Miamisburg, OH-based Technicote Inc., manufacturer of pressure-sensitive roll-label materials, acquires the RF Xpress Roll Program division of Russell-Field Paper on Oct. 8. The RF Xpress Roll Program was reportedly the industry's first company to offer a comprehensive line of non-adhesive materials marketed to the narrow-web tag and label industry.

Printing ink provider Sun Chemical Corp., Ft. Lee, NJ, says it will purchase a half interest in Assemblage Intermoleculaire en Chimie Organique (AIC), a Libourne, France-based maker of special-effect pigments, additives and inks. AIC manufactures high-performance additives that function as pigments in security and specialty inks markets.

Plastic doctor-blade manufacturer Flexo Concepts relocates to a new facility in Plymouth, MA. "The facilities in the new location will enhance our development of next-generation doctor blades," says Kevin McLaughlin, president. New address: 11 Raffaele Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360, 508/830-9506, fax: 508/830-0277, www.flexoconcepts.com

Kodak Polychrome Graphics, Norwalk, CT, reaches an agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. to acquire the printing plate business in Japan of MCC Group. MCC will continue to manufacture thermal and conventional plate products for KPG on a contract basis at its Kashima, Japan plant. KPG obtains the right to manufacture and sell products to MCC's customers/dealers in Japan, as well as a right to sell products to the MCC channel and customers in Asia.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank assumes ownership of the flat-die business of EDI (Chippewa Falls, WI) in a transaction that reduces EDI's debt load and sets the stage for expansion of its strategic investment program, according to EDI president and CEO Timothy C. Callahan. EDI, an international supplier of dies and feedblocks used by plastics extruders and web converters, will operate under the new name Extrusion Dies Industries LLC. It will continue to operate with existing management and staff.