Flexibles

Produce in compostable trays debuts on earth day

Four Seasons Produce Inc., Ephrata, PA, one of the largest independent produce wholesalers in the United States, began using compostable produce trays made of palm fiber from Earthcycle Packaging (www.earthcycle.com) for its entire organic packaging program. The repackaging was officially launched on Earth Day, April 22. Palm fiber trays compost in less than 90 days.

June 11, 2007

Other Packaged Goods: Page 152

Consumer packaged goods

U.S. machinery purchases stabilizing: PMMI

A 1% growth in U.S. packaging machinery purchases this year “reflects a cautionary reaction to the uncertainty of the U.S. economy, rather than decisions based on financial imperatives,” according to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (www.pmmi.org).

June 11, 2007

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Baking soda label acts as a freshness timer

WS Packaging Group (www.wspackaging.com) has solved a long-standing consumer conundrum of knowing when to replace the Arm & Hammer-brand Baking Soda refrigerator air filter.

June 11, 2007

Secondary Packaging

Industry watch

CompaniesThe Bosch Group plans to acquire Pharmatec gmbh, Dresden, Germany, from Fresenius proserve gmbh. The transaction also includes the acquisition of the Pharmatec subsidiary Schoeller-Bleckmann Medizintechnik gmbh, Ternitz, Austria.

June 11, 2007

Adhesives/tape

Caribou Coffee, Gaviña select ICA's advanced baggers

At the recent SCAA conference in Long Beach, a ‘sold’ sign and a popular open house testified to the popularity of ICA Quality Packaging, which specializes in sophisticated, ELAU-equipped high speed bagging systems.

June 4, 2007

Contract packaging

The wrap-up: All in a day's work

Reader inquiries are an interesting part of a packaging editor's workweek.

May 31, 2007

Filling/capping, dry

In India, traditional beauty care business heats up

It's back to your traditional roots in the beauty and skincare business in India, as contemporary delivery systems take traditional "home grown" remedies for beauty and hair care like turmeric (manjal) scrub, shikkakai powder and hibiscus to a national audience.

May 31, 2007

Consumer packaged goods

Pakistan report on fruit and vegetable packaging

Fascinating paper from a doctor in Pakistan laying out specifications to improve basic fruit and vegetable distribution and packaging's role...

May 31, 2007

Prepared Foods

Also in China, cold chain begs improvement

Serious problems exist in the processing, packaging and transportation of perishable goods in China.

May 31, 2007

Consumer packaged goods

U.K. music giant revamps CD case

Universal Music Group will sell CDs in basic cardboard sleeves in a bid to compete with online sales.

May 31, 2007

Recycling

Recycling hits British Band's CD packaging

Single-serve potato chip bags are being used by British band Recoup to package its first CD.

May 31, 2007

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Opportunities abound for pet food packaging

While the explosive growth in premium pet food has been a big story in the US, the trend is global in scope.

May 23, 2007

Controls & Machine Components

Packaging Automation magazine gets its own website

The popular online magazine gets its own searchable archive site, helping packaging machinery specifiers and builders research innovative, modular machinery and automation trends in the packaging industry

May 21, 2007