China import&export statistical data of first half year of 2008

1. China＊s foreign trade import and export value of first half year of 2008 reaches US$1234.17 billion, 25.7% more than the same period last year. The export value reaches US$666.6 billion, increasing 21.9%; and the import value reaches US$567.57 billion, increasing 30.6%. The trade surplus is US$99.03 billion, 11.8% less than the same period last year, and a net decrease of US$13.21 billion.
2. The general trade import and export value of first half year reaches US$596.86 billion, increasing 35.4%. The export reaches US$306.42 billion, increasing 24.8%; and the import value reaches US$290.44 billion, increasing US$48.7%. At the same time, the processing trade import and export value reaches US$509.68 billion, increasing 15.5%.
3. In the first half year, the import and export value of foreign-invested enterprises' reaches US$684.94 billion, increasing 21.5%. During the same period, the import and export value of state-owned enterprises' reaches US$301.38 billion, increasing 32%, accounting for 24.4% of China＊s total import and export value, increasing 1.3 percentage points than the same period of last year.
4. Among China＊s main bilateral trade partners, European Union (EU) is the largest one in the first half year. The total bilateral trade value of Sino-European reaches US$202.14 billion, increasing 27.7%. At the same time, the United State is the second largest trade partner with total bilateral trade value of US$158.34 billion and 12.6% increase. Japan is the third largest trade partner with total bilateral trade value of US$129.66 billion and increase of 17.8%. In addition, India continually takes the 8th place in China＊s 10 trade partners. The total value of Sino-India reaches US$ 29 billion, increasing 69%. India is the fastest developing country among the 10 trade partners.
5. The import and export value of the first half year in Guangdong reaches US$ 324.51 billion, increasing 13.3%, accounting for 26.3% of the total import and export trade value and ranks first. The total value of import and export in Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing lead the second to fourth place sequentially with total import and export of US$192.31 billion, US$157.57 billion and US$135.63 billion respectively and increase of 21.7%, 23.2% and 55.5% respectively.
6. The export of mechanical and electronic products in the first half year reaches US$388.78 billion, increasing 25.4%, accounting for 58.3% of the total export value, increasing 1.6 percentage points than the same period of last year. However, the growth of export of traditional staple commodities slackened.
7. Among import products, the step of import of primary goods sped up, import prize of major varieties of products increased remarkably. In the first half of this year, the import primary goods value reaches US$184 billion, increasing 69.9%. The import of industrial products value reaches US$383.57 billion, increasing17.5%, which accounts for 67.6% of the total import value.
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∴Customs Check Trends
To crack down on evasion of multinationals which use transfer pricing on import and export tax is the most important work of tax collection and management of China Customs in recent years. Lately, a number of major and serious cases have been investigated, and some of enterprises are Fortune 500. It has been studied and explored on transfer pricing by China Customs since joining WTO, and in order to curb improper transfer pricing, the Transfer Pricing Stander Rules for Multinationals has been gestated for a long time.

China Customs Tips 7.6 每 7.13

1. Recently, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued the Measures on Network Inspection of Export Foreign Exchange Collection and Settlement with effect from 14 July 2008.
2. Customs will implement tax collection and management reform. The existing method of taxing goods without reference to the specifics of the mode of operation will be changed to a method guided by the risk management principle, where each enterprise will be individually risk-assessed; the taxing points will be redesigned, and the methods of collection and management of a variety of modern customs operations standardized. Enterprises should examine their credit position viz-a-viz China Custom＊s security requirements, understand the pre-classification procedures and the pre-audit of place of origin, and apply either the simple declaration, concentrative rate paying, independent rate paying, online payments, or other electronic tax bill procedures to speed up their Customs applications. Enterprises with weaker credit ratings should know their rights and obligations as regards the valuation, classification and place of origin management procedures, and assess the cash flow impact of the various cash collateral, guarantee and compulsory taxes imposed for Customs clearance. Professional advisors can assist with legitimate tax planning
to resolve particularly controversial declared value and the royalties and license fees issues.
∴ Customs Check Trends
Recently, some industries, such as green environmental protection industry, which enjoy tax preference, use national key development incentive policy to import equipments. As for those equipments, they will face the following risk of Customs＊ question and investigation: the false declaration of trade name; the inaccurate classification of commodity; or confused distinction between whole machine and components to take advantage of the duty differential of different HS Codes.

