Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities

Acquisitions
Dri-Tec Acquires Busch Coating & Laminating
MILWAUKEE, WI, USA—Dri-Tec announces the acquisition of Busch Coating & Laminating. The two companies will operate out of Dri-Tec's Milwaukee location. As global suppliers to the converting industry, the companies report they share synergies in design philosophy and commitment to their customers. Combined, Dri-Tec and Busch have installed more than 400 machines worldwide. Busch machines can be furnished in metric or English standards. Dri-Tec also has hired Bob Szabo (former East Coast sales manager for busch) as national sales manager to work in the Dri-Tec/Busch Div.

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Education
Technical Seminars to Cover Coating and Adhesion
WALTHAM, MA, USA—Dr. Edgar B. Gutoff will hold two technical seminars at the Best Western TLC Motel, Waltham, near Boston. The Coating and Drying Technology Seminar, which will cover the technology of coating continuous webs, will be held October 30-November 2 until noon. That seminar will be followed on November 2-3 by the Adhesion Technology seminar, which will cover practical adhesion and surface treatments. The cost for both seminars is $1,795 per person for early registration with payment received by October 23, 2000, and $1,895 thereafter. For more information contact Edgar B. Gutoff, chemical engineer, 194 Clark Rd., Brookline, MA 02445; ph/fax: 617/734-7081; ebgutof@coe.neu.edu.

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Association News
AIMCAL Takes Attendees Back to School
WILMINGTON, DE, USA—Summer school was never like this! Held in the lovely, renovated DuPont Hotel in Wilmington the second annual AIMCAL Summer School was sponsored by the Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters, and Laminators. Held this past July 18-20, the program offered practical and highly technical information in an elegant setting to more than 40 "students." PFFC sat in on the classes.

Dr. Neil Steinberg opened the program on July 18 with a full-day session on drying technology. He described it as "a practical course for engineers and industrial scientists that operate and work with existing dryers." Topics included psychrometry (which he called "the guts of drying"); the drying curve; drying process measurements; heat and mass transfer aspects of drying; product scale-up; in-house dryer improvements; and common drying defects.

During the morning session on July 19, technical consultant E.D. Cohen offered an introduction to the coating process; coating methods and selection of the best process; and laboratory coating process and scale-up. In the afternoon consulting chemical engineer E.B. Gutoff addressed coating methods and principles of operation; and characterization methods and data analysis.

On July 20 D. Fennell Evans presented a class on key concepts and issues involved in designing effective adhesive systems. The afternoon was devoted to "The Stability of Complex Solutions: The Colloidal Domain." James M. Wheeler was the instructor. Wheeler is president of Weseeco L.L.C., a company that is in the process of producing CDs with the information from the July 20 sessions—and more—to sell for training purposes.

For information on future AIMCAL programs, contact the association at 803/802-7820; www.aimcal.org.

SOCMA Supports Trade with China
The Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA) is urging Congress to help small chemical manufacturers by supporting S. 2277, a bill that would provide permanent normal trade relations for China. SOCMA board member Tony Stonis, president of Cardolite Corp., Newark, NJ, says the bill would help these manufacturers by opening a major growth market that could be key to the advancement of US business and the creation of new jobs.

Web Site Targets Graphic Arts Professionals
ALEXANDRIA, VA, USA—The Graphic Arts Information Network (GAIN)—an on-line portal to information, products, and services for the graphic arts industry—has been developed by Printing Industries of America and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation. The address is gain.net. Association members will have full access to the site, and nonmembers will be allowed restricted access. The portal offers searchable access to educational services and materials, equipment and supplies, legislative issues, industry news, and industry-specific technical support. Also offered are links to web sites of industry suppliers and manufacturers.

PMMI Opens China Office
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) has opened an office in Shanghai, China, to serve as the focal point for services, information, and programs to end-users and PMMI members operating in the region. PMMI director Zhonghui Shen will head the office, which is located at Shanghai Centre, Ste. 631, 1376 Nanjing West Rd., Shanghai, 200040 China, +86-21-6279-7640; zshen@pmmi.org; pmmi.org.

HDFC Holds First Member/Sponsor Meeting
MILFORD, OH, USA—The High Definition Flexo Consortium (HDFC) held its first member/sponsor business meeting May 2 at the Milford headquarters of Comco International HDFC is a nonprofit trade organization that promotes flexography to print buyers directly.

During the meeting the following committees were formed:

• Advertising and Promotions, chaired by Mary Keeney, Harper Corp.

• Converter, chaired by Bill Hunter, Prime Graphics

• Internet Communications, chaired by Scott Gilbert, St. Laurent Paperboard Corp.

• Prepress, chaired by Chris Deye, Phototype

• Science Council, chaired by Chris Harper, Harper Corp.

