Thailand based PTT Chemical, which produces olefins and related products for the plastic packaging industry, has reported a net profit increase of 64 per cent to Baht 5, 280m in the second quarter this year compared with Baht 3, 215m in the same period last year.

Chinese industrial information provider Ringier Trade Publishing has recognised material manufacturer, Sleever International as winner of the Ringier Technology Innovation Awards 2008 for innovations minimising its environmental impact.

The National Packaging Covenant (NPC) will announce the winners of the Evolution Awards this week. The awards are the only packaging industry awards that specifically reward companies for innovations in self regulation of waste management, as per NPC guidelines.

Earthcycle, a developer of certified compostable and renewable packaging, has entered an Australian and New Zealand distribution partnership with J-Tech Systems, a manufacturer of self-adhesive produce labels.

The National Packaging Covenant (NPC) has provided funding to Australia’s largest waste management company, Transpacific Industries to provide a new recycling service to businesses nationally, to encourage them to recycle.

Amcor Flexibles has announced the introduction of a range of chlorine-free films that, which the company says offers a cost-effective alternative to the traditional PVdC-coated PVC blister film.

Allkotes Sydney West has opened a new purpose built factory moving the previously named Higloss Laminating business based in Silverwater to a larger premises.

Heidelberg Australia and New Zealand (HAN) will hold a converting and finishing open house in October, which will run from October 15-16 at HAN’s Melbourne Print Media Academy.

San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Group posted operating income of P758m (AU$19.7), a 156 per cent rise from the previous year. Total revenue for the first semester rose 8 per cent to P10.1bn on the back of stronger sales in plastics and glass.

EskoArtwork will demonstrate its complete range of label workflow and digital printing solutions at Label Americas 2008 to be held September 9-11 in Chicago. The show will include the first public showing of the new, revised version 4 of the Esko Software Suite 7, which highlights interoperability between all of EskoArtwork’s workflow components.