China Customs Tips 6.22 每 6.28

1.Factory transfer between process manufacturers in bonded zones and process manufactures outside bonded zones may be approved in the Guangdong Customs District firstly.

Customs will formulate the Measures of the Customs of the People＊s Republic of China on Bonded Goods Circulation, which when implemented will unify the management of the import and export of the bonded goods, factory transfer, outward processing, and inter Customs zone transfers. Customs will also use the electronic data verification method to simplify the supervision process and procedures to raise the logistics efficiency, and ensure the bonded goods circulation are efficient and convenient among all the zones, areas, enterprises, and ports. Enterprises located at the customs control zones will be able to submit their customs declaration locally, and the goods can then pass the port clearance, and be examined and released at other ports in different places. Customs will be trying this arrangement at the export processing zones. In such Customs Control Zones, the new requirement of having the customs declaration made after entering into the zones will replace the previous requirement that customs registration be made before entering into the zones; and spot checks of goods as they move out of the zones will replace the previous practice of contract examination and verification. For movements between the domestic market and Customs Control Zones, provided enterprises have completed customs declaration in advance, they will be able to have their goods cleared automatically. Customs will propose that movements of leftover surplus materials and defective products out of export processing zones be exempted from the environmental approval normally required for such goods if they were directly imported into China. Customs is likely to exempt obsolete equipment from supervision.
We suggest all the local governments, related district administrative authorities, processing and manufacture enterprises, business service enterprises, storage and logistics enterprises, industries and real estate companies pay close attention to and keep track of the new changes that may apply to them.
2.The 4th round of the China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue was closed last Wednesday. The Chinese Vice-Premier Mr. Wang Qishan and the minister of Customs Mr. Sheng Guangzu attended this dialogue. But due to the low level of American Customs, it＊s hard to reach customs service cooperation.
3.Last Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission and General Administration of Customs announced jointly that the export quota of Lubricating grease (27101991), Lubricating oils (27101992) and Basic oils for lubricating oils (17101993) will be cancelled since July 1, 2008.
4.Last Thursday, the General Administration of Customs announced that zero-tariff can be enjoyed on some products export to China by Republic of Malawi since July 1, 2008.

∴ Customs Check Trends
Recently, the huge bonded goods audit team of China Customs have established and started comprehensively. Such problems as bonded goods＊ shortage, overflow, declaration of unit price and prices in a false manner in processing trade, customs control zonesㄛwarehouse and logistic enterprises have been checked strictly.

For more information, please contact us.

China Customs Tips 6.29 每 7.5

1.Last Thursday, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced that the light cargo ship running between Hong Kong and Shenzhen Dachan Bay can directly deal with the declaration procedures of import and export at the port since July 1st, 2008.
2.Recently, Ministry of Commerce announced the Measures for Administration of the Import Reports and Information Issuance of Staple Agriculture Products (Trail) which will be effective from August 1st, 2008.
3 .In the past, anti-dumping was not the key emphasis in the work of Customs; however, after several years of joining the WTO, anti-dumping enforcement work has become the norm for Customs.
Customs will strengthen its enforcement of antidumping policies. We suggest that enterprises self assess their exposure to dumping actions and their reliance on antidumping regulations, seek the latest official Customs information, improve planning, implement measures and take follow up action.

∴ Customs Check Trends
As we predicted, at present the primary task of Customs is making endeavor to meet the clearance supervision and safety control challenges presented by the Olympic Games. Many enterprises have checked and inspected for their goods and luggage much more frequently than usual. What＊s more, the multiplications of customs sites are continued. 
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Printing solution saves money for World Kitchen 

New label printers, labelers and labels keep World Kitchen running smoothly, while reducing costs.

Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor -- Packaging Digest, 5/1/2008
When an 850,000 sq-ft factory is printing 500,000 bar-code labels per month, there is always room to improve production. For World Kitchen, a manufacturer of bakeware, dinnerware and related kitchen and household items based in Reston, VA, a new solution increased production and profitability. The company was experiencing chargebacks from its retailers due to unreadable labels, so World Kitchen was eager to make a change that would solve this profit-eating problem. The company turned to Peak Technologies (www.Peaktech.com), a systems integrator focused on supply-chain automation and inventory management solutions and services, to help enhance its production line and to also help anticipate retailers' future needs.
Peak's first suggestion to World Kitchen was to switch from glue-based to acrylic-based labels. When Peak provided a demonstration of the acrylic-based labels, it was evident that these labels provided the adhesion and print quality that the company was looking for. World Kitchen's glue-based labels often did not adhere properly due to climate conditions, which would cause the glue to deteriorate. In addition, the glue-based labels would smudge easily. If the label rubbed against the sidewalls of the conveyor system, the ink on the label would often smear and the label would be unreadable.

Acrylic-based labels offer benefits
With their exceptional print quality and smear resistance on corrugated packaging, the acrylic-based labels are used for a wide variety of applications, including shipping, receiving and box and work-in-process labels. Another benefit of acrylic-based labels is that they are produced from synthetic materials, whereas the glue-based labels are made from natural materials and can be removed with warm water. For World Kitchen, the switch to acrylic-based labels offered stronger adhesion to the company's packaging, relief from print smudging and no temperature requirements. ※We were really impressed with the performance of the acrylic-based labels, and we felt that Peak gave us the best overall labeling solution at a competitive price,§ says Terry Moore, a Level III systems administrator at World Kitchen.
Although the initial switch from glue-based to acrylic-based labels solved the problem of the labels adhering to the packages, chargebacks of $3 per defective label due to print quality and bar-code verification still were an issue. In order to remedy the entire problem, World Kitchen also needed a new printing solution, which Peak addressed with eight new printers with verifiers and radio frequency identification upgradeability. Peak recommended a printed solution that allows World Kitchen to set a minimum bar-code scanability ranging from A to E, where an A grade is the best and an E is almost unreadable. Most major retailers will not accept packages with labels that are below a B. For World Kitchen, grade levels are set at B, but most are printed at A quality. Once the level has been set, a laser reads and grades the bar-code label as it exits the printer. If the label does not meet the set grade level, the printer backtracks and reprints the label. As for print quality, ※We don't get a label on our floor that goes below a B. If it's under a B, it gets crossed out and reprinted. Generally, the labels are As,§ explains Moore.
In addition to the eight printers with bar-code verification, both Peak and World Kitchen anticipated the impending rise of RFID mandates from major retailers. Therefore, the printers provided by Peak were RFID-compliant and only require an upgrade kit for the future incorporation of RFID into World Kitchen's production line. Since the initial installation, World Kitchen has upgraded two of its printers to RFID capability. ※We are really very proud of our success with the implementation of RFID,§ says Moore. ※It was incorporated into our system nicely and went over really well with our retailers. It was definitely our biggest success.§
Peak also added four print-and-apply labelers to label the company's major bakeware product lines. The print-and-apply systems provide faster, more-accurate label placement, resulting in reduced labor costs and faster production times.

