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Duct Tape, Plastic Sheeting, and The Cost and Benefits of War

Here's the good and/or bad news. You decide. No. 1: A war in Iraq seems inevitable. No. 2: As demand for duct tape and plastic sheeting increases, so

Converting Industry News

In the news this month: Ahlstrom, Enercon, FiberMark, Foodservice and Packaging Inst., FVTC, William "Bill" Hawkins, MeadWestvaco, Mohawk Northern Plastics, MPC Group, NAPL, and W&H.

Reporter Clips

In the news: Arlington Press, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc., Comco Intl./Mark Andy, Gerber Innovations, Label.Com, Larson Worldwide, MeadWestvaco, and Technicote Inc.

People and Places

In the news this month: AET Films, Atlantic Envelope Co., EMA, HP Indigo, Mark Andy, and Tension Envelope Corp.

Cinching Belt Tightening Gone Bad: Part Two

The expression it's a cinch usually means something is easy, as easy as tightening a belt. However, as we learned last month, cinching is not something

Is There a Great Discovery in the Mess You're about to Trash?

Chance discoveries are common in the history of material science. Many discoveries have been the result of chance observations and accidents rather than

Boxes That Rock

The National Paperbox Assn. (NPA) has announced the winners of its Judge's Citation Awards, as well as the 2002 National Student Design Competition winners, in its 53rd Annual Packaging Competition....

Proposed Bioterrorism Regs Could Affect Converters

Some converting industry members will have to register their facilities with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and give FDA prior notice before importing materials into the US, under two proposed rules published in the Federal Register February 3.

Controlling Color Change in Adhesives and Coatings

The column in this space last month discussed color in adhesives and coatings with emphasis on avoiding color during the manufacture of the products.

Filtration Transformation

Out of an engineer's introspection and some solid supplier relationships comes "a breakthrough" for one contract converter's final filtration of hot melts.

Leaders of the Pack

The Flexible Packaging Association has announced its 2003 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards. This year's winners are a testament to the fact that converters are using the latest and the best technology available to respond to consumers' needs.

From Concept to Completion

Harnessing the improved processing power of today's Macs and PCs, packaging software developers now are offering high-performance plug-ins for the industry's

Pouches on the Cutting Edge

CLP Industries supplies many markets in many countries. Sophisticated laser scoring equipment is one of the keys to its success.

Minimize Slip of AC Induction Motors

The AC induction motor often is referred to as the workhorse of the industry, but there are inherent limitations of the AC induction motor—no constant speed and no speed control.

On the Move...

News from: Adhesives Research, Arcar, Arpeco, Battenfeld, Bosch Rexroth, BST Pro Mark, Burke Industrial Coatings, Catty Corp., Chemir, CEI, Dow Corning, Econo Products, Goldenrod, GretagMacbeth, Harper Corp., Honeywell Printing Solutions, Kraton Polymers, Nova Chemicals, Rayven, Rohm and Haas, Smurfit Stone, SVC, Superior Printing Ink, 3M, Water Ink Technologies, and Yazoo Mills.

The Buzz in Biodegradable Resins: Certification

Many of the processes performed and the products created within a converting facility aren't always the most environmentally friendly. However, this doesn't

AVT Reports Record Year

Advanced Vision Technology Ltd. (AVT) recently reported its 2002 results "with record revenues and orders." According to the supplier of automatic optical inspection systems for web printing applications, 2002 revenues were US $12.5 million, an increase of 35 percent over 2001, while net loss decreased by 50 percent from $5.7 million to $2.8 million.

Esko-Graphics Moves North American Headquarters

Esko-Graphics, the graphics arts supplier created in last year's merger between Barco Graphics NV and Purup-Eskofot A/S, announces it's opened the doors to its new North American heaquarters "across town" in Kennesaw, GA.

RFID Reader Said to Break Barrier in Technology Adoption

Matrics Inc. reports the release of a new 'Advanced RFID Reader,' which the company says "breaks [the] barrier to radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption."

H.B. Fuller Reports Price Increases

H.B. Fuller Company recently announced its adhesives business segment will implement a price increase of 6.5 percent for water-based adhesives; a 4.5 percent increase for hot melt adhesives; and specific individual increases for various other products.

Graphics of the Americas Reports Strong Numbers

Despite unusually chilly weather, numbers were up at this year's Graphics of the Americas (GOA). Held January 24—26, 2003, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Latin American-oriented trade event drew more than "21,000 visitors from around the world," reports event sponsor Printing Association of Florida (PAF).

PCI Publishes European PET Supply-Demand Report

PCI, PET Packaging, Resin & Recycled Ltd., reports the publication of the fifth edition of the European Supply-Demand report on the PET market in Europe. The 350-page report, says PCI, covers both Eastern and Western Europe.

Agfa Acquires Printing Techniques Ltd.

Agfa-Gevaert reports an agreement with Printing Techniques Ltd. (PTL) by which it will acquire the U.K.-based company.

Exopack and RJR to Supply Retort Pouches

Exopack LLC will now have the capability to supply retort pouches for food and pet food. The manufacturer of stand-up pouches announces an alliance with RJR Packaging that "enables an important domestic supply of this fast-growing package format."

Blue Ridge Paper to Close Jersey DairyPak Packaging Operation

A Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc.-owned liquid packaging production facility in New Jersey is slated for closure late this summer. According to the North Carolina-based paper manufacturing and converting company, the closure of its Morristown, NJ, DairyPak liquid packaging converting operation, late summer 2003, will result in the elmination of 115 jobs.

Rexam Healthcare Flexibles Invests in Pouchmaking

Rexam Healthcare Flexibles reports new "state-of-the-art" pouch manufacturing capacity in its US Midwestern plant.

<WGMT Offers PAF Assn. Member Discount

Women in Graphic Media and Technology (WGMT) reports a "mutually beneficial relationship with the Printing Association of Florida (PAF); (pafgraf.org and wgmt.org).

Tailored Solutions to Teach Profitable Print Job Planning

Tailored Solutions Inc. announces an affordable evening workshop for printing industry job estimators and planners.

Creo Offers Affordable Prepress

Creo reports it's launched a line of Creo-certified, remanufactured prepress systems for the graphic arts industry. Creo Remanufactured Solutions include Trendsetter and Lotem platesetters; Dolev imagesetters; EverSmart scanners; Iris proofers; and Brisque and Prinergy workflow-management systems.

RadTech Votes PPG's Diehl Its Prez

RadTech International North America reports David A. Diehl, senior scientist with PPG Industries Inc., has assumed office as RadTech president for a two-year term.

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