The German antitrust authority has approved the acquisition of Dick Peters B.V. by ALTANA AG. Effective Dec. 30, 2008, the business activities of the Dutch manufacturer of wax additives, which was a subsidiary of the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant, will be transferred to the BYK Additives & Instruments division within the ALTANA Group. ALTANA will take over the production site of Dick Peters B.V. in Denekamp with its staff of about 35 employees. The purchase price amounts to €17.5 million.

Dick Peters produces wax additives, which are used, for example, in molds metal casting, in adhesives and printing inks. The newly acquired business will be integrated into BYK Cera B.V., which is also located in the Netherlands.

Flint Group has announced a 15 percent price increase for web offset inks with immediate effect, latest by Jan. 1, 2009.

"Whilst the price of oil has fallen in recent weeks the cost of other raw materials such as pigments, intermediates, resins and other key additives continue to rise due to the unprecedented strengthening of both the euro and U.S. dollar against the British pound," said Wolfgang Blumschein, vice president and general manager Flint Group Publication Europe.

"The majority of our raw materials are sourced outside the UK and have impacted heavily on our margins. In order to continue to provide our customers with high quality products and service we have no alternative but to pass these increases on. We appreciate our customers' loyalty and understanding of this situation."

Laura Maybaum, product manager of POP inks for Nazdar, was recently inducted into the Academy of Screen Printing Technology (ASPT). Ms. Maybaum was one of two inductees honored in Atlanta in October 2008

Established in 1973 by the Board of Directors of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA), the ASPT recognizes individuals who have contributed to the technical growth and advancement of the screen printing industry. The ASPT is an international body of experts which honors qualified individuals through election to membership for their distinguished, long-term contributions to, and application and promotion of, screen and digital printing and associated imaging technologies for graphic, textile, industrial and electronic printing applications.

“Laura’s work is an asset to Nazdar, and we are pleased that the Academy has recognized her contributions in product development and education. She manages products, from development to testing and sales, for the national and international screen market,” according to Phil McGugan, vice president of global marketing at Nazdar.

Mrs. Maybaum is the fourth active ASPT member from the Nazdar organization, including Bruce Ridge (inducted in 2004), Frank Blanco (1994), and Mike Ruff (2005). Retired members include Harold Johnston (1984) and Dale Sloan (1978).

Sun Chemical has agreed to a deal with Cambridge-based digital print specialist, Tonejet, to manufacture and supply inks to Tonejet’s first customer, leading beverage can manufacturer, Ball Packaging Europe.
 
Tonejet’s innovative, drop-on-demand digital print engine is currently being introduced into the fabrication process at Ball’s production plant in Germany. This cost-effective solution can digitally print directly on to a vast array of materials, including beverage cans. Sun Chemical manufactures and supplies specialty inks for this unique process.
 
“We pride ourselves in delivering ink and pigments of the highest quality and this will compliment the excellence of Tonejet’s digital print process,” said John Law, managing director at Sun Chemical. “It is exciting to be a part of this digital revolution which will maximize the impact of the cans that are produced by manufacturers like Ball, making its cans stand out in a demanding marketplace.”
 
“Sun Chemical’s expert knowledge of ink manufacture and supply will complement our existing process,” said Ray Southam, CEO of Tonejet. “By partnering with Sun Chemical we are able to offer our customers the absolute best in ink quality, which when combined with our digital print process will give them the ability to create consumer product packaging with a level of detail and personalization which has never been possible before.”

INX International Ink Co. announced the availability throughout North America of Belle Color rotogravure laminating inks for the flexible packaging market.  Belle Color technology, already widely used in parts of Asia and the Pacific Rim, has been brought to North America using performance-proving processes employed earlier by INX when introducing its industry-leading Lamiall laminating inks to this marketplace.

“Belle Color provides several major ink system advances for retort pouches and boil-in-bag, as well as snack food packaging applications,” said Mark Hill, assistant director of INX Research and Development and vice president, liquid technology.  “INX’ global parent, Sakata INX developed a new, proprietary resin system that does not require MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) or toluene.  The result is a MEK/toluene free ink that prints as well as traditional MEK/toluene formulations.  In addition, Belle Color provides unmatched performance in the retort and high-performance lamination market.  Belle Color is the most universal ink on the market today.”

Mr. Hill said unlike many laminating inks which require cross linking for certain boil-in-bag or retort applications (up to 275° F), Belle Color has been shown to deliver high-level performance without the need for special additives or cross linkers.  Its adhesion to treated films is exceptional, including newer high barrier options such as AlOx- and SiOx-coated polyester, as well as popular general purpose films such as polyolefins, polyester, cellophane, nylon and saran-coated films.  Belle Color still has the option to be cross linked for even higher performance applications if needed.

