FTC Proposes Revised Green Guides

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed revisions to the guidance that it gives marketers to help them avoid making misleading environmental claims. The proposed changes are designed to update the Guides and make them easier for companies to understand and use.

The changes to the “Green Guides” include new guidance on marketers’ use of product certifications and seals of approval, “renewable energy” claims, “renewable materials” claims, and “carbon offset” claims. The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final.

Read the article that appears on PackagingDigest.com.

Read the Green Guides Summary of Proposal.

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Featured in packagePRINTING Magazine

Diamond is featured in the September 2010 issue of packagePRINTING magazine.

The article, titled "Diamond Shines", documents how the company leverages a long tradition of quality and innovation to be successful in the packaging arena.

Click here to read the article.

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Wins Three Awards In International Print Competition

Diamond Packaging earned three awards in the 61st annual Premier Print Awards Competition, the graphic arts industry's largest and most prestigious international printing competition. Printing Industries of America hosts the Premier Print Awards, which recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of superior print. The event promotes excellence in print communications and rewards companies and individuals who produce the best in printed media.

Diamond competed against more than 3,200 entries from printing and graphic arts firms around the world and received Certificates of Merit for its 2010 corporate calendar, the Godiva 2009 Halloween Collection, and the L’Oreal USA / Matrix 2009 Holiday Collection.

Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America, notes, “Each year, the field of entries brings impressive work from some of the best printers in the world. Only a small number of companies receive any award. The craftsmanship and hard work of Diamond Packaging enabled them to produce multiple award-winning pieces in the face of some very strong competition.”

Diamond was recognized for its contributions to sustainable packaging by winning in the Environmentally Sound category for its 2010 corporate calendar, a popular promotional item given to customers and prospects. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Global Packaging Alliance Holds Annual Meeting in Europe

The Global Packaging Alliance (GPA) recently held its annual meeting in Europe. With members convening from all over the world, the yearly event provided an ideal forum to discuss global market and technology trends.

GPA members spent the first half of the week in Germany and had the opportunity to tour rlc | packaging group’s general and pharmaceutical packaging facilities in Berlin. Members also exchanged views over new technologies and production processes and explored manufacturing and materials options that address requests of global brands to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.

“Know-how-transfer and experience exchange within the GPA network provide us and our customers a decisive competitive advantage – even when it comes to the development of sustainable production methods,” said Hans-Christian Bestehorn, manager of rlc | packaging group and president of the GPA. “Marketers want to support ecological causes, but do not want to sacrifice packaging refinement, for in the end it is essential for brands to communicate a high quality image and command attention at the point-of-sale." more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Wins Six Awards In National Paperboard Packaging Competition

Diamond Packaging earned six awards in the 67th Annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition, the industry’s premier showcase for all that is new and outstanding in paperboard packaging design and technology. Awards were announced at the 2010 Outlook & Strategies Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

The competition, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), is a celebration of the industry and its creative potential. It is also an affirmation of paperboard as the clear and intelligent choice for packaging in today’s eco-conscious world.

Entries in the overall competition were evaluated on three criteria. First was an examination of the package itself, specifically an explanation of the package’s development objectives, materials selection, and design, printing, and converting processes. Second was a measure of the package’s impact on production, manufacturing, and distribution, including logistics and supply chain (storage, distribution, warehousing), system economics (material substitutions, line efficiency, cost reduction), and brand enhancement and marketing. Finally, the package’s impact on retail and consumers was evaluated, including merchandising and retail strategy effectiveness, performance and functionality, product protection, sustainability, and shelf differentiation.

Competing against entries from around the country, Diamond received recognition by winning two Gold Awards and four Excellence Awards. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Highland Lilac Wins Packaging Award

Diamond Packaging and Highland Lilac of Rochester today announced that its new packaging for the renowned Highland Lilac™ perfume won an award in packagePRINTING’s 23rd annual Excellence Awards competition. The folding carton redesign won Second Place in the competition’s new Sustainability category.

The competition, sponsored by packagePRINTING magazine, is the industry's only competition that recognizes the highest level of printing quality and technical achievement across the full range of packaging segments – tags and labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and corrugated cartons. Entries were judged on print quality, functionality, and secondary converting and finishing attributes. Sustainability entries were also judged on the use of sustainable materials (inks, substrates, etc.) with additional consideration for the use of sustainable processes.

“We're excited to partner with Diamond Packaging in this green initiative,” said Charles Morgan, president of Highland Lilac of Rochester. “It’s great to be able to combine an attractive package with sustainability. It certainly is a win-win.”

Both Diamond and Highland Lilac have deep roots in the Rochester community. Dan Morgan first designed, developed and manufactured Highland Lilac™ perfume 40 years ago, and partnered with Diamond to package the product for its initial launch at that time. Today, Highland Lilac™ is one of America's finest perfumes, winning numerous national awards and international gold medals, and having been presented to 11 first ladies of the United States. It has also been featured on The Martha Stewart Show and in several national magazines, including Shopping Etc. and Affluent Lifestyles. The company debuted its new packaging during the 2009 Lilac Festival. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Wins Four Awards in 2009 FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition

Diamond Packaging won four awards in the 17th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition, the premier showcase for the most creative, brilliant, and technically difficult works in the packaging industry. Awards were announced last month at the FSEA National Convention in New Orleans, LA.

The competition, sponsored by the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), recognizes top quality craftsmanship and expressions of excellence in the areas of foil stamping, embossing, specialty effects, and design. Entries are judged on several criteria including design, execution, and level of difficulty. Winning an award is a mark of excellence in the packaging field and recognition of superior achievement.

Competing against hundreds of entries from around the world, Diamond earned recognition by winning two Gold Leaf awards, one Silver Leaf award, and one Bronze Leaf award. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Sustainable Packaging: The Beauty Industry’s Perfect Storm?

Eco-conscious consumers are demanding greener packaging to help save the planet, and corporate boards are requiring increased sustainability measures to boost the bottom line. Add in new global standards and growing retail requirements, and there may be a perfect storm gathering in the beauty world. Read on for the latest forecast.

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Installs Custom-Configured Speedmaster XL 105 UV Press

Diamond Packaging today announced the installation of a state-of-the-art, UV-capable, 8-color Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 in a special double coating configuration with initial flexo dispersion coater and three modular deliveries. The company acquired the new press in order to service existing customers, attract new business, and grow revenues and employment. The new machine joins a pressroom lineup that already boasts a 7-color Speedmaster CD 102 UV press and a 6-color Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 102 UV press with double coater.

“Packaging is a very capital intensive business. Our customers are continually demanding new technology, faster turnaround, increased service, and greater flexibility and capability,” said Karla Fichter, CEO of Diamond Packaging. “Investing in new technology is a long-standing tradition at Diamond and allows us to satisfy the demands of our customers and grow organically.”

“This acquisition is exciting in that it represents the state-of-the-art in package printing technology,” said Kirsten Werner, president of Diamond Packaging. “Our new press will provide Diamond with an unprecedented combination of cost innovation and sustainability.” more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Sustainable Packaging Market to Reach $170 Billion by 2014

Packaging for a variety of consumer, commercial, and industrial goods continues to grow rapidly, fueled largely by the increase in demand for consumer goods in developing countries. According to a recent report from Pike Research, worldwide packaging industry revenues will increase from $429 billion in 2009 to $530 billion by 2014, representing a growth rate greater than that of the global economy itself. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging