Official Board Markets articles from March 2008

Official Board Markets archives from March 2008

Corrugated's global market to exceed $165 billion.(BY 2010)(Industry overview)
March 1, 2008... The worldwide market for corrugated and paperboard boxes is projected to exceed $165 billion by 2010, says Global Industry Analysts in a new study entitled Corrugated and Paperboard Boxes: A Global Business Report. Asia-Pacific represents...

U.S. corrugated to build Ohio box plant.
March 1, 2008... U.S. Corrugated Inc. plans to build a 314,000 sq ft box plant employing more than 100 workers in Lancaster, Ohio, reports the Columbus Dispatch. U.S. Corrugated, which plans to move its headquarters from Kennesaw, Ga., near Atlanta to...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 1, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any...

Kraft Foods partners with RecycleBank.(REDUCING PACKAGING WASTE)
March 1, 2008... Kraft Foods has signed on as the "Official Food Sponsor of RecycleBank[TM]," a Philadelphia-based rewards program that motivates people to recycle. This partnership will enable both companies to work together to educate consumers about the...

Greif reports 1Q results.(GROWTH IN EUROPE)(Financial report)
March 1, 2008... For its first quarter ending Jan. 31, Greif, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, reports net sales increased 13 percent to $846.3 million, compared to $750.8 million in the first quarter of 2007. Net income before special items was $68.6 million, compared to...

Recovered paper exports break record.(IN 2007)
March 1, 2008... Last year was a record for recovered paper exports, reports the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. December 2007's total hit almost 2.33 metric tons, the highest monthly volume ever. This brought the total for all of 2007 to a record of just over 18.1...

Coated cover product line.(Product Update)
March 1, 2008... MeadWestvaco Corp. is expanding its coated cover product line to include 10- and 12-pt Tango Advantage Recycled CIS and C2S. Tango Advantage Recycled delivers the same surface, printability, and consistency on press in graphical print and...

Port Townsend Paper fights criticism.(PUBLIC MEETINGS CONTINUE)
March 1, 2008... According to a report by The Seattle Times, Washington's state pollution-control board has sided with Port Townsend Airwatchers, an environmental group that has criticized the Port Townsend Paper Corp. linerboard mill. The board has ordered the...

Kemiart liners save energy.(BY MORE THAN 6 PERCENT)
March 1, 2008... Finland-based manufacturer M-real Consumer Packaging reports that Kemiart Liners reached an exceptional high level in energy savings last year. In comparison to 2005, the mill was able to reduce the consumption of heat by 6.4 percent and...

MWU SheetWizard unit installed at SSU.(PRODUCTION INCREASES)(MarquipWardUnited increased production by installing Sheeting Service Utrecht)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Holland-based converter Sheeting Service Utrecht (SSU) has successfully installed a MarquipWardUnited (MWU) SheetWizard at its facility. Throughout the project, SSU and MWU have worked closely together to achieve and surpass project goals. ...

ThermaGloss[R] 460.(Product Updates)
March 1, 2008... Michelman's ThermaGloss[R] 460 is a water-based, heat-resistant overprint varnish (OPV) that produces high gloss, low odor, and dry rub resistance. It is designed for use on corrugated preprint liner or other packaging where high temperature...

Dorset[TM].(Product Updates)
March 1, 2008... Dorset[TM] is a new versatile cover and folding carton material from FiberMark. It is beater-dyed, which ensures color consistency from run to run and throughout the sheet (no white edges). It features a matte pigment coating for deep, rich...

Free new 12-page glossy brochure summarizing its products and services.(Product Updates)
March 1, 2008... The Montalvo Corp. has just created a free new 12-page glossy brochure summarizing its products and services. It highlights a variety of applications for Montalvo web control equipment on roll-to-roll, roll-to-sheet, unwinds, rewinds, or...

T-I details box making business.(FOR 2007)
March 1, 2008... In its 10-K statement filed last week, Temple-Inland Inc. (TI), Austin, Texas, says that the average price for its corrugated boxes increased 3 percent in 2007 while the average price for the linerboard it makes increased 5 percent. Shipments...

Packetis installs VantagePoint shop floor data collection.(IN FRANCE)
March 1, 2008... French company Packetis has signed an agreement to implement VantagePoint Systems' Production Manager shop floor data collection software. The contract with Packetis, a business unit of the ILEOS Group, is the result of collaboration between...

