DuPont Co.

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Packaging Graphics will implement surcharges and price increases of up to 10 percent globally, effective Sept. 15. Specific terms will be addressed regionally. Flexographic printing plates, inks, substrates, and other raw materials continue to be subject to significant cost increases due to the rising price of oil-based feedstocks, energy, freight costs, as well as the recent tight supply of thermoplastic elastomers—a key raw material in the manufacture of flexographic printing plates. “DuPont Packaging Graphics continues to aggressively pursue manufacturing productivity improvements and cost reductions to offset these increases, and we will work with our customers during these unprecedented times as these cost

Digital imaging of flexographic plates has brought about many improvements when compared to conventional platemaking methods. Sleeve technology offers further refinements to the process. Advances in flexo sleeve technology are yielding opportunities in markets traditionally dominated by offset and gravure—markets such as folding cartons and shrink sleeves. Lightweight, durable, easy-to-handle flexo sleeves not only work well with less expensive substrates such as tissue, napkins, and paper towels, but also provide excellent laydown of solid and metallic inks in packaging applications. Flexo sleeves are being used in two ways: as carrier rolls for flat, imaged plates mounted on the surface or with the image

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont recently announced the winners of the 20th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. DuPont focused its awards program on recognizing achievements that improve the sustainability of products and processes. An international expert jury chose winners based on factors such as responsible sourcing, effective recovery, and energy optimization. “Sustainable packaging is a growing and important focus area for DuPont,” said Diane Gulyas, group vice president, DuPont Performance Materials. “Sustainability matters to packaged goods companies and consumers. DuPont is responding with offerings that reduce the environmental impact of packaging in a number of ways, including the introduction of renewably sourced materials that enable the use

VANCOUVER, BC—Earthcycle Packaging and Innovia Films were the winners at the 20th annual DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, which recognized the Earthcycle™-Natureflex™ Organic Kiwi Package. The announcement took place at DuPont headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware by DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. Seven winners and three notable achievements were honored for innovative products and processes that demonstrated breakthroughs in sustainable packaging. The Earthcycle™-Natureflex™ Organic Kiwi Pack is a new packaging approach using only renewable and certified compostable materials, contributing to responsible sourcing, clean production and effective recovery. This compostable produce pack consists of three materials—the Earthcycle tray, the Natureflex™ film and

WILMINGTON, Del. and NORTHLAKE, Ill.—DuPont Packaging Graphics (DuPont) and Sun Chemical have joined forces to create a new standard in quality and environmentally smart flexographic printing by bringing together Sun Chemical’s patented WetFlex™ wet-on-wet flexographic printing process with its patented UniQure™ electron-beam cured inks and DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST technology. The joint work was focused on linking the WetFlex™ printing process with the DuPont™ Cyrel® photopolymer plate technology and resulted in obtaining previously unachievable levels of print graphics while providing the market with a solvent-free process that can contribute to sustainability improvements in printing and packaging. Research and development teams from both companies worked together

WILMINGTON, Del. and NORTHLAKE, Ill.—DuPont Packaging Graphics (DuPont) and Sun Chemical have joined forces to create a new standard in quality and environmentally smart flexographic printing by bringing together Sun Chemical’s patented WetFlex™ wet-on-wet flexographic printing process with its patented UniQure™ electron-beam cured inks and DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST technology. The joint work was focused on linking the WetFlex™ printing process with the DuPont™ Cyrel® photopolymer plate technology and resulted in obtaining previously unachievable levels of print graphics while providing the market with a solvent-free process that can contribute to sustainability improvements in printing and packaging. Research and development teams from both companies worked together

Trends in flexo platemaking reflect two things: the dwindling number of users who favor analog workflows over digital and those who already have made the transition to digital—and never looked back. Trends in digital flexo platemaking shake out between users who prefer solvent-based workflows and those who have already made, or are seriously contemplating, the switch to thermal. In the world of flexo platemaking, options are proliferating. By the time “The Greatest Show On Earth” rolls in and out of Düsseldorf this spring, flexo shops will have more choices than ever to help them achieve the results they want. Advantage: Digital According to Ian

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Packaging Graphics will increase U.S and Canada prices for all DuPont™ Cyrel® products, effective March 1, 2008. The increases range from 3 to 8 percent depending on the product. “We have avoided taking this action for a long time,” said Bob Zoelle, North American business director for DuPont. “Our products are highly dependent on oil-based feed stocks. Over the last five years DuPont Packaging Graphics has aggressively pursued manufacturing productivity improvements and cost reductions in an attempt to offset the sustained increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials and energy costs of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. We will continue to work

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Packaging Graphics will increase U.S and Canada prices for all DuPont™ Cyrel® products, effective March 1, 2008. The increases range from 3 to 8 percent depending on the product. “We have avoided taking this action for a long time,” said Bob Zoelle, North American business director for DuPont. “Our products are highly dependent on oil based feed stocks. Over the last five years DuPont Packaging Graphics has aggressively pursued manufacturing productivity improvements and cost reductions in an attempt to offset the sustained increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials and energy costs of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. We will continue to

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Packaging Graphics has recently achieved the registration milestone of 125 patent families consisting of more than 600 patents and applications worldwide. These patents, which represent the technological innovations of the Packaging Graphics business, cover a wide range of products, equipment and processes that enable customers worldwide to improve the productivity of their operations and quality of their products and services. “Since the introduction of DuPont™ Cyrel® photopolymer printing plates in 1974, we have been working with our customers to develop innovative technologies to advance flexography,” said Lisa DiGate, global business director, DuPont Packaging Graphics. “These patents represent our investment in flexography, the