ITC rules in favor of petition against unfairly traded laminated bags

ITC rules in favor of petition against unfairly traded laminated bags

By a 6-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission has announced its affirmative decision on the petition filed by U.S. producers of laminated woven polypropylene sacks against dumped and subsidized imports of these products from China. Laminated woven sacks are typically used to package pet foods, bird seeds and similar products sold at retail. 

The ITC’s affirmative vote means that U.S. importers of these products from China will be required to pay high duties to offset unfair pricing and Chinese government subsidies. This will restore fair competition in the U.S. market.

The vote is the final determination in investigations that began on June 28, 2007, when the Laminated Woven Sacks Committee filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the ITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The members of the Committee are Bancroft Bag Inc.; Coating Excellence International LLC; Hood Packaging Corp.; Mid-America Packaging LLC; and Polytex Fibers Corp.

Opportunities abound in flexible packaging for liquids

A report entitled “Drivers, Technologies & Opportunities for Flexible Packaging of Liquids,” published by Packaging Strategies, a sister business of Flexible Packaging, reveals that growth of products packaged in flexible has been astronomical.

This study focuses on the successes of liquid flexible packaging historically and how these successes will lead to substantially more growth as technology-materials, converting, processing and, most importantly, filling-accelerates to take advantage of all the benefits flexibles bring to the packaging of liquids.

As the filling and dispensing technology improves, however, the real growth in liquid flexible packaging will be in larger format packaging. While single-serve will, of course, continue to exist, liquid flexible package sizes ranging from 25 milliliters to 12,000 liters are not only feasible, but actually now in current commercial production.

To order a copy of “Drivers, Technologies & Opportunities for Flexible Packaging of Liquids,” click on www.packstrat.com, then on Market/Technology Studies, or call 610-436-4220 (x11) or e-mail orders@packstrat.com. 

PIA/GATF honors winners of 2008 InterTech Technology Awards

On Oct. 26, the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) will present its 2008 InterTech Technology Awards at a gala event in Chicago during the Graph Expo show.

An independent panel of judges evaluated technology submissions ranging from consumables to Management Information Systems (MIS) to large-format presses. Specifically, judges were looking for process efficiency. As such, submissions contained solutions to automate production steps, provide in-line process control and manage production. Recipients were recognized from across a spectrum of printing processes and production areas.

Twenty-eight nominations were submitted, and 10 innovative technologies were selected to receive the award. Recipients were:

1. Alwan Dynamic DeviceLinks, Alwan Color Expertise;

2. EskoArtwork Neo, EskoArtwork;

3. POLAR P.A.C.E. Cutting Systems, Heidelberg USA, Inc.;

4. Prinect Inpress Control, Heidelberg USA, Inc.;

5. HiFlex MIS with eBusiness, Webshop and Print Support, HiFlex Corp., North America;

6. Inca Onset, Inca Digital Printers Ltd.;

7. Kodak Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System, Kodak Graphic Communications Group;

8. MetalFX, MetalFX Technology;

9. Platinum White Technology, Sun Chemical Corp.; and

10. Xaar 1001 printhead, Xaar PLC.



For more information, visit PIA/GATF’s website at www.gain.net.

News Briefs

Dow acquires Rohm and Haas

Dow will acquire all outstanding shares of Rohm and Haas common stock for $78 per share in cash. The acquisition of Rohm and Haas will make Dow the world’s leading specialty chemicals and advanced materials company.

Best practices organization expands website capabilities

The Ghent Workgroup has revamped its website, www.gwg.org, to provide access to the comprehensive, best practice workflow specifications and resources for printers, prepress professionals and designers.

Additionally, the GWG site features a new forum where members and visitors alike can participate in discussions about current specifications, resources, needs and developments. Visitors can sign up and can join in general GWG discussions, as well as specific subcommittee topics ranging from specifications, job ticketing, color management, packaging, office document, process control and compliancy.

Ashland Inc. invests in its packaging, printing and coating capabilities

Ashland Specialty Polymers & Adhesives (SP&A) business recently installed additional equipment to enhance service and capabilities for its printing, packaging and coatings product lines. The equipment was installed in Ashland’s Columbus, Ohio, and Oak Creek, Wis., facilities.

Danafilms continues its expansion

As part of an ongoing growth program, Danafilms upgraded its Westborough, Mass., plant with another high-precision Battenfeld Gloucester blown film line. The new line will add more than five million pounds of additional capacity.

Other plant improvements include oscillating hauloffs on three other blown film lines to evenly distribute any gauge imperfections. This allows the film to enter, wrap and exit as a flat web. The improved roll quality increases uptime for high-speed printing and conversion.

Pliant upgrades and expands Canadian operations

New capital investments approaching $3 million in 2008, when added to the $4.5 million invested in 2006 and 2007, are improving Pliant’s products for the Canadian market.

Similar to initiatives currently underway in Europe, Asia and Mexico, Pliant has also initiated strategies to grow its market share in Canada. With the recent addition of a new leadership team, Pliant Canada will extend its reach as a major producer of meat and food wrap, pallet wrap, engineered films, personal care, medical and printed products.

Milestones

Extrusion Dies Industries LLChas appointedJohn Wiseas regional sales manager for its northeastern territory. EDI also has promotedWilliam Normandto the position of inside sales coordinator.

Marc Verbruggenhas been named the new president and chief executive officer ofNatureWorks LLC.

Brian Bishophas joinedGallus Inc., the North American arm of the Swiss manufacturer of narrow web printing presses, as the company’s president.

Toray Plastics (America) Inc.has namedKojiro Maedachairman of the board.

ISO Poly Films Inc.has announced thatBrandon Barkerhas joined the Gray Court, S.C.-based company as a technical development engineer.