Dual-knife rotary sheeter.(Product Update)
March 1, 2008... Maxson Automatic Machinery Co., Westerly, R.I., offers a dual-knife rotary sheeter equipped with productivity enhancement features that are specifically designed for folding carton operations. The sheeter's low-inertia knife cylinders allow...

Cascades 2007 net earnings rise.($92 MILLION)(Financial report)
March 1, 2008... For the fiscal year ended Dec. 3 l, Cascades Inc., Kindsey Falls, Quebec, reports unaudited net earnings of $95 million (Canadian) compared to net earnings of $3 million for the same period in 2006. For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, net...

MGC.(Product Update)
March 1, 2008... MacDermid Printing Solutions introduces MGC, its next-generation sheet photopolymer specifically designed to compete in the corrugated print market. Printers can take advantage of MGC's ability to image fine details in a 250-mil plate without...

NAPW to host annual paper week event.(JOHNNY GOLD TO KEYNOTE)
March 1, 2008... On March 31, the National Association of Paperstock Women (NAPW) will hold its annual Paper Week luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the O'Keeffe Room at the Marriott East Side Hotel, located at 525 Lexington Ave., New York City. The...

RONDO AG adds two Bobst AccuBraille modules.(TOTAL OF 3 UNITS)
March 1, 2008... Gewerbestrasse, Switzerland-based RONDO AG was the first to use the Bobst AccuBraille module for embossing Braille on folding carton packaging. Now it has ordered two additional AccuBraille modules: One of the new units has been specified with...

Equipment interest rate index.
March 1, 2008... Current monthly payments for 100 percent financing for 84 months on $1.0 million range from $14,490 to $15,375, depending on credit strength and equipment being purchased. [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

U.S. containerboard statistics.
March 1, 2008... U.S. Containerboard Statistics Jan-08 Data (000's) Change Short Tons, Compared Except As Noted to:...

Average sheet prices.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Average Sheet Prices Based upon a survey of sheet plants. Per 1000 sq. ft., 25,000 sq. ft. single item orders, including delivery charges. Southeast/ East South North...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.(Statistical table)
March 1, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $85-90 (0) ...

Shipping container shortage continues.(MARKET REPORT)
March 1, 2008... Recovered paper dealers and mill buyers are always talking about prices. That's a given. But over the past few months you can bet that not a single conversation doesn't begin or conclude with a discussion about shipping container availability....

Unisource expands Roadnet.(TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
March 1, 2008... Unisource Worldwide Inc., a Norcross, Ga.-based distributor of paper, packaging and facility supplies in North America, has expanded its implementation of RoadNet, a transportation management system (TMS), throughout its delivery network. ...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades For detailed chart explanation, see page 11 White Coated New DLK News Soft Wht. ...

CCCA to merge with PMAC, PPEC.(ON JUNE 1)(Canadian Corrugated Case Association)(Packaging Mills Association of Canada)(Paper and Packaging Environmental Council)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Canadian Corrugated Case Association (CCCA) will enter a new phase by merging with the Packaging Mills Association of Canada (PMAC) and the Paper and Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC). CCCA Executive Director Steve Purwitsky will leave...

Yellow Magic.(Product Update)
March 1, 2008... Now through Nov. 1, 2008, CS Laboratories of North America is offering U.S. and Canadian printers a free, 1-gal trial size sample of Yellow Magic, an easy-to-use, environmentally safe cleaner of flexo UV- and water-based inks, UV coatings and...

Transacted boxboard prices.
March 1, 2008... The prices tabulated here are intended only as a reference standard to the current levels commonly prevailing in a representative proportion of the U.S. contract transactions. The prices listed do not connote any agreement or commitment by any...

Region 6 hosts spring meeting kick-off event.(ON MARCH 3)
March 1, 2008... On Monday, March 3, Region 6 of the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) will hold its spring meeting at the Chicago Marriott in Oak Brook, Ill. A workshop will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a cocktail hour and...

GlueChek[TM].(Product Update)
March 1, 2008... GlueChek[TM] was designed by ClearVision Techalologies specifically to eliminate gluing problems for corrugated box manufacturers. The system combines digital camera technology with specialized software to provide a visual inspection of every...

Greif Inc.(People Update)
March 1, 2008... At Greif Inc.'s annual meeting, Mark Emkes was elected to a one-year term on the board of directors. He joins re-elected members Vicki Avril, Michael Dempsey, Bruce Edwards, Michael Gasser, Daniel Gunsett, Judith Hook, and Patrick Norton. John...

