WEST WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstroNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a global leader in data visualization technologies, today announced that Gregory A. Woods, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David S. Smith, Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event Investor Conference. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

AR Packaging continues its successful growth development in line with the strategic plan to expand in selected segments and geographies. The German based Kroha GmbH is a specialist in folding carton packaging and leaflets for pharmaceuticals. The company is an attractive addition to the Group’s product offering and strengthens its capabilities to service both mid-sized and large customers in the pharmaceutical industry.  

“We are very pleased to having received full clearance on the acquisition and warmly welcome Kroha to our group. With its sole focus on pharmaceutical packaging it upholds high quality assurance and efficient operations which fits very well into our strategy”, says Harald Schulz, President and CEO of AR Packaging. “The customers of Kroha will benefit from our Group’s unique wide product portfolio including multi substrate packaging”.

The two acquired facilities will be operating under the name AR Packaging and the integration is now initiated together with the management team.

For more information please contact: 
Ingrid Lidbäck, Group Marketing & Communication Director at AR Packaging
E-mail: ingrid.lidback@ar-packaging.com
Telephone: +46 70 566 31 83

AR Packaging 
AR Packaging is one of Europe’s leading companies in the packaging sector with net sales of approximately EUR 930 million, 5,500 employees and 29 factories in 13 countries. The Group offers a unique range of packaging solutions from its specialised plants. Added value is created to its customers through its broad product offering and deep knowledge of carton-based and flexible packaging. The head office is located in Lund, Sweden. AR Packaging has an objective to grow both organically and by way of acquisitions.

Today, Mengibar Filling machines represent the most innovative solution to fill a wide range of products, covering from highly viscous liquids to thin and foaming liquids. Machine is equipped with the highest level of automation where product change over and bottle size change over are fully automated.

Producing up to 30.000 containers per hour of exactly identical dose and appearance.
Filling up to 12.000 liters of liquid soap and detergent without foaming nor without dripping.
With a wide variaty of closures (trigger pumps, dosing pumps, spouts, plugs, caps, etc).

Your Benefits
New potential for your brand
Your production won't be limited because of long change overs. Fully automated processes increasing line efficiency by up to 20 percent. No ramp-up needed after a long stop or change-over with 'SmartFlow' technology.

Minimum personnel required
Most of the change over operations are fully autometed, the rest are aided by proactive assistance systems. Product change over does not require any manual operation at all.

Flexibility
Capability to run hazard products featuring Corrosion-Proof or Explosion-Proof executions to manage liquids containing alcohol, acids or bases. From low to high pH levels.

The presentation of the 2020 FINAT Awards was a resounding success for Schreiner Group. The high-tech company based in the Munich metropolitan area convinced the jury of its product entries in three categories: The Autoinjector-Label and the Covert-Hologram Seal from Schreiner MediPharm and a translucent Color Film with a value-adding function from Schreiner ProTech each received a first-place award. The annual awards are presented by the European Association for the Self-Adhesive Label Industry (FINAT) that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The joint effort between Dow, Liby and Fujian Kaida enabled Liby to produce its fully recyclable laundry packaging for the laundry pods. Dow’s INNATE™ TF-BOPE was selected due to its all-polyethylene (PE) structure that allows the end-product to be recycled in existing recycle streams, strong material properties offering high toughness in order to reduce leakage during e-commerce transportation, as well as excellent optics for stand-up shelf appeal and touch and feel. Leading packaging manufacturer, Fujian Kaida, will be designing and producing the packaging for these Liby’s laundry pods.

“We are delighted to partner with Liby to pioneer fully recyclable laundry packaging in China. The country’s recent acceleration in achieving a green and sustainable environment has changed the way it tackles plastic waste, and this collaboration is a significant step in improving the recyclability and sustainability quotient in the packaging of laundry products for millions of households,” said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president of Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics. “Through our advanced research and development capabilities, we strive to help brand owners like Liby take action and deliver on their sustainability commitments to close the loop for a circular economy, a greener planet and a better future.”

