International Converting Industry News
- Published: March 01, 2001
Covering the Full Spectrum of International Industry News, Events & Activities
Supplier News
Open House Celebrates New Flexo Press
SAN GIORGIO MONFERRATO, ITALY—Valmet Rotomec SpA held an open house November 8 at its facility in northern Italy to spotlight the EG 401 flexo press.
The first of the presses was sold to a customer in Finland, and the second was on display at the open house, fully tested and ready for shipping. Two more have been sold in Latin America and two in Germany. Among the presses sold, two are the smaller EG 402, for shorter runs and repeat lengths, narrower web widths, and a top speed of 300 mpm.
The 401 that was the star of the open house ran at speeds to 350 mpm, reportedly demonstrating high quality six-color printing on a lightweight, white PP film. A job changeover took only 15 min.
The EG 400 Series presses are available in widths to 1,400 mm. According to Rotomec, features include all-digital AC vector drive motors; an automatic washing system with low and efficient use of solvents, and a unique, high-efficiency dryer system.
Synthetic Paper Distribution Moves to Japan
NIVELLES, BELGIUM—Arjo Wiggins Belgium has agreed to transfer its European synthetic paper distribution business to Oji-Yuka Synthetic Paper Co.in Japan.
As part of the agreement, Oji-Yuka has established Yupo Europe GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany, to assume responsibility for sales, marketing, and distribution of synthetic paper in Europe under the new brand “YUPO.” Arjo Wiggins Belgium formerly sold the paper under the “Synteape” brand.
Acquisitions
Jagenberg's Lemo Acquires SMR Stiegler
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—Lemo Maschinenbau GmbH, a member of the Jagenberg Group, Niederkassel-Mondorf, Germany, is taking over the business operation of SMR Stiegler Maschinenfabrik GmbH at Rudersberg, near Stuttgart, Germany.
Lemo Maschinenbau will continue to run the Rudersberg location as a production and R&D center with a staff of 40.
Nilpeter Buys Roto Press Intl.
SLAGELSE, DENMARK—Nilpeter A/S has acquired Roto Press Intl., the Cincinnati, OH-based manufacturer of narrow web presses. Lars Eriksen, president of Nilpeter A/S, says, “Roto Press is the rising star of the US web press manufacturers, and this acquisition complements our plans to expand the market position of our US subsidiary, Nilpeter Inc.”
In merging the two companies, John D. Little, president of Nilpeter Inc., becomes chairman of the board, and Andrew M. Colletta becomes president and CEO.
Jefferson Smurfit Buys Corrugated Plants in S.A.
DUBLIN, IRELAND—Jefferson Smurfit Group has acquired a group of Argentinian companies through its Smufit Argentina sub. The acquired companies are Cartonex, Cartonex Bernal, and Usina Bernal.
The new operations comprise two corrugated plants with a combined annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes and a recycled containerboard mill with annual production capacity of 70,000 tonnes.
Dr. Alan Smurfit, chairman and CEO of Smurfit Latin America, says, “We have rapidly established ourselves as the number two player in Argentina with an 18% share of corrugated sales.”
Stora Enso to Buy Production Unit in Sweden
HELSINKI, FINLAND—Stora Enso has signed a letter of intent to buy Tetra Pak's Forshaga packaging material production unit in Sweden, where it will change the product line to mainly PE coating of gable-top liquid packaging board. The transaction is expected to be completed by June 30.
Stora Enso will offer employment to about 100 of Forshaga's current 240 employees.
Expansions
Elopak Expands into Latin America
OSLO, NORWAY—Elopak has opened a Latin American office in Miami, FL, which will offer a full range of Elopak products, including Pure-Pak cartons, Elopouch, Unifill, and more.
The office is headed by VP José San Román de Pina, who says, “Having a Latin American base enables us to focus more closely on the effort we put into supporting old and new customers there. We are securing the materials and manufacturing base in the area to respond to our customers' needs at competitive levels.”
Rohm & Haas to Build Adhesives Plant in Brazil
PARIS, FRANCE—Rohm and Haas will begin construction of an adhesives and sealants production unit at its Jacarei plant near São Paulo, Brazil.
Representing a $15 million investment, the new plant is scheduled to begin operations in September 2001. It will produce high-performance polyester and PU-based adhesives, which are used in a variety of applications, including flexible packaging and labels.