An integrated printing solution
When World Kitchen started implementing the new printers, Peak approached them with a multi-year contract that included the printers, labels and maintenance. The result was a cost savings of about $45,000. ※We were locked into one label price for three years, and considering that the cost of labels goes up every year, that was a definite savings,§ says Moore. World Kitchen also took advantage of Peak's Priority-Gold program, which offers free printheads to any customer that signs a blanket consumables agreement and utilizes Peak for their printer-service contracts. ※Print heads cost $700 to $800 each and wear out relatively rapidly, so the decision was an easy one,§ says Moore.
To date, Peak has provided World Kitchen with an integrated solution that includes 15 label printers, two of which are RFID printers, and four print-and-apply labelers, as well as labels, ribbons, toner and maintenance. There was an added benefit from Peak providing consumables to World Kitchen, because it needed labels of all sizes, as well as toner cartridges. ※We have a blanket purchase order, and Peak keeps our inventory fully stocked at all times. The only maintenance we perform is routine tasks, such as replacing print heads,§ says Moore.
Both types of printers met World Kitchen's needs by boosting overall costsavings, eliminating chargebacks from retailers, reducing maintenance and anticipating retailers' needs to meet RFID mandates. ※The thermal printers with RFID capability were exactly what we wanted, says Moore. ※It was important that our printers were upgradeable, so that down the road, we could anticipate retailers' changing needs and not have to spend extra money buying all new printers. The extra step was the overall savings by signing a multi-year contract with Peak to be our exclusive supplier.
※Not to mention that the old printers we were using would break down, and we would constantly be changing print heads,§ explains Moore. ※Today, we're able to maintain our production volume, even if we only use half of the printers. The new printers are faster, more user-friendly and require no real maintenance because of their quality.§ The partnership between World Kitchen and Peak has been successful and continues to be promising.
※We are re-evaluating our need for additional RFID upgradeability,§ says Moore. ※Stock keeping units are getting larger, which means our volume is increasing. In addition, our retailers are adding more distribution centers, so at some point we are going to have to increase the number of printers with RFID capability. We'll definitely be looking to Peak to help us grow.§

http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/CA6558931.html?nid=3461
Robotic case packer -- Packaging Digest, 5/9/2008

The co. releases its Model V 30 vertical robotic case packer, which incorporates servo-drive technology to create a high-speed vertical case packing system. The case packer is capable of handling jars, bottles (plastic or glass), tubes, bags and/or cartons. Designed around a Fanuc M-16iC Robot, the case packer includes all the necessary software to address most case-packing applications. The robot handles payloads of up to 44-lbs with a repeatability of ㊣0.5-mm at full speed and it features PLC touchscreen controls that enable the operator to monitor speeds, reset faults and maintain operational logs. The case packer receives products at a rate of up to 400/min, forms a case picked from the case magazine, inserts the product and seals the shipping cases with either self-adhesive tape or hot-melt adhesive. 
ESS Technologies, Inc., 540/961-5716.

Green sales for green bottles

-Shrink-sleeve converter Packstar shines when it comes to creating sustainable

labels.Jorina Fontelera, Converting Magazine -- Packaging Digest, 3/1/2008

It's only fitting that Garnier Fructis haircare products from Maybelline are in bright green bottles, given its campaign to use sustainable packaging. The cosmetics giant teamed up with flex-pack converter Packstar Flexible Packaging (www.packstargroup.com) in Buffalo, NY, to create polylactide-acid-based (PLA) shrink labels for the shampoo and conditioner containers.
※Maybelline jumped in head first,§ says Andy Sharp, chief executive officer of Packstar. ※They chose with to go with PLA labels because it was easier to add sustainability in its manufacturing process with labels than with bottles.§
In 2007, Packastar produced 20 million PLA labels for Maybelline. Because the customer switched to using PLA instead of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) label substrate, it saved the equivalent of 17,500 gal of gasoline, according to Sharp's report from Packstar film provider Plastic Suppliers (www.plasticsuppliers.com).※This is a good true-life situation that really shows the quantifiable savings of oil,§ Sharp says.
Along with Maybelline, Packstar also ran 1 million PLA shrink labels for a Coca-Cola campaign in Mexico in 2006. Coke also used PLA shrink labels for its World of Coke interactive stores this past summer and will continue to do so. The converter, which now has 20 percent of its business coming from PLA projects, plans to continue working with Maybelline, Coke and others, to expand its sustainable labels and packaging business up to 50 percent in the next two years.

