Pira Publishes Definitive book on Metal Packaging

Pira Publishes Definitive book on Metal Packaging

For those with some existing knowledge of the industry, the book gives a better understanding of why we do what we do today, to open up new lines of thought and in some cases to remind the reader why certain industry-wide developments actually took place and why they are still relevant today. For those unfamiliar with the industry, the book provides a readable and logical journey of introduction to the whole industry, its main markets and manufacturing processes. A glossary of terms and acronyms is also provided to assist those new to the industry.

Aspects of tinplate research at I.T.R.I.

Emerald.: "The International Tin Research Institute has approximately 80 staff working at the Headquarters and Laboratories of the organisation near London. Half of these are directly engaged in research into existing and potential uses for tin and the work is organised into two main Divisions. One of these, the Metallurgy and Tinplate Division contains a section devoted to tinplate research and additional support is drawn from the Analytical Chemistry and Metallography Sections as it is required."

Steelworker retirements could create hiring gap

dailypress.com: "In the business of steelmaking, a gray-haired work force can be a good thing: Seasoned employees in the mill signify experience and safety, reliability and commitment.

At ArcelorMittal's tin mill in West Virginia, they also represent a looming problem. As many as half the 1,000 workers in Weirton--average age 57--are likely to retire before the current contract expires in 2012. And the traditional pool of replacements has vanished.

Now, the Luxembourg-based company and the United Steelworkers union are working on a way to make sure they're ready for the inevitable changing of the guard. Though still preliminary, talks are under way with community colleges to expand ArcelorMittal's 'Steelworker for the Future' training program beyond Indiana and Illinois, to places like Weirton.

'Almost every person here has over 30 years of service. Some have 50. So we're a very seasoned work force,' says Mark Glyptis, president of USW Local 2911. 'We don't want all that knowledge going out the door with those guys.'

Glyptis believes even more of his members would retire if not for the recession. Now, many are trying to rebuild their 401(k) accounts."

New training facility aims to drive food sector innovation

Food production daily: "A recently opened UK university based food packaging and processing training factory, supported by equipment manufacturers and organisations, is aimed at food sector employees.

The £3.5m National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the University of Lincoln’s Holbeach campus will offer training opportunities from tailored short courses to degree programmes for staff at all levels in the food processing industry, claims its Dean, Val Braybrooks.

She said that the Centre will also support the university in its efforts to further research and innovation in the area of food packaging and processing automation"

JFE and Rasselstein in tinplate co-operation agreement

ITRI: "Japan’s JFE Steel and Rasselstein, the tinplate making subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp Steel in Germany, announced a technical cooperation agreement for steel used for cans and other packaging. The two companies will cooperate in the development and mutual provision of materials and technologies for thinner packages on a rolling five year contract.

This is the first technical cooperation for JFE Steel with an overseas partner. Rasselstein is an only tinplate maker in Germany and one of Europe’s top three tinplate makers, along with Arcelor Mittal and Corus. Rasselstein's annual production was 1.5 million tonnes for the year to September 2008, higher than JFE Steel's annual production of 500,000 tonnes.

Thyssen Krupp executive Ulrich Middelmann recently spoke very positively about the tinplate business in a quarterly earnings conference call: “the tinplate market is actually really in favour of us. We had the chance to increase prices. We are meanwhile fully booked, so the situation is very stable.”"

Coke to open packaging innovation centre

packagingnews.co.uk: "The Coca-Cola Company has awarded $400,000 to Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to help establish a new centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability.

The centre will serve as a think tank for packaging innovation and sustainability, and as a research and education hub to measure and reduce packaging’s environmental impact.

It will provide a platform for both collaborative, non-proprietary research and proprietary work conducted by industry partners, both in partnership with and independent of MSU researchers, to develop innovative packaging solutions that reduce production costs and improve sustainability."

The centre will include state-of-the-art technology for the research and testing of packaging materials and will offer academic, outreach and continuing education programmes.

It will eventually expand its reach internationally through research, development, education and training facilities in Dubai and Shanghai.

Article and photos on tinplate cans

MediaFetcher

Packaging course aims to provide competitive edge

packagingnews.co.uk: "The Natural Resources Institute, part of the University of Greenwich at Medway, has announced it is to run a Certificate in Packaging course.

The course will cover technical and aesthetic performance, cost, safety, environmental impact and legality of packaging materials and packaged products.

Course leader Richard Fuchs said: 'Packaging plays a vital role in adding value to products and services. Innovation in packaging can give a competitive edge in many sectors and industries. 'It is suitable for anyone who typically interfaces with some aspect of pack handling or management, or anyone studying a related course such as product design, food science or logistics,' Fuchs added."

Packaging on YouTube

packagingnews.co.uk: "Michaela Watson of Charapak responded to our call to let us know your favourite packaging videos from YouTube. Here is her choice, a video featuring one of her company's shelf-ready packaging products."

NAMTEC to hold Metal Skills Event

NAMTEC: 26th November 2008, Rotherham

The aim of this event is to give companies an overview of the skills landscape from schools through to engineering institutes. The presentations will help companies to identify ways in which they can help to reverse the skills shortage. They will also clarify the roles of different organisations and discuss the funding opportunities available nationally.

UK Packaging Industry To Lose Senior Skills

packagingnews.co.uk: "The report reveals that 2009 will see 568 of the 2,409 directors working in the packaging materials market exceed the retirement age, most of these having spent a lifetime in the industry."