Carton & Box Reporter

Published: February 01, 2011

Cartoner Aids Zipbox Production

MARLTON, NJ | Zipbox, a joint venture between T.H.E.M. and Zip-Pak, announces the delivery of what it says is the first proof-of-principal cartoner to facilitate short-run production of the Zipbox package. The capability will enable CPGs to source filled Zipbox packages from T.H.E.M.'s FDA-registered facility in Marlton for consumer insights, product shelf life, and other testing.

The polycoated paperboard Zipbox carton format reportedly combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package. It incorporates an attached flexible film header containing a DoubleZip zipper profile. The proof-of-principal cartoner, from Yeaman Machine Technologies, erects the container, fills product through the bottom, and seals the carton.

Zipbox is designed to facilitate direct filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package style can hold up to 40% more contents, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

Students Learn at PPC Boot Camp

SPRINGFIELD, MA | The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) reports record numbers for the Folding Carton Boot Camp held Dec. 7-8, 2010. The event featured 24 participants and 12 speakers. President Ben Markens says, “…Our students let us know they learned a great deal about cartonmaking basics and would recommend Folding Carton Boot Camp to others in their industry.”

The next Boot Camp is scheduled for May. For more information visit www.ppcnet.org.

Royal Paper Box CEO To Receive Gair Award

SPRINGFIELD, MA | James Hodges, president and CEO of Royal Paper Box Co., Montebello, CA, will be honored with the Gair Award at the 2011 Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) Spring Outlook & Strategies conference March 16-18 in San Diego, CA. PPC's hightest honor, the award is named after Robert T. Gair, whose ingenuity gave birth to the modern folding carton industry.

“I'm so honored to receive this prestigious award,” says Jim Hodges. “There are many fine candidates among the membership, so it means a lot to me to have been chosen by my colleagues at PPC.”

• RockTenn, Norcross, GA, announces plans to acquire Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Creve Coeur, MO, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary and expand RockTenn's footprint to the Midwest and West Coast. Aggregate equity value of the transaction is approximately $3.5 billion.

• Corrugated Packaging Alliance, Elk Grove Village, IL, completes the first-ever US corrugated life cycle assessment. Results are available at www.corrugated.org.

• Menasha Packaging Corp., Hartford, WI, announces a $4.2 million expansion that adds 60,000 sq ft of production and shipping space and a 7,000-sq-ft design center.

• Colbert Packaging Corp., Chicago, IL, receives its first Canadian patent for BlisterGuard. It is the company's eighth patent and third awarded for BlisterGuard.

• Metro Packaging & Imaging, Wayne, NJ, joins the Paperboard Packaging Council, Springfield, MA, as a principal member. ACTEGA Kelsar, Delran, NJ, and MarquipWardUnited, Phillips, WI, join as associate members.

• American Forest & Paper Assn., Washington, DC, reports total kraft paper shipments in November 2010 were 126,600 tons, an increase of 1.6% compared to November 2009. Year-to-date shipments rose 11.0% over 2009. Total boxboard production in November 2010 decreased by 0.6% compared to November 2009. Year-to-date production was up 3.3% over 2009. Total containerboard production in November 2010 increased 33,800 tons or 1.2% compared to November 2009. Production fell compared to October 2010; however, the month-over-month average daily production was flat, down just 0.9%. Year-to-date 2010 production increased 7.8% over 2009.