Zhang Liping, General manager of Liby Research and Development Center said, “As a leading laundry brand in China, Liby won consumers’ trust with high quality cleaning products and our belief in natural ingredients. Most of the laundry packaging in the market these days are non-recyclable, and as a brand, we feel responsible for reducing and eliminating plastic waste in our products. We are proud to embark on this journey with Dow through the fully recyclable INNATE™ TF-BOPE, minimizing the environmental impact of our packaging. This is especially timely with the government’s push towards a circular economy with Guangdong National Development and Reform Commission recent announcement of the new rules on limitations and ban on using plastic products.”

“We are thrilled to be supporting the introduction of China’s first fully recyclable laundry packaging alongside Dow and Liby. Dow’s INNATE™ TF-BOPE and film from Decro provided us with a unique design solution to create these fully recyclable packaging for Liby. At Kaida, environmental protection and manufacturing ecological products are a priority, and this opportunity illustrates the importance of collaboration and collective action in transforming how packaging is managed at its end of life,” commented Guo Tao, General manager, Fujian Kaida.

Earlier in July this year, Dow announced its innovative and revolutionary brand extension, TF Polyethylene Resins for Tenter Frame Biaxial Orientation (TF-BOPE) films, to its family of INNATE™ Precision Packaging Resins. INNATE™ TF-BOPE aims to address the global industry’s need for a high-performing, convenient and recyclable packaging material. Additionally, INNATE™ TF has been recognized as a ‘design for recyclability’ solution, enabling more plastic packaging to be recycled by allowing brands to design for recyclability right from the start.

As part of its 2025 Sustainability Goals, Dow is committed to collaborating with key stakeholders across the value chain to promote innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, driving the healthy and dynamic development of the plastics industry. INNATE™ TF-BOPE resins provide converters, brand owners and retailers with an innovative packaging solution that can achieve desired properties while being completely recyclable. This is possible because of the resins’ unique molecular architecture that demonstrates outstanding physical properties as compared to traditional polyethylene products. Additional information about INNATE™ TF Polyethylene Resins for Tenter Frame Biaxial Orientation and current success stories are available at www.dow.com/InnateTF.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. today announced Rani Borkar will join its Board of Directors effective Dec. 14. Ms. Borkar brings decades of expertise in semiconductor design and computing systems development to Applied and will serve on the Board’s Strategy and Investment Committee.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. today announced the recipients of its 2020 Supplier Excellence Awards for contributions made to Applied’s business over the past year. The awards reflect outstanding technical and operational performance in several areas including quality, service, lead time, delivery, cost and responsiveness.

1. Originality in Cloth Bag

The purpose of the Cloth Bag is to represent the product, company, person and so on. it should show clearly. It must be distinguished from its competitors and must be catchy. For this, the cloth bag should be original and reflect only what it was designed for.

2. Simplicity in a Cloth Bag

On the internet or in real life, we encounter cloth bags of many companies and individuals. Some of these tote bags attract our attention, while others we do not notice. The most important feature of all quality tote bags is their simplicity. Simple and simple designs attract people's attention. Because it is possible to easily see what you want to give such bag designs.

3.Size in a Cloth Bag

While making your cloth bag, the purpose of use of the bag should be clear. Some tote bags are used only for carrying small items, others are used for heavier items in grocery and store shopping. The size of the cloth bags used to carry small products should not be exaggerated.

4. Use of Color in a Cloth Bag

70% of the bags we encounter in daily life are made using only one or two shades. In cloth bags that can be produced in up to eight colors, designs for quality cloth bags can also be used in three or four colors depending on the sector. The purpose of this is that the more the colors increase, the more the cloth bag turns into clouding and becomes completely complex.

5.Practicality, Usability and Adaptability in Cloth Bags

At this stage, your diaper bag should be suitable for every environment. You can reduce the printing cost with this method. For example, if you live in a city with more rain, we recommend waterproof cloth bags.

6. Diaper Bags Should Be Suitable For The Sector

It can be seen that companies in the same sector have some similar features in their tote bag designs. This does not mean the cloth bag loses its originality. Even a hue can represent the industry.

