GOpak, a digital production flexible packaging manufacturer located in Delafield, Wisconsin has expanded their capabilities by adding a pouch converting line. The PCMC -Hudson Sharp machine was delivered and installed in November. GOpak started in 2019 with the HP 20000 as their printer platform and Electron Beam curing capabilities and now adding in-house pouch converting
“Our emphasis is delivering speed to market for our customers. Since we started, we have worked closely with a few converting companies and will continue to work with our partners”, said AJ Buran, President. “The digital sector of flexpack continues to have strong growth and by adding the in-house capabilities we will be able to better manage quality and maintain our emphasis on fast turns to the marketplace.”
“We work with small, medium and large brands and with the combination of EBeam technology and digital print in tandem have a strong position in providing both sustainable solutions and speed, said Buran.” GOpak provides completed pouches and roll stock products for form fill seal to the reseller channels and select end users. Lead times for pouches is 15-20 days and for roll stock is 5-7 days.
In a year blighted by travel restrictions and lockdowns, the leading manufacturer of surface treatment technology beats all previous sales records.
The newly opened Showroom in Denmark is a permanent display of working surface treatment technology for in-person or online presentations and demos.
The period since the first lockdown began in April 2020has had a major impact on world trade and the way companies do business, so Vetaphone is more than happy to report a huge boost in orders across the board that saw it return a year-end total that will not only surpass expectations but exceed all previous years in the company’s long history.
Speaking for the company, VP Sales & Marketing Kevin McKell explained: “We were quick to assess the situation and adapt our sales and marketing approach to suit the new trading conditions. With travel either impossible or severely limited we had to find alternative ways for face-to-face contact with customers, and the actions we took have clearly worked well!”
With trade fairs being cancelled on a rolling basis, Vetaphone took the bold decision to withdraw from exhibiting at all future events, whether large or small. Instead, the company officially opened its new Showroom and Demo facility in May that is fully equipped with working corona and plasma technology and offers both in-person and online appointments via a video link. Allied to the adjacent Test Lab facility that it opened in 2020, Vetaphone now has a permanent trade fair stand of its own that is available 24/7, if necessary!
“We’ve had great customer response to the new showroom and the fact that we can actually demonstrate the equipment – something we could never do at Drupa or Labelexpo – and it’s really started to pay dividends in terms of orders secured. We know that many of our customers are unlikely to ever visit us in Denmark – now we can take our technology to them wherever they are in the world,” he added.
The new trading conditions also had an impact on how the company promoted itself and publicised its activity. Marketing Director Jeannette Woodman explained: “We quickly switched our focus from a ‘broad-brush’ approach to one that is far more zoned in on the different sectors and parts of the world. By refining our use of the latest in computer and electronic communications we have been able to impact target markets with information that is specific to individual requirements – and at a fraction of the cost of attending a major international expo!”
For Vetaphone, the new trading conditions have opened new business opportunities, and in addition to reporting a record sales year, 2021 has seen the company move to the No 1 spot worldwide in surface treatment technology. As Kevin McKell put it: “We were the first, so to be at No 1 in our 70th year is a fantastic achievement. Bring on 2022!”
DOD Awards Teel Plastics $4.65 Million Contract to Increase COVID-19 Diagnostic Swab Stick Production
The grant will allow Teel to produce hundreds of millions more swab sticks for Covid-19 test kit manufacturer Puritan Medical Products of Guilford, Maine
For Immediate Release.
November 18, 2021
The Department of Defense (DOD), on behalf of and in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded a $4.65 million firm-fixed price contract to Teel Plastics, LLC to expand US-based industrial production capacity of extruded swab sticks. These swab sticks will support Puritan’s efforts to supply swabs for various COVID-19 testing kits.
Teel Plastics, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has been a US-based producer of plastic products for over seventy years. This industrial expansion effort will allow Teel to increase their production capacity of extruded swab sticks an additional 200 million per month to over 330 million per month by July 2022. Teel is planning to add over 25 employees to meet this increase in production rate.
The DOD’s Defense Assisted Acquisition (DA2) Cell led this effort in coordination with the Department of the Air Force’s Acquisition COVIS-19 Task Force (DAF ACT). This effort was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to enable and support domestic industrial base expansion for critical medical resources.
Extruded swabs sticks moving down a Teel production line. Array of Teel-manufactured swab sticks
Statement from Teel CEO Jerry Pritchett: We’re proud of the role our employees have played in helping to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This additional funding will both increase our capacity and allow for more secure production in a second facility.
For more information or for interviews on the contract:
Teel Plastics is a premier manufacturer of custom extruded and injection molded plastic products due to the expertise of their distinguished, skilled team – a group of problem solvers known for being professional, progressive, and personable. Specializing in complex projects, Teel produces high-quality custom parts in a wide variety of sizes with tight tolerances.
