Ahlstrom is investing over €16M to rebuild the wet end and coating facilities of its paper machine PM6 in Osnabrück, Germany, which manufactures heavy one-side coated papers, wallpaper base, poster papers and release liners. The investment will improve formation and printability characteristics of the paper.

More information from: Rein Middelburg, Ahlstrom – TEL: +358 9503 911. FAX: +358 95039 4709.

The year-old alliance between flexo press builders Comexi and Kidder has been dissolved.

More information from: Josep Borrat, Comexi -TEL: +34 972 47 77 44. FAX: +34 972 47 73 84.

EMAIL: comexi@comexi.es

Creo has completed its acquisition of ScenicSoft, software developer of digital prepress solutions. It has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares for about US$9.5M.

More information from: Rochelle van Halm, Creo – TEL. +1 604 451 2700. EMAIL: rochelle.van.halm@creo.com

Action Energy is calling for the UK paper and board industry to act now to reduce its energy bills this winter. Companies can call 0800 58 57 94 and request a free energy survey, to start saving money and become more energy efficient.

More information from: Action Energy – WEBSITE: www.actionenergy.org.uk

Vigitek has supplied its first inspection system to Brazil. The installation on a CI flexo press comprises the VigiPrint 100 per cent colour inspection system and Vigitek’s CI register video system. The company has also received an order from Lawson Mardon in the USA for an additional five 100 per cent inspection systems.

More information from: CFM – TEL: +44 (0)1635 37232. EMAIL: jeremy@cfmachinery.com

UK based label manufacturer Harlands this year celebrates 170 years in the industry. The company recently printed its 750millionth label on its new site at Marfleet Lane, Hull.

More information from: Karen Percival, Harlands Labels – TEL: +44 (0)1482 567292. FAX: +44 (0)1482 567206.

Teknek’s WGCM machine simultaneously guides the web and cleans the substrate of dry, unattached particles down to one micron. It also has an integrated splice table. Web driven, the WGCM can be integrated into any printing press with minimum space requirement, the company states.

More information from: Paul Stevenson, Teknek Electronics – TEL: +44 (0)141 568 8100. EMAIL: teknek@teknek.com

Following its acquisition by the Australian based PaperlinX group, Bunzl Fine Paper has changed its name to The Paper Company.

More information from: WEBSITE: www.bunzl.com

Flint Ink has introduced Matrixcure-NP, claimed to be a highly runnable, energy curable offset UV system that offers superior adhesion and scratch resistance.

More information from: Robert Purshouse, Flint Ink Europe – TEL: +44 (0)1902 871028. EMAIL: rpursehouse@flintink.com

The Kappa corrugated plant in Northampton, UK, has received accreditation against the new BRC/IOP Hygiene Standard. It has gained the higher level (category B food contact level) of the standard, relevant to its most demanding customers who supply food into supermarkets.

More information from: Neil Farmer, Institute of Packaging ­- TEL: +44 (0)1664 500055. FAX: +44 (0)1664 64164.

The Code-Tracker CT300 is a new low cost verification system offered by PC Industries to provide narrow and wide web printers with 100 per cent ANSI bar code grading. It can handle multiple lanes of bar codes and provide the operator with real time quality feedback.

More information from: John Woolley, PC Industries – TEL: +1 847-336-3300 x.60. EMAIL: johnw@pcindustries.com WEBSITE: www.pcindustries.com

UK point of sale specialist the Terry Smith Group has added an automatic die cutter to the converting department at its West Drayton factory. The new Young Shin YT-1700S II machine, built in Korea, will handle solid and foam board, and corrugated, with a maximum sheet size of 1,700 X 1,200mm on substrates up to 11mm thick.

More information from: David Mason, Terry Smith Group – TEL: +44 (0)20 8476 3000.

Amsterdam based Escribo Technologies is to market US manufacturer Pinnacle Label’s range of stock and custom labels throughout Europe and Russia. The range is said to offer more than 40 selections of stock cut sheet labels for most imaging needs – from black and white, and colour desktop printers to high speed laser printers, as well as offset presses and digital printers.

More information from: Bill Podojil, Escribo Technologies – TEL: +31 20 428 4463. EMAIL:

wcc@pinnaclelabel.com

Dotrix, the Belgian developer of the.factory inkjet digital press, has been awarded an ‘Outstanding Achievement in Counterfeit Deterrence’ award at the 4th annual PISEC 2002 product and image security exhibition in Dublin, Ireland. More information from: Marie-Hélène Lanssens Dotrix – TEL: +32 (9) 21 69 711. EMAIL: info@dotrix.be

A Velcro ‘hook and loop’ sealing system for plastics bag making machinery is now available from Park-Air.

More information from: Richard Little, Jenton International – TEL. +44 (0)1256 892 194. EMAIL: rlittle@jenton.co.uk WEBSITE: www.jenton.co.uk

Katco, supplier of adhesive tape and non conductive materials, has a new website, at www.katco.uk.com

Ross Howie Graphic Equipment, UK agent for Netherlands based Flexoclean, has introduced an on-site anilox roller cleaning service.

More information from: Ross Howie Graphic Equipment – TEL: +44 (0)1270 213524. EMAIL: sales@rosshowie.co.uk WEBSITE: www.rosshowie.co.uk

Scitex Vision, manufacturer of wide format digital printing systems, is to merge with Aprion Digital. Scitex Vision is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scitex Corp with headquarters in Herzlia, Israel. Aprion, based in Netanya, Israel, in which Scitex holds 43 per cent, specializes in drop-on-demand inkjet technology for the corrugated packaging and wide format printing markets.

More information from: Yahel Shachar, Scitex Corp – TEL: +972 3 607 5755. Email: yahel.shachar@scitex.com

Anilox rollers manufactured in South Africa by CAE are available through CDL Graphic Machinery. The rolls comply with ISO9002:2000 and are said to be “very competitively priced”.

More information from: CDL Graphic Machinery, Wall Lodge, Bannisters Lane, Frampton, Boston PE20 1RD

Simco’s DD web cleaning solution for the elimination of static and dust prior to printing is said to be exceptionally compact, in spite of incorporating its own power supply, and suitable for use in the most demanding situations.

More information from: Michael Essler, WLT -TEL: 01274 220300. EMAIL: tecsales@wlt.co.uk WEBSITE: www.wlt.co.uk