Workshop gives converters new insights.(AT CHICAGO TAPPI MEETING)
March 8, 2008... Do your box plant employees know all the ins and outs of inks, cutting dies, starches, and printing plates? Of course not. If you sat down and asked a group of them to sound off on all the problems they were experiencing today you would...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 8, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any price...

AICC slams latest price hike attempt.(Association of Independent Corrugated Converters)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) is voicing its disproval over the proposed $50 per ton price increases for North American containerboard. In a letter to industry producers and buyers, the group's Containerboard,...

Latest M&A activity detailed.(FROM BMO)
March 8, 2008... Strategic acquirers and private equity firms were both active in the packaging merger and acquisition (M&A) market in 2007, reports BMO Capital Markets Investment Banking, Chicago. In its latest report, Mergers &Acquisitions in the Packaging...

Rock-Tenn wants more for CRB.($50 PER TON)
March 8, 2008... Rock-Tenn Co., Norcross, Ga., plans to increase all grades of its coated recycled board (CRB) by $50 per ton, effective with shipments on March 24. The company makes packaging products, merchandising displays, and bleached and recycled...

U.S. corrugated expands in Southeast.(ACQUIRES API)
March 8, 2008... U.S. Corrugated acquires Anderson Packaging Inc. (API), a Kentucky-based corrugated packaging manufacturer. Terms weren't disclosed. API operates sheet plant facilities in Somerset and Lawrenceburg, Ky., and provides its customers industrial...

Graphic Packaging, Altivity cleared for merger.(BY DOJ)(Altivity Packaging LLC)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... Graphic Packaging Corp. and Altivity Packaging LLC have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that will allow completion of their combination. Graphic and Altivity have signed a consent decree with the DOJ that was...

Shorewood Packaging opens new design center.(IN CARLSTADT, N.J.)
March 8, 2008... Shorewood Packaging, a business of International Paper, has opened a new Design and Development Center in Carlstadt, N.J., just 20 minutes from New York City. "We set out to create a showpiece facility that would provide Shorewood with a...

Recovered fiber session set.(AT AF&PA PAPER WEEK)
March 8, 2008... A spirited debate about demand and uses for recovered fiber will be featured during the Recycling General Session at the American Forest & Paper Association's (AF&PA) 131st Annual Paper Week. The session will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday,...

SSCC names Plants of the Year.(FOR 2007)
March 8, 2008... St. Louis-based Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC) has named its 2007 Plants of the Year. The announcements were made Feb. 28 at its annual leadership meeting awards dinner. The winners were: Recycling Division: The Anchorage, Alaska,...

Flexo concepts opens MicroClean[TM] demo center.(IN ENGLAND)
March 8, 2008... Plymouth, Mass.-based Flexo Concepts, manufacturer of MicroClean dry media anilox cleaning systems and TruPoint[TM] plastic and composite doctor blades, has teamed with J.M. Heaford Ltd. to open a MicroClean demonstration center in Altrincham,...

A new flyer from National Adhesives provides information on the company's corrugating hybrid starches, which produce stronger bonds at higher running speeds and create less waste from warp than traditional pearl starch adhesives do.(Product Updates)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... A new flyer from National Adhesives provides information on the company's corrugating hybrid starches, which produce stronger bonds at higher running speeds and create less waste from warp than traditional pearl starch adhesives do. These...

Braille adhesive application system.(Product Updates)
March 8, 2008... Nordson Corp.'s new Braille adhesive application system featuring e.dot[R] gun technology is giving packagers a new, cost-effective way to directly communicate important product information to visually impaired consumers. The new solution is...

Contact/noncontact glue valves.(Product Updates)
March 8, 2008... Valco Cincinnati's new 500-series contact/noncontact glue valves feature advanced solenoid technology for short glue patterns at high machine speeds. They also feature an adjustable flow rate for precise glue volume control. The series has...

Many U.S. consumers would give up convenience packaging.(TO HELP ENVIRONMENT)(Survey)
March 8, 2008... Research from The Nielsen Co. shows that more than half" of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment, including: packaging designed for easy stacking/storing at...

Five-panel folder-gluer.(Product Update)
March 8, 2008... ADI/PDM Trade Group offers a five-panel folder-gluer to fold five-panel corrugated sheets into a completed box containing product. The sheets are fed from a hopper at the front of the machine into the folding section, where hot-melt glue is...

Demand is on the rise for boxes and cartons.(2.7 PERCENT ANNUALLY)
March 8, 2008... Demand for corrugated and paperboard boxes is expected to rise 2.5 percent annually through 2012 to $39.9 billion, with gains driven by an increase in the production of both nondurable and durable goods. Advances will be bolstered by the...

