Controls & Machine Components

Expac Corp.: Expac Corp.: Dispensing pump

Mega Pumps’ dispenser pump packages, available from Expac (Montvale, NJ), are injection-molded from polyolefin resins in 7 separate parts, with no metal components.

March 31, 2000

Package Printing: Page 53

Additives, coatings & inks

Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Chevron Chemical Co. (Houston, TX) and Phillips Chemical Co. (Houston, TX) have merged to form a new joint venture co.

March 31, 2000

Sustainability

Miller launches, Bud in test

Citing “growing consumer and retailer demand” as its motivation, Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing Co. has announced the nationwide rollout of its plastic barrier bottles for Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite and Icehouse brands in both 16- and 20-oz sizes.

March 31, 2000

Flexibles

Simmons saves $400,000 in 3 hours

Reverse auction for polyethylene film yields instant savings. Other materials are next.

March 31, 2000

Converting equipment

Blow molder comes to Pennzoil's 'Rescue'

PVC Container companies create new blow molding technology to provide Pennzoil with high-barrier bottle for a gasoline substitute. Flexible spout and closures complete package on an incredible timetable.

March 31, 2000

Additives, coatings & inks

Chevron licenses BP Amoco/Dow metallocene resin technology

On March 15, Chevron Chemical Company (Houston, TX) announced it has purchased the first license to manufacture polyethylene metallocene resin using BP Amoco's Innovene® process technology and new catalysts developed by BPA and Dow Chemical, and based upon Dow's Insite® metallocene catalyst technology.

February 29, 2000

Labels

Perrier gets a grip

Better ergonomics and lighter weight are benefits of Perrier’s new 5-gal water bottle with integral handle. Plus, a new rack system for transport reduces bottle breakage.

February 29, 2000

Flexible packaging

Dairy coop decides on dual bag

California Dairies Inc. reportedly will be the first commercial user of a dual film bag system. CDI plans to offer the plastic bag as an alternative to multiwall paper bags for milk powders sold to confectioners, bakeries and cheese manufacturers.

February 29, 2000

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

FDA packaging guidance gets bad 'wrap'

Brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers and OTC companies want more freedom to make packaging changes without major petitioning.

February 29, 2000

Flexibles

Packaging economics' pendulum swinging back

Not long after listening to (at least part of) President Clinton’s State of the Union address and my own governor’s State of the State speech in January, I was reminded just how pervasive is the role of economics.

February 29, 2000

Sustainability

Food packs sparkle in DuPont Awards

From an Ocean Spray package that won the Diamond Award to a vacuum-insulated container for foods and other temperature-sensitive products, this year’s DuPont Award winners are an eclectic and innovative bunch.

January 31, 2000

Flexibles

Supplier news: International agreements

Sidel (La Havre, France) has acquired Norden Pac (Kalmar, Sweden).—Pinnacle Automation (St. Louis, MO) has been acquired by FKI plc (Loughborough, U.K.).—Amcor Twinpak North America (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) has reached an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Stevens Flexible Packaging, Inc.

January 31, 2000

Coding, Printing & Labeling

USDA says OK to irradiation

In late December 1999, USDA issued its long-awaited rule permitting the irradiation of frozen or refrigerated raw meat and meat products to kill harmful microorganisms.

January 31, 2000