Seeds of sustainability
In two and a half years, Packstar has modified its machinery to work with PLA and has done significant research and development to find end markets and uses for PLA. It is now looking to further expand its sustainable packaging expertise by looking into compostable inks to make a fully-compostable label.
It all began at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005 when Packstar heard about Natureworks (www.natureworksllc.com), which makes the PLA resins. Natureworks provided Packstar with a life-cycle assessment that goes from the plant to the pellet/resin and showed that creating PLA shrink film produced fewer carbon-dioxide emissions and required less energy than making shrink film from PETG or PVC.
Devoted to moving its converting operations from polyester to PLA and changing the impact of PLA on the packaging market, Packstar pursued cobranding with Natureworks. The converter also cobrands with Plastic Suppliers, which extrudes the Natureworks resins and creates the EarthFirst? film for Packstar.
※We've been very excited (about sustainability) and learned to set our converting operations to run (PLA),§ Sharp says.

PLA takes root
Packstar began testing the film on its existing equipment and making modifications on all its lines so that PLA can be used with all machinery. ※Using PLA doesn't require wholesale changes,§ Sharp explains, ※you just need an understanding of the film and learn to adjust the settings〞and at that, you don't have to analyze much.§
Packstar does printing, slitting, seaming and rewinding applications with the PLA. In addition to its renewable characteristics, PLA's other benefits became clear to Packstar after working with the film. The converter found that PLA takes ink very well using flexographic and gravure presses. And because of its rigidity, PLA is not only good as film, but it's also good for building strength in thin-walled plastic containers, Sharp adds.
As an added bonus, PLA can be stored in temperatures up to 104 deg F and will not shrink, but at the same time it takes less heat to shrink it onto a package. ※Once it is beyond the 104 deg, it shrinks quickly,§ Sharp says. ※Once it starts, it keeps going. Not only does it save energy on its production, but it saves energy being used as film.§

Branching out
Currently, the inks used for shrink-film printing are typically not recyclable. Packstar, however, is looking to change that. ※We are currently looking into compostable inks,§ Sharp explains. ※We use water-, UV- and solvent-based inks right now. Having fully-compostable inks is the next evolution. There's certain R&D needed, and as the market continues to evolve, the demand (for compostable inks) will force ink vendors to find a solution.§
To stay in touch with the latest research findings regarding sustainability, Packstar joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (www.sustainablepackaging.org), which studies the different theories about sustainability, how to put them into practice and how to capture savings.
※People want the truth, what is known fact and what is theory, and what the impacts of these are,§ Sharp says. ※We can't convert the mass of consumer products to materials that require less petroleum, but it has to start somewhere. We feel we're doing our part.§

Printers signal benefits for bags

Whelen Eng., a manufacturer of lights, beacons, sirens and other warning equipment, adopts large-format thermal-transfer coding for its bagging operation. The results increase throughput.

-- Packaging Digest, 3/1/2008

Whelen Eng. needed a printer that could work with 8-in. widths and found one just as it was being introduced to the U.S. market. Below, bags of warning lights require plenty of printed data.

Whelen Eng., Chester, CT, designs and manufactures lights, beacons, sirens and other warning equipment for emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. Dedicated to manufacturing in the U.S., Whelen stays competitive in the world market by leveraging automation in creative ways to minimize operating costs while maximizing product quality.
To eliminate the need to insert instruction manuals into each of its packages, Whelen searched for an in-line printer that could print the instructions directly on the packages during the bagging operation. To impart the needed information, they needed to achieve an 8-in.-W print area. The company found the NGT Series of large format thermal-transfer coding systems from Norwood Marking Systems/Allen Coding Systems (www.itw-norwood.com). Capable of producing the largest print area of any thermal transfer coder in the world, the NGT printers have allowed Whelen to reduce manufacturing costs and improve production flexibility while also increasing its throughput.