Industry associations update ECT brochure.(SECOND EDITION)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) and the Fibre Box Association (FBA) recently joined efforts to create a new and improved second edition of the brochure, "Understanding the Performance Requirements of Your Customer's...

IP container plant is an OSHA 'Star'.(IN AUBURN, MAINE)
March 8, 2008... According to the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine, the Auburn box plant of International Paper Corp. (IP) has been recertified for an additional five-year "star" membership in the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of...

Kodak to expand Georgia plate making facility.($15 MILLION INVESTMENT)
March 8, 2008... On Feb. 29, Kodak broke ground on a 16,000 sq ft expansion of its plate production facility in Columbus, Ga. It will use this third production line to meet the digital plate supply needs of print service providers in a wide variety of markets....

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
March 8, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $85-90 (0) ...

Amcor Australasia to build recycled board mill.(FOR $374 MILLION)
March 8, 2008... Amcor Australasia will build a new recycled board mill at its plant in Botany, New South Wales, Australia. The mill will produce 345,000 metric tons annually and have a gross cost of more than $374 million. Greg Beatty, managing director of...

Caraustar's losses continue.(EARNINGS REPORT)
March 8, 2008... Caraustar Industries, Atlanta, experienced sales from continuing operations for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 of $203.9 million compared to sales of $203 million for the same quarter in 2006. Loss from continuing operations for the fourth...

PTIS, GSSI, P&IP to host sustainability consortium.(APRIL 18)
March 8, 2008... Packaging and Technology Integrated Solutions (PTIS) and Global Sustainability Solutions Inc. (GSSI), an affiliate company of FFIS, are teaming up with DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (P&IP) to lead a multi-sponsored consortium called...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
March 8, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades For detailed chart explanation, see page 11 White Coated New DLK News Soft Wht. ...

SSCC chooses Kiwiplan manufacturing system.(THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION)
March 8, 2008... Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC) has signed an agreement with Kiwiplan Inc. to implement a full manufacturing applications suite in all of Smurfit-Stone's corrugated container facilities. The project will take three years to implement...

Altivity mill supervisor killed.(FORKLIFT ACCIDENT IN MICHIGAN)
March 8, 2008... Ron McDaniel, 59, died March 3 at the Altivity Packaging recycled board mill in Battle Creek, Mich. The incident remains under investigation, but it is believed the shipping department supervisor was accidentally hit by a forklift carrying a...

Flint Group to raise photopolymer plate prices.(EFFECTIVE MAY 1)
March 8, 2008... As of May 1, Flint Group will increase prices for its photopolymer plates. The increase will range between 4 percent and 6 percent, depending on product group, and will impact all nyloflex[R] and nyloprint[R] printing plates, and nylosolv[R]...

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(People Updates)
March 8, 2008... Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC) promotes Mathew Blanchard to senior vice president and general manager of the company's board sales group. In addition to leading SSCC's external board sales efforts, Blanchard is responsible for the...

Curtis Packaging Corp.(People Updates)
March 8, 2008... Kerry Brown is appointed director of quality at Curtis Packaging Corp., a Sandy Hook, Conn.-based luxury folding carton manufacturer. He previously served for more than seven years as director of quality/ISO 9001 management representative at...

American Forest & Paper Association.(People Updates)
March 8, 2008... Edward Matsuyama is the new director of the American Forest & Paper Association's (AF&PA's) Tokyo office. He will be responsible for overseeing AF&PA's policy issues and acting as the primary liaison between Japanese government officials and...

Unisource Worldwide Inc.(People Updates)
March 8, 2008... Unisource Worldwide Inc., Norcross, Ga., promotes Nancy Geisler from senior director of marketing of packaging and facility supplies to corporate vice president of sustainability for all operations. This new position will increase the company's...

Box shipment momentum fades.(CATCHING TURNING POINTS)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... The latest leading indicators continue to point to a weakening corrugated box market through May (blue line on chart). Box shipments in January showed a significant loss in momentum, responding rather sensitively to the Timer's indication (pink...

Huston Patterson revamps sales territories.(PERSONNEL CHANGES)(Brief article)
March 8, 2008... Decatur, Ill.-based Huston Patterson Corp. has made client service territory changes from the Atlantic to the Pacific. These changes are effective immediately: * Kirk Jurgens, director of client services, will also serve as the client...

