E-Newsletter

Digital Magazine

Contract Services

Industry Links

Magazine

What Static Can Do is Shocking

Published: January 31, 2006, By David J. Bentley Jr., Contributing Editor
Why is static electricity a concern to converters of moving webs? It can cause four problems.

First Glance

Published: January 31, 2006, By PFFC staff
Innovative packaging from: Smart Lid Systems, M-real, and Sonoco.

A New Twist on CSR

Published: January 31, 2006, By Sheila A. Millar, Attorny-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
Today, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives cover a broad range of social issues from labor and human rights concerns to climate change. Shareholders are concerned about the value and validity of CSR inititives. This development has the potential to affect businesses, including the converting industry, more broadly.

Reporter Clips

Published: January 31, 2006, By Edited by Deborah Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
Narrow web industry news from: Lightning Labels, Raflatac, and IDTechEx.

Converting Industry News

Published: January 31, 2006, By Edited by Deborah Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
News from: Master Arts, Pregis Corp., Alliantz Flexible Packaging, Skeist, Liberty Carton Co., ABN AMRO Capital, Cello-Foil, Society of the Plastics Industry, Sonoco, Harper Corp. of America, Sartomer, Douglas-Hanson, NAPL, Western Michigan Univ., Craig Adhesives and Coatings, MAN Roland, AccuWeb, and Nilpeter.

Narrow Web New Products

Published: January 31, 2006, By PFFC staff
Narrow web new products from: Zero-Max, Neenah Paper, Avery Dennison, and Research Inc.

Getting Personal With Donald R. Droppo Sr.

Published: January 31, 2006, By PFFC staff
Donald R. Droppo Sr. shares the benefits of his experience in the converting industry.

Are You Rough Enough?

Published: January 31, 2006, By Timothy J. Walker, TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
What is the better roller surface to prevent web scratching, smooth or rough? Many people will opt for smooth, but in fact, this is the wrong direction.

Conundrum Mystifies Senses

Published: January 31, 2006, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor

New Products

Published: January 31, 2006, By PFFC staff
New products from: Agfa, Diamond America, Pual N. Gardner Co., Spinnaker Coating, Kodak, DuPont, Webex, Enfocus, Appleton, Enovation Graphic Systems, Nordmeccanica, GretagMacBeth, ADM Tronics, and GMG.

Under Pressure

Published: January 31, 2006, By Elizabeth Park, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc.

This is a challenging time for pressure-sensitive laminators.

Protecting Brands

Published: January 31, 2006, By Lynn G. Cruchfield, Acucote Inc.
The familiar pressure-sensitive label offers some practical approaches that converters can offer brand owners to secure the integrity of their products—by using a familiar "carrier" mechanism.

The PSA Process

Published: January 31, 2006, By Joe Mausar, Chemsultants Intl.
With so many choices available in the manufacture of PSA products, how do you decide what's best?

The Future of Metallizing

Published: January 31, 2006, By Corey M. Reardon, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc.
Despite some challenges, new markets for metallized products are opening.

Paper's Prospects

Published: January 31, 2006, By Corey Reardon, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc.
The food market drives growth in specialty coated papers for packaging.

Take Control

Published: January 31, 2006, By Robert W. Marsh, Contributing Editor
What would Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, say to the converting industry? He might say, "Control your own destiny or someone else will." The converting industry seems to be taking Welch's advice. As evidence, here is a sampling of what some of the industry's leaders are doing to control their own destinies.

Can This Coater Be Saved?

Published: January 31, 2006, By Edward D. Cohen, Edward D. Cohen Consulting

What to do with an aging coater? Modernize!

Narrow Web What's New

Published: December 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
Narrow web new products from: Avery Dennison, AB Graphic Intl, and IST Metz.

About Cold Seal Adhesives

Published: December 31, 2005, By David J. Bentley Jr., Contributing Editor
People actually refer to this class of product using three different names—cold seal adhesives, self-seal adhesives, and cohesives. Remember that all the terms describe exactly the same material.

Group Focuses on Innovation

Published: December 31, 2005, By Stanley Sacharow, The Packaging Group
Among the worldwide flexible packaging organizations, there is one group that is probably least known, open by invitation only and only to those specifically selected for their technical skills: the International Flexible Packaging Network (IFPN).

A Communication from the PLACE Div. of TAPPI

Published: December 31, 2005, By David J. Bentley, Jr., Contributing Editor
New die designs and advancements in automatic die controls for improved efficiencies in film production, and how sealant film choice can affect a laminated structure’s properties.

Environmental Right-to-Know

Published: December 31, 2005, By Sheila A. Millar, Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
Public availability of environmental data is a crucial tool in the protection of public health and the environment. Programs have been criticized for paperwork requirements and failure to safeguard adequately confidential business information and trade secrets. How do you balance the public’s right to know with the need to maintain chemical facility security?

The Secret Strain

Published: December 31, 2005, By Timothy J. Walker, TJWalker & Assoc.

Reporter Clips

Published: December 31, 2005, By Edited by Deborah Donberg, Assoc. Managing Editor
Narrow web news from: Digital Labels, Lowry Computer Products, and Raflatac.

Changeover Magic!

Published: December 31, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Assoc. Editor
PPC Industries streamlines operations with a Mamata bagmaker and enjoys ultra-fast changeover times.

New Products

Published: December 31, 2005
New products from: Montalvo, Eckart America, Dielectric Polymers, Precision AirConvey, RIPit, Mamata, Tidland, Adchem, Simco, Hudson-Sharp, Creative Film Corp., DRI, and Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering.

Getting Personal With Michael Nowak

Published: December 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
Michael R. Nowak, president and founder of Coating Excellence Intl., shares the benefits of his experience in the converting industry.

Facing a Slowdown

Published: December 31, 2005, By Robert W. Marsh, Contributing Editor
As the US begins 2006, the economy is facing a slowdown. Last year’s increase in interest rates alone is enough to cause a slowdown in economic activity. On top of that, when you add the very large increase in energy prices, it exacerbates the situation.

Why Isn't Your Slitter Running?

Published: December 31, 2005, By Timothy J. Walker, TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
Walk by any slitter and more likely than not, it won’t be running. Why? Besides having no input material or no demand for slitting, your slitter likely is not running because the slitter operator is busy doing all the work needed to support the slitter. Your slitter may not be running, but I bet your slitter operator is.

The Digital Demand

Published: December 31, 2005, By Edited by Claudia Hine, Managing Editor
The Label Printers has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into color plateless technology with the purchase of a seven-color HP Indigo ws4050 digital press.

Resources

Subscribe to PFFC's EClips Newsletter