Cartoning

'In-sourcing' revitalizes Gumtech

By thermoforming, filling and sealing blister packs of nutraceutical gums in-house, Gumtech can package products as needed, replacing the two- or three-week advance notice necessary for a contract packager. Payback in 18 months justifies the equipment purchase.

October 31, 1996

Additives, coatings & inks: Page 72

Flexibles

Mary Kay unscrambles labor-intensive line

Besides speed, any equipment on the Body Care line must fit into Mary Kay's packaging philosophy, which places a premium on flexibility. That's understandable.

October 31, 1996

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Food retailers like OPS tub for in-store applications

Wilkinson extrudes and thermoforms a two-piece tub with a snap-fit seal that keeps food fresh. Resin consistency and the right copolymer modifier help a lot.

October 31, 1996

Secondary Packaging

Metallocenes make their mark

Steelcase Inc. uses one of the first-available metallocene stretch films for wrapping cubicle wall panels. Downgauging keeps costs in check.

October 31, 1996

Flexibles

Food is pasteurized by ultra-high pressure

When it comes to pasteurizing and preserving foods, few methods are as tried and true as thermal processing. But now Avomex, Inc., is selling fresh avocado pulp, in a clear barrier pouch, that has a 30-day refrigerated shelf life thanks to a whole new processing technology: ultra-high pressure.

October 31, 1996

Additives, coatings & inks

Supplier news: International agreements

Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, MI) will build a PC resin plant at its site in Stade, Germany.

October 31, 1996

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

Pack Expo Plus: Seminars, conferences and allied shows

High-tech packaging solutions, new resin technologies, healthcare packaging, and better sealing technologies are just a few of the areas covered in conferences and seminars during Pack Expo week.

September 30, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

ISO 14000: environmental standards or trade barrier?

Some U.S. companies worry that new IS0 14000 standards are another European effort to stymie imports of U.S.-made products. Will this be a replay of ISO 9000?

September 30, 1996

Flexibles

ISO 14000: environmental standards or trade barrier? (sidebar)

British bottlemaker leads the way

September 30, 1996

Flexibles

Clamshell cuts costs for computer boards

Anti-static PETG clamshell costs less than previous bag and foam combination. Packaging steps are reduced from three to one.

September 30, 1996

Additives, coatings & inks

Mandates and markets: recycling's 'catch 22?'

Serious concern over the state of markets for recycled plastics was strongly voiced at Take it Back!, a seminar on packaging and the environment sponsored in May by Kranson Industries (St.

September 30, 1996

Sustainability

Simplifying approval for food-contact packaging

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) apparently has agreed to a long-sought request to simplify approval for substances used in food-contact packaging by doing away with the time consuming pre-market approval process that requires explicit FDA consent.

September 30, 1996

Converting equipment

Squeeze and spread functions boost bottle

Mentor, OH-based Darworth Co. took advantage of August's National Hardware Show in Chicago to feature FI:X® wood patch in a bottle that literally stands on its head to be noticed.

September 30, 1996