7.Taper Bags Must Reflect Your Personality

Cloth bags should introduce a company, product, person (the object they are designed for) well. It should be an answer to questions such as who they are, what they do, how they work.

As travel restrictions & social-distancing guidelines remain in place, many consumers are beginning to take beauty & hair care treatments into their own hands at home, in true DIY fashion. This currently ongoing shift occurring within hair & scalp care products is demonstrated by solutions that provide deep cleansing, protection, and overall re-invigoration of “quarantine hair”.

In a recent report, consumer trend analysts at Spate noted that US search volume for scalp scrubs grew +40.1% since last year. This uptick is a result of a newfound consumer interest in benefits like cleansing and moisturizing in hopes of addressing thinning, dandruff, or oily hair. However, this interest does not stop at scalp scrubs. New product launches like probiotic shampoos aimed at balancing the scalp’s microbiome to promote restoration, and detox pre-wash conditioners designed for removal of product buildup and scalp fortification have increased in search this year, as well. Mintel’s 2020 Year of Innovation in Haircare report states that 34% of US haircare product users have tried or are interested in scalp care products.

Consumers are also adding an extra step to their pre-shower routine in the name of hair health, allowing brands to introduce a new sense of fun to an otherwise daily norm. Multi-step routines that promote hair health are more appealing to consumers given an increased amount of time at home, states Mintel.

Aptar Beauty + Home offers an extensive portfolio of hair care dispensing products that are prepared to help brands provide easy application and deliver a fun and sensory-engaging experience. In a recent online consumer study conducted by Beauty + Home North America, 80% of participants stated they are interested in scalp care products*.

Brands seeking to provide their customers with a sensorial foam experience can look towards Aptar’s S18 accessory, which is capable of continuous and comfortable dispensing of foams or gels.

For brands that want to offer a convenient, one-handed dispensing experience, Athena & Aspire provide light-touch comfort and shelf differentiation through their ergonomic designs, with on-the-go capability thanks to their locking hoods. When compared against other scalp care dispensing solutions, Aspire was the preferred accessory for 42% of respondents**.

For sustainability driven brands, our stock range of post-consumer recycled resin disc tops and snap tops are great options for products that take a more traditional approach outside of aerosols.

1. Check the ingoing packaging materials
Ensure proper storage of tube boxes. You need to keep a lid on your box of tubes in order to prevent dirt from getting inside, the box needs to be stable and the tubes should be packed according to acceptable tolerances, and the tubes themselves also need to follow particular tolerances regarding diameter and ovality. When it comes to packaging material, Norden Machinery can advise you in regard to the acceptable tube tolerances.

2. For good results: Always use the correct size parts
Only use parts adapted to the size in use. The function of the tube holder is to hold the tube firmly in place and give it the support it needs, and the parts in the machine should be adapted for the tube format. If the tube holder is too wide, the tube will be unstable and will not stand straight in the tube holder, which will lead to a cut off that is not straight. If, on the other hand, the tube holder is too narrow, the tube will be squeezed and tension created, making it difficult to seal. If the tube is firmly and nicely stable in the tube holder, you’re good to go.  Additionally, the nozzle and cooling ring should clean and free from burned product and plastic. Always use the correct sized tube holder, and ensure that the Hot Air nozzle and cooling ring are clean and adapted for the tube format. Even one millimeter can have a huge impact.  

3. Sealing problems? Check the filling station
If the sealing quality is bad, you need to check the filling station. There are three main problem areas at the filling station that can impact the quality of the seal. First, a worn out or otherwise damaged filling nozzle can lead to leakage. Second, using the wrong settings for the filling station, and third, using the wrong type of filling nozzle for the product being filled.  Bad filling will show in the form of strings or splashes of product inside the tube, which will contaminate the sealing area, making it impossible to seal the tube. 

So, in order to ensure you get the quality seal you want when using Norden Machinery Hot Air sealing:

a.) Make sure the filling nozzle is in good condition
b.) Operate with the correct settings at product filling
c.) Use the correct type of filling nozzle for the product being filled.