Converting Industry News
- Published: January 01, 2001
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Education
First Peter Rigney Scholarship Presented
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, USA—Russell Gorga, a Rutgers University Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering, is the first recipient of the Peter A. Rigney Scholarship, which was presented November 6 at the Rutgers Club.
Established by members of the Flexible Packaging Association, the scholarship honors Rigney, the late publisher of PFFC, and was conceived by Jim O'Leary, director of marketing at National Starch and Chemical Co., Bridgewater, NJ.
E-Conference Issues Call for Papers
An e-business/converting conference that will be held concurrently with CMM International April 22 thru 24 in Chicago, IL, is soliciting proposals for presentations. The event is designed to bring together e-business experts to help the converting industry forge a path through the complexities of e-business.
The focus will be on containerboard, paperboard, tissue, nonwovens, and plastics. One-on-one consulting opportunities and Internet demonstrations will mix with case studies, panels covering issues such as supply chain management and branding, and workshops designed to help attendees hone a corporate business strategy.
Submit proposals by Feb. 1 to Karl Jensen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information on the event, visit paperevents.com.
Spectrum's Leeson Is Converter of the Year
NEW YORK, NY, USA—Alan Leeson, president of Spectrum Label Corp., Hayward, CA, has been selected as the 2001 Converter of the Year for CMM International.
Leeson is being recognized for his many years of dedication to advancing the flexographic printing industry through his own work and his company resources.
Agreements
Siemens to License ei3 Technology
ALPHARETTA, GA, USA—Siemens Westinghouse Technical Services has agreed to license the technology portfolio of ei3 Corp. in order to bring secure, high-speed, remote monitoring and diagnostic services to manufacturers and process industry customers.
As part of the agreement, ei3 will work with Siemens to develop a "Command Center" near Alpharetta that will offer around-the-clock industrial e-services to support customers in the areas of process improvement, emergency breakdowns, and asset condition monitoring. >The center will be staffed with a team of Siemens engineers, technicians, and applications experts.
Green Converting
FTA to Present First Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
RONKONKOMA, NY, USA—The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) has instituted an awards program to honor FTA members that demonstrate outstanding efforts to help achieve a cleaner environment.
Activities may include changes in production process or raw materials that reduce the volume and/or toxicity of waste; processes that recover reusable materials or energy that otherwise would be considered waste; improved operation and/or maintenance of existing process equipment and methods that reduce or prevent waste generation; and technology/product developments that result in reduced waste.
The First Annual Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented at the National Environmental, Health, and Safety Conference for the Graphic Communications Industries, March 25-27 in St. Louis, MO. For more information contact FTA at 631/737-6020; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Industry Studies
European PE Market Averages 4% Growth
BRISTOL, ENGLAND—PE film extrusion accounted for more than 6.5 million tonnes of polymer in 1999, representing more than 20% of the total European polymer market. This sector has seen an average annual demand increase of 4%/yr over the period 1995-1999. The use of conventional LDPE accounts for 55% of the demand, but the use of other grades, especially linear and metallocene resins, has increased to about 28%.
This and other information is included in AMI's Guide to the Polyethylene Film Industry in Europe, published by Applied Market Information Ltd.
According to AMI, shrink and stretch film markets have emerged as the strongest performing market sectors, and technical coextrusions reflect the increasing demand for linear grades and HDPE resins, although metallocene resins also made a greater impact on these markets. Approximately 75,000-80,000 tonnes of mPE resins were used in 1999, which represents a near doubling on volumes used in 1998. HDPE usage was particularly strong in 1999, up by more than 12% over the previous year, which included a large increase in the use of MDPE grades for film products.
The largest end-use application for PE film is for bags and sacks, which account for about 40%, and shrink and stretch packaging, which account for about 25% of the PE film market.
The study says the European film extrusion industry is expected to grow 3%-4%/yr over the next five years to 7.5 million tons by 2004.
For more information contact AMI, 45-47 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QP, England; +44 (0) 117-924-9442
Niche Markets Drive Metallized Film Growth
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS—The European market for metallized films and papers is growing at a rate of about 5%, according to a survey by AWA Alexander Watson Assoc. The survey, The Metallized Papers and Films Market, reports this growth is due to new niche markets, particularly for holograms and packaging for premium fashion consumer brands.
The study, which assesses trends in technology, purchasing, and the overall business environment, is available from AWA Alexander Watson Assoc., Stadionkade 42, Ste. III, 1077VR Amsterdam, The Netherlands; +31 20 676 2069; awa-bv.com.
Price Increase
DuPont Raises Price of Cyrel Plates
WILMINGTON, DE, USA—Effective December 1, DuPont Cyrel Packaging Graphics Products has increased the price of its Cyrel photopolymer plates in North America between 3% and 6%.
Acquisitions
Greif Bros. Buys Van Leer Packaging Division
DELAWARE, OH, USA—Greif Bros. Corp. has acquired the Van Leer industrial packaging division from Huhtamaki Van Leer Oyj, Espoo, Finland, for $620 million. The acquisition reportedly will double the size of Greif Bros. and give the company a strong competitive position in the key global markets of Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Applied Films Buys LAC Division
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND—The Large Area Coating (LAC) Div. of Unaxis Holding Ltd. has been sold to Applied Films Corp., Longmont, CO, for $60 million and 10% in shares of Applied Films after capital increase. Coating technologies offered by this division include web coaters for food packaging.
"LAC has an excellent portfolio of technologies that will expand our market reach," says Tomas Edman, president and CEO of Applied Films.
PaperExchange.com Buys BoxDirect
BOSTON, MA, USA—PaperExchange.com has acquired BoxDirect.com, an e-marketplace focused on the corrugated container and paperboard packaging industries.