Large-format a must
※We went looking for a thermal-transfer printer that could do large-format printing,§ notes Jon Hardy, supervisor of manufacturing engineering at Whelen. ※We found several systems that produced two- and four-inch widths and a couple that produced five-inch widths. But we wanted a printer that could achieve an eight-inch width. We came to Norwood/Allen just as they were introducing their NGT printers in the U.S.§
The NGT 8 C that Whelen selected can produce a print area up to 8.4 in. wide and 19.68 in. long.

Bag rollstock, left, is printed on-demand. The back side is clear, while the front is white to produce a sharp backdrop for black type. Touchscreen interface control box, above, enables operators to recall images and edit at print time.

Whelen manufacturers several thousand different products at its Charlestown, NH plant. Each product requires instructions that provide users with the information needed to assemble and mount the part. Prior to installing the Norwood/Allen printers, operators at the bagging operation inserted preprinted instruction sheets into each bag, sometimes folding the 8?311-in, sheets in half or in quarters to fit inside the package.
Says Hardy, ※We were motivated to print the instructions on the bags in an effort to reallocate labor to more productive tasks. With three in-line printers installed so far, we've managed to move three people handling the printing, storing and folding of the instruction manuals to more productive tasks.§
Whelen's initial decision to install the new printers was economic in nature, he adds. ※We didn't fully anticipate the many benefits that would come from this shift to printing on-demand.§

Boosts operator throughput
Eliminating the need to fold and insert preprinted instruction sheets into each bag enables the operators at the bagging station to increase their throughput. ※It only takes two seconds to bag and seal a product, but it could take four seconds to fold the paper,§ says Hardy. ※Our move to automated printing potentially increases the bagging rate by three times.§
The change also eliminates the repetitive task of folding and inserting the papers, which makes the operators' job easier.
※We were printing several million instruction sheets per year,§ adds Bob Dubois, manufacturing engineer at the Charlestown, NH plant. ※Eliminating as many of these sheets as possible helps save valuable resources and this new approach is better for the environment. It also gives us more production flexibility.§
Printing on-demand allows Whelen to ensure that the instructions are absolutely current. It eliminates the possibility that out-of-date instruction sheets or an incorrect sheet is inserted into the package. Whelen is also now able to easily customize the print on the package for a particular customer, which is especially valuable in today's environment where bagging to-order is increasingly preferred in an effort to reduce finished goods inventory, says Hardy.
In addition to printing the lengthy instruction manual onto the polyethylene bags, Whelen prints the product description, a bar code and the date. These elements are automatically formatted by Teklynx? (www.teklynx.com) Sentinel? Software, which also allows the Norwood/Allen printers to be integrated with Whelen's plant-wide network via the NGT's integrated Ethernet card.
As of presstime, Whelen says that it has developed and formatted more than 100 instruction images, which replace almost 800 unique printed pages by consolidating various connector and lens color variations. With batch manufacturing that typically includes 500 to 1,000 units per run, Whelen often changes the printer over 30 times a day.
When an operator prepares for a new product run, they enter a job number into Whelen's software running on a local PC. This triggers the network to access the instruction sheet for that product, which is saved as a jpg file on one of Whelen's network servers.
The network sends a jpg file to the software, which integrates the image in real-time with the product's text description, bar code and the date of manufacture, appending the file and sending it to the appropriate printer.
The polyethylene bags are supplied to Whelen preformed on rolls. They are transparent on the back so that the product is visible through the package. They have a white front panel to produce crisp black-on-white printing. The bags, which range in size from 537 in. to as large as 10?315 in., are printed in-line with a resolution of 300 dots/in., both horizontally and vertically. An unlimited choice of TrueType font styles and a wide range of font sizes are available with the NGT. Six fonts come standard and there is space for 44 more.
The NGT Series of thermal-transfer printers are available in several different models〞both intermittent and continuous-motion〞for a variety of applications and to achieve different maximum print areas and print speeds. Whelen's continuous-motion NGT 8 C can produce the largest print area of the series〞up to 8.4319.68 in. at speeds up to 9.8 in./sec.
Manufactured by Norwood/Allen's distributor, AC Codierger?te GmbH (www.ac-coding.com), in Germany, with robust mechanics and superior components, the durable NGT Series of coders improves reliability to maximize production throughput. A pivoting frame provides operators with easy access for maintenance and adjustments.
Whelen installed its first NGT printer in January 2007 and a second in March 2007, followed by a third in November 2007. ※We measure the success of the printers based on print quality, reliability and ease of use, notes Dubois. ※We're very satisfied with the NGT printers.§
Adds Hardy, ※The bottom line is that the printers have allowed us to move three people to more productive tasks. So the project was a home-run hit. The rest is icing on the cake.§
More information is available:
Norwood/Allen, 630/968-0646. www.itw-norwood.com.
AC Codierger?te GmbH, 43 (0)1 699 26 40. www.ac-coding.com.
Teklynx, 414/535-6200. www.teklynx.com.

