Packaging materials supplier Bemis has reported a fall in 2009 net sales to US$3.51 billion from $3.78bn in 2008. During the period, net income declined to $155.84m from $172.23m.Flexible packaging, which represents around 85 per cent of net sales, were down to $2.98bn compared to $3.15bn a year earlier, while pressure sensitive materials brought in $531,200 down from $626,200 in 2008.

Chief Executive Henry Theisen said, "Our emphasis on aggressive cost management, production efficiency, and working capital management achieved sustainable improvements throughout the business in 2009. Our business teams around the world are developing unique solutions and creating growth opportunities for the future. In 2010, we expect to benefit from the continued strength of our balance sheet, a wide array of recently introduced products, and a larger footprint with the anticipated completion of our Alcan Packaging Food Americas acquisition."

Amcor is unveiling a new global brand following its purchase of the Alcan Packaging businesses

The purchase price represents an EBITDA multiple of 5.1 times based on earnings for the year ended 31 December 2009 of $383 million (excluding the Medical Flexible operations in the US).

Amcor’s chief executive Ken MacKenzie said: “We are now focused on ensuring seamless integration of these businesses and on achieving the synergies and opportunities offered by this acquisition.”

Part of this new synergised approach is a new Amcor global brand and logo, with the company boasting five core values – safety, integrity, teamwork, social responsibility and innovation.

“With more than 300 sites across 43 countries, a strong, unified brand across all our operations and geographies is an important part of our future,” says MacKenzie.

Graham Packaging has unveiled terms for the initial public offering (IPO) it previously announced in November 2009, with current holders planning to sell some of their stake.

The plastics packaging manufacturer, which previously said it would sell $350 million of stock, intends to sell at least 23.3 million shares in an estimated range of $14 to $16 each. It hopes to sell a minimum of 16.7 million shares with current holders offering the rest.

Proceeds from the IPO will be largely used to pay debt.

Kruno Obrovac, Greiner Packaging International; Milun Jovanovic, Jovanovic Plast; Emil Zorenc, Greiner Packaging Slowenien

European packaging producer Greiner Packaging has established a joint venture with Serbian company Jovanovic Plast in order to grow its market in South Eastern Europe more efficiently.

Fourth quarter profit at Sealed Air has risen nearly 38 per cent to $65.1 million, from $47.3m for the corresponding period last year, despite a decline in sales.

The New Jersey, USA-based company, which invented bubble wrap 50 years ago, reported net sales of $324.9m in its Protective Packaging unit, down 4 per cent from $338.6m, while other net sales fell 10 per cent to $81.1m from $89.9m in the three months ended December 31, 2008.

The company expects full-year 2010 earnings to range between $1.48 and $1.68 per share, or $1.50 and $1.70 per share on an adjusted basis. Analysts are looking for earnings of $1.64 per share for fiscal 2010.

The leading healthy beverage brand in Canada, Nestlé Waters Canada, has launched its next-generation Eco-Shape 50cl PET bottle, which now weighs just 9.16g.

The new bottle contains 27 per cent less plastics than its predecessor 12.5g Eco-Shape PET bottle, which was introduced in 2007 as one of the industry’s first lightweight bottles, and 60 per cent less plastics than the company’s original pre-Eco-Shape 50cl bottle, first introduced in 2000.

The latest version of the bottle, which also features a 1g cap, is rolling out in the company’s Pure Life and Montclair water brands.

The company is committed to developing a next-generation bottle made entirely from recycled materials or renewable resources by 2020.

New York private equity investment firm Castle Harlan has agreed to acquire Pretium Packaging, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of custom-designed specialty plastics containers for the food, pharmaceutical, personal-care and household markets.

In conjunction with the Pretium transaction, the US-based manufacturer will acquire PVC Container Corporation, the parent of Novapak Corporation, which also makes specialty plastics containers. The total deal is valued at approximately $200 million and the combined company will carry the Pretium name.

Pretium founder Keith Harbison will retain a significant minority stake as a partner in the company, which will have annual sales of approximately $240m and 14 manufacturing plants in the US and Canada.

Packaging reduction, carrier bag use and improved recycling make up part of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s draft municipal waste strategy, designed with the intention of reducing waste in the UK city by 2012.

The strategy – London’s Wasted Resource – outlines how promoting smarter, better-informed purchasing habits and less packaging in product design is the most effective way to reduce London’s unnecessary municipal waste.

Committed to working more closely with manufacturers and retailers to reduce packaging, Johnson is also likely to set up a packaging and product design competition to encourage young talented designers to ‘design out’ waste.

The draft strategy will be discussed with the Assembly and bodies such as Transport for London, with a public consultation held in the summer.

Click here to access the draft strategy: www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/waste/index.jsp