Beverage

Vendor training important to Pack Expo purchases

Training of operators and mechanics will play a big role in purchasing decisions, say attendees for Pack Expo 96 in Part Two of our exclusive survey.

October 31, 1996

Drinks, nonalcoholic: Page 35

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

PET soda bottle recycling rate drops

Figures from the American Plastics Council show that 41% of polyethylene terephthalate soda bottles were reycled in 1995. That ends four successive years in which the percentage increased, says the Container Recycling Institute (Washington, DC), a proponent of refillables and deposit laws.

October 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Components assume new importance in packaging

Conveyors, coding and marking machines, and motors and drives are the components best-known to packagers who have production and engineering responsibilities.

September 30, 1996

Cartoning

'Flexibility' sought in machinery at Pack Expo 96

Versatile machines that will allow manufacturers multiple packaging options was one of the frequent answers in Packaging World's second exclusive survey of Pack Expo registrants. Large buying teams and longer visits are also planned this year.

September 30, 1996

Beverage

Paper deposit law?

Paperboard packaging may inadvertently get caught up in Oregon's deposit law if voters approve a referendum on the November ballot expanding the law to include other types of drinks.

September 30, 1996

Additives, coatings & inks

PET resins

Luminar(TM) (5122C) is a new PET resin used in custom-produced PET rigid containers to provide high clarity, low haze and good strength. It's available from ICI Chemicals & Polymers (Wilmington, DE).

September 30, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Now beverage cans will open wide-- really, really wide

Suddenly, it seems, U.S. brewers are looking to change one of the most popular and endearing features of their cans--the easy-opening features. Last month (See PW, August '96, page 8), we reported on the conversion by Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI, from its standard, easy-opening stay-on tab (SOT) end to a large opening end (LOE) developed for Miller by Reynolds Metals Co.

August 31, 1996

Sustainability

Packagers gain price cuts for recycled materials

Buyers of recycled plastics are seeing easing of prices, except for HDPE. Recycled paper prices have precipitously dropped as European economies stagnate.

August 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

NutraSweet drum labeler keeps on ticking

Pity the printer/applicator that must withstand NutraSweet Kelco's Augusta, GA, aspartame plant. The artificial sweetener used in diet soft drinks is a granular substance that creates a harsh, dusty environment that's brutal on packaging equipment.

June 30, 1996

Converting equipment

Shaping technology injects market excitement in metal cans

Until a couple of years ago, American packagers using cans seemed satisfied with the straight sidewall profile and functionality of most metal cans. The cans were strong, easy to fill and seam, and offered a number of labeling, case packing and stacking options.

June 30, 1996

Secondary Packaging

Easy-open pack for bundles

Bundles of six 2-L water bottles from Perrier/Vittel, Paris, France, get an easy-open feature thanks to a new multilayer shrink film with directional tear resistance.

June 30, 1996

Beverage

Touch Top emerges from development

In development for about four years at Ball Metal Beverage Container Group (Broomfield, CO), the Touch Top(TM) aluminum 202 can end is poised to make its commercial debut.

June 30, 1996

Additives, coatings & inks

New News

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reform efforts continue on Capitol Hill and food packaging stands to be affected. The Food Safety Reform Coalition (representing food and beverage manufacturers) is working to amend legislation introduced by Rep.

May 31, 1996