Show News
Triennial Plast-Ex Show Returns in April
MISSISSAUGA, ON, CANADA—Plast-Ex 2001, a triennial show run by the Canadian Plastics Industry Assn. (CPIA), will take place April 30-May 3 at the International Center in Toronto.
May 1 is Packaging Day at the show. The program includes a panel discussion on the outlook for resins, a Lunch-and-Learn Session on higher temperature filling applications for PET, and a presentation on new developments in flexible packaging.
The show also will include a Consultants' Corner feature where packaging experts are available for 20-min sessions. Paul Waller of Plastics Touchpoint Group, Thornhill, Ont., will cover blown and cast film and flexible packaging. Dr. John Perdikoulias, Compuplas Canada, Mississauga, Ont., will discuss screw and die design.
For more information contact CPIA, 5925 Airport Rd., Ste. 500, Mississauga, ON, Canada L4V 1W1; 905/678-7748
PAC-EX Offers Extra Incentives for Visitors
TORONTO, ON, CANADA—A host of value-added features will greet visitors at the upcoming PAC-EX packaging show, May 15-17, at the Toronto Intl. Centre.
The Packaging Assn. of Canada (PAC), which produces the show, has been working with a committee of exhibitors to explore innovative ideas for this year's show.
According to trade show chairman John R. Wilson, Nordson Canada Ltd., “There will be a pre-show breakfast speaker series, computerized product locator kiosks, a new show guide format, convenient on-line registration, a career center, a shuttle bus service to the nearby Woodbine Racetrack and Casino facility, and last but not least, a special visitor appreciation feature…a car giveaway!”
For more information contact PAC, 2255 Sheppard Ave. E., Ste. E330, Toronto, Ont., Canada M2J 4Y1; 416/490-7860; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; web site: pac.ca.
K-Show Plans Are Well Underway
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—Vision-Innovation-Business is the slogan of K-2001, the 15th Intl. Trade Fair for Plastics + Rubber, which will be held October 25-November 1 in Halls 1-17 at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Germany. More than 2,600 exhibitors and 265,000 visitors are expected to take part in the show, reports organizer Messe Düsseldorf. A US pavilion is being cosponsored by The Society of the Plastics Industry.
Exhibits will include raw materials and auxiliaries; semi-finished products, technical parts, and reinforced plastics; and machinery, equipment, and services for the plastics and rubber industries.
To obtain a list of 14 Helpful Tips for K-2001, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2920, Chicago, IL 60601; 312/781-5180; e-mail: info www.mdna.com.
Conference
Ahlstrom to Host Pet Food Conference
VITRY-SUR-SEINE, FRANCE—Ahlstrom Paper Group will hold a pet food packaging conference May 29-30 in Barcelona, Spain.
The conference will cover the entire packaging process, including news about paper, bag, pouch, can, and label manufacture; new developments in adhesives, printing inks, and equipment; and information on the pet food market. There also will be presentations on printing and paper converting machinery.
For more information contact Sophie Lemal, Ahlstrom Paper Group, Label & Packaging, Vitry-sur-Seine, France; +33-1-45-73-45-73; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Association News
Carton Makers Meet in Europe
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS—The European Carton Makers Assn. (ECMA) held its annual congress September 20-23 in Malta, addressing the impact of new information and communication technologies on the production, distribution, and performance of folding cartons.
The association reports it is monitoring closely the upcoming revision of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive to ensure that changes will not be discriminatory against certain packaging materials.
Net volume of cartons produced in the ECMA countries rose from 3.45 million tons in 1998 to 3.53 million tons in 1999, an increase of 2.2%. Output was negatively impacted by an earthquake in Turkey.
As an indicator of continuing momentum in industry consolidation, congress delegates heard that the top ten folding carton companies are said to represent nearly 45% of total volume converted, an increase of 15-20 percentage points compared to a few years ago.
Markets remained evenly divided across food (52%) and nonfood (48%) applications. Hygiene and health products (including cosmetics) retained their position as the number one market in Europe at just under 15% of total carton consumption.
On the raw material front, 1999 marked the end of a prolonged period of relative price stability. Prices for white, lined chipboard have risen between 10% and 30%, while folding boxboard increased between 5% and 15%. These increases are proving difficult to pass on to customers, the association says.
For more information contact ECMA, Box 85612, NL-2508 CH, The Hague, The Netherlands; +31 (70) 312-3911; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
