running this business."

The platesetter, which will arrive in January, will feed the its five- and two-colour Speedmaster SM 52s and a Printmaster QM 46-2.

PMS was established in 1974 and produces business brochures as well as stationery for clients in London and the South-East.
Source: printweek

Pemberton & Whitefoord designs packs for Tesco's US venture

Pemberton & Whitefoord has developed the packaging for own-label goods in Tesco's Fresh & Easy stores, which have opened in the US this month.

The London-based agency, which has been designing packaging for the supermarket in the UK for the past 20 years, was involved in the "whole branding exercise" for the stores.

Pemberton & Whitefoord director Adrian Whitefoord said the agency had been working on the Fresh & Easy branding for the past 18 months with two US design groups.

He said the firm had designed more than 600 packs in seven months using a whole gamut of materials and pack types for products ranging from crisps and snacks to preserves, coffee and cereals.

The Fresh & Easy distribution centre in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, will have a solar panel roof and fresh fruit and vegetables will be packaged and displayed without energy-consuming chiller cabinets.

"We also endeavoured to be as frugal as possible in terms of the environmental impact of the packaging," said Whitefoord.

Tesco officially opened its first 1,000sqm Fresh & Easy convenience stores in southern California this month. They will stock more than 3,000 fresh food, grocery and private-label items.

The retailer plans to open around 250 stores by the end of next year and spend £250m a year in the US.
Source: packagingnews

Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum producers, Ipack-Ima Spa announce agreement

Healthcare Packaging and Packaging World, producers of the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum, and Ipack-Ima Spa, organizers of Pharmintech, announce a cooperative agreement in which Healthcare Packaging and Packaging World will offer promotional support to Ipack-Ima Spa, increasing the visibility for their Italian trade event, Pharmintech, to the U.S. pharmaceutical market. Pharmintech, held every three years in Italy, will next take place May 12th -14th, 2010 in Bologna, Italy.

Ipack-Ima will assist Healthcare Packaging and Packaging World in recruiting speakers from outside the United States for a co-sponsored International Panel at the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum in Philadelphia March 12, 2008.

Pharmintech is a highly technical, specialized exhibition for the pharmaceutical, personal care, and nutraceutical industry. For the European market, holding an event that focuses on just the pharmaceutical sector is a unique approach. Pharmintech has a successful formula: a three-day exhibition held concurrently with a comprehensive program of international speakers. It brings together buyers and sellers interested in pharmaceutical processing and packaging. The 2007 event attracted more than 4,000 attendees, a quarter of whom came from outside of Italy.

Commenting on the cooperative agreement, Ipack-Ima Spa’s Guido Corbella stated, “The expertise of an integrated media publisher such as Summit Publishing Company, and the success of their first edition of the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum in Philadelphia, lead us to select this event to promote Pharmintech among the most important pharmaceutical executives and professionals in America.”

Corbella adds, “Pharmintech and the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum have a common objective: to design highly specialized events for packaging managers from the pharmaceutical industry. We are proud that Summit Publishing Company saw the value of Pharmintech. Our company plans to be a reliable partner and bring European insight to the American market.”

Comments Healthcare Packaging Publisher Jim Chrzan, “With the increasingly global nature of the pharmaceutical industry, international collaboration is essential to staying relevant. As we build quality content for the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum, input from our European colleagues will make our conference more valuable for attending packaging professionals. We’re excited to have the support of Ipack-Ima and look forward to helping them to promote Pharmintech.”

“After attending Pharmintech 2007 in Bologna, Italy, it became apparent that Pharmintech in Europe and the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum in the United States share a similar vision,” adds Jim Butschli, Healthcare Packaging’s editor-in-chief. “As Ipack-Ima’s Guido Corbella explained at Pharmintech 07’s opening press conference, there are pharmaceutical trade shows and packaging exhibitions in Europe, but Pharmintech addresses a specific need for a pharmaceutical packaging event. We believe the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum addresses a similar need in the United States, so this arrangement represents a sound strategic alliance.”
Source: healthcare-packaging

Tonejet reveals extra-wide head to bring digital print to packaging

Tonejet has claimed its new 172mm-wide digital printhead will bring "substantial logistics and cost savings" to the packaging industry.

The printhead, which has been trialled with packaging companies, is the widest available for an industrial digital printer, and the firm said it would enable food and drinks packaging to be printed in a single pass.

Director Guy Newcombe said that although each packaging type had its own requirements, firms all looked at the three key areas of "quality, throughput and cost".

"The Tonejet system ejects a very concentrated ink to produce a high-quality image on every kind of packaging material," he added.

He said digital printing removed the need for labels on curved and uneven surfaces and enabled greater customisation of products.

"It opens up new design possibilities for branding and marketing professionals who can now have free rein over how their products are marketed," he added.

Tonejet is part of The Technology Partnership, a technology development and licensing company based in Cambridge.
Source: packagingnews

Polestar staff arrested in illegal worker sting

Polestar Sheffield has been targeted by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) as part of a crackdown on illegal working.

Four men and two women were arrested in an intelligence-led operation by the agency’s south Yorkshire criminal investigation and enforcement teams. The staff face prosecution for offences relating to illegal work and using forged documents.

Polestar chief operating officer Catherine Hearn said: “We have been working with the Immigration Office to expose forged documents used by illegal immigrants to gain employment. We have co-operated fully with officials and will continue to do so.”

New measures to ensure migrants are working legally in the UK will be brought into force next year. If employers are found to be breaking the law, they will lose the right to recruit from outside the European Union.

The arrests were carried out on 24 October and five of the individuals appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 25 October. The sixth woman was released on bail.

Samson Petros, 32, and Christian Biynie, 20, have both pleaded guilty. Shaho Osman, 22, Abale Kambale, 29, and Prince Enosayaba, 40, have not entered a plea.

The arrests were linked to an operation coordinated by the Serious Organised Crime Agency on 24 October in Coventry. A man in his 30s from Rotherham was arrested on a European arrest warrant on suspicion of people trafficking.

Regional director of the BIA Chris Hudson said: “Illegal work hurts good business, undercuts legal workers, creates illegal profits and puts those employed at risk.”
Source: printweek

LCC entices industry with part-time courses

The London College of Com­munication (LCC) is aiming to attract more industry participation by making some of its key print courses available part-time.

The south London university, formerly known as the London College of Printing, made its MA in Print Media Management a part-time course earlier this year and now hopes to attract a new wave of full-time print ­workers who are looking to upskill.

From next September, both the LCC’s Foundation Degree in Printing and Publishing Production and its BA in Print Media Management will be available as part-time courses.

Les Claridge, assistant dean at LCC, said the move was taken in response to “government reports and initiatives and the changing nature of the print industry”.

The new courses, he added, would be like day release, “only at a much more challenging level”.

Sue Pandit, the dean of LCC’s School of Printing and Publishing said: “Making our courses part-time is a great way to improve their accessibility. I believe these courses can give the industry a boost and unlock its potential.

“We are keen to let the industry know that, despite our rebranding in 2003, we’re still out there and our courses are more sophisticated than ever.”
Source: printweek