Flexible packaging

Favorable market conditions foster growth in flexibles

Flexible packaging material sales are expected to reach nearly $18.1 billion this year, a 3.7% increase from 1998. Converters expect the surgical/medical markets to show the strongest growth during the next five years.

October 31, 1999

Cosmetics/Personal care: Page 107

Cosmetics/Personal care

Personnel development programs in widespread use

How do companies measure up in providing development opportunities for workers? Here are the results from PMMI's Productivity Trends Indicator Survey.

October 31, 1999

Labels

Heinz ketchup labels cop an attitude

In the first major label change on Heinz ketchup bottles since the venerable product debuted in 1876, the words "Tomato Ketchup" will be replaced with comical messages directed at teens.

October 31, 1999

Cosmetics/Personal care

FTC cracks down on antibacterial claims

With an increasing number of products calling themselves "antibacterial" on labels and in advertising, the Federal Trade Commission has signaled its intention to crack down on germ-fighting claims that cannot be substantiated.

October 31, 1999

Bakery/Snack

Pack Expo Las Vegas 99 and IEFP, (sidebar)

Outsourcing pavilion new at Pack Expo Las Vegas 99

September 30, 1999

Flow wrapping

Packagers take a lease on new business

Packagers that lease equipment cite preservation of working capital and tax benefits as advantages over buying.

September 30, 1999

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

IWK Packaging Machinery Inc: Tube filler

The TFS 80 tube filler from IWK Packaging Machinery (Fairfield, NJ) features precision servo drives, no-tool changeover and multiple closing systems.

August 31, 1999

Flexibles

Sealers

The HD-1, a 1" circular sealer, and the HD-4, a 4" straight sealer, are new from Aline Systems (Santa Fe Springs, CA). Accomplishing 6 to 12 seals/min, both machines deliver up to 50 lb of pressure to seal all plastic, laminate and barrier films.

August 31, 1999

Filling/capping, dry

AMS Filling System Inc: Multihead Filler

The A-610 multihead filler from AMS (Malvern, PA) fills rigid containers with virtually any dry or liquid products at speeds to more than 50 cpm. With memory storage for 54 products, the PLC-controlled machine offers optional bulk-and-dribble operation, bottom-up filling, and vibration to settle product in containers.

August 31, 1999

Containers

How European culture drives packaging (sidebar)

Environment goals tougher

August 31, 1999

Beverage

Productivity in packaging continues to gain

A survey of manufacturers by PMMI shows nearly uniform gains in productivity from 1997 to 1998. Makers of chemical products represent the only segment where gains are not reported across the board.

August 31, 1999

Cosmetics/Personal care

Productivity in packaging continues to gain (sidebar)

Changeover time key to productivity

August 31, 1999

Controls & Machine Components

Packagers appear prepared for Y2K

Confidential survey of readers identifies some problems, but assures that fixes have been offered. Performance guarantees are few and far between.

August 31, 1999