Malaysia-based Scientex Packaging Films purchases a 3-meter-wide cast stretch-wrap film line from Black Clawson Converting Machinery, Inc., Fulton, NY. It is the fifth Black Clawson cast-film line bought by Scientex and increases the converter's total stretch-film production capacity to about 5,000 metric tons/yr. The equipment will be installed at Scientex's newest facility located in Port Klang, near Kuala Lumpur. The 118-in. wide cast-film line will produce five-layer differential cling, high-grade stretch films ranging from 0.5 to 2.4 mils. The new line includes a Cloeren EPOCH die, Euro-therm Gauging Systems drives, EGS gauging, Allen Bradley PLCs and Process Control resin delivery, blending and reclaim. All components are controlled by Black Clawson's Integrator™ II Supervisory Process Control System.

Philips, WI-based machinery maker MarquipWardUnited recently completed two installations to international corrugated-board converters. Chinese manufacturer ZheJiang Paper Co. purchases five corrugated splicers, a dual rotary shear-slitter-scorer, and a Model III knife and downstacker to run single- and double-faced board. German converter Bandis & Knopp installs a corrugated knife and knife outfeed to help increase average production by 10 percent. Speeds are now reportedly up to 1,200 fpm with the new knifing system.

Franklin Park, IL-based flex-pack converter Prairie State Group successfully starts up its new Evolution™ inline flexo-converting system from PCMC, Green Bay, WI. The gearless, AC-digital servo-driven press is the centerpiece of Prairie State's new 40,000-sq-ft facility. The Evolution is a multiple substrate, inline press in 18-, 22-, 26- and 30-print widths for running flex pack, folding carton, tag and label applications. The system's "Deck x 2" print head is a single impression cylinder operating between two color decks, allowing for a very short web path and the versatility to add extra print modules or converting options. An 8-color changeover can reportedly be accomplished in less than 30 mins.