Paperboard Packaging to Benefit from Recyclable Logo

The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has introduced a recyclable logo to be used on paperboard packaging now that it is recycled in the majority of American communities.

According to recent guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), something can only be advertised as recyclable if it can be done so easily by the majority of consumers.

PPC has said that paperboard packaging is now being collected for recycling in over 60 percent of communities in the US, which the FTC has said represents a substantial majority. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Produces Centennial-Themed Calendar

Diamond Packaging continues its annual tradition of producing a corporate calendar, a popular promotional item given to customers and suppliers.

This year's centennial-themed calendar is the company's most ambitious to date, featuring twelve layouts: one for each decade that Diamond has been in business along with a futurevision layout and a 9-11 tribute. Each decade depicts memorable moments from that time period supporting Diamond's message that “We Were There”. The distinguished calendar cover protects the piece, which also serves as a capabilities book.

The calendar was decorated with the latest in package printing technologies, including specialty coatings (emboss, glitter, pearl, textured, soft touch), MiraFoil™ environmentally-friendly coating, Cast and Cure holographic effects, foil stamping, and multi-level embossing. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

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

SPC Introduces Framework to Gauge Metrics in Packaging Sustainability

The SP Metrics Framework is the outcome of an 18-month project that involved extensive research, stakeholder engagement and a comprehensive review process. Its indicators and metrics are organized into eight categories related to material use, energy use, water use, material health, clean production and transport, cost and performance, community impact and worker impact. Each module explains why the measurements should be made, defines each indicator as it relates to packaging, specifies the metric to be used, defines terminology and provides recommendations for what to measure and what not to measure, including references to applicable international standards and protocols. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Survey Shows Bright Future for Sustainable Packaging

A survey of top retail- and manufacturing-related companies reveals that more than 65% of companies have some type of sustainable packaging policy in place, while 28% are currently developing a policy.

The report, developed by Tompkins’ Supply Chain Consortium, states that for 79% of companies, packaging sustainability impacts their strategic direction in the area of energy and material costs, and 76% see an impact in environmental and economic concerns. At the same time, executives see less of an impact in the areas of increasing competitiveness and access to new markets, indicating that sustainable packaging may be more about “hard” savings rather than “soft” benefits. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Empire State Development Announces More Than $1 Million in Upstate Regional Blueprint Funding for Finger Lakes Region

Empire State Development today announced that Diamond Packaging has been awarded $700,000 in Round 1 of the Upstate Regional Blueprint Funding. Diamond will retain 90 existing jobs and create 100 new jobs with this investment. The announcement of $17.5 million in Round I of Upstate Regional Blueprint funding was made today by Governor David A. Paterson. More than $1 million in funding was awarded to the Finger Lakes Region.

The Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund was designed to finance business investment, infrastructure upgrades and downtown redevelopment that will advance New York’s economic vitality. The $120 million Fund, announced by Governor David A. Paterson in May, supports projects that help provide a framework for future growth in regions with stymied development.

Diamond Packaging is a high-end printing and packaging company that will invest in a new multi-million dollar printing press to service new and existing customers. This investment will ensure that the company retains its largest customers, as well as assist in attracting new business. In addition to the Blueprint funds, Diamond will be financing the acquisition with SBA 504 funds approved through the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, bank financing, and cash equity. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Wins Four Awards In FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition

Diamond Packaging won four awards in the 16th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition, the industry’s premier showcase for foil stamping and embossing designs and techniques. Awards were announced at the annual awards banquet, held in conjunction with the 2009 IADD•FSEA Odyssey in Atlanta, GA.

The competition, which is sponsored by the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), recognizes creativity and superior execution of designs that reflect positively on the industry as a whole. 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 country, 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

EPA Recognizes Diamond Packaging For Leading Green Power Purchase

Diamond Packaging announced today that it appears on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) new Top 20 Printers List of the largest green power purchasers in the commercial printing business. Diamond Packaging is purchasing more than 6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization's purchased electricity use. Diamond Packaging is buying a utility green power product from RG&E.

The Top 20 Printers List, which debuted on July 27, is one of nine Top Partner Lists that EPA releases quarterly, highlighting some of America's largest green power purchasers. Diamond Packaging currently ranks No. 7 on EPA’s Top 20 Printers List. All of EPA’s Top Partner Lists are available at www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists.

This purchase also qualifies Diamond Packaging for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership’s minimum requirement organization-wide. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Yau Bon Achieves FSC Certification

Yau Bon Offset Printing Ltd. today announced that they have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certification. This certification reflects a growing trend to enhance the development of forest certification in China, create synergies between the regional and international forest certification systems, and encourage public involvement in the process of forest certification through seminars, training and publications.

China is growing at a dramatic rate positioning itself as the ’manufacturer of the world’. As the most populous country sporting a remarkable two-digit economic growth for a number of years, it is calling for large and ever increasing amounts of energy and resources.

Given China’s role in the world’s timber markets, the development of an FSC accredited National Initiative (NI) in China presents truly global opportunities for creating incentives for better forest management both in China and in some of the world’s most threatened forests. At the same time, significantly more responsibly produced wood products should become available on the North American and European markets. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Diamond Packaging Wins Four Awards in 2009 National Paperboard Packaging Competition

Diamond Packaging earned four awards in the 66th 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 2009 Outlook & Strategies Conference in Atlanta, GA.

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

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

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging

Sustainable Packaging Trend Gathering Pace

A new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor identifies sustainable packaging as a growing consumer issue, revealing that, although sustainable packaging is not yet a primary motivator of purchases, it is becoming a consumer expectation.

"Sustainable packaging has the potential to become the new breakthrough consumer issue of its time, in the same way as organic food or fair-trade products a decade or so previously," Matthew Adams, consumer analyst at Datamonitor and author of the report, told Manufacturers' Monthly last week. "Consumers' relationship with packaging in many ways is complex because few will admit to its importance because it is often taken for granted, but increasing consumer concern about ecological matters means packaging is an issue that is rising to prominence. more

Dennis Bacchetta
Diamond's greenbox initiative
Packaging