Sustainability

Plastics' broken loop

Recycled-content legislation has receded, environmentalists have been quiet and virgin PET is plentiful and cheap. Packagers are divided on whether to continue their commitments to use post-consumer resin in the U.S. market.

May 31, 1997

Package Printing: Page 68

Converting equipment

Pepsi tells Detroit shoppers to get a grip

In early May, Pepsi-Cola Co., Somers, NY, began testing its Quick Grip PET bottle in four Detroit area supermarkets. "Ease of handling and pouring, that's what's being tested here," says Pepsi spokesperson Larry Jabbonsky.

May 31, 1997

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Matrix finds 'suede' takes special handling

The use of a new copolymer for its 'soft feel' requires special care in container handling to preserve its appearance for men's haircare line. That risk wins a Best of Show in the National Assn. of Container Distributors competition.

April 30, 1997

Additives, coatings & inks

HDPE resin

Bottles made from Petrothene® LS 9020-46 HDPE resin from Millennium Petrochemicals Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) are said to have about three times the gloss and better crack resistance compared to bottles made with standard HDPE.

April 30, 1997

Flexibles

Plastics under seige in Massachusetts

A plastics recycling bill has been introduced in the Massachusetts state Senate that would, if passed, doom the sale of most plastic packaging. The bill bans plastic packaging for consumer products unless at least 80% of Massachusetts residents have access to plastics recycling facilities by December 31, 2000.

April 30, 1997

Additives, coatings & inks

Setting up shop (sidebar)

Invisible bar codes

March 31, 1997

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Conflicting standards

A proposed effort to develop an international labeling system for all chemicals and mixtures could result in mandatory relabeling of U.S. food products containing safe levels of pesticide residues or food additives.

March 31, 1997

Sustainability

Setting up shop

Merck, Revlon and Clorox developed unique packaging technology for their own use. Now those developments are generating revenue through licensing to other firms.

March 31, 1997

Secondary Packaging

Pouches stand up around the globe

Stand-up pouch development is on the march (see Kellogg item, top of page). Among the possibilities are pouches with ribs for gripping, pouches with new styles of drinking/dispensing spouts, and, on the airlines, pouches prized for making substantial source and weight reduction possible.

March 31, 1997

Additives, coatings & inks

'Velvet touch' containers

LIR-USA (Yaphank, NY) has introduced a line of "velvet touch" bottles, tottles, tubes and jars for skin care applications. The Couturelle line employs a PP-based resin to achieve a textured feel.

February 28, 1997

Closures

Oval bottles

The Silique Oval line of bottles from Fenton, Weber & Jones (Tonawanda, NY) is now available in a 10-oz (300-mL) PVC version. Bottles are complemented by a 2" dispensing closure.

February 28, 1997

Flexibles

Not just for breakfast anymore

Films created with additive vitamin E offer protection at least equal to that of BHT-impregnated films, according to a Michigan State University study.

February 28, 1997

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Value-added packaging goes to sea

Seattle fish processor vacuum packs salmon right on board its two ships for sale to Japanese markets. Now there's no need to thaw and refreeze, so quality is improved.

February 28, 1997