On March 31, Clemson University dedicated the Harris A. Smith Building, home to the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, where students and researchers will study not only how packaging is designed and manufactured, but also how products will be perceived, marketed and consumed in the future.
LECCO, Italy—OMET S.r.l has formed a partnership with Clemson University’s new Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics. The Institute will be housed in the Harris A. Smith building. The emphasis will be on printed electronics and the hope is that with the help of industry suppliers and leaders that Clemson will be able to break new ground in this emerging market.
One packaging segment that usually takes center stage at this time of year is that of flexible packaging when supermarket shelves are stuffed with bulk packages of candy for many of us to use on Easter Sunday. This makes sense since retail food is the biggest revenue generator for flexible packaging, according to the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA, www.flexpack.org) 2008 State of the Industry Survey.
Sonoco announced that it will permanently close its Lancaster, Ohio, uncoated recycled paperboard mill, effective May 16, 2009, according to James Harrell, division vice president and general manager, Paper North America.
The Flexible Packaging Association announced its 2009 Board of Directors. Directors are elected by FPA voting members through mail ballot. Directors are elected for a term of one year and assume their directorship at the FPA Annual Meeting.
Sonoco announced it has received certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)® for the management of its forests.
If you want to highlight an important growth segment that promises to expand the use of film materials, start with pouches. Pouch configurations using laminated film structures are providing consumer product companies (CPCs) with unique opportunities to reduce supply chain costs, while offering consumers distinct packaging, convenience, and ease of use.
Food packaging runs the gamut of methods and techniques, some tried and true and some pushing the envelope of contemporary packaging. Pouches fall into this latter category, with an even more targeted segment dealing with retort packaging. With retort pouches, the food is processed (cooked) in the actual package. Therefore, the pouch construction must withstand the rigors of high temperatures and pressure, testing the robustness of all aspects of the package—seals, closures, inks, laminations, and adhesives. All this means is that retort pouches fit the age-old adage, “you don’t get something for nothing.” The “something” you get is fairly substantial. Tobin Hass,
Miami — “Operating Profitably in a Global Market” was the theme for February’s 10th annual PLGA Operational Conference. Attendees included printers, suppliers, end users, academics, PLGA management and the press. According to Jim Lepp, PLGA executive director, the annual conference continues to draw more and more people in management positions. Although the conference also serves as a platform for the PLGA board of directors to meet, the event’s core is its collection of informational sessions. The goal of the conference is to provide strong content so attendees can leave with something in their hands to put to use right away. Converters have long been aware
CLEMSON, S.C.—A $2.5-million gift will create a proposed new institute at Clemson University. Sonoco Products Company and Clemson officials announced that the donation launches the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University. The gift from the Hartsville, S.C.-based global packaging leader forges a powerful learning and economic development resource for South Carolina. The planned institute will provide resources for students of Clemson to enhance their opportunities for successful careers in packaging, printing and allied fields. Research work within the institute will fall into four broad categories: research, testing and product development; training; student and faculty projects; and short courses and special programs. The
