Why the Rush to BOPA?

Published: March 31, 2005, By Simon King, PCI Films Consulting

In the past five years, the world bi-oriented polyamide (BOPA) film market has grown faster than any other oriented speciality film, but volumes are still small when compared to its leading competitors. With average growth rates of 8%/yr, world BOPA film demand is expected to reach an estimated 126,000 tons in 2004, compared to world markets for packaging grades of BOPP film of 2.5 million tons and BOPET film of 600,000 tons.

April 1, 2005

Published: March 31, 2005

More History in the Making

Published: March 31, 2005, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor

If you read down to the last paragraph of my March ‘05 editorial, you may have raised an eyebrow over my reporting CMM was rumored for sale. It was, but the offer was declined, and we’re back to the CMM you’ve known in the past. . . well, not completely. There have been a few remarkable changes you’ll want to hear about.

Reporter Clips

Published: March 31, 2005, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor

News from: TLMI, Seal-It, Avery Dennison Industrial Products Div., Axon, and Raflatac.

Foil Stamping: Let it Shine

Published: March 31, 2005, By Debbie Donberg, Associate Managing Editor

It’s shelf appeal and security that are driving foil stamping. And it looks like there’s no end in sight.

On the Move

Published: March 31, 2005, By PFFC staff

News from: Flint Ink, Adhesives Research, Oasis Alignment Services, Parkinson Technologies, Progressive Color Media, ISRA Surface Fision, IIR, American Baler, American Envelope Co., Creo, Valéron Strength Films, Clopay Plastic Products, Spartanics, Rayven, Brückner, 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, Polytype, RadTech, Environmental Inks and Coatings, Omet, Shuttleworth, Axon, Fortune Plastics, Mohawk Paper Mills, Rotec, GEW, Rhodia Engineering Plastics, Green Printing and Packaging, Tresu Royse, Ceramic Technologies, Water Ink Technologies, Scitex Vision America, FKI Logistex, NDC Infrared Engineering, Black Clawson, Corus L.P. Aluminum Rolled Products, Fort Dearborn Co., Beckhoff Automation, Raflatac, Meech USA, Fusion UV Systems, Diamond Packaging, Graphic Packaging Corp., and Hammer Lithograph Corp.

Kroenert Represents Kelva and Vetaphone

Published: March 31, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Kroenert Corp. has reached an agreement to provide sales and service for AB Kelva and Vetaphone A/S in North America.

Biocides in Plastics Global Report

Published: March 31, 2005, By pffc-online.com

The Biocides in Plastics global report includes market analyses, discussions of industry trends, assessments of the impact of current and emerging regulations, and forecasts for biocides from 2004 through 2009.

New Product Digest, Part 1

Published: March 31, 2005, By PFFC staff

New products from: Valco Cincinnati, Uteco Converting, Available Plastics, AVT, Diversified Graphic Machinery, J M Heaford, Martin Automatic, Moisture Register Products, Beta Industries, Liquid Control Corp., Testing Machines, Componex, Phoenix North America, North American Mfg. Co., Applied Films, Matik North America, Cape Systems, Rad-Cure, CMC Cevenini, Zimmer Industries, UV Process Supply, Lamart, StopStatic, TAKK Industries, Joraco, MacDermid, and Flexo Concepts.

New Product Digest, Part 2

Published: March 31, 2005, By PFFC staff

New products from: Ashe Converting Equipment, Maxson Automatic Machinery, AccuWeb, Siemens Energy & Automation, Enercon Industries, Waddington Electronics, Totani America, Creo, Futec Europe, ISRA Surface Vision, ADI Trade Group, Research Inc., Bobst Group, Stanford Products, Comexi, Griffin-Rutgers, Ro•An Industries USA, Kurz Transfer Products, Rohm and Haas, Amagic Holographics, National Adhesives, INX Intl., Sun Chemical, Environmental Inks and Coatings, Hop Industries, Schober USA, and Novaflex.

Creo's South African Operations Certified for Quality Management

Published: March 29, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Creo's manufacturing operations in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, are now certified to ISO 9001:2000 standards for quality management. (creo.com)

New Venue for CMM International

Published: March 29, 2005, By pffc-online.com

CMM International will move its 2007 event to the newly renovated Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, to reduce the total cost of exhibiting. The new dates for the biennial event are June 4-7, 2007.

New Anti-Counterfeiting Technology

Published: March 27, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Document Security Systems introduces AuthentiGuard, a new line of anti-copy and authentication technologies that are geared to combat the escalating costs attributed to counterfeiting of valuable documents and other items of intrinsic value, such as commercial checks, gift certificates, titles of ownership, birth certificates, ID cards, dollar-off coupons, and ticketing, as well as package and label products.

Paperloop Announces New Mangement Team

Published: March 27, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Paperloop has announced a new senior management team headed by Rod Young, formerly senior VP of the company’s Information Products group. He replaces Ian Johnston as president and CEO.

