Alcan posts record profits on eve of divestment to Rio Tinto

Alcan announced its second-highest quarterly operating earnings ever in the lead up to the divestment of its packaging business to Rio Tinto.

According to the company's results, which could be its last financial statement before the sale completes, Q2 profits increased to £296.9m on sales of £3.3bn, up 8.5% compared with the same period last year.

However, figures published yesterday (31 July) showed that packaging profits for the quarter had decreased 6% on Q2 2006's £62.04m.

But if "other specified items", such as currency fluctuations and contributions from divested businesses are excluded, the packaging division made a profit of £81m.

Chief executive Dick Evans was quick to praise the packaging division and said the business would be valued on the quality of its assets, people, market position, technology and future outlook by potential investors.

"The work that has been done by the packaging management and employees has been outstanding in the last three years," he added.

It is suspected that Rio Tinto will break the packaging business into parts for sale upon completion of the acquisition.
Source: packingnews

Rexam Purchases OI Plastics

Rexam Plc's $1.8bn purchase of Owen-Illinois Inc's plastic packaging unit is now complete.

The Owens-Illinois unit, known as OI Plastic Products FTC, makes plastic prescription bottles, tamperproof closures and plastic medical devices.

In 2006 the division reported sales of $760m, with a profit of $114m.

OI Plastics operates 19 packaging plants in seven countries.
Source: packaging-technology

Additive Bulks Up Bioplastic Properties

A US technology firm has developed an additive that strengthens bioplastic without compromising transparency.

Rohm and Haas says its new additive PARALOID BPM-500 enhances polylactic acid (PLA) polymer, an innovative bioplastic derived from renewable resources like corn.

The additive allows for the production of PLA with stronger impact and tear resistance than PLA treated with other additives.

The packaging industry's move towards environmentally friendly PLA resin has been hampered by unmodified PLA's weakness and brittleness when compared with traditional materials.

Rohm and Haas says other additives sacrifice transparency to achieve strength.
Source:packaging-technology

Digital Print Firm'sSales And Marketing Boost

With responsibility for managing field and telesales, as well as a revised marketing campaign, Poynton (UK) digital print firm Everydayprint, has appointed Stephen Smith business development manager

Smith has almost 20 years' sales experience and has joined Everydayprint with a brief to work alongside managing director Jason Walker to help develop all areas of the expanding business. Most recently, Smith held a similar position with Avanti Paper and Plastics where his remit saw him develop and increase business across the country.

He explained: 'I'm joining a company which, whilst it already has an excellent reputation, is also extremely ambitious.

I know Jason won't be satisfied with sitting back and being complacent and that's not my way either.

I am very much looking forward to getting my teeth in to a job where I can use my experience to help us grow through the next phase in our development.' He continued: 'My strengths centre around my ability to grow sales volumes and profitability at the right pace.

Just as a company can't grow without a certain number of sales, neither can it perform well if it is growing too fast.

We have our plans in place and know what we need to do if we are to get where we want to be in three years' time.' Having already launched two new divisions in Everydayweb and Everydaymedia this year, Everydayprint's managing director, Walker added: 'Our aim is to become synonymous with excellent digital print and with the provision of a wide range of business services.

Stephen's experience in growing customer bases and bringing new products and services to market will stand us in good stead as we continue to grow and give our expanding customer base the services they want and deserve.' He continued: 'I'm confident that with the team we are now piecing together, our targets for growth and expansion can be met.'
Source: printingtalk

Monadnock Strengthens Leadership in Sustainable Manufacturing

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. announces that all its Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers are made using 100% renewable electrical energy and are manufactured carbon neutral. Monadnock is continuing its leadership in sustainable manufacturing by making significant investments to continue to reduce its carbon footprint and overall environmental impact.

“In 2006, 49% of our electricity was self-generated”, says Michelle Hamm, Manager of Environmental Services. “Since 1904, Monadnock has derived much of its energy from mill owned and operated low-impact hydroelectric generation facilities, and Monadnock remains committed to the use of low-impact hydroelectric power.”

Monadnock has made a considerable investment in Green-e Wind Power Renewable Energy Credits. Monadnock’s Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers are now made entirely with clean, renewable energy. Recognizing this commitment, the Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Monadnock with its Certificate of Leadership in the Green Power Leadership program.

Not only are these papers manufactured with renewable energy, 100% of Monadnock’s Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging papers are manufactured carbon neutral. Through the acquisition of carbon-offset credits, or Verified Emission Reductions (VER’s), Monadnock neutralizes the effects of carbon emissions created in the manufacturing process. VER’s are verified by a third party and registered on the Greenhouse Gas Registry of the Environmental Resources Trust, Inc. and on the Chicago Climate Exchange.

As an ISO 14001: 2004 certified company, Monadnock further demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability. Compliance with this standard is assessed annually and certified by SGS, a leader in third-party registration. ISO 14001 certification, recognized worldwide, calls for a formal Environmental Management System (EMS), meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements, and demonstrating continuous improvement. Monadnock is the only premium uncoated paper mill in North America that is ISO 14001 certified. Further, Monadnock has received recognition as an EPA Performance Track Company for its dedication to reducing its environmental impact year to year. The results of Monadnock’s achievements are made public on the EPA website annually.

Sustainable manufacturing is a long-standing commitment from Monadnock both to its community and its customers. Environmental stewardship is a core value expressed on a daily basis, and Monadnock is proud that 100% of its Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers are made with renewable electrical energy and are manufactured carbon neutral.
Source: printingnews