WEB EXCLUSIVE:Flexible Packaging Silver Awards

Lauren R. Hartman, Senior Editor -- Packaging Digest, 3/1/2008
Packaging Excellence Category:
Kraft's Balance Bar lamination features a proprietary Ceramis? PET film barrier layer. Created by Alcan Packaging (www.alcanpackaging.com), the silicon-oxide-coated film combines outstanding optical clarity with high barrier properties. The result was a package that provides a crystal-clear window to highlight the appearance of the organic bar, which is loaded with hearty ingredients. The cold seal system allowed Kraft's horizontal flowrap line to work at high speeds.

Cades Cove pouch for ribs from Exopack LLC (www.exopack.com) combines a technically innovative, tough, puncture-resistant, leak-resistant Cades Cove pouch for ribs from Exopackcook-in pouch with the beauty and convenience of a preprinted film laminate. Mouth-watering graphics differentiate this brand in retail meat cases. The package stays tightly sealed through cooking and distribution to ensure an outstanding consumer experience.(

The plastic recloseable bag for Iams chunk dog food, converted by Exopack LLC, has all of the key features required for success in the marketplace: beautiful eye-catching graphics; strength for protection during distribution; and consumer convenience features to encourage repeat purchases. This new development from Exopack is an innovative alternative to other bags and requires minimal filling-line modifications.(

Coating Excellence Intl.'s (www.coatingexcellence.com) Super-Tube? woven film bags boast environmental attributes and economies. Tear- and puncture-resistant, they are reverse-printed with food-grade, water-based inks for a glossy and durable finish. CEI says that using only quality water-based inks ensure the quality, taste and safety of the bagged product.(

Environmental & Sustainability Achievement Category:
Agrolabs' ※Naturally§ shrink label, converted by Printpack, Inc. (www.printpack.com), enhances the premium brand identity of the product, while giving it a distinctive and dramatic look. By eliminating excess packaging and using polylactic acid (PLA) film, the company has offered up a brilliant response to customer requests for greener packaging. Earthfirst? is a registered trademark of Plastic Suppliers; Ingeo? is a trademark of Natureworks LLC. The EcoPLA design is a registered trademark of Natureworks LLC Balance? Organic.

The Coldpack AirLiner from Coldpack (www.coldpacksystem.com) offers an alternative to a 70-year-old cold-chain-management foam insulation method. AirLiner's ability to maintain constant temperature is found in its patented, internal heat barrier technology. The AirLiner offers superior protective cushioning, a reduction of 40 percent in global warming potential and costs less to use, says Coldpack.(

Pliant Corp.'s (www.pliantcorp.com) Stratos pallet wrap is designed to improve ※packaging scorecards§ as value-added stretch film that can be to downgauged 25 to 40 percent, yet maintains superior cling and optics. The machine-operated stretch film stays puncture-resistant and contains loads while used at full machine speeds, at a significant savings, Pliant says.(

Robbie Mfg.'s (www.robbiemfg.com) Hot N Handy rotisserie pouch (see the gold award winners descriptions) also won a silver award in this category for its value-added, built-in handle that affords easy carrying, as well as its resealable zipper and a slim profile for saving leftovers.(

