Flexible packaging

PMMI expects growth in machine spending

Packaging machinery spending by U.S. manufacturers this year will likely rise by up to 3% more than it did in 1997. Strong investment is expected from personal care and household/industrial chemical markets.

August 31, 1998

Beverage: Page 371

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

Exploring the metallocene 'revolution'

In recent years, Packaging World and other publications have reported on current news and applications where the properties of metallocene-based resins have enhanced the performance of packaging materials.

August 31, 1998

Flexibles

High-tech manufacturers retool protective packaging

Tektronix and Hewlett-Packard adopt suspension packaging that helps them keep pace with rapid product introductions.

August 31, 1998

Dairy

Packaging positions ice cream for upscale sales (sidebar)

Positioning for high retail pricing

August 31, 1998

Coding, Printing & Labeling

FDA proposes labeling for nonpasteurized juices

Agency specifies explicit warning statement for juices that aren't pasteurized. But NFPA wanted more.

August 31, 1998

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

Packaging positions ice cream for upscale sales

Farm Fresh's new all-plastic, rectangular ice cream package features full-coverage, in-mold-labeled graphics, believed to be one of the first applications of its kind in the U.S.

August 31, 1998

Secondary Packaging

PET spreads to mayonnaise

Manufacturers looking to stand out from the competition introduce mayonnaise in 32-oz PET bottles. They cite reduced breakage and lower freight costs as plastic's advantages, while cost and shelf life are competitive with glass.

August 31, 1998

Additives, coatings & inks

Plastics maker tightens up on contamination

Engineering resins are costly, so consistent quality is critical. GE Plastics adds state-of-the-art metal detectors just ahead of resin packaging to eliminate this potential problem.

August 31, 1998

Secondary Packaging

The Web's new trick: it's now useful

In our daily strolls out onto the Internet, we are noticing that an increasing number of web sites have become more sophisticated, offering genuinely useful information to packagers.

August 31, 1998

Closures

Supplier news: International agreements

Rexam Closures (Evansville, IN) has acquired Plasticos Dumex, S.A. de S.V. (Mexico City, Mexico), a leading producer of tamper-evident, non-refillable closures for the liquor market.

August 31, 1998

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Juice warnings, not pasteurization

The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule on July 8 requiring warning labels on fresh, unpasteurized juices. The requirement applies to all processors that package untreated juice for off-site consumption, including retailers such as grocery stores that squeeze and bottle juice for home use.

August 31, 1998

Containers

Supplier news: Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Hoover Materials Handling Group, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA) has announced the acquisition of Florida Drum Co. (Pensacola, FL). The company will now be known as Florida Drum Div.

August 31, 1998

Coding, Printing & Labeling

New look brings a boom in sales

New labels on 750-mL glass bottles of six varietals from Delicato Family Vineyards have brought a significant increase in sales for the Novato, CA, wine maker.

August 31, 1998