Teel focuses on the medical, cosmetic, industrial piping, film core, and water treatment markets. In addition, there is a full-service analytical laboratory on campus. Founded in 1951, Teel is headquartered in Baraboo, WI. For more information, visit www.teel.com.
Plastic is an all-purpose material. Cheap, light in weight, strong, and is highly versatile, it is used in numerous ways. In 2016, plastic production amounted to 335 million tons, 1.4 times more than in 2005 and 215 times more than in 1950. And it’s growing. According to the United Nations, only 9% of all plastics produced in the world are recycled, about 11% are incinerated, and the rest end up in landfills or the environment. More than 98% of plastics come from petroleum derivatives, natural gas, or coal; and they are non-renewable.
Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Announces Acquisition of Sustana, a Leading Manufacturer of Sustainable Recycled Fiber, Paper and Packaging
Blackstone (NYSE:BX) announced today that funds managed by its Blackstone Tactical Opportunities business (âBlackstoneâ) have acquired Sustana Group (âSustanaâ or the âCompanyâ), a leading manufacturer of premium, sustainable recycled fiber, paper and packaging products, from an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (âH.I.G.â).
Headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin, Sustana uses post-consumer materials and the high standards for environmental sustainability to produce a comprehensive suite of recycled fiber, paper and packaging solutions for customers throughout North America. It services a diversified customer base through four facilities, all of which have leading energy efficiency, water conservation systems, wastewater treatment technology and recycling of process by-products.
Andrea Serra, a Managing Director at Blackstone, said: âThe increasing focus on environmental sustainability by businesses and consumers alike is one of Blackstoneâs highest conviction investment themes â and we are proud to back Sustana, a fast-growing leader in this sector. We look forward to partnering with the company and its management team to continue accelerating their further expansion as they deliver leading sustainability products and solutions to their customers.â
Fabian De Armas, CEO and Chairman of Sustana, said: âBlackstoneâs investment is a strong endorsement of our Company and our highly talented team, and launches an exciting new chapter for Sustana. Our team has built a leading sustainability platform in our markets and Sustana is well positioned for robust continued growth in partnership with Blackstone.â
TD Securities served as financial advisor to Blackstone, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges; Davies Ward PhillIps & Vineberg; and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisors.
About Blackstone
Blackstone is the worldâs largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $731 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
About Sustana
Sustana Group, comprised of Sustana Fiber and Rolland, is committed to industry-leading product quality, continuous improvement and environmental stewardship â by innovating solutions that are better for business, better for the environment and better for society at large. Sustana Group is proud to provide a comprehensive, sustainable pulp and paper solution for customers throughout North America. For more information visit: https://www.sustanagroup.com/
Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. today entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority of the assets of Appvion Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries.
“We are very excited to share that Appvion has a new sponsor. This sponsorship will enable new investments, continued expansion, and additional resources that we collectively need to accelerate growth in our AMS and Packaging & Specialty Coatings businesses. We see this as a terrific opportunity to continue delivering the same great Appvion value our customers expect while remaining fast, flexible, and responsive. Wynnchurch shares our values of safety, integrity, and honesty and putting the customers first to deliver value. We are excited to partner with them to pursue our next phase of growth.” said George Wurtz, Appvion’s President, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board.
“We are very excited to partner with George and the Appvion leadership team to continue to deliver superior products and services to their customers as well as accelerating their future growth plans in AMS and Packaging.” said Greg Gleason, Managing Partner at Wynnchurch Capital Partners L.P. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $4.2 billion of committed capital under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. They focus on leveraging a business’s strengths and identifying new market opportunities to support management’s vision—with an unwavering commitment to sound business judgment, partnership, communication, and integrity.
The deal was completed on December 3, 2021.
About Wynnchurch Capital, L.P.
Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with an office in California, New York and an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement.
About Appvion
Appvion was founded in 1907 and is a pioneer in the specialty and high-performance coatings business. Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, Appvion develops innovative, water-based, and environmentally responsible coating solutions for consumers’ everyday life. Appvion’s functional coating solutions are applied to a wide variety of flexible substrates, including products from an FDA-compliant facility. Primary product offerings include direct thermal paper and film solutions and renewable, fiber-based consumer and industrial packaging solutions. As a leading manufacturer in North America, you can count on Appvion to tackle your customers’ biggest challenges. Connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more.
Augmented & Virtual Reality for Flexographic Printing Demonstration & Discussion
We would like to invite you to a special demonstration and discussion on how mixed reality (augmented reality and virtual reality) applications may provide the tools to train employees in flexographic printing. Our Learning Innovations team will demonstrate mixed reality applications and answer questions on how custom applications can be developed. We will also discuss grants that may be available to develop these applications.
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Get links to the latest news, events, stories, and interviews from our 5P news members. Our goal is to remind the decision makers in Wisconsin of the importance of our industry both historically, and more importantly, into the future.