What drives the containerboard industry?(FOUR FORCES)
March 15, 2008... Four forces will change the containerboard industry, says Rodney Fisher, president, Fisher International, a 20-year-old paper industry information services firm based in South Norwalk, Conn. In a recent Deutsche Bank conference call he said...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 15, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any price...

IP now leads race to buy Weyco packaging.
March 15, 2008... International Paper (IP) is now reported to lead the race to purchase Weyerhaeuser's packaging business, reports Mark Wilde, paper industry analyst, Deutsche Bank, New York City. He points to "plunging stock prices and tightening credit markets...

Great Northern buys Creative Carton.(SIME STAYS ON)
March 15, 2008... Great Northern Corp., based in Appleton, Wis., has acquired the assets of Creative Carton. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Creative Carton employs 170 people in two locations in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Since its founding...

Integrity Pkg earns highest-ever score.(FROM AIB)(Integrity Packaging)(Brief article)
March 15, 2008... Houston-based Integrity Packaging earned a Superior rating of 975 on its Feb. 27 AIB International audit. This is its highest numerical score to-date. It is the ninth consecutive year Integrity has been rated as Superior, which is AIB's highest...

Weyco's Rogel earned $14 million.(IN 2007)
March 15, 2008... Weyerhaeuser Co. Chief Executive Officer Steven Rogel received compensation valued at $13.9 million last year, essentially unchanged from the previous year. He drew a base salary of $1.3 million, I percent more than in 2006. Most of his...

New ozone rules unjustified.(SAYS AF&PA)
March 15, 2008... Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposed tougher requirements regarding ground-level ozone. While well intentioned, it will do tittle to improve air quality and will exacerbate the nation's current economic woes, says the...

IP box plant receives Ohio grant.(FOR $250,000)
March 15, 2008... According to The Lima (Ohio) News, International Paper Co.'s Kenton, Ohio, food and drink container plant has received a $250,000 rapid outreach grant from the Ohio Department of Development. The grant will help acquire and install...

AICC Mexico to hold seventh meeting.(APRIL 24-25)
March 15, 2008... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) Mexico will hold its seventh annual meeting April 2425, at the NH Monterrey Hotel, Monterrey, Mexico. The two-day program will feature specialized training for sales and...

Price increase climate gets tough.(TRACKING INVENTORIES)(Brief article)
March 15, 2008... There's a close relationship between inventory changes and box prices. That is reasonable because a large proportion of inventories are stored in packaged form. The chart shows how corrugated box prices have responded to changes in the...

Caraustar joins SPC.(GOING GREEN)
March 15, 2008... Atlanta-based Caraustar Industries has further embraced its 70-year history of preserving the environment by joining the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). "Our SPC membership sends a stronger message to all of our stakeholders and...

ICPF event breaks record.(CAREERS IN CORRUGATED)(Conference news)
March 15, 2008... On Feb. 20, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation's (ICPF's) ninth annual Careers in Corrugated Teleconference was beamed live to packaging and graphic design students and faculty. ICPF broke last year's record of 13 participating...

SuperCorrExpo exhibit sales keep rising.(LEAN COURSE ADDED)
March 15, 2008... SuperCorrExpo's exhibit space sales remain brisk and ahead of the same time period sales for the 2004 exhibit. The show will occur Sept. 22-26 in Atlanta. To date 115,862 sq ft of exhibit space has bccn sold. Additional space is being held...

Weyerhaeuser mill wins safety award.(IN CAMPTI, LA.)
March 15, 2008... The Shreveport (La.) Times reports that the Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Red River containerboard mill in Campti, La., has logged more than 1.5 million hours of work without a recordable injury, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health...

Dura-Stack[TM] Separators.(Product Update)
March 15, 2008... With their made-to-order design, Dura-Stack[TM] Separators from Dura-Fibre[R] are an alternative to corrugated, plastic and wooden packaging. The customizable packaging was originally developed to provide sustainable, returnable, cost-efficient...

Packaging strategies to host sustainability forum.(SEPT. 9-11)
March 15, 2008... The Fourth Annual Sustainable Packaging Forum will occur Sept. 9-11 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Sponsored by Packaging Strategies, the event is dedicated to the discussion and unbiased analysis of the future of sustainable packaging. It...

Pratt to raise corrugated box prices.(BY 10 PERCENT)
March 15, 2008... Effective March 28, Conyers, Ga.-based Pratt Industries will increase its selling prices on all corrugated boxes produced in North America by 10 percent. Corrugated sheets will be increased between 10 percent and 12 percent. "The build-up...