$91 Million Upgrade at Monticello Mill to Boost Efficiency, Industry Competitiveness

Sonoco ThermoSafe and ACL Airshop announced a global agreement for the handling and repair of Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD bulk temperature controlled containers. The Pegasus ULD™ is the world’s first passive bulk temperature controlled container for pharmaceutical use that is an approved unit load device, which allows it to speed through existing international ground handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. Engineered with composite materials, the unit load device will offer a lighter solution that is substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus contains a fully integrated, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved telemetry system, providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location. ACL Airshop, headquartered in Greenville, S.C., and with air cargo support capabilities at more than 50 of the world’s top 100 cargo airports, will initially provide pre-conditioning, handling and repair services at air cargo facilities around the world representing key pharma hubs for import and export. As demand for the Pegasus ULD fleet continues to grow, ACL’s global footprint offers Sonoco ThermoSafe the opportunity to rapidly expand.

UPM Raflatac has further expanded its PP Lite range of labeling solutions for the European market with the introduction of two new products, clear-on-clear PP FTC Lite and PP Solid White FTC Lite. The PP Lite range helps brands achieve their sustainability targets with lightweight, eco-designed face materials, adhesives, and backing materials. Products in the PP Lite range combine a lighter face material, a lower coat-weight adhesive, and a lighter backing. This makes them incredibly lightweight overall, optimizes raw material use, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste. As well as helping brand owners increase the sustainability of their packaging, PP Lite range also boosts productivity across the value chain. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sigma Plastics Group has acquired selected assets from the recently completed Midland, GA-based, state-of-the-art, cast polyethylene stretch-film operation of Stalwart Plastics, Inc., and Quantico Plastics Group, Inc. The deal brings the number of Sigma acquisitions to 41, and the number of global operations to 48. The Midland operation produces industrial flexible packaging for use as pallet wrap largely by consumer brand owners. The Southeastern US location represents one of the most attractive in the country given its above-average growth rates. The operation will be Sigma’s 8th stretch-film manufacturing location, adding to plants in Riverside, CA; Tulsa, OK; Shelbyville, KY; Lyndhurst, NJ; Belleville, Canada; Karczew, Poland; and Bangkok, Thailand. The location will be renamed and marketed as Sigma Stretch Films of Georgia. Stalwart Plastics, more widely known as Zummit Plastics, was being liquidated under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.