[Waukesha, WI]: The Scan Group, Inc. announces their newest production facility in Waukesha, WI. This modern, 13,500-square foot plant expands operations for high-volume wide-format print, finishing, and fulfillment. As part of this expansion, The Scan Group has invested in new equipment which doubles their wide-format capacity. This innovative equipment includes a new Canon Arizona 6100 series XTS wide format printer, Zund 3XL-3200 digital flatbed cutter, and custom front-end technology.
This expansion is the latest step taken by Scan Group to meet the growing demand for high-quality print production and fulfillment. According to company president Dave Patzer, “This strategic investment allows us to immediately gain speed, efficiency, and capacity to meet our client’s growing needs. We chose this versatile space because it gives us the flexibility to expand for the future. We’re ready to meet the rapidly rising demand for our services.”
The secured facility will run multiple shifts with production, fulfillment, and shipping staff. This fourth facility for The Scan Group joins their corporate headquarters in Waukesha, WI, their e-commerce and design office in Menasha, WI, and their fulfillment warehouse and photo studio in Waukesha, WI.
A more sustainable product, bioplastics reduce the use of non-renewable, oil-based resources, which are increasingly scarce and unstable in price. Bioplastics also reduce greenhouse gas generation in the plastics industry. By incorporating bioplastics to offset the use of fossil fuel-based materials in the industry, it makes finished products made with bioplastics more valuable to conscientious consumers in the new plastics economy. Products made with bioplastics may meet unique requirements for combinations of recyclability and biodegradability in a variety of environments such as soil, landfill and home composting. Incorporating biobased options helps us achieve greater environmental sustainability in the new plastics economy also helping companies meet corporate objectives and environmental policies.
WHAT IS A BIOPLASTIC?
A bioplastic is a plastic that is made partly or wholly from materials derived from biological sources such as sugar cane, potato starch or the cellulose from trees, straw and cotton and wheat. Bioplastics are often designed so that they biodegrade or compost, aided by fungi, bacteria and enzymes. Bioplastics can generally be directly substituted for their oil-based equivalent. They can also be made to be chemically identical to the standard industrial plastics.
BIOBASED, BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Biobased is defined as commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed) that are composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products or renewable agricultural or forestry materials. Biobased content is determined by the ASTM D6866 testing method. This method, similar to radiocarbon dating, compares how much “new” or organic carbon (biological-based as defined above) is in a material compared to the amount of “old” or fossil fuel-based carbon it contains.
Biodegradation occurs when materials are broken down by bacteria, fungi, or other biological means. Composting requires biodegradation in order for organic matter to decompose and be turned into fertilizer and soil conditioners. Biodegradation and decomposition are processes that are a part of composting. Biodegradation can occur without composting, but composting cannot occur without biodegradation! Biodegradation is a process, not an end result.
Biodegradation is not the same as composting. Composting requires high heat conditions (50-700 C), usually in an industrial facility, for organic matter to decompose and be turned into fertilizer and soil conditioners. To claim compostability, a material must first disintegrate, and then biodegrade by 90% within 180 days. It must also pass tests for low levels of plant toxicity and heavy metal content. Meeting all of these standards leads to meeting ASTM D6400 compostability standards.
TWO TYPES OF BIODEGRADATION
Anaerobic digestion occurs when microorganisms break down material in the absence of oxygen. It is used in industrial processes to manage waste or to produce fuels. Anaerobic digestion occurs naturally in some soils as well as in landfills. Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), both greenhouse gases, are two end products of this process.
Aerobic digestion occurs when material is broken down in the presence of oxygen. It has traditionally been used as a sewage treatment process, but recent technology allows for the aerobic treatment of food, cardboard, and plant waste in industrial compost facilities and water environments. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ammonia (NH4) are end products of this process.
BEWARE OF “GREENWASHING” OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS
Oxo-biodegradable plastic is made by blending a pro-degradent additive into a plastic during the extrusion process. This additive is a catalyst which speeds up plastic degradation in the environment, leaving residue and small fragments. However, there is a considerable risk that these fragmented plastics will not fully biodegrade and the subsequent risk of an accelerated and accumulating amount of harmful microplastics in the environment. The most desirable result for waste plastic products is that they completely biodegrade.
Beware of “biodegradable” claims, and remember to make sure when purchasing biodegradable products that they meet specified BPI-approved, ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards.
Please keep in mind that your company is responsible for any claims that it makes regarding the functional and environmental performance of products or polymers that are biobased. Please consult your sustainability, regulatory and legal departments before making such claims. Proper certification also promotes proper use, disposal and reuse of plastic products.
We can help you develop a certification roadmap that includes the testing protocols that can lead to your specific product being promoted and/or certified as biobased, compostable or biodegradable. Feel free to contact us at New Composite Partners for more information.
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