Technical Innovation Category:
The Grip and Tear? Bag from Cryovac Food Packaging, Sealed Air Corp. (www.cryovac.com) ends the days of consumers fighting with vacuum shrink bags. This unique bag combines the superior shrink, toughness and oxygen-barrier properties expected from a vacuum shrink bag with the addition of an easy-open feature. The name says it all: grip the package and tear it open. There are no sharp utensils or strong muscles needed.(

Prompted by focus-group input from operating room nurses and doctors, the Duet Pouch was designed to address the concerns of healthcare providers. Created by Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc. (www.rollprint.com) the new-generation, peelable chevron header pouch is suitable for ethylene oxide sterilization applications. The pouch provides easy-opening features via its dual chevron seal and ensures aseptic product presentation, all while controlling costs.(

The Freshtables with Estersteam? Vent, developed by American Packaging Corp. (www.ampkcorp.com), provides convenience and an easy way to enter the microwave steamed meal market. The specially designed valve is pre-applied to rollstock, lidding and preformed pouch specifications and works with frozen, chilled or ambient products. Under microwave conditions the valve activates, allowing the package to vent, so food is moist and evenly cooked. This technology is cost-effective, and is able to be used with standard heat-seal equipment with no effect on production efficiency. In addition, this package is capable of holding liquids without leaking and resists exploding or imploding when cooking, American Packaging states.

Goody's child-tesistant stick-pack, provided by Amcor Flexibles (www.amcor.com) is an easy-tear packaging structure for pharmaceuticals incorporating a printed tear indicator. The SafeStick has a tear-opening feature that Amcor maintains is not evident to a child. The lightweight package tears only at a printed indicator, allowing easy opening and dispensing. The SafeStick controls unit dosing of pharmaceutical powders, granules, creams, gels and liquids.(

A nonfoil, die-cut lidstock, considered a key advance in lidding technology, debuts from American Packaging Corp. to improve economics, functionality and sustainability. It can be reverse-/trap-printed for improved consumer acceptance and shelf appeal. In addition, the unique characteristic of the sealant polymer facilitates sealing through contamination with a very wide operating window, while providing the potential for direct metal detection. The new material also offers improved sustainability through a substantial reduction in weight and energy used to produce individual components.(

The Plumrose Supreme center-cut bacon package is another example of Printpack's Re-Seal It repeatable resealing technology. The new bacon package combines proprietary label technology with high-performance barrier films for easy opening and repeatable resealability for thermoform applications. Plumrose's package incorporates a precision sleeve that's rotary die-cut. Label application assures that the package integrity and product access is a snap.(

The Wetbone? water-in-a-pouch product for pets is a 16-oz dogbone-shaped, resealable standup pack that features two compartments: one, a reservoir for enriched water at the bottom; and the second, a drinking bowl at the top. Manufactured using a polyester/foil/linear-low-density PE lamination from Ampac Flexibles (www.ampaconline.com), the pouch acts as a multiple-use drinking bowl and includes channels allowing the water to fill the bowl, and ensure that unconumed water returns to the reservoir.

Printing Achievement Category:
To promote the enhanced reformulation of Dannon's Light & Fit yogurt and 0-percentPlus nonfat yogurt, new graphics created by Alcan Packaging were incorporated into an innovative, transparent OPS label that provides appetite appeal; the yogurt's fruit pieces appear to be suspended inside the yogurt〞and a premium image to drive consumer interest. The reverse-printed label provides higher gloss and graphic quality with the lower package weight of the multipack, in-mold label process.

Hershey Cacao Reserve bag, produced with assistance again from American Packaging Corp., teams detailed graphics and the use of a foil substrate to capture luxury of a unique design and background printing to make the product stand out in a very competitive market segment. Fine details are reflective in the cocoa bean, and the tight registration of the individual pieces that are placed in this converted bag. Type throughout the label is clean, clear and legible. Judges agreed, the overall coverage of the colors is excellent and lays well.(