Belle Color’s lamination bond strength is excellent, as well as its block resistance for off-line lamination.  It works well with solvent or water-based dry bond adhesives, or solvent-less adhesive systems.

“Printers handling a wide range of snack packaging applications will find Belle Color to be a superior general purpose process ink,” said Lou DeFlaviis, vice president of packaging business development for the Liquid Ink Division at INX.  “It prints clean, with excellent multiple-substrate quality and consistency, and resolves doctor blade performance and related issues that are common with other inks.  The Belle Color single-component system provides not only major advances in laminating ink performance, but is a universal answer to the issue of handling multiple substrates and maintaining consistent quality faced by gravure printers today.”

Belle Color helps simplify day-to-day print runs, while streamlining ink inventory, management and costs. These inks offer excellent heat resistance, and have very low solvent retention.  Lightfast colorants also are available.

Russell Joyce, president Flint Group Narrow Web, 39, died in hospital on Dec. 6, 2008 after collapsing earlier that day in Malmo, Sweden. The cause of his death is not yet known.

Mr. Joyce began his ink industry career in 1991 with Coates Lorilleux in England. He joined the Narrow Web group of Akzo Nobel Inks (ANI) in 1997 and held both technical and market development positions. Following the acquisition of ANI, BASF Printing Systems and Flint Ink by CVC, he became general manager of Europe, Middle East, Africa and South America for Flint Group’s Narrow Web business prior to being named president of the division in March 2007.

“Teamwork, achieving goals, together with a pragmatic, friendly, open-minded “can do” approach were the characteristics of Russell’s leadership style. When combining this with his integrity, and passion for customers, this made him an outstanding leader for our company, our customers, and his colleagues. Russell was well respected by everyone he met,” says Charles Knott, CEO of Flint Group. “We are all saddened and shocked by the unexpected loss of a very young colleague and friend in the prime of his life.”

Expression of condolences can be sent to Flint Group Sweden AB, attn. Niklas Olsson, Gutenbergsgatan 1, SE-231 25 Trelleborg, Sweden. They will be forwarded to Russell Joyce’s wife Jennifer Joyce.

Sensient Technologies announced that Richard F. Hobbs, vice president and chief financial officer, and John L. Hammond, vice president, secretary and general counsel, have been promoted to senior vice presidents of the company.

Richard Hobbs joined Sensient Technologies in 1973 as assistant tax manager. During his long career with the company, he has held a number of senior management positions, including treasurer, vice president and corporate controller, vice president of administration, and vice president and chief administrative officer. In 2000 he was promoted to vice president and CFO.

He is a CPA and holds an MBA from Marquette University and a BBA in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

John Hammond joined Sensient Technologies in January 1998 as vice president, secretary and general counsel. He has an LL.M. from the New York University School of Law and a J.D. from the University of Maine Law School. He holds a BA in history from Yale University.

"Dick Hobbs and Jack Hammond are key members of Sensient's leadership and their contributions have been recognized by promotion to senior vice presidents of the company," said Kenneth P. Manning, chairman and CEO of Sensient Technologies.

Flint Group and Lindgens Metal Decorating Coatings & Inks announced the signing of a joint vVenture agreement comprising Flint Group’s metal decorating inks business in Australia and New Zealand. In May Flint Group acquired the metal decorating inks business as part of the acquisition of Siegwerk’s packaging inks business in Australia and New Zealand. Lindgens specialise in inks and coatings for metal decoration and today is a major player in this market. “We are combining resources to bring more value to our customers. Flint Group brings invaluable industry experience and a strong local presence, while Lindgens bring their expertise for this specialty application. An excellent partnership,” says Charles Knott, CEO of Flint Group. “Lindgens is delighted to be joining forces with Flint Group in Australia and New Zealand to build on the work we have been doing in Metal decorating in these markets over the past years. This partnership will allow Lindgens to bring considerably more focus and resource to ANZ and we look forward to the opportunity to work together with the many metal decorating customers in this region," says Andrew Garner, CEO of Lindgens Group. The joint venture will be located in Hallam, Australia.

INX International Ink Co. has announced its collaboration with digital printing specialist Tonejet. INX will provide inks for Tonejet’s newly developed proprietary drop-on-demand digital print engine technology, to Ball Packaging Europe for the production of decorated two-piece beverage cans. This technology, initially being implemented at Ball’s Hassloch production facility in Germany with the integration of a pilot machine in the first quarter of 2009, has been engineered by Tonejet and will enable Ball to print photo-quality 600-dpi, two-piece beverage cans in limited quantities for numerous markets. The combination of expertise from both organizations will enable INX to toll manufacture the inks to Tonejet’s specifications. “We are delighted to play a key role in this venture,” said Rick Clendenning, INX president and CEO. “It is an exciting advance for both digital printing and metal decorating, an advance to which we bring an unsurpassed combination of ink and metal deco expertise. With Tonejet’s development of the ink technology, we look forward to our continued collaboration with Tonejet and Ball and to progressing together as this new digital technology evolves and becomes established in the industry.” Ray Southam, CEO of Tonejet commented, “We are extremely pleased that our technology has been recognized by a world-leading ink manufacturer. Joining forces with INX ensures that our digital print process delivers our first customer, Ball, with the highest quality images, which can be directly printed onto its beverage cans.” INX Digital, the digital arm of INX International Ink Co., has extensive experience in nano particle pigment dispersion technology, as well as global digital ink manufacturer expertise. INX also has developed related digital metal printing systems, and brings additional metal decorating insights from years of world leadership in providing conventional inks for metal cans. INX global manufacturing capabilities along with production-control systems further ensure consistent ink quality for the new digital-metal printing application.

Sun Chemical will increase prices for packaging, commercial sheetfed, and news inks in Canada between 5-12 percent effective January 1, 2009. “The price of oil has receded in recent weeks, but the costs of pigments, pigment intermediaries, resins, solvents and other key additives continue to increase,” said Rod Staveley, president of Sun Chemical Canada. “These components make up the largest percentage of most ink products that we manufacture. The rapid depreciation of the Canadian dollar is another factor affecting the price increases in Canada. While the recent price of oil has helped reduce these impacts, our total costs continue to increase. “We will continue to work on controlling our own costs closely with our supply chain partners, to improve our internal operations and to develop new value oriented products that can help customers grow their business.”

Today at ca. 10:00 local time an explosion occurred at Flint Group’s manufacturing site in Slough, UK, followed by a fire. The site was evacuated and the fire was quickly brought under control by local fire brigades. The cause of the explosion is not known yet.

The only reported injury is one person who received medical treatment for dust in the eyes. The investigation of the incident is ongoing. “We will do all we can to quickly find out the extend of the damage and the cause of the incident and will inform about it as soon as more details are available,” confirmed operations manger John Cheal.

Flint Group produces offset printing blankets at its facilities in Slough.

Brian Leen, president of North American Inks at Sun Chemical, announced four product managers within the company’s newly reorganized North American business unit.

North American Inks has adopted a structure that will provide greater focus on delivering quality, service, and innovation to customers and improving business efficiencies.
 
“Our product managers play an important role in better meeting the needs of our customers,” Mr. Leen said. “Each of the new product managers brings tremendous experience to the job and has been assigned to lead a key product portfolio. Their focus on products and technologies will enhance our execution while maintaining focus on end-use applications. I am confident each of these leaders on my management team will continue to help us concentrate on our customers and assist Sun Chemical deliver its vision for the future.”  
 
Brian Breidigan has been named vice president of product management for commercial inks and will be responsible for the sheetfed, tag and label, and specialty inks product portfolio at Sun Chemical.

Anthony Renzi has been appointed vice president, product management of liquid inks and will oversee Sun Chemical’s solvent- and water-based product portfolio.

Grant Shouldice has been named director of product management of energy curable inks and will manage the product portfolio for the energy curable inks product lines.

Dennis Sweet has been appointed vice president, product management of publication inks and will be responsible for managing the product portfolio for the publication heatset/gravure product lines.

The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA signed a contract to acquire the Dutch manufacturer of wax additives, Dick Peters B.V. The company, which is located in Denekamp, the Netherlands, is a subsidiary of the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant. In 2007, Dick Peters B.V. achieved sales of about €24 million.

Through its BYK Additives & Instruments’ division, ALTANA will acquire the major part of the wax additives business with sales of about €20 million; the remaining part of the business stays with Clariant. At the same time ALTANA takes over the production site in Denekamp as well as its staff of about 35 employees. Within the ALTANA Group, Dick Peters B.V. will be integrated into BYK Cera B.V., which is also located in the Netherlands. The purchase price amounts to about €17.5 million. The acquisition is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

Dick Peters produces wax additives, which are used, for example, in molds for the steel and mechanical engineering industries, in adhesives and printing inks.

