Weekly News Roundup

Oliver Healthcare Packaging of Pennsylvania recently announced it has bought EK-Pack Folien GmbH, a manufacturer of film and foil technology, located in Ermengerst-Wiggensbach, Bavaria, Germany. The acquisition includes Vacopack H. Buchegger AG, a fully owned subsidiary of EK-Pack, based in northeastern Switzerland, according to Oliver, a global supplier of sterile barrier flexible packaging solutions to […]

Sidel recently installed a solar panel system at its site in Parma, Italy. The 5,000-panel system will allow the industrial facility to generate 40% of its electricity needs by early 2024 and reduce its yearly carbon dioxide emissions by 871 tons, the company said in a news release. “This reduction is equivalent to the carbon […]

Duraco Specialty Materials recently bought Strata-Tac, Inc., a manufacturer of custom-engineered pressure-sensitive self-adhesive products and top-coated films. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Strata-Tac, headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, was founded in 1995. Duraco is headquartered in Forest Park, Illinois, and has a workforce of 400 employees. “The addition of Strata-Tac’s expertise in water-based […]

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) recently responded to an ABC News segment on plastic recycling, saying people need to stop vilifying plastic bags and packaging. The nearly 30-minute program—“Trashed: The Secret Life of Plastic Recycling”—primarily looks at the recycling of plastic bags in the United States. By using electronic trackers placed in bags, the news […]

Switzerland-based BOBST recently reported it has acquired a majority share in Dücker Robotics, based in Italy. The 70% equity stake in Dücker will help BOBST fulfill its vision for packaging production, the company says. Dücker uses robots in loading and palletizing in the corrugated board sector, while offering opportunities in the folding carton industry. Dücker’s […]

Amcor says it intends to buy New Zealand-based Moda Systems, a manufacturer of automated protein packaging machines. Privately held Moda designs, assembles, and supports high-performance modular vacuum packaging solutions for the meat, poultry, and dairy industries. The deal, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in the June 2023 quarter. Amcor said […]

Israel-based TIPA Compostable Packaging has bought Bio4Pack in a deal that will give TIPA a foothold in the Netherlands and Germany, according to a recent report from Packaging News. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “There is a great value and strength in cooperating with other players in the sustainable packaging solutions industry,” said […]

Michigan State University (MSU) recently celebrated the opening of its newly renovated MSU School of Packaging, following a fundraising campaign that raised more than $10 million. “This significant expansion of our facilities, enabled by the generosity of donors and stakeholders, will reinforce MSU’s longstanding leadership in packaging education,” said MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., […]

NOVA Chemicals Corporation recently announced the appointment of Roger Kearns as president and CEO, effective June 12. Kearns most recently served as chief operating officer of Westlake Corporation, the global diversified manufacturer of essential products with 15,000 employees. Kearns succeeds Danny Dweik, who has served as interim president and CEO of NOVA Chemicals since October […]

Wisconsin-based Vonco Products LLC recently bought Genesis Plastics Welding based in Indiana. Terms of the deal, which Vonco says is it’s third in the past three years, were not disclosed. Genesis Plastics Welding is a thermoplastics contract manufacturer that uses radio frequency (RF) welding and heat sealing. “Vonco is on a mission to create more […]

Converters Expo in Green Bay, Wisconsin, starts April 12, bringing converters of paper, film, plastics, and nonwovens together with industry buyers, specialists, and suppliers. “Now in its 16th year, Converters Expo attracts hundreds of converters looking to find manufacturing partners, discover the latest testing and prototyping equipment, network with producers of disposables, and learn the […]

A research and development officer was tapped by Flint Group to be president of its digital division, Xeikon. Robert Welford, who had been vice president of R&D at the company, was promoted to president to “lead Xeikon through the next phase of success, reaffirming its deep commitment to bringing the latest innovations in digital printing to […]

Ohio-based Michelman recently hired a chief science and sustainability officer. Portia Yarborough, Ph.D., has expertise in high-performance engineered materials, elastomers, composites, and sealing technologies, according to a company news release. “Her leadership expertise and industry knowledge will help us accelerate our sustainability initiatives throughout Michelman and the industries we serve,” said Rick Michelman, president and […]