EDI Appoints ZAO Axiom Polybag Agent in Russia and Ukraine

Published: March 24, 2005, By pffc-online.com

ZAO Axiom Polybag will be the sales agent in Russia and Ukraine for the complete line of flat-die systems from Extusion Dies Industries (EDI).

CMM Sells Out All Expo Hall Pavilions

Published: March 24, 2005, By pffc-online.com

CMM management has announced that all six of its pavilions have sold out. Four of these are new processed-focused pavilions and two are international pavilions.

MAN Roland Introduces On-Site Back-Up Parts Program

Published: March 22, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Assembled by MAN Roland’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), Press Pack is a back-p bundle of electronic parts. The objective is to ensure that the proper component is on-hand for immediate repair and minimum production disruption.

DuPont and Celanese Announce Price Increases

Published: March 22, 2005, By pffc-online.com

As of March 15, 2005, DuPont Teijin Films US branded PET polyester films increased by a minimum of $0.80/lb, Celanese Chemicals’ PVAc homopolymer and VAE co-polymers in North America by $0.03/wet lb. And acrylic and vinyl-acrylic emulsions by $0.06/wet lb.

NJPEC Hosts 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Dinner

Published: March 20, 2005, By pffc-online.com

The New Jersey Packaging Hall of Fame will honor packaging professionals with more than 25 years of experience who have made significant contributions to packaging at the 3rd Annual NJPEC Hall of Fame Awards Dinner May 19, 2005, at the Manor in West Orange, NJ.

Rick Hocking Named "Converter of the Year"

Published: March 20, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Rick Hocking, plant manager at Banner Packaging, a div. of Bemis Co., has been selected as the 2005 "Converter of the Year." Hocking will be presented with the prestigious award during a special ceremony at CMM Intl. Monday, April 18.

CPP Expo 2005 Continues to "Pack 'Em In"

Published: March 18, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Ashe Converting, Black Clawson, Deacro, ITW Dynatec, MacDermid, Mini-Grip Zip Pack, Pillar, Simco, and Valeron Strength Films are the latest additions to join the dozens of converting/ package printing equipment and supply companies that have previously committed to exhibit at CPP Expo 2005.

Esko-Graphics' Customers Excel at 1st Asian Flexo Awards

Published: March 17, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Esko-Graphics customers earned five awards at the first Asian Flexo Award ceremony, held in conjunction with the Asian Flexographic Technical Assn. (AFTA) annual conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bosch Rexroth AG Acquires Oil Control Group, Invests in China

Published: March 16, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Bosch Rexroth has acquired the majority of shares in Oil Control Group S.p.A., Milan, Italy, a manufacturer of hydraulic cartridge valves and minifolds. Additonally, over the next three years, Bosch Rexrother AG will invest 83 million euros to expand its production capacities in China, beginning with the construction of new factories in Beijing and Wujin.

Kroenert Opens Hamburg Facilities to Public

Published: March 16, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Maschinenfabrik Max Kroenert (MMK) hosted an opening ceremony for the new 5300 fpm, 51 inch wide trial line on November 18, 2004. Over 300 guests comprising customers, suppliers and friends attended the day long event at the company grounds.

Omet Enders Latin America and China

Published: March 14, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Omet has installed the first Flexy machine for eight-color stretch and shrink-label production in Brazil in response to the expanding label market there and on account of a cooperation between Omet Iberica and the Brazilan agent Gammerler.

Ashe Converting Equipment Sees Record Sales

Published: March 14, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Sixty Ashe Converting Equipment have been sold since Drupa to customers in the US, UK, Germany, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Thailand, and China. One order alone was valued at 1.5 million pounds.

CMM Expects Jump in International Visitors

Published: March 11, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Due to the current weakness of the US dollar, a strong US manufacturing sector, bargain airfares, and inexpensive hotel rooms, organizers of CMM Intl. 2005expect to see a surge in visitors from Europe and other countries.

EMA Releases Industry Awareness Tool

Published: March 11, 2005, By pffc-online.com

The EMA Foundation for Paper-Based Communications has released an industry awareness educational CD-ROM for the envelope industry as well as an envelope-specific simulator program.

Ask "The Gluer Guy"

Published: March 09, 2005, By pffc-online.com

American Intl. Machinery has updated their new question-and-answer column, "The Gluer Guy." Written by Jeff Wilcox, AIM’s senior technical advisor, the column will address various folding and gluing questions submitted by customers.

Keller and Heckman Opens Shanghai Representative Office

Published: March 09, 2005, By pffc-online.com

Keller and Heckman opens an office in Shanghai, China. The office will concentrate on advising clients in Asian regulation of foods and food packaging, drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, cosmetics, pesticides, consumer products, toys, and industrial and specialty chemicals.