PFFC - December 2007 - (Page 16)

NEWS CLIPS uColor Resolutions Intl., Fairfield, OH, raises prices on all packaging inks from 7%–14%, effective November 1. The company says two factors led to the increases: elimination of refunds that Chinese exporters receive from the Chinese value-added tax and a continuing rise in raw materials, transportation, and energy costs. uCharter Films, Superior, WI, completes a major plant expansion on its existing manufacturing and warehouse facilities. The company, which specializes in extruded blown film, also reports the addition of two new coex blown film lines. uEnvironmental Specialties Inc., Chicago, IL, opens a warehouse and distribution center in Brampton, ON, Canada, to supply its line of waterborne and UV coating products to printing and converting companies in Canada. uGrafix Plastics, Cleveland, OH, relocates to 5800 Pennsylvania Ave., Maple Hts., OH. The new space is almost 3x the size of the previous location. Production will be expanded. uMontalvo Corp., Gorham, ME, names Graphix & Co. its sales representative for Switzerland. uYazoo Mills, New Oxford, PA, completes another phase of growth with the purchase of adjoining properties. The complex now totals nine acres. What’s happening at your company? Send your news to yolanda.simonsis@penton.com. Kodak Expands in China By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor XIAMEN, CHINA | In a media webcast held November 7, Kodak announced a $50 million investment to accommodate expansion in Xiamen for its newest 70,000-sq-ft manufacturing site for the production of both digital and conventional plates. Incorporating state-of-the-art technology from all other Kodak plate manufacturing sites, the facility—which celebrated its official grand opening November 6—furthers the overall strategy to manufacture plates regionally for customers in China and Asia-Pacific. The China expansion comes in answer to the double-digit growth Kodak has experienced for its digital plates. Combined with the demand for significant R&D, Kodak now can introduce new products commercially more quickly. In addition, the new plant will free up manufacturing lines in the US for US and North American consumption. To protect Kodak patents and assure overall intellectual property integrity, Kodak opted to avoid any joint ownership arrangements; the new China plant is a Kodak wholly owned facility. Royal Adhesive Buys Water-Based Line SOUTH BEND, IN | Royal Adhesives and Sealants reports the completion of its acquisition of the assets of IAC Bond-Plus water-based adhesives and coatings product line. The acquired line consists of EVA, PVA, and acrylic latex adhesives and coatings sold primarily to the paper, graphic arts, and laminating markets. Royal will transfer production of these products to its 25,000-sq-ft water-based adhesives manufacturing center within its 240,000-sq-ft South Bend operation. MEMPHIS, TN | International Paper has agreed to acquire Central Lewmar, a privately held paper and packaging distributor, from private equity firm Chrysalis Capital Partners, Philadelphia, PA. The price was approximately $185 million, subject to customary closing and post-closing conditions. IP’s distribution business, xpedx, will operate Central Lewmar as a business unit within its multiple brand strategy. IP Adds Distributor Seen here is a potential coating application for flexible solar cell film. AT O W RK Chemistry’s Message Is Essential ARLINGTON, VA | The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has launched the next phase of its public education program, “essential2,” with two new TV ads. The 30-sec spots, “Anthem” and “Clean,” target employees of the chemical industry, public policy officials, and the public. According to Jack Gerard, ACC president and CEO, the campaign is designed to “close the information gap” between the chemical business and the public’s understanding of the industry. “There are nearly one million Americans who work in the chemistry industry making the essential products we use in our everyday lives,” he says. “Since the initial launch in September 2005, the ‘essential2’ campaign has successfully demonstrated how the American chemistry industry is essential to safety, health, innovation, the economy, and the environment ” A more knowledgeable public, he adds, is “a positive development for the industry.” ACC will spend $20 million on the advertising campaign, which includes network and cable TV, Internet, print, and public relations. To view the ads, visit www.americanchemistry.com. 16 | DECEMBER 2007 LITTLETON, CO | Two new OptiLab roll-to-roll vacuum sputter coaters from General Vacuum Equipment (GVE) are aiding Ascent Solar Technologies (AST) in its development of advanced photovoltaic (PV or solar cell) flexible films for solar energy applications. The coaters will be used in multilayer deposition of metallic and transparent conducting oxides on various types of plastic film. To make solar energy more affordable, AST plans to apply new processing and manufacturing techniques to harness the sun’s power as a viable, clean-energy option for both terrestrial use and applications in space. AST will use a plastic film coated with thin-film PV to transform natural sunlight into electricity. GVE is a preferred supplier to AST in its plans. “We are pleased to partner with companies that are the best in the world at what they do,” says Dr. Prem Nath, senior VP of manufacturing at AST. uGeneral Vacuum Equipment | www.bobstgroup.com PFFC-ASAP 330 Coaters Assist Move Toward Solar Energy WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.bobstgroup.com http://www.americanchemistry.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - December 2007

PFFC - December 2007 Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Carton & Box Reporter 2008 Calendar of Events Materials Testing Pilot/Lab/Technical Facilities What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - December 2007

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