Converting Industry News, Part 1
- Published: January 31, 2005
Part 1 | Part 2
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Nordmeccanica Line Running DuPont Laminates
RICHMOND, VA—DuPont and Von Roll Isola USA, headquartered in Switzerland, report the startup of a new laminator production line to support DuPont Nomex laminate systems. Von Roll Isola is the exclusive manufacturer and sales agent of Nomex systems.
The technology behind the Duplex Combi Horizontal 1700 laminator, created by Nordmeccanica, reportedly enables it to produce at a rate three times faster than previous models and to create laminates to 65 in. wide, nearly 70% wider than previously possible.
"State-of-the-art processing controls mean more consistent, high quality laminates for customers," says Von Roll Isola CEO Jack Craig of the line.
SUPPLIER INFO:
Nordmeccanica— nordmeccanica.com
Zippers Stand Up to Heat
The Hi-Temp Series from Zip-Pak is a new line of zippers designed for use in packaging applications that require extremely high heat. Zippers in the series include the microwavable zipper, the boil-in-bag zipper, and the post-pasteurizable zipper.
The heat seal that bonds the zipper to the packaging film stays permanently intact, the company reports, adding each zipper can be sized to different widths and configurations and runs with ease on most pre-form pouch machines.
Easy Open, Easy Close
Curwood, Oshkosh, WI, offers a convenience opening feature designated IntegraScore that can be combined with press-to-close or a slider zipper in horizontal and vertical f/f/s applications to give consumers easy-opening and resealable features in one package. This is achieved by applying a continuous, controlled score to a multilayered film. Curwood’s proprietary system controls the scoring to the proper layers, reportedly ensuring the barrier protection is not compromised. Consumers simply tear and remove the top (hood) of the package to expose the press-to-close or slider zipper closure system.
Nonwoven Material Absorbs Liquids
When Adhesives Research, Glen Rock, PA, teamed up with UPI, Northville, MI, the result was Absorbex, a multilayered, nonwoven core absorbent material coated with an adhesive-laminated barrier system. It is designed to be a functional fabric that can absorb and encapsulate liquids at a significant rate while creating a moisture-resistant barrier and staying in place. One example is a Cup Coaster, designed to drop easily into a car’s cup holder to absorb spilled liquids.
The core absorbent adhesive-laminated material can be die-cut easily into various shapes and made into a wide range of products, including athletic headbands that adhere to the interior of sports caps and absorb body sweat while eliminating staining; material for preserved biological specimens; and many more.
ACQUISITIONS
Kodak Adds Creo to the Fold ROCHESTER, NY—Eastman Kodak Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Creo, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Kodak will pay approximately $980 million in cash, or $16.50/share, for all outstanding shares of Creo, on a fully diluted basis. Creo presently has approximately $85 million of cash on its balance sheet and no debt.
Daniel A. Carp, Kodak’s chairman and CEO, says, "The Graphic Communications Group [GCG] represents one of the three pillars of Kodak’s digitally oriented growth strategy. The purchase of Creo strengthens that pillar and essentially concludes the company’s acquisition plan."
Adds Antonio M. Perez, Kodak’s president and chief operating officer, "Creo will benefit…because Kodak brings them the size and scale necessary to increase their presence in the market. Kodak will benefit because we will be able to offer end-to-end solutions with a broader suite of products from Creo and to capitalize on the synergies this creates across GCG."
Bemis Acquires Majority Ownership of Dixie Toga
MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Bemis Co. has acquired majority ownership of Dixie Toga, one of the largest packaging companies in South America.
Headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, Dixie Toga recorded annual net sales in excess of $300 million in 2004.
Bemis has acquired the voting common stock and 43% of the outstanding non-voting preferred stock of Dixie Toga for a total cash price of approximately $250 million, financed with commercial paper.
Bemis and Dixie Toga have operated a flexible packaging joint venture in Brazil since 1998, known as Itap/Bemis, which represents about one-third of Dixie Toga’s annual net sales. Bemis owns 45% of the joint venture and will account for it on an equity basis for 2004.
Dixie Toga also operates businesses involved in the production of laminated plastic tubes, thermoformed and injection molded containers, printed labels, and printed folding cartons.
Proman Acquired by Michelman
CINCINNATI, OH—Michelman reports it has acquired the technology and related water-based coating assets from the former joint venture Proman Coatings Ltd. Proman will continue as small lots agent and distributor for Michelman Performance Coatings in the UK. Chris Coyne, formerly with Proman, becomes senior account manager, Europe, for Michelman.
SHOW NEWS
PFFC Chairs CMM Session
CHICAGO, IL—What challenges do converters face in a global marketplace and how do companies navigate their way through these intricacies while remaining successful? Be sure to sign up for the PFFC-moderated session with editor Yolanda Simonsis titled "Navigating the Challenges of a Global Marketplace" at the upcoming CMM Conference program. The session, part of the Management/Marketing Track, is slated for Monday, April 18, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
This session will appeal particularly to administrative titles such as CEOs, CFOs, and those responsible for marketing and sales of converted products.
Subject matter will cover the following:
- Trends in the Packaging Industry: Colin McLelland, VP of Ernst & Young Corporate Finance;
- International Trade Issues: US Dept. of Commerce;
- Competing In/Against a Global Market: Paul Frost, PJ Assoc.;
- Supply Chain Management/ERP Solutions + Recognizing Additional Revenue Opportunities: Packaging Personified;
- CE Marking–Upcoming Change to Regulations and How to Reduce Compliance Costs: Robert Morgan, director, Technology Intl.
To register for this and other sessions, go to cmmshow.com or call 212/268-4160.
Two Shows Join Forces
MILAN, ITALY—Plast and Ipack-Ima will take place on the same dates at the same place for the first time in 2006. The two exhibitions will convene at the new exhibition center in Rho-Pero, Milan, currently under construction.
The two organizing companies, Enfiplast and Ipack-Ima, report the decision to combine the events was made due to the synergy between plastics and packaging. They expect almost 3,500 exhibitors and possibly more than 100,000 visitors. The show will cover 140,000 sq m.
For more information visit ipackima.it.
CMM, ICE Form Alliance
NEW YORK, NY—CMM Intl. and ICE (International Converting Exhibition) have announced a major new alliance in which they will market each other’s events to their respective audiences.
In the first step, ICE will promote CMM 2005 to ICE’s constituency of converters and suppliers throughout the European Union. ICE also will host a booth and have a major presence at CMM, scheduled for April 18–21 at Chicago’s McCormick Pl. CMM, in turn, will promote the ICE show and exhibit at ICE 2005 in Munich, November 22–24.
Discount packages are available for ICE attendees interested in attending CMM 2005, as well as for ICE exhibitors interested in debuting at the show. For more information, visit cmmshow.com.
Part 1 | Part 2