”With the acquisition of Dick Peters ALTANA continues its growth strategy,“ stated Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. “In addition to organic growth we pursue bolt-on acquisitions within the four existing divisions which must supplement our portfolio, strengthen our market position, be profitable and therefore create more value.“

“The acquisition of Dick Peters is an excellent supplement to our position in the wax additives business, which so far has been held by BYK Cera alone, and which now will be significantly strengthened,“ said Dr. Roland Peter, president division BYK Additives & Instruments. He further stated that the product portfolio of Dick
Peters would enable new applications and therefore make new market segments accessible. “We are strategically well positioned to further expand our position also in the wax additives business and to offer our customers a high degree of innovative ability and service.“

Brian Leen, president of North American Inks at Sun Chemical, announced the appointment of key leaders responsible for the growth and sales of the company’s newly reorganized North American business unit

North American Inks has adopted a structure that will provide greater focus on delivering quality, service, and innovation to customers and improve business efficiencies.  
 
“By uniting our sales organization under one leadership, we will drive a greater focus on sales excellence,” Mr. Leen said. “Our aim will be to develop a sales team that is recognized by our customers as the benchmark against which all other sales teams are measured.”
 
Greg Lawson has been appointed vice president of sales and will be responsible for all sales in North America including Rycoline, US Ink, packaging, publication, commercial, and specialty inks.

Michel Bilodeau has been appointed vice president of key accounts. As a key member of the North American Inks leadership team, Mr. Bilodeau will direct commercial activity with key accounts in North America in all industries except US Ink. He will report to Greg Lawson, vice president of sales.

Colin Davie has been named director of North American Inks business development. In this role, Mr. Davie will direct all activities related to the development of early-stage businesses with major growth potential. He will also lead all of North American Inks’ merger and acquisition activity, including activities associated with strategic alliances and joint ventures.

Chris Parrilli has been named vice president of customer service centers in Sun Chemical’s North American Inks business unit. In this role, Mr. Parrilli will coordinate and lead Sun Chemical’s customer service centers and in-plants.

DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM), part of DuPont Electronic Technologies, announced the introduction of a new silver conductive ink formulated for use in printed electronics.  

“DuPont MCM is uniquely positioned to help its customers succeed in the growing field of printed electronics, and this new development is an excellent example of how we’ve put our science to work to make that happen," said Scott E. Gordon, printed electronics segment manager – DuPont Microcircuit Materials. “Our customers in the printed electronics industry are actively seeking more cost-effective materials and more efficient methods of production for high volume products such as RFID, and we have customized DuPont 5064 silver conductive ink in order to meet both of these criteria, while it continues to provide reliable performance in high and ultra high frequency ranges.”

DuPont 5064 silver conductive ink is a polymer thick film technology developed with a unique combination of silver powder and resin that provides superior conductivity, cost-effectively.  It also allows for single pass printing which improves productivity in a range of printing processes.  Its excellent adhesion to various substrates makes it suitable for several key applications, particularly RFID antennae, due to its performance in ultra high frequency and high frequency ranges. 

DuPont 5064 silver conductive ink may also be used for applications including membrane touch switches, biosensors, and interconnection circuitry.

DuPont 5064 silver conductive ink is the latest addition to a broad portfolio of conductive materials for the printed electronics industry available from DuPont Microcircuit Materials for the following applications:

•    Thin film Photovoltaics (PV) – low temperature curing inks suitable for front-side grid and bus-bar conductors for thin film technologies such as CI(G)S, Cd Te, DSSC, organic and amorphous silicon;
•    Electroluminescent (EL) Displays – a full system of compatible inks for printing EL lamps for signage, backlights, automotive lighting and decorative lighting ;
•    Biosensors – gold, silver, carbon and custom ink formulations for working and reference electrodes;
•    RFID - Printed antennae using DuPont MCM silver inks, with widespread usage in ticketing, ski passes, automotive antennae, e-passports and luggage labels;
•    Membrane Touch Switches (MTS) – full range of silver, carbon and UV dielectric inks;
•    Smart Packaging – next generation flexographic inks;
•    Printed Batteries – carbon, silver and other custom compositions for printed batteries;

DuPont MCM’s range of functional low-temperature curing inks for printed electronics applications employ various advanced resin chemistries enabling a variety of adhesion, flex and thermal properties and compatibility with a broad range of substrates, including paper, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), FR4 and transparent conductive oxides.  The active phase of each ink is designed with each specific end application in mind, to ensure the correct conductive, resistive or dielectric properties.  DuPont MCM’s wide range of ink vehicle systems is suitable for screen print, flexo, gravure, photo-imaging, pad printing and other processing techniques. New ink-jet formulations are also under development.