PaperExchange reports that, with this acquisition, it gains access to more than 150 BoxDirect supplier facilities and 400 registered BoxDirect customers, enabling the company to provide new choices and lower transaction costs for its customers.
Association News
EMA Launches Metallized Product Competition
HAGUE, NETHERLANDS—The European Metallizers Association (EMA) has launched its 2001 Metallized Product Competition to promote the use of metallized or nonmetal vacuum-coated products. Awards will be presented in packaging, functional/technical, and decoration categories.
The deadline to enter is February 21. For more information contact EMA, Box 85612, 2508 CH The Hague, Netherlands; ph: +31-70-312-3917; fax: +31-70-363-6348; eurometallizers.org.
Show News
Associations Support CMM
NEW YORK, NY, USA—The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) will co-sponsor CMM International, taking place April 23 through 26 at McCormick Place in Chicago. FPA members receive discounted rates for the conference sessions and special passes for the show. The Canadian Paper Box Manufacturers Association also signed on as a cosponsor of the show, and its members will be entitled to the same benefits.
More than two dozen global associations, including National Paperbox Assn. and Paperboard Packaging Council, are CMM cosponsors.
For more information contact CMM Intl., One Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10119; ph: 212/615-2200; fax: 212/643-5604; cmmshow.com.
Graphic Arts Show Coming to Charlotte
RESTON, VA, USA—New wide and narrow web technologies will be featured in exhibits and educational sessions at Graphic Arts: The Charlotte Show, to be held March 15 through 17 at the Convention Center, Charlotte, NC. The show will host 300 exhibit companies and is expected to draw 18,000 visitors.
Featured advances include the latest flexible packaging materials, p-s labels (pressure sensitive labels), folding cartons, corrugated containers, and inks. Solutions in prepress, digital printing, curing, die-cutting, slitting, substrates, coatings, and business management will be highlighted. The Printing Industry of the Carolinas is organizing more than 80 educational sessions at the show.
For more information contact the Graphic Arts Show Co., 1899 Preston White Dr., Reston, VA 20191; ph: 703/264-7200; fax: 703/620-9187; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; gasc.org.
Distributors
Can-Am to Distribute Esatec Equipment
PELHAM, NH, USA—Can-Am Packaging Equipment has been selected as the exclusive distributor in North and South America of CD/DVD manufacturing, folding carton, and corrugated converting machinery from Esatec, Puymoyen, France.
All sales, parts, service, and training will be handled by Can-Am's corporate offices in Pelham. Contact William Spear Jr. at 603/635-1316; fax: 603/635-7139.
Reece Supply Stocks Clear Focus Films
NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA—Reece Supply Co. has entered a distribution agreement with Clear Focus Imaging, Santa Rosa, CA. Reece Supply now stocks a complete range of Clear Focus products, including ClassicVue, SuperVue, and ink jet-compatible JetVue perforated vinyl films; and ClearLam, an ultra-clear, cold overlaminate.
Contact John Eitmann at ph: 504/733-7799; 800/776-0130.
M. Holland to Distribute Tenite Resin
KINGSPORT, TN, USA—Eastman Chemical Co. has selected M. Holland Co., Northbrook, IL, to distribute Tenite LDPE resin to the US film market.
Phil Begley, Eastman sales manager, reports, "With numerous distribution facilities throughout the US, M. Holland is prepared to meet the just-in-time requirements of our customers."
Supplier News
HCI Invests for Growing Pouch Market
TAICHUNG, TAIWAN—HCI Converting Equipment Co. reports it will be showing a new pouch machine with improved designs and features at the CMM Intl. show in April.
Through its representative, Karlville Development, Miami, FL, HCI has new installations in the US, China, and Latin America. The company also has opened a new factory in China.
John Price, president of Karlville Development, says, "We see strong growth in the pouch market in the USA. We have invested heavily to prepare for this growth with new technicians, key working relations with zipper suppliers, and new options that enable HCI to compete in today's marketplace."
Plainwell Closes Paper Mill
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA—Plainwell Inc. has closed its specialty paper mill in Plainwell, MI, due to unprofitability resulting from a combination of competitive market pressures and high raw material and energy costs. President and CEO Gary Hayden says profitability at the facility has been weak due to overcapacity and consolidation in the industry.
Davis-Standard Ltd. Becomes ISO Certified
LUTON, ENGLAND—Davis-Standard Ltd. is now ISO-9001 certified. Managing director Mark Woodgate says, "[This milestone] aligns our business with Davis-Standard's quality goals...and will provide mutual benefits to us as a company and, most importantly, to our customers."
Matik Becomes Distributor
WEST HARTFORD, CT, USA—Matik North America is now exclusive North American distributor for Raumaster and Saimatec, suppliers of roll handling and roll wrapping technology.
Willie Uomala has been hired as VP, paper mill products, and product manager for the two new lines.
Contact him at 860/232-2323; fax: 860/233-0162.
System Produces Holograms at High Speeds
International Holographic Paper (IHP) reportedly has produced the world's largest 2-D hologram, a 40x90-in. sports car banner, utilizing the iSCAN Interferometric Scanning System. The system is said to produce high-speed, large-format, computer-to-plate holograms etched directly into a soft embossing shim.
Brain Monaghan, president, says, "Over the past 15 years, holography has been a slowly emerging industry. It has been plagued with long lead times, inferior materials, and expensive mastering fees to produce custom images. Just recently, the hologram industry matured to more than $1 billion a year, and the technology has become state of the art."
IHP devised a way to produce holograms that accommodate the large size of press-ready sheets of holographic paper. It developed a laser ablation optical system that uses no rotating parts and operates at high speeds to produce holographic diffraction grating directly into the surface of the embossing tooling.
Monaghan adds, "With our new computer-to-plate technology, we can now receive digital artwork and turn around a huge hologram in the same day."