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Expansions
ExxonMobil Adds Reactor
MONT BELVIEU, TX, USA—ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, TX, has completed a reactor upgrade at its Mont Belvieu facility, increasing the plant's capacity to manufacture Exceed metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE. This project provides the plant with a second reactor and increases the company's Exceed capacity in the US to approximately 2 billion lb/yr. Mark Healey, LLDPE product mgr., says, "This expansion enables ExxonMobil Chemical and its affiliates to utilize the production of three reactors—two in Mont Belvieu and a third at the Notre Dame de Gravenchon facility in France." A fourth reactor in Singapore is expected to be on-line by year end.

Coast Controls Opens in Europe
SARASOTA, FL, USA—Coast Controls reports it has opened a new manufacturing facility in Rotherham, England, for its All-Air Automatic Web Guiding Systems. The facility will build a line of intermediate steering and displacement guides for single or multiple webs up to 150 in. wide and shifting roll stands for unwind and rewind guiding.

Adhesives Research Expands R&D Facility
GLEN ROCK, PA, USA—Adhesives Research has expanded its R&D facility from 13,000 to 23,700 sq ft. The added space will accommodate growth in the R&D function, which has doubled over the last 24 months, along with significant increases in the quality control/assurance department. Adhesives Research develops and manufactures specialty, high-performance PSA coated products.

Jefferson Smurfit Expands Operations
DUBLIN, IRELAND—Smurfit Argentina SA, a sub. of Jefferson Smurfit Group has acquired Fabrica Argentina de Cartun Corrugado, an Argentinean corrugated producer. Fabrica Argentina's operations include one corrugated plant with an annual production of 40,000 tons. Jefferson Smurfit's Smurfit Intl. BV sub. has agreed to acquire Neopac A/S, a Danish corrugated operation comprising two plants with a combined annual production capacity of 65,000 tons.

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Industry Studies
Demand for PET Resin to Increase 6%
CLEVELAND, OH, USA—PET resin demand in the US is forecast to increase 6.2% annually to 6.6 billion lb in 2003, valued at $4.1 billion, according to Polyethylene Terephthalate Resins, a new study from The Freedonia Group. Packaging applications will account for 86% of all PET resin demand. The 224-p. study is available for $3,500 from The Freedonia Group, 767 Beta Dr., Cleveland, OH 44143; 440/684-9600

Barrier Resins Is Subject of New Study
NORWALK, CT, USA—The total US market for barrier-type resins was almost 4 billion pounds in 1999, according to a new study, RP-137N: Plastics for Barrier Packaging, by Business Communications Co. Growing at an average annual rate of 9.4%, the total market is expected to cross 6 billion lb by 2004. The study also includes information on selectively permeable films and tie layer resins. For more information contact Business Communications Co., 25 Van Zant St., Norwalk, CT 06855, 203/853-4266.

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Supplier News
Pitman Teams with Daetwyler
TOTOWA, NJ, USA—Doctor blades manufactured by Max Daetwyler Corp., Hunters-ville, NC, now will be distributed throughout the US by Pitman Co., Totowa. Max Daetwyler Co. is headquartered in Bleinenbach, Switzerland, with offices worldwide. Pitman Co. is a graphic arts supplier and provides a full range of digital imaging solutions as well as traditional prepress and pressroom products. The partnership brings together 150 years of combined experience in the printing industry.

NEX to Hold Technical Seminar
TURNER FALLS, MA, USA—New England Extrusion (NEX) will hold its annual Film & Packaging Technology Seminar September 13-15 at its Turner Falls facility. The course is designed for anyone interested in acquiring more knowledge about resin, extrusion, and converting technology. There will be hands-on learning in an analytical laboratory. For more information contact Melissa Gardiner, marketing manager, NEX, 413/863-3171; 800/537-3180.

Harris & Bruno Honored
ROSEVILLE, CA, USA—Clemson University presented its Corporate Appreciation Award to Harris & Bruno Machine Co. for the company's contribution to the Graphics Communications Program. Harris & Bruno donated a standard chambered doctor blade system and its RapidWash automated wash-up system.

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Alliances
Dunsirn to Slit/Distribute Spinnaker Products
NEENAH, WI, USA—Spinnaker Coating, Troy, OH, has entered into a strategic alliance with Dunsirn Industries whereby Dunsirn will slit and distribute Spinnaker products. Among the benefits the alliance is expected to offer are a more cost-effective and integrated distribution network, improvements in order cycle time, and real-time inventory management.

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Show News
Converflex Europe Draws New Exhibitors
MILAN, ITALY—Centrexpo Spa, organizers of Converflex Europe, report that 23% of all bookings for the 2001 show have come from new exhibitors; they predict a 10% increase in the total exhibiting area over 1998. Converflex Europe 2001, the 7th International Paper, Tissue, Paper Converting, Package Printing Machines, and Materials Exhibition, will take place June 12-17, at the Portello Halls, Fiera Milano Fairgrounds in Milan. It is being staged at the same time as Grafitalia, the Exhibition of Machinery and Materials for the Graphic Arts, Publishing, and Communication Industries. For more information contact Centrexpo at +39-02-31-91-09-215; centrexpo.it/converflex

Pack Expo Breaks Exhibit Space Record
ARLINGTON, VA, USA—Pack Expo Intl. 2000 will be held November 5-9 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The show will feature more than 1,600 suppliers from around the globe exhibiting the latest in packaging, packaging-related converting, and food processing machinery. The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), the show's sponsor, reports that this year's show will cover more than 1.2 million sq ft, breaking the previous record, and is expected to draw more than 80,000 attendees, including 6,000 international visitors from 60 countries. Attendees can preregister at PMMI's web site, www.packexpo.com, where they also can view exhibitor lists, floor plans, the conference program, and travel information. For more information contact PMMI, 4350 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 600, Arlington, VA; 703/243-8555; pmmi.org.

LatinPack Captures Converter Interest
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO—This year's staging of LatinPack 2000 was held in Mexico City, July 19-20, at the Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel. With attendance by 120 participants this year, the bilingual conference and tabletop program is touted as one of the premier events in Latin America for the plastics converting and packaging industries. The program appropriately was set in a location that seems to be experiencing the onset of a booming economy, according to several suppliers who presented papers at LatinPack. With previous editions of the program having been held in Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogota, Columbia, the new location for LatinPack 2001 has not yet been finalized. However, consideration is being given to Santiago, Chile, or possibly Miami in conjunction with Plasticos de las Americas next July. Stay tuned for further updates.

A total of four sessions covered film and sheet extrusion; innovations in printing and film converting; new developments in barrier packaging; and emerging technologies in rigid and flexible plastics. Of the 22 presentations given, attendees bestowed the highest marks to Maria Noriega of Instituto Capacitacion e Investigacion del Plastico y del Caucho (ICIPC), who delivered a paper titled "Barrier Predictions and Structural Design of Polymeric Films for Food Packaging." She gave details on a new software program, called Permeasoft, that permits simulation and design of barrier structures (especially designed for people that are not package design experts) in the developmental stage for specific food applications. The reaction of the audience to Noriega's speech was one of guarded optimism and curiosity. Launching of this new software is slated for January 2001.

Also given high marks for their presentations were Ken Halsall of Husky Injection Molding Systems for his presentation on "The Latest Technologies for Manufacturing Monolayer and Multilayer PET Preforms"; Jim Schneider of AET Films USA for "Innovations and Applications of Barrier and Metallized OPP Films"; Jason Kim of EVALCA USA for "Novel EVOH Copolymer Resins for Beer and Juice Packaging"; Mauricio Vidales of Sun Chemical Mexico for "Doing Business in Mexico-Opportunities and Challenges." Summaries of several of the papers are hoped to appear here in the future pages of Paper, Film & Foil CONVERTER; however, for an immediate resource of the proceedings, contact latinpack@yahoo.com or 630/719-4634; latinpack.net

GEC Becomes a Four-Year Event
MILAN, ITALY—The next GEC International Exhibition of Graphic Arts, Publishing, and Converting will take place June 10-15, 2003, in Milan, Italy. Guido Corbella, managing director of Centrexpo, the show's organizer, explains that beginning in 2003, GEC will become a four-year event in order to adapt to the faster pace of innovation. Centrexpo has published a study, GEC 1959-2003—Six Dates to Remember, which covers the history of the exhibition. Copies are available from Centrexpo, Corso Sempione 4, 20154 Milan, Italy; +39-0231-9109; centrexp@acimga.it.

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Joint Venture
Millennium Packaging Solutions Created
ATLANTA, GA, USA—Georgia-Pacific Corp. has entered into a joint venture agreement with National Packaging Solutions Group, Mount Pleasant, SC, to create Millennium Packaging Solutions LLC (formerly known as Model Box Inc. of America). Georgia-Pacific will serve as the operating partner of the joint venture, a Chattanooga, TN-based box plant. The venture is said to combine Georgia-Pacific's manufacturing expertise with National Packaging's distribution and logistics capabilities.

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Name Change
Export Orders Spark Change for Parkland
BURY, U.K.—Parkland Machines has changed its name to Parkland International to reflect the continuing growth of its export business. The launch of Parkland Intl. is part of the company's expansion plan to capitalize on global opportunities in the converting industry and follows a significant restructuring. According to Peter Kelly, managing director, "Exports have been growing steadily over the past five years, and we believe it is important to recognize this in the name and confirm our commitment to building a truly international business."

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