Irving Paper Announces Price Increase

Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce the North American launch of its new Drytac Polar Blockout UV opaque printable block out film. Joining the Drytac Zero range of products, Polar Blockout UV is a 2.0 mil (50μ) highly opaque layered white PET film with a matte finish. It is coated with a white pressure-sensitive, permanent aqueous acrylic adhesive which is protected by a 50# siliconized PE coated release paper. It is the ideal solution for two-sided window graphics and other block out layer requirements. The film’s high opacity prevents graphics from showing through on the other side when being used as a cover up graphic, offering a highly effective solution to customers seeking to produce bold and impactful applications.

In 2017, Lollicup's Reifenhauser extruder, which produces plastic sheets from resin, became completely operational. By adding this machine, they were able to cut energy use by about 20 percent and improve production by 40 percent, allowing more products to be produced domestically. "The extruder is capable of making thicker, higher quality sheets of plastic," said Production Supervisor Ron Gonzales. "These sheets are used to form Karat® cups and lids." 2017 also saw the initial phases of a new manufacturing plant in Rockwall, Texas. The manufacturing plant is projected to be operational in 2018 and will allow Lollicup to produce more products, in addition to adding products to their Karat and Karat Earth™ lines. Click Read More below for additional information.

Label and Graphic Materials - Reported sales increased 25% to $1.4 billion. Compared to prior year, sales were up 17% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 16% on an organic basis (up 11% vs. 2019). *Label and Packaging Materials sales were up approximately 12% from prior year on an organic basis, with strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business. *Sales increased by approximately 49% organically in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses. *On an organic basis, sales were up high-single digits in North America, up mid-teens in Western Europe, and up approximately 20% in emerging markets. Retail Branding and Information Solutions - Reported sales increased 80% to $529 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 73% ex. currency (up 25% vs. 2019) and up 72% on an organic basis (up 14% vs. 2019), reflecting strong growth in both the high value categories and the base business. *Intelligent Labels was up approximately 65% organically. Industrial and Healthcare Materials - Reported sales increased 49% to $197 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 39% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 33% on an organic basis (up 6% vs. 2019), reflecting an approximately 60% increase in industrial categories and a high